Aimed to create a roadmap addressing the shelter needs of both formal and informal sectors in the Local Government Unit (LGU), the Municipal Government of Balayan, Batangas collaborates with the students from the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) under the Diploma in Land Use Planning (DLUP) Program in the formulation of its Local Shelter Plan (LSP).
The LSP is essential for mitigating the impact of natural hazards, ensuring proper land utilization, and improving the overall quality of life for Balayan’s residents. It outlines strategies for relocating families from both disaster-prone areas and the park, providing safe and appropriate housing, and preparing for future population growth.
The group conducted Key Informant Interviews (KII) with no less than the Local Chief Executive (LCE) Emmanuel Salvador P. Fronda II during the course of drafting the LSP from January to April 2025. Furthermore, they also sat with the technical persons of the LGU including the Municipal Administrator (EnP Gonzalo A. Baral, REA, REB), Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator (EnP Minerva A. Codizal), Zoning Officer IV (Arch/EnP Maria Caryl Alexandra S. Baral, RMP), Local Housing and Homesite Regulation Officer (EnP Vivian B. Ubaña), Municipal Budget Officer (EnP Maria Carlota S. Baral, DPA), GIS Mapper (Christian Nathaniel G. Ellao) and local statistician (Ma. Angelica D. Bautista) of the Municipality of Balayan.
Aside from the KII, the group also conducted a comprehensive desk review of secondary data to further enhance the draft LSP. These documents include the review of the existing Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP), Zoning Ordinance, Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA), and Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) Data.
To strengthen this collaboration, a planning workshop was held on 11 April 2025, at the Balayan Government Center, Brgy. Caloocan, Balayan, Batangas. The workshop complemented the tabletop assessments and initial correspondence with the LGU undertaken by the DLUP students.
The workshop was attended by a group of UPOU students headed by EnP Beverly Abad, Faculty-in-Charge (virtually present), and the LGU’s Technical Working Group, led by the Municipal Administrator, EnP Gonzalo A. Baral, REA, REB. The workshop was successfully conducted to gather data and brainstorm for the LSP’s initial goals and strategies. The team of DLUP students who facilitated the workshop was composed of Catherine Allen N. Boncodin, Michael Cezar M. Buenaseda, Mary Rose P. Catapang, John Conrad J. Dapog, Robelle Ann L. Gonzalvo, Sarah Jane N. Loma, Carlita O.Pagcaliwagan, Mary Joy L. Rosalinas, and Jehan Torregoza.
The group also prepared a poster presenting the highlights of the LSP. In congruence with the global sustainability efforts, the LSP is positioned to support SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), as it advocates for the making of cities and human settlements safe, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable by emphasizing infrastructure resilience, inclusive urbanization, and efficient disaster risk mitigation. The LSP formulation also supports SDG 13 (Climate Action) by integrating planning for climate impacts, recognizing the growing frequency and severity of climate-related hazards, and strengthening Balayan’s resilience and adaptive capacity.
Representatives from the LGU Balayan have been very vocal in expressing their gratitude to the FMDS-UPOU DLUP Program for spearheading the formulation of the LSP, as well as to the students for their outstanding assistance in completing this planning document.
Written by CBoncodin, MBuenaseda, MCatapang, JDapog, RGonzalvo, SLoma, CPagcaliwagan, MRosalinas, & JTorregoza (DLUP Students) • Edited by Larry N. Cruz
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