• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Mayor Alfredo Benitez wants a moratorium on the approval of tenurial applications in Bacolod City effective immediately.
He issued Memorandum 034, dated Feb. 5, to City Planning and Development Officer Mary Jean Ramos, directing her “to object to all tenurial applications involving the coastal areas of Bacolod City filed or endorsed in your office”.
The memo covers applications for foreshore lease, miscellaneous lease, miscellaneous sales, and other tenurial applications within the jurisdiction of the highly-urbanized city.
“This applies to all, no exemptions,” Benitez stressed in a press conference Feb. 5, adding that he would like to ensure that the masterplan of Bacolod is first established before any activity would be initiated in shorelines and other areas.
“This is to ensure the effective and coordinated alignment of local initiatives with the mandates of Executive Order No. 32, as well as the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program and other city development projects, including among others the proposed coastal road projects of the City,” the mayor said in his memorandum.
The moratorium would also allow for a comprehensive review of existing policies, environmental considerations, and community concerns related to foreshore development, he added. | CGC
