Early OK of plan pushed
2015-20125 ZONING IN DAGUPAN
EFFORTS to push for the early adoption of the 10-year comprehensive zoning ordinance in Dagupan (2015 -2025) became more palpable during the recent public hearings on the proposal.
Dagupan City Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo, co-chair of the Land Use Committee in the Sangguniang Panlungsod, said he wants a proposed zoning ordinance passed this year as he warned that the present areas designated for different land uses will not be enough to accommodate and sustain the needs of a growing population now placed at some 125,000 and is still increasing.
Mr. Tamayo said the current zoning ordinance in effect was passed and approved in 1978 or 37 years ago during the term of the late Mayor Cipriano Manaois and has not been updated despite the many developments that have taken place in the city.
The current comprehensive zoning ordinance sets the growth centers in the present central business district along A. B. Fernandez Ave., Burgos St., Perez Blvd., M.H. del Pilar St. and Rizal St., including certain parts of Mayombo.
Being proposed by City Planning and Development Officer Romeo Rosario and City Administrator Farah Decano as additional growth centers are the Lucao-Pantal area connected by the new Jose De Venecia Sr. Expressway Extension, the Bonuan area and the Caranglaan-Tebeng area.
Tamayo, led the public hearing on the proposed new comprehensive zoning ordinance which, if approved, will be incorporated in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) already endorsed by the Regional Land Use Plan Committee headed by National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Nestor Rillon.
Mr. Tamayo believes that the flooding issue raised by oppositors Teddy Villamil and Poblacion Oeste Barangay Captain Julieta Vallejos, is a different issue but pointed out that flooding in the city can be minimized if the city council approves the new zoning ordinance.
At the recent public hearing, Andre Abalos, chair of the Metro Dagupan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said businessmen are just waiting for Dagupan to declare new growth centers before coming in to invest money in the city.
Meanwhile, Councilor Redford Mejia asked why city hall seemed to be blocking the entry of SM, to which City Administrator Decano replied that SM has not made an offer to come to the city since day one of the administration of Mayor Belen Fernandez in 2013.
So far, Ms. Decano said only City Mall of Golden Dragon has applied and has already started construction on a lot it has acquired in Barangay Caranglaan.
Mr. Mejia said he sees no legal impediment to prevent the approval of the new Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance.
In pushing for the passage of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, Ms. Decano said the people of Dagupan must decide on their own future by making a self-determination on what their city should be like in the next 10 years.
She said the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance calls for the appointment of a city architect, city building officer, city environment officer and zoning officer to guide the implementation of the policies laid down by CLUP. (Leonardo Micua)
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