New CLUp needs nat’l agencies OK, say
DAGUPAN’S PUSH FOR EXPANSION
THE approval of the proposed amendments to the Dagupan City’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) that seek to expand and develop commercial centers in the city may not happen soon in spite of the support of members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).
Speaking for fellow aldermen, Councilors Alfie Fernandez and Jose Netu Tamayo, both lawyers, said that before they approve the document, clearances and certifications from various national agencies must be submitted to show that conversion of lands in the proposed growth areas from agricultural to commercial is allowed.
They cited Memorandum Circular 54 of then President Fidel V. Ramos that requires the submission of clearances and certifications from Departments of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources and Agrarian Reform, the National Irrigation Administration and Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board before lands in the proposed new growth areas can be converted from agricultural to commercial.
The two made the clarification after conducting a public hearing on the CLUP at the City Museum on March 25, along with fellow Councilors Jesus Canto, Marvin Fabia, Alvin Coquia and Lino Fernandez.
The hearing was attended by Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board Regional Director Teresita Galacgac and representatives of the DAR and NIA.
City Planning and Development Coordinator Romeo Rosario presented at the public hearing the CLUP which was last amended in 2005 that served as the guideline for Dagupan’s development from 2005 to 2015.
The proposed amendment seeks the inclusion of three other growth centers, which include the Lucao-Pantal corridor, the Bonuan area and the Tebeng-Caranglaan area.
Of the three proposed growth areas, the most controversial is the Lucao-Pantal corridor traversed by the Jose de Venecia Expressway, where fishpond lands are located and which serve as additional catchment area for rainwater and water coming from upstream of the Pantal River, making them environmentally critical areas.
Fernandez said the SP needs the clearances because ” we want to be sure of the environmental sustainability of the area for the next generations of Dagupenos” since the fishponds need a lot of landfilling.”
For his part, Tamayo who views the proposed amendment in the CLUP as an attempt of the administration of Mayor Belen Fernandez to make a great leap forward and “to start a sort of renaissance by redirecting the path of progress towards Lucao, Pantal, Bonuan, Malued, Caranglaan and Tebeng,” said the SP must be certain that the agricultural lands can be converted into commercial lands and to determine whether the affected lands are no longer economically viable for the purpose they are originally intended for.
Councilor Fernandez said he also believes that if the proposed amendments to the CLUP are approved, economy will further prosper and zoning will be enhanced since the city can redefine how to use its available lands.
The representatives of DA and DENR as well as the property owners along the Lucao-Pantal corridor have been invited to another public hearing on April 8.
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
