Heard or Hushed?

As you read this today, the decision of the Cebu Council about the CLUP/Zoning Ordinance in their last session yesterday will have been announced and reported.

Did the council defer their decision or not?

Wednesday morning, Ms. Catherine Ruiz, Kaabag sa Sugbo Network Coordinator shared her thoughts: “To defer or not to.”

In the impasse over the approval or deferment of Cebu City's CLUP and Zoning Ordinance, I am reminded of the wise words of Manang Seling in the corner carenderia: Kung walay maminaw sa gibati sa naapektohan sa usa ka buhat, awww... walay mapailngan ang tanan.

The stage was set yesterday (Tuesday, June 24) for a dialogue -- one that could have served as a turning point to reached a principled compromise on the CLUP.

But the main actor, the official who had asked for said conversation with affected sectors, including Carbon Market vendors, informal settlers, and concerned CSOs, was conspicuously absent.

Absent as well were members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, whose mandate is to secure public consensus and approve the plan and ZO.

In their place stood a lone technical urban planner, whose communication skills lacked the empathy needed for such a high-stakes (and clearly political) conversation. Out of respect for the effort, CSOs listened.

Most walked out when it became clear that the presentation offered nothing new.

If, by some inspired intervention, our City Councilors (many of whom admitted they haven’t yet read the voluminous CLUP / ZO document) move for a deferment in its last session today, it may be the most productive way forward.

Why deferment makes sense:

We don’t need to start from scratch. The fear of reverting to a zero draft is unfounded.

It gives the incoming administration space to conduct real consultations, especially with those most affected by the Zoning Ordinance and its implication on housing and livelihood.

It allows time to bring in experts and advocates to scrutinize critical elements, such as the proposed eco-tourism zone overlay on the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL) — to ensure alignment with strict protection guidelines.

With new national laws like PENCAS (Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System) and enhanced land use planning guidelines emphasizing a nature-based approach and biodiversity integration, a deferment opens the door for a plan that truly reflects what Cebu City residents hope for in its development direction.

A land use plan must not only chart where infrastructure rise, it must reflect our values as a community.

Without meaningful participation and ecological foresight, this CLUP risks becoming just another document without co-ownership of stakeholders.

A deferment, on the other hand, offers a second chance at doing things right.”

Kaabag sa Sugbo was one of several CSOs that sent their February 2023 letter to CCPDO with 1) the reminder that any proposed CLUP should be data-based, inclusive/consultative/participatory, data-based responsive to immediate/ prospective needs of people/economy/environment and 2) the following 12-point proposal for the CLUP’s vision/mission, process and contents to include comparative review of previous CLUPs, climate change/disaster management/social housing/watersheds/organic farming/informal sector/waste management/coastal greenbelt zones/other sustainable development goals for better protection of people and planet.”

POs (People’s Organizations), especially the Carbon-hanong Alyansa, also raised “the issue of lack of Stakeholder Engagement/Due Consultation required in the Local Government Code (RA 7160) and Executive Order 72, among others.”

Did the Council heed the calls for deferment or not?

Or were the calls heard and granted or not heard, instead hushed/squashed by the Council?

If the latter, the protesting groups learned last June 24 about a December 20, 2023 Resolution No. 16-2092-2023 “moved by Member Pesquera, seconded by Member Archival, Jr. to approve the CLUP and zoning ordinance, including zoning maps of each barangay of the city of Cebu, carried unanimously.”

In 2023, the CLUP/ZO approval was already a done deal after all?