Vol. XXII, No. 192 [ BusinessWorld Online ]
Monday, May 4, 2009 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
DISCUSSIONS ON the final approval of a Manila rezoning plan have been put on hold despite the city council’s resumption of sessions last week pending the arrival of Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim from a conference abroad.
Councilor Arlene W. Koa, principal author of Draft Ordinance 7177, told BusinessWorld. "I feel that it would be better to tackle it when the presiding officer of the council, Vice-Mayor Francisco Domagoso who is the acting mayor at the moment, returns to preside over the hearing," she said in a telephone interview late last week.
She said Councilor Marlon M. Lacson, who is from the minority, is temporarily presiding over the sessions.
Mr. Lim is in Chicago, USA, for a Global Mayor Conference and is expected to return in the latter part of the month.
Ms. Koa said consultations with parties who would be affected by the draft ordinance have been conducted.
The Koa proposal seeks to reverse a 2001 spot zoning ordinance that banned medium and heavy industries from Sta. Ana and Pandacan districts, including the oil depot. This was affirmed by the council in 2006 and by the Supreme Court in 2008. — LDD
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