Friday, September 19, 2008 [ sunstar.com.ph ]
VALLHERMOSO, Negros Oriental- The Capitol has taken an active involvement in regulating land use plans in towns and cities throughout the province to enhance development and tourism potentials.
It has recently ordered its Provincial Land Use Committee (PLUC) to scrutinize the land use plan of Vallhermoso.
The PLUC has forwarded recommendations to the local legislative council on ways to maximize land use.
Mayor Perla Fernandez and Vice Mayor Joniper Villegas have already identified ways and means in incorporating the suggestions of the Capitol land use body.
Among the recommendations are rationalizing the use of land in support of the food security like encouraging the populace into the planting of rice and corn.
PLUC has also asked that the town identify its agrarian reform community development program and clarify further the areas for timberland, alienable and disposable, and mangrove areas.
The PLUC also reminded both the town's leaders to reflect in the land use plan the food sustainability of the town in ten years time.
It will also be wise PLUC said, to project the number of people and land areas utilized for agriculture and agricultural production by that time.
The PLUC has also asked on the aims of the town for devoting the most of the town's agricultural areas to sugar cane.
The local leaders were also told to promote growth areas by providing road networks and at the same time develop tourism sites using indigenous materials.
The PLUC also encouraged the local officials to promote what is called as agricultural tourism and rural tourism basing on the Provincial Tourism Plan and at the same time develop marine sanctuaries.
To promote agricultural tourism, close coordination with the local officials and the hacienda owners in the area was also suggested. (Edmund B. Sestoso)
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