4.1              Visioning Workshop

4.1.1        Introduction

A month after the Issuance of the Notice to Proceed to U.P. PLANADES by the city government of Zamboanga on July 23, 1997, the Visioning Workshop was held 23-24 October 1997 at Grand Astoria Hotel, Zamboanga City. 138 participants attended the workshop (see list of participants in the pages of this chapter).

The workshop was organized as part of the preliminary activities in participatory planning in the preparation of the Master Development Plan of Zamboanga City.

4.1.2     Proceedings of the Workshop

• Mr. Andres F. Tingcang, Assistant City Planning and Development Officer opened the workshop.
• The Keynote Address was given by the City Mayor, Hon.Vitaliano D. Agan sharing the City’s major concerns which are as follows:

Ø      High magnitude of poverty in the City, at a rate of 43.55% families living below the subsistence threshold. This is based from MBN survey conducted in 63 barangays, which bring about social problems such as malnutrition, crime and drugs and mushrooming of squatter colonies or the spread of urban blight, high illiteracy rate, many unskilled laborers and inadequate basic and support services.

Ø      Low productivity, both in agriculture and industry. Farmers need to be trained with modern farming technologies and practice and facilitate their access to loan availment programs; rampant conversions of prime agricultural lands into other uses must be controlled.

Ø      The need for the development of Agri-Estate and Sub-Industrial Estate.

Ø      Local Investment Ordinance must be enacted to support local industries;

Ø      Trade mission and Trade Fairs must be held often;

Ø      Construction of basic Infrastructure facilities such as modern seaport and airport and roads;

Ø      The identification of a new central business district (CBDs);

Ø      Environmental degradation;

In summary, the City is envisioned to become the hub of economic activities in ASEA and EAGA; people are alleviated from poverty; more livelihood opportunities for the people; improvement in economic productions; more equitable distribution of economic benefits and services; enhancement of basic and social infrastructure and support services and above all a sustainable type of development.

• Mr. Juan R. Gaspar, the City Planning and Development Coordinator read the message of Governor Roldan B. Dalman of Zamboanga del Norte with a message that there exist a symbiotic relationship between local government units that any growth and development occurring in one LGU will affect its neighboring LGUs and that the success of the City would be the success of the region.
• NEDA Regional Director Rafael Evangelista shared the message of RDC Chairperson Gov. Real with the following concerns: conduct the planning a consultative process; give some thoughts on the indications for the regions such as major road projects, transfer of the airport, developmental of Bog Lake.
• Finally, Congresswoman Maria Clara L. Lobregat, the lone district representative of Zamboanga City emphasized that aside from those mentioned earlier by the speakers, the planners should also explore the potentials of the city in the areas of tourism, sports development, education among others. She also mentioned the possible transfer of the city hall and the development of the east and west coastland most of all the development of Zamboanga as a City of Flowers.
• Presentations on the Situation Analysis were made by Ms. Corazon P. Jose for Demography aspects; Architect Roquito V. Bellosillo for Land Use; Dean Honorado R. Fernandez for Urban Design; Dr. Ricardo G. Sigua for Transport; Prof. Manuel L. Javier for Human and Social Development sector; Ms. Marideth R. Bravo for Agriculture sub-sector, Ms. Annelie R. Lontoc for the Trade and Industry sub-sector and Dr. Zenaida A. Manalo, Tourism Sub-sector for the Economic Sector; Mr. Jose M. Regunay for Environment Studies; Dr. Norman R. Ramos for Finance and Dr. Benjamin V. Cariño for Administration aspect.
• After the Open Forum, which was moderated by Mr. Juan R, Gaspar, the participants were assigned into nine (9) workshop groups.
• An Open Forum following the Group Reports gathered final concerns from the participants, after which a council of leaders was organized to come up with the City’s general vision that was approved by the participants. Mr. Juan R. Gaspar closed the workshop formally.

4.1.3 Summary of Reports

Economic Sector

 Agriculture Sub-sector

Vision:

Viable and vibrant community characterized by empowered population with sustainable agriculture development leading to economic surplus and self-sufficiency.

 Goals:

Ø      To uplift the socio-economic condition of farmers and fisher folk

Ø      To ensure food security in the City

Ø      To promote sustainable agricultural and fisheries development

Ø      To develop self-reliant and self-help communities

Ø      To increase value added from agriculture, marine and aqua products

Objectives:

Ø      To improve the income levels of farmers and fisher folks

Ø      To increase food production in the City

Ø      To preserve/conserve agriculture and marine resources

Ø      To provide livelihood opportunities to farmers, fisher folks, women and youth sectors of    the communities.

