Seeing the widespread devastation and loss of lives caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine in multiple parts of the country last week, Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Tuesday, October 29, said urgent measures, such as the review and updating of the national land use plan, must be done immediately to prevent future devastation caused by calamities from happening again.
The National Land Use Act aims to institutionalize a just, holistic & ethical planning for using and protecting our country’s land and water resources.
It governs the management and execution of a comprehensive land use system and physical planning mechanism in terms of land protection, production, infrastructure use, and settlement uses.
It clearly lays out land use parameters, long-term planning, and reviews of sustainable land use at all levels of government.
"The widespread damage caused by Tropical Storm Kristine should prompt us to take immediate and long term measures to mitigate the impact of climate change and ensure greater protection of our environment. Our national land use plan needs to be reviewed and updated. We need to delineate danger zones that should be cleared of human settlements and protected areas that should be free from extractive human activities. At all times, government must work to guarantee sustainable and resilient communities and strive to protect our environment," Binay said.
In her statement, Binay also pointed out the need to strengthen law enforcement and ensure the accountability of concerned sectors for breaking the law or negligence.
"But beyond updating our land use plans, we must also take steps to guarantee accountability on the part of those who transgress our laws. Unless these and other longterm steps are taken, we will be dealing with loss and displacement of lives and economies beyond the breaking point, where government resources will prove inadequate to deal with the deadly effects of climate change," she added.
The mayor then urged other local government leaders to actively collaborate with the national government and various sectors to gain access to much-needed resources for extensive climate action.
"We are racing against time. Local governments must actively pursue strategic partnerships with the private sector, the academe, national government agencies, and international organizations promoting resilience and sustainability," she said, adding that these will open up growth opportunities and much-needed access to risk financing, knowledge, and technology transfer.
"I encourage fellow local leaders to shift from the traditional to transformative leadership to build sustainable and livable communities that can withstand or mitigate the effects of future disasters," the local chief executive said.