La Union Holds Provincial Land Use Forum
By: Office of the Provincial Planning and Development Office; Marie Jae Anndre Fronda, PIO | Photos By: University of the Philippines Los Baños; Christian R. Rebultan, PIO | Date: August 30, 2024
The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) brought together experts, government officials, and stakeholders for the Provincial Land Use Forum held at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) International Convention Center. It aimed to gather insights to guide the updating of the La Union Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) for 2026-2035.
Conducted in a hybrid format, the forum featured presentations focused on climate resilience in land use planning, the approval process for comprehensive land use plans, guidelines on agricultural land reclassification and conversion, and related policies. These were discussed by reputable speakers namely Engr. Anne Danielle C. Fabro from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development - Regional Office 1; Dr. Rex Victor O. Cruz from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB); Ms. Leslie M. Catungal and Ms. Maria Cristina R. Rarogal from the Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office 1; Atty. Glaiza Bernadeth Pinto-Tadeo, Atty. Jose Rodolfo Diaz, Ms. Noemie Biligan, and Atty. Lobayto Lang-ay from the Department of Agrarian Reform - Region 1; and EnP. Roshelle A. Mamaril from the PGLU.
Attendees included Sangguniang Panlungsod/Bayan members and secretaries, City/Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators, Zoning Officers from La Union Local Government Units, and representatives from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, provincial offices, national government agencies, and civil society organizations. They participated in the sessions which enriched their knowledge and helped them make insightful contributions to the updating of the PDPFP.
Extending her support, Gov. Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David, through Executive Assistant Justo Orros III, underscored the importance of La Union PROBINSYAnihan, “We have a collective responsibility to ensure that our land use policies reflect our values and ambitions… by working together, we can create a framework that addresses our immediate needs and anticipates future challenges.”
The forum was organized by the Office of the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator in partnership with the UPLB, with support from the Office of the Provincial Governor - Information and Communications Technology Unit, Provincial General Services Office, Provincial Information Office, Department of Information and Communications Technology - Regional Office 1, and the DMMMSU Management Information System Unit.
The PDPFP serves as the link between national/ regional and city/ municipal land use plans. It sets the policies that the province shall follow in deciding upon matters of land geared toward its vision and the accomplishment of long-term goals and development strategies.
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