LGUs can now issue construction permits

CEBU, Philippines - The constituents of some towns and municipalities in the region need not go to the office of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) 7 to apply for construction and development permits.

According to a report from the HLURB 7, 80-percent of towns and cities in the region already have comprehensive land use planning (CLUP), which is one of the requirements for an LGU to take over HLURB’s function of approving construction and development of houses, industrial buildings and subdivisions in accordance with Executive Order 72.

Ironically, only Lapu-Lapu City, among all the highly-urbanized cities in the region has CLUPs. Cebu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City and Toledo City have none yet.

The report also revealed the unrelenting positive performance of region 7’s real estate industry as shown with the 82 licenses to sell issued by HLURB in 2009.

“The big number of applications is due to favorable economic and peace and order situation in the region and boosted by the policy of the Office to process ad release permits and licenses within 21 days,” the report said.

In HLURB’s report, nine LGUs participated in the modular approach for their CLUPs. HLURB is also currently reviewing the CLUPs of five LGUs.

Effective this month, the regional field offices of the HLURB 7 and 8 will be merged into one office, called the HLURB Central Visayas Office. This is in line with the implementation of Government Rationalization Program or Executive Order 366.