BusineesWeek Mindanao
May 18, 2011

AS the completion of the Laguindingan Airport nears, the three contiguous municipalities Gitagum, Laguindingan, and Alubijid turn their attention on land use and environmental impacts of the project and related developments when the project will be in full operation.

In a subcommittee (of the special RDC-10 committee on LADP) meeting held May 11, chaired by Laguindingan Mayor Oliver Ubaub, officials and staff of the three municipalities discussed the need for a sanitary landfill for their common use, among other projects for priority implementation.

An initial meeting of the municipal engineers together with EMB, MGB, DENR, DOTC, Ayala Land Inc., and HANJIN was scheduled for May 25.

It was learned that the EMB had already identified a site in Talao, Gitagum to be the most appropriate for a sanitary landfill for this cluster of municipalities.

Negotiations with the landowners are ongoing.

Other programs to be given priority attention are watershed management to sustain adequate water supply, integrated coastal resource management to prevent destruction of marine resources, riverbank protection to preserve saltbeds and fishponds downstream, food security, quarantine services, and urban greening.

The body recognized the need for complementation and harmonization of sector and Comprehensive Land Use Plans of the three municipalities.

The Regional Development Council has created a special committee on LADP, chaired by Governor Oscar Moreno of Misamis Oriental, specifically to ensure the smooth operation of the Laguindingan international standard airport once this is completed in early 2012.
Other subcommittees are looking into the infrastructure (internal and external) and investment and promotions requirements of the project.