Ø      To promote agriculture and marine based processing

 Strategies:

Ø      Establish linkages of agri –marine and products for foreign export markets

Ø      Organization and strengthening of farmers and fisher folks association (cooperatives)

Ø      Provision off financial assistance to farmers ang fisher folks

Ø      Provision of technical assistance to farmers and fisher folks

Ø      Infrastructure support from the government 9fram to market roads, irrigation, and post harvest facilities, etc.)

Ø      Strict enforcement of existing laws on fisheries

Ø      Legislation of stronger laws on fisheries

Ø      Implementation of Magna Carta for farmers

Ø      Establishment of “bagsakan center”

Ø      Establishment of livestock auction market and abaitor

Ø      Research and development for agri-products and fisheries

Ø      Proper representation of farmers and fisher folks in the local legislative body

Ø      Establishment of processing plants for fruit tree (mango, durian, papaya, banana, cassava, etc.)

 Trade and Industry

 Goals:

Ø      To generate employment opportunities and attain sustainable growth and development

Ø      To create and develop an attractive business environment that would create and develop globally competitive enterprises

 Objectives:

Ø      To increase industrial productivity through the development and use/adaptation of superior technology

Ø      To create a highly productive workforce through continuing Human Resource Development

Ø      To develop and sustain private sector initiative to ensure aggressive participation

Ø      To enhance access of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to support assistance

Ø      To contribute to the protection of ecosystem through the promotion of environment-friendly industries

Ø      To evolve the city into the premier shopping capital in Mindanao and BIMP-EAGA

Strategies:

Ø      Strengthen science and technology infrastructure

Ø      Establish and develop a science community

Ø      Promotion of transfer of environment-friendly technology

Ø      Undertake training programs designed to upgrade the skill of the workforce

Ø      Enactment of Local Investments Incentives Code

Ø      Aggressively sell the Ecozones and Freeport

Ø      Establish one-stop-shop center for trade and investments

Ø      Encourage the utilization of local raw materials

Ø      Strict compliance with environmental protection laws

Ø      Establish a world-class mail with diversified products and services supported by massive market promotion

Ø      Promote the development of a fashion industry

 Tourism Sub-sector

 Vision:

Ø      To be a tourist paradise

Ø      To be a dynamic and progressive gateway city showcasing the rich, natural, cultural and historical heritage and diverse resources.

 Goal:

Ø      To develop Zamboanga City as a premier tourist destination

 Objectives 

Ø      To identify, enhance and preserve historical and cultural attractions of the City.

Ø      To develop potential tourist sites and attractions

Ø      To enhance existing facilities of recognized tourist locations

Ø      To preserve the natural environment, historical and cultural heritag 

Ø      To promote the tourist sited to maximum number of potential visitors

 Strategies:

Ø      To develop and strengthen inter-agency linkage in developing the tourism potential of the City 

Ø      To develop complimentary and integrated tourism packages linking different tourist attraction

Ø      To further enhance the incentive program to private sector

Ø      To foster the participation of the private sector as the lead agency in tourism development

Ø      To embark massive urban renewal and physical improvement

Ø      To clean, green and beautify the City

 Human and Social Development Sector

Social Welfare, Education, Health and Protective Service Sub-sector

Vision:

Empowered individuals, families and communities with capability to improve their quality of life, perform expected roles through strengthened coping mechanisms and meet minimum basic needs

Goal:

People who are educated and cultured, healthy and well-nourished, economically stable, progressive and self-reliant, living in the peaceful co-existence with one another and in harmony with the environment

Objectives

Ø      Attain health for all in the year 2000, health in the hands of the people by the year 200

Ø      To improve literacy rate from 82% to 95% by year 2012.

Ø      To improve the welfare and ensure integration of the disadvantaged group into the political and economic mainstream of society with the ultimate aim of attaining improved quality of life

Ø      To forge a new social compact for a just, equitable, humane and pluralistic society. 

Ø      To produce physically fit and high caliber individuals capable of competing in sports locally and globally.

Ø      To improve the peace and order situation of the city.

Strategies:

Ø      Enhancing active community participation

Ø      Strengthening government and non-government collaboration

Ø      Promotion and maintenance of child health through strengthened safe motherhood, breastfeeding and improved weaning, universal immunization, control of diarrheal diseases and respiratory infection and other existing public health programs.

