After series of technical assistance through workshops single-approach assistance, the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development, the Housing Arm of the BARMM, served as witness to the public hearing for the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) of the Municipality of Upi drafted by its Local Government Unit, held at the Municipal Gymnasium of Upi, Maguindanao del Norte on November 28, 2023.

Through the public hearing, the LGU received feedbacks and statements of support for the draft CLUP from the stakeholders, anticipating effectiveness upon implementation.

The public hearing is the second of four proceedings in the formulation of the CLUP, preceded by the pre-public hearing, which includes information dissemination and public exhibit of drafts, and followed by the committee hearings held by the Local Sanggunian, before ending with the post-public hearing which will incorporate revisions and the submission.

Suharto S. Wahab, EnP, REA, REB, Director II for Technical and Regulatory Services, represented the MHSD during the hearing, providing valuable inputs during the forum. With Dir. Wahab were Noroden S. Abdullah, RF, Director for Maguindanao Provincial Office, Engr. Muslima K. Abusama, Housing and Homesite Regulation Officer IV for MHSD’s Maguindanao Office, Datunohaz A. Daud, Documenter, and Norhamier A. Adzal, Chauffeur.

Messages were also shared by Hon. Ma. Rona Cristina A. Piang-Flores, Municipal Mayor and Hon. Wilfredo T. Ibañez, Municipal Vice Mayor after the program formally began with opening remarks from Hon. Maria Elena II T. Castro, Chairperson of the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

Engr. Paulo D. Cagara RN, MPA, Municipal Planning and Development Officer, provided the rationale and executive summary before the message of support shared by Capt. John Ace B. Apaling from the Infantry Philippine Army. The program formally concluded with remarks from Hon. Geraldine G. Bacas, Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Safety, Peace and Order.

With the MHSD’s assistance, the initial draft of the CLUP 2023 was completed and submitted to the respective Sangguniang Bayan for proper action, which then led to the Public Hearing.