VSU leads new consortium  

TACLOBAN CITY— To improve the quality of land administration and management among agencies in Eastern Visayas an agreement was forged by national government agencies based in the region along with local government units, civil societies and the academe.

Called as the Eastern Visayas Land Administration and Management Consortium (EVLAMC), it aims to develop the capacities of agencies and develop an affordable and cost-effective program to bring about improved governance on land administration and management.

Visayas State University (VSU) President Jose Bacusmo said the consortium will serve as a forum to discuss and resolve issues and problems relative to land management and administration.

VSU is the lead institution in the said consortium.

“The group will also conduct research, training, technical assistance and advocacy activities for the promotion of sound land administration and management among LGUs, national government agencies and non-government organizations,” Bacusmo said.

Dr. Pastor Garcia, president of consortium partner, Leyte Island Trainor Pool, Inc. (LITP) said various national government agencies require local government units (LGU) to prepare, implement and monitor land use plans for various purposes.

“LGUs find the requirement to comply and its capacity in land use management is very limited. Lack of personnel and expertise also hinder in producing sound spatial and land use plans,” Dr. Garcia said.

“Eastern Visayas has knowledge assets on land management distributed among several government agencies. There is also a shared interest to accelerate economic regional development, mitigate the effects of climate change and address the needs of rapidly growing population,” Garcia added.

The consortium is open to both public and private agencies that are willing to provide services to develop the capacities of government agencies in the region especially the LGUs to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate land-based development plans.

Initial consortium partners are LITP, local chapters of League of Municipalities of the Philippines in Leyte and Southern Leyte, and the Visayas State University (VSU).

Palo, Leyte Mayor Remedios Petilla, president of LMP-Leyte said the consortium will help LGUs with small budget in coming up with a comprehensive land use plan.

Petilla added the consortium will give LGUs tips and techniques in land use planning to achieve productivity, mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce and manage disaster risks and enhance competitiveness among LGUs and improve the welfare and safety of their constituents. (REYAN L. ARINTO)

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Posted by lsde on Oct 9 2012. Filed under Second Story. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.