Ø      To increase literacy through formal and non-formal continuing education

Ø      To improve quality of the delivery of education services at all levels

Ø      Minimum Basic Need Approach

Ø      To integrate on the curriculum concepts of “unity in cultural diversity”

Ø      To heighten awareness of cultural integration through the celebration of festivals, rites, etc.

Ø      To promote the formation of multi-cultural, multi-religious association of groups.

Ø      Expansion of leisure, recreation, culture and sports at the barangay level.

Ø      Improve the police visibility through “cops on the block system

Ø      Cops through community oriented police system

Housing Sub-sector

Vision:

A garden city: ecologically balanced, globally competitive, economically enriched and empowered citizenry.

Goal:

Ø      Descent housing for all

Ø      Self-sustaining community

Ø      Land banking for socialized housing

Objectives:

Ø      To identify, acquire and develop suitable relocation sites for 1,600 units/year

Ø      To provide livelihood opportunities for the unemployed in the relocation sites

Ø      To meet immediate housing assistance to victims of man made/natural calamities

Strategies:

Ø      Cooperative housing

Ø      Provide skills training and other forms of HR 

Ø      Prepare participants for Community Development/Barangay Development

Environmental Sector

Goal:

To promote sustainable environment that will accelerate economic growth and improve the quality of life of Zamboangueños

Objectives:

Ø      To restore the productive capacities of forest/watershed areas

Ø      To effect a rational land use allocation scheme for the conservation of forest/watershed areas.

Ø      To institutionalized appropriate tenurial arrangement within the watershed areas

Ø      Ti promote the adoption of safety nets that will minimize the negative impacts to the environment within the ecozone including surrounding areas and communities

Ø      To promote ecologically sound waste management through waste minimization and re-use.

Ø      To improve the sewerage system of the City

Ø      To improve the over all quality of the rivers and its tributaries for public water supply, contact recreation, propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic resources, boating and industrial water supply and other purposes

Ø      To provide a mechanism that will handle a disposition of toxic and hazardous wastes.

Ø      To improve the air quality level within the urban area

Ø      To institute environmental measures that will regulate the extraction of sand and gravel especially along the coastal area

Ø      To ensure potable water supply

Ø      To effect a rational resources allocation strategy for the development and the management of coastal resources.

Ø      To institutionalized measure to build-up LGU capability in the area of natural resources and environmental management and development

Strategies:

Ø      To actively pursue the proclamation of the six (6) identified watershed areas

Ø      To initiate the formation of Watershed management council

Ø      Undertake zonification of watershed based from its classification/uses

Ø      To pursue deputation of personnel/staff from partner institution

Ø      To promote partnership among LGU, NGOs, NGAs, private sectors in the protection and rehabilitation of watershed

Ø      Implementation of EIA for all industries within the ecozone

Ø      Promote the inclusion of a “Green Plan” in the master plan of ecozone

Ø      Enforcement of the easement regulation along rivers and other bodies of water

Ø      Promote the development of linear parks and walkways along river banks including the planting of appropriate tree species to help stabilize stream banks

Ø      Establishment of common treatment facility for industrial estates

Ø      Improve infrastructure to increase coverage with the water district

Ø      Development pf groundwater resources to meet water demand

Ø      Strengthen the enforcement of fishery laws, regulations and city ordinances

Ø      Conduct of sea patrol to minimize illegal fishing

Ø      Pursue organization and deputization of Bantay-Dagat fisher folks in all coastal barangays

Ø      Provision of alternative livelihood to lessen pressure on coastal resources

Ø      Strengthen the ENRO                               

Vision:

Zamboanga as an attractive garden city that is a major center in the exchange of goods, services and ideas in the region

Goals:

Ø      A major environmentally attractive tourist destination

Ø      A major agriculture producer and exporter

Ø      Opening of more roads to decongest traffic

Ø      More farm to market roads

Ø      Implement traffic ordinances

Ø      Develop compatible mixed land uses

Ø      Establish new growth centers and prevent urban sprawls

Ø      Relocate city institutions outside of the city center (distribute to new growth center) preserve prime agricultural lands

Ø      Construct more hotels/tourist facilities

Ø      Zoning/NIPAS

Ø      Promote Zamboanga as a cultural center

Transport Sector

Vision:

Zamboanga City, the Champion of BIMP-EAGA

Goals:

Ø      Be a trade center

Ø      Be a center of tourism

Ø      Transportation hub of BIMP-EAGA

Ø      Contribute to local and national economic growth

Objectives:

Ø      Improve peace and order situation

Ø      Improve traffic situation

Ø      Improve sanitation and orderliness

Ø      Prioritize safety nets for agriculture

Strategies:

Ø      Transfer government offices out of the commercial center

Ø      Relocation of old public market to a new site with modern facilities

Ø      Establishment of a world class air and sea ports

Ø      Develop a good road network to give access to neighboring cities (linking east and west coast, e.g., by pass roads, fly-over, etc.)

