JVR names new zoning chief

CEBU, Philippines – Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes has designated his ally, City Councilor Valeriano Ylanan, as zoning administrator of the Special Local Economic Zone Board.

“Hon. Valeriano Ylanan has served with dedication and distinction as a member of the Special Local Economic Zone Board from July 2013 to December 2014. I designate Hon. Ylanan as the zoning administrator effective immediately,” read De los Reyes Executive Order No. 2015-001 issued yesterday morning.

De los Reyes’ appointment of Ylanan as zoning administrator was not a surprise to some City Hall observers.

Political skeptics said De los Reyes had to give executive functions to Ylanan as he has already considered him to be his running-mate in the coming polls, dropping Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, who was his running-mate in 2013.

The mayor dropped Villarante because of his alleged failure to support for the construction of the P350 million new Tabunok Public Market, among others.

De los Reyes said he already set aside the request of the City Council to return the zoning administrative functions to Engr. Christine Homez, who is the current city planning and development officer.

Last November, the council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2014-45-7 requesting De los Reyes to designate Homez as the city’s zoning administrator. De los Reyes said he cannot grant the wishes of the council as the move of the council is no longer necessary.

Councilor Doroteo Emit said Homez is capable of the position as the duty of administering and managing these zones demand for a focal person with appropriate competency with regard to research, planning, analysis, management and implementation.

But De los Reyes said the council need not to worry on transparency since all approval of variances on land uses, applications for preliminary locational clearances and development permits approved by the Zoning Board need the nod of the council itself.