Makati City approves plan for land use, disaster risk reduction

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay

MANILA, Philippines — A 10-year-plan, which will usher in changes in the skyline of financial capital Makati City, and in its disaster risk reduction, has been given the green light and will take effect in August.

In a statement, Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay announced that the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) recently granted its certificate of approval to the city government for its 10-year Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and its Zoning Ordinance.

The plan that covers 2013-2023 will take effect on August 8, 2013.

Binay said the two land-use measures were drafted in consideration of the efforts to curb the effects of climate change and reduce disaster risks, while at the same time, keep the city’s competitive business environment.

He added that the measures would feature innovative and progressive concepts. Among these are the expansion of the Central Business District, creation of livable environment spaces, and designation of special development areas.

The mayor said the approved land use plan and zoning ordinance were the first of their kind in the country.

“The city government really worked hard on coming up with a CLUP and ZO that take into consideration the hazards and risks in the city, so that property owners can better plan and build structures that will be resilient to particular hazards in the area, ” he added.

On June 28, 2013, the certificate of approval was signed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, the chair of HLURB, former mayor of Makati, and father of the incumbent mayor, on June 28, 2013.

Under the zoning ordinance, a bonus incentive of one additional floor compliant with the mandated floor area ratio shall be given to buildings in commercial zones within 200-meter walking distance from an existing train station.

Binay said bonus incentives shall also be granted “for the development of network of green and open spaces, or iconic spaces and landmarks that would give the city a positive and distinct image.”

The expansion of the Central Business District, on the other hand, shall cover the following: a) both sides of Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue bounded by the South Luzon Expressway, Yakal St., Ayala Avenue Ext., Urban Avenue, Amorsolo St. and Dela Rosa St., b) block bounded by Dela Rosa St., Amorsolo St., Arnaiz Avenue and Chino Roces Avenue, c) block bounded by Makati Avenue, Ayala Avenue, EDSA and Arnaiz Avenue, and d) blocks bounded by Legazpi St., Dela Rosa St., Makati Avenue, Arnaiz Avenue and Paseo de Roxas.

In promoting and mainstreaming disaster resiliency, developments within hazard zones (such as liquefaction and landslide prone areas) will be required to submit an Engineering Geological and Geohazard Assessment Report (EGGAR).

The medium density residential zones, on the other hand, will be allowed to increase their vertical height from 14 meters to 18 meters, provided that the ground floor should be designed as open area (no walls) with no permanent use.

This is to allow residents to adopt to the perennial flooding problems in the city.

Under the new ordinance, the government will also reclaim the three-meter easement on both sides of tributaries and five meters on both sides of the West Valley Fault Zone and turn them into open spaces.

For the designation of special development areas, a Government Center Zone will be delineated to be used primarily for local government activities, with supporting mixed use activities.

The drafts of the two land measures had been opened to the public scrutiny through consultations and dialogues since last year.

The first Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning Ordinance of Makati, which was enforced for a decade, was approved by the City Council in 2000 and was ratified by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board on August 20, 2001.

In 2006, amendments to the Zoning Ordinance were implemented in order to align the plan with the changing needs of the city.