Summer Capital halts zoning moratorium

BAGUIO CITY: The city council has suspended the moratorium on the issuance of zoning exemption in the Summer Capital, nine months after it was enacted early this year.

The ordinance temporarily lifted the moratorium and was approved on third and final reading during the council's regular session on Monday, November 29.

Authored by Councilor Fred Bagbagen, the recently approved ordinance shall suspend the restrictions imposed by Ordinance No. 32, Series of 2021 entitled Moratorium on the Issuance of Exceptions from Ordinance No. 63, Series of 2016 or (Baguio City Zoning Ordinance).

The council sought the suspension of the moratorium after a number of residents appealed to be exempted from the zoning ordinance so that they can process their building permit application.

According to the proposed ordinance, the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the economy, causing the closure of businesses and the loss of thousands of jobs.

Bagbagen said there is a need to lift the moratorium to help the people who are in a survival mode amid the pandemic.

A public consultation was held on October 29, 2021 to hear out the sentiments of those affected by the said moratorium.

Joining Bagbagen during the public consultation were Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, Councilors Joel Alangsab, Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Elaine Sembrano, City Planning and Development Coordinator Arch. Donna Tabangin, and City Administrator Engr. Bonifacio Dela Peña.

Tabangin reported that common exemptions being applied for from the zoning ordinance are boarding houses in low density residential areas, commercial structures in residential zones, warehouses in residential zones, increase in building heights in all zones, usage of the entire lot area to build a structure, cellular towers in residential zones, motor and auto repair shops in residential zones, parking requirements, and PUJ/AUV stations in the central business district.

Source: TheManila Times