03/17/2012 [ tribune.net.ph ]
Vice President Jejomar Binay said the recently approved Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) of Cotabato City would help mitigate the effects of natural disasters caused by climate change.
“The amended CLUP of Cotabato City is expected to provide initial solutions to the perennial flooding in Cotabato City as the city identified and incorporated in the CLUP several projects that would mitigate the negative effects of climate change,” Binay said.
The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board approved Cotabato City’s CLUP during the agency’s board meeting last month at the Coconut Palace.
Binay, who also chairs the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, presented the CLUP Certificate of Approval to Mayor Japal Guiani Jr.
The approval of the city’s land use plan was deferred last September 2011 following Binay’s instruction to incorporate disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation measures in the plan.
Last year, Tropical storm “Dodong,” compounded by the water lilies that clogged the river tributaries of Rio Grande de Mindanao, caused massive flooding in the city which displaced an estimated 25,375 families.
Binay said that since about half of the Cotabato City’s total land area is below sea level, the long-term solution to the city’s flood problem would need the cooperation of various agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways and other local government units in the area.
Cotabato City’s CLUP and Zoning Ordinance defined the land uses, regulations, development strategies, proposed programs and projects addressing social, economic, infrastructure and environmental concerns of the city incorporating provisions on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction.
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