The Department of Transportation and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development agreed to adopt an integrated approach on land use and transport planning for informal settlers that will be affected by transit oriented development projects.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said the agreement would ensure that both housing and transportation would be prioritized.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the transport and human settlements agencies would leverage each other’s expertise in land-use, housing and transportation planning to increase social and economic opportunities for Filipinos.
“For the first time, the DOTr and DHSUD have joined forces to create livable, vibrant and healthy communities. We will leverage our collective expertise,” Bautista said.
Under the agreement, the DOTr and DHSUD will coordinate for the relocation and resettlement activities affected by the former’s transport projects; plan with concerned local government units transport-oriented development areas of major projects; study and plan estates and new town development to ensure integrated land use and transport planning.
The DOTr will also coordinate with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on the improvement of accessibility to existing and new DHSUD townships, estate and housing projects by establishing new public transport routes to be identified and integrated in the route plans identified by LGUs and route rationalization studies of the DOTr and LTFRB.
Bautista said transport infrastructure integrated with land use and housing would ensure sustainability and propagate green spaces for communities.
The DHSUD will formulate and prescribe land use planning and zoning standards and regulations for the formulation of City-Municipal Comprehensive Land Use Plans.