Headed by Engr. Jovenee C. Sagun from City Planning Office, PCSDS enjoins other key government agencies in deliberating technical referrals and inputs in updating the CLWUP of Puerto Princesa City to be in step with its geographical changes and disruptions after its last update in 2017.
The CLWUP is instrumental in classifying land and water use in the area defined by its boundaries and unique geographical characteristics, which will become the bases of the City Government and relevant bodies in conducting land-use surveys and research studies, policy-making, issuances of permits and clearances, and conduct of area zoning in Puerto Princesa City.
The current CLWUP workshop is being attended by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), City Assessors’ Office, and other representatives from the City government.
According to Ma. Cristina Capalla Rodriguez, PCSDS Project Development Officer IV from District Management Division Office (DMD)-South, the CLWUP update is important because based on the site validation and actual assessment of the areas involved, it has dramatically changed in terms of actual uses compared to its listed classifications before.
In the workshop, the PCSDS uses the Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN) as tool to ascertain that the protection forest in the CLWUP falls within Core and Restricted Zones including Controlled and Multiple Use Zone in the ECAN, to ensure environmental protection and sustainable development in PPC.
“Malaki na ang pagbabago ng [Puerto Princesa City]… kasi mabilis ang development. Makikita natin ito from Bacungan going to Northern Palawan. Ambilis ng development. Nag-iba na talaga ang use ng area compared from 10-15 years ago,” she said.
“Ang ECAN ang basehan natin upang masiguro na maipatupad nang tama ang mga sona mula sa core-restricted controlled at multiple-use zone. Dito i-overlay ang updated CLWUP ng lungsod ng Puerto Princesa na ang basehan ay mga slope, topography, at dominant use ng isang area. Ang legal bases nito ay galing pa rin sa RA 7611 or SEP Law for Palawan” Ms. Rodriguez added.
Once the final version is finished, it will be referred to the City Council for perusal.