City Council oks ordinance

Despite those appeals, Councilor Joy Pesquera stressed the urgency of passing the measure, noting that while the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) was passed in 2006, it had yet to be integrated into the city’s zoning ordinance.

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Pesquera also proposed several amendments, including provisions to regulate socialized housing developments—a section the Urban Poor Alliance had earlier criticized as lacking.

“After much discussion, after all sectors have been heard, and in view of the importance of this legislation, although with a heavy heart... of all the efforts that we have done, more for the approval of this ordinance,” Pesquera said before making the motion to approve.

Before the final vote, it was clarified that an oversight committee would supervise the ordinance’s implementation. Pesquera emphasized that the incoming council could still introduce amendments.

Councilor James Anthony Cuenco also assured the public that the ordinance, like any legislation, was dynamic and could be revised as needed. He argued that its passage would help curb potential corruption tied to zoning variances in development projects.

The ordinance was then unanimously approved.