The Regional Land Use Committee (RLUC) reviewed the National Spatial Strategy (NSS), a core strategy to be adopted in the updating of the National Physical Framework Plan (NPFP), during its first regular meeting for the year held on 21 May, 2013 at the NEDA Pamegafanan Hall, Regional Government Center, Tuguegarao City.

The NSS takes into consideration the goal of inclusive growth in terms of spatial and physical factors such as population, economic and other activities of the population, and the location (spatial-physical environment) of the population and activities undertaken. This seeks to concentrate urban growth in selected centers and corridors within the regions, scale and improve efficiency of services, define larger network of centers integrating various markets, reduce conflicts in land uses and provide resiliency and reduce vulnerability.

“After the approval of the document, this will be used as a basis in the updating of the NPFP and eventually the regions’ respective Regional Physical Framework Plans (RPFPs). The framework shall primarily focus on investment opportunities, human settlements and disaster risk reduction thru its three identified main components/ strategies: concentration, connectivity, and vulnerability reduction. However, we might suggest the inclusion of Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) since it has been one of the priorities in most development plans and programs in the country,” said NEDA OIC-Regional Director MaryAnne E.R. Darauay.

The NPFP guides the policy makers and investors in planning and management of land and other physical resources in terms of efficient settlement, production and service delivery systems at various levels of governance.

According to Director Darauay, with the NPFP serving as a guideline for major land use plans and im keeping with the bottom-up planning approach, the changes expected for the provinces’ Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plans (PDPFPs) will relatively be minimal as most provinces in the region have already completed their PDPFPs. There will, however, be programmed consultative meetings and workshops to effect these changes.