Photo courtesy of Iligan CIO
The Iligan City government presented its new Comprehensive Land Use Plan on Friday, outlining a long-term blueprint for zoning and development aimed at transforming the city into a smart and competitive urban center.
Mayor Frederick Siao said the Comprehensive Land Use Plan for 2025 to 2027 would guide future development while balancing economic growth, environmental protection and public safety.
He said the plan would help determine where residential communities, businesses and protected natural areas should be located to support the city’s long-term development.
Before its completion, the land use plan underwent a 12-step planning process that included assessments of the city’s economy, infrastructure and environmental resources.
The City Planning and Development Office said the strategy adopts a polycentric development model that seeks to expand growth beyond the urban center by establishing new development corridors and agro-innovation hubs in villages such as Ditucalan, Sikyop and Rogongon.
Councilor Marlene Young presented the proposed zoning ordinance, which would serve as the city’s legal framework for regulating land use and promoting orderly urban development.
The proposal also includes revisions to land allocation by expanding forest and agroforestry areas while adjusting residential and agricultural zones to accommodate population growth and protect the environment.
The new plan replaces the city’s 2013 to 2022 land use framework and incorporates disaster risk reduction measures. Iligan’s population is projected to approach 500,000 by 2040, reinforcing its role as a major industrial and economic center in Northern Mindanao.