Approval of clearances Move to get zoning power deferred

CEBU, Philippines - The City Council deferred anew the passing of the amendatory ordinance proposed by the chairman of the committee on urban planning and development seeking to take back the power from the Zoning Board in approving clearances such as variances, preliminary locational clearances, development permits, subdivision plans and other applications.

The proposal of Councilor Noel Wenceslao is to amend the 1996 Revised Zoning Ordinance of Cebu City, which would compel the Zoning Board and the City Planning and Development Office to submit all applications for permits and clearances to the Council for approval.

The proposal was deferred after Councilor Jose Daluz III pointed out the possibility that the Council may be flooded with applications. He said that if all clearances will be submitted to the Council, even a simple application might experience delay considering that the Council meets only once a week.

Daluz proposed instead that only major applications like applications for big subdivisions and other developments shall pass through the Council for approval.

Councilor Augustus Pe said it was the Council that delegated to the zoning board the function to approve clearances at its level. But said the situation is reportedly different now that they have to closely monitor all developments.

Wenceslao denied that the proposed amendment is spurred by the issue of the Ciudad Project, which the CPDO granted a locational clearance last month despite opposition from the Council itself.

Wenceslao said that since the Ciudad project already has a locational clearance, it will no longer have to pass through the Council. However, this reportedly does not mean that the Council will no longer keep an eye on the project.

“Naa man gu’y mga major developments na dili muabot sa Council nga magkaproblema later like the development in the upland barangays. We have to start monitoring them,” Wenceslao said.

Philip Zafra, Chief of Staff of Mayor Michael Rama said the Council’s move is not necessary because the Council has representatives in the Zoning Board, including Councilors Alvin Dizon, Alvin Arcilla, Wenceslao and Pe.

City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete also said that while not all four are always present in all meetings, one of them usually presides the Zoning Board meeting. Rama chairs the board.

Acting Vice Mayor Rodrigo Abellanosa supported the deferment to give time to the proponent to sit with the CPDO, Zoning Board and other offices to determine the clearances that can remain at their level. — (FREEMAN)