By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff Reporter
Laoag City—The Sangguniang Panlungsod here has approved PHP3.3 million to cover consultancy services to update the city’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP).
Laoag councilor Juan Conrado A. Respicio, who sponsored the measure, said a DILG Memorandum Circular which is a guidance on the preparation and/or updating of land use and development plans and investment programs referred to the CLUP update.
The update aims to strengthen the linkages of the different planning and budgeting systems in LGUs, converge and harmonize agency policies and initiatives relative to local development planning and public financial management.
Mr. Respicio stated that the amount came from the savings of personal services from July-November 2019, and was re-appropriated to maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) for the payment of consultancy services.
City planning officer-in-charge Ruby Bunalade, said the city has its existing CLUP but it really needs to be updated.
She said that the city needs to hire people with expertise on CLUP “Kasi adda dagitay saan tayo a kaya nga i-provide”.
However, the city government can also seek the assistance of the HLURB but the requirement calls for the personnel on planning team in charge to personally travel to Baguio City every 15 days in a month.
Ms. Bunalade also said that the city needs to meet the updated CLUP and zoning ordinance until June this year to avoid penalty as per DILG memorandum.
“Importante iti CLUP ta idiay tayo a makita no kasanu iti development ken no kasanu tayo a maurnos iti siyudad itiLaoag,” Ms. Bunalade explained.
The updated CLUP follows the approval of a zoning ordinance for its implementation.