Alyansa’ bets push for urban planning discipline to balance growth, food security

 Alyansa’ bets push for urban planning discipline to balance growth, food security

Santa Rosa City — Senatorial candidates from the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas on Saturday called for disciplined and forward-thinking urban planning as provinces like Laguna continue to grapple with rapid development, housing demands, and the threat of declining agricultural land.

In a press conference, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos and reelectionist Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino addressed growing concerns over the impact of development projects on food security in one of the country’s fastest growing provinces.

Binay, speaking from a local executive’s perspective, said the key to resolving tensions between food security and urbanization lies in the strict implementation of Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs).

“Your CLUP is good for 10 years and it is a product of an intensive study of the needs of your city. Ang problema po ay maganda ‘yung plano, ‘yung implementation ay sumasablay,” Binay said.

Binay noted that sticking to the CLUP is crucial to balancing development and agricultural preservation.

“For us to be able to address the issue of balance between food security and urbanization is the strict implementation of your CLUP,” Binay said.

She added: “Kasi kung magbe-veer away tayo dun sa CLUP, what’s the point? And the CLUP is supposed to be your bible to ensure those needs of food security and balance with urbanization.”

Abalos said local governments must anticipate the infrastructure needs that come with rapid development as he praised the provincial government of Laguna, calling it a “magnet” for growth.

“Ang Laguna ay parang magnet because it has been a Seal of Local Governments both the province and Santa Rosa and most of the cities, municipalities of Laguna. Napakagaling po ng governance dito,” he said.

At the same time, Abalos said it is crucial to learn from the failures of Metro Manila, especially in terms of mass transportation.

The former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair said that there is still time to act and mass transport systems must now be treated as a priority before land becomes too expensive and congestion worsens.

For his part, Tolentino said Laguna’s urban growth must be understood in the context of its distinct role as both a manufacturing powerhouse and a residential extension of Metro Manila.

With its numerous industrial zones, Tolentino said the province has earned the moniker “Detroit of the Philippines” and continues to attract both local workers and those who commute to the capital but seek more affordable housing nearby.

He explained that urban planning in Laguna is already tailored to these specific needs, stressing that development should always be approached on a per-need, per-context basis.

“I really believe that the urban planning concept here in Laguna is attuned to the needs of Laguna. So we look at it on a per-need, per-context basis. Ano ‘yung pangangailangan ng Laguna? Tinutugunan ba? Yes,” he pointed out.

Tolentino also recalled how, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, local governments organized transport systems to shuttle workers directly to technoparks, proving how responsive planning could meet immediate needs.

He expressed support for crafting a national urban development plan, but insisted that it must remain grounded in local realities.

“‘Yung paggagawa siguro ng isang national urban plan is needed but the local context and needs on the basis of density, the growing population needs, the presence of industry should likewise be taken into consideration. Sama-sama lahat ‘yan,” he said.#