Ø      Develop an integrated mass transportation system (e.g. bullet trains, cable cars, etc.)

Ø      Preserve and conserve historical landmarks e.g. Fort Pilar, Rio Hondo, Madrid, Pasonanca Park, R.T. Lim Blvd., Sta. Crus islands, etc.

Ø      Construct bridge connecting Zamboanga and Basilan via Sta. Crus Island

Ø      Incorporate traffic education and safety programs in all levels of curriculum

Administration and Finance

Vision:

A peaceful, socially integrated, globally competitive tourist industrial center in Southern Philippines; a gateway to the BIMP-EAGA Region

Goal:

Adequate human and financial resources to support in the fulfillment/attachment of the vision

4.2      Planning Workshop

The planning Workshop was held a month after the Visioning Workshop. It was help on December 5-6, 1997 at the Grand Astoria Hotel, Zamboanga City. 142 participants attended the said workshop (see list of participants in the annex of this chapter).

The Consultants presented the improved version of the Visioning Workshop output.

Proceedings of the Workshop

·         Vice Mayor Efren F. Arañez opened the activity

·         Mr. Emmanuel I. Astillero provided the expectations and objectives of the two (2) days activity.

·         This was followed by the presentation of the consultants. The first presenters were from Physical Sector Team composed of Architect Requilo V. Bellosillo for Land Use, Dr. Honrado R. Fernandez for Urban Design, Engr. Noriel C. Tiglao for Transport, Engr. Josephine R. Tuble for Utilities; the Environment Sector represented by Mr. Jose M. Regunay, the Team Leader; the Human and Social Development Sector came next with Prof. Manuel L. Javier and Dr. Anicia A. Alvarez as presenters; the Economic Sector followed, headed by Dr. Zenaida A. Manalo, Team leader, with Prof. Maridoth R. Bravo for Agriculture, ms. Annelie R. Lontoc for Trade and Industry and Dr. Josefina M. Ramos for Tourism. The next presentation was done by the Development Finance and Administration Team led by Dr. Benjamin V. Cariño for Development Administration, Dr. Norman R. Ramos and Mr. Ernesto N. Atienza for Finance and finally ended by Ms. Nora L. Diaz for Zoning Ordinance.

·         The Open Forum was done after each presenter 

·         The first days activity was recapped by Dr. Benjamin V. Cariño with the following issues;

Ø      Alternative strategies, stages of growth, increasing number of activity

Ø      Location of the government center, in or outside the core

Ø      Plan for adjacent islands, do they fit into scheme of things?

Ø      Pedestrianization, its implication and traffic and garbage facilities, which were not fully discussed.

Ø      Land conversion for alternative site of the airport in Mercedes

Ø      Linkages among the nodes, recommendations are not spelled out and clear cut

Ø      Need for legislation toward total log ban

Ø      Address sectoral dimensions of projects

Ø      Need to mach manpower development and requirements of industrialization and growth

Ø      Need to address science and math education (specific projects)

Ø      Need to address the Muslim-Christian conflict and the needs of the multi-sector

Ø      Need to address the needs of the disadvantaged and poorer segments of society

Ø      Fertilizer composition

Ø      Storage facilities

Ø      Bagsakan Centers

Ø      Marketing and trade problems. The strategic position in relation to the region and the BIMP-EAGA

·         The second day was spent for the workshop where the participants were grouped into six (6).

·         A council of leaders was organized later in the afternoon to prioritize the output of the groups (programs and projects) for city-wide implementation which are as follows:

Human and Social Development

·         Alternative programs for educational improvement

·         Repair and upgrading of existing but dilapidates barangay health station/rural health units and/or construction of additional barangay health stations

·         Housing projects through land acquisition joint venture, community based projects, resettlement and reduction of the members of the Housing Board

·         Construction of social welfare complex

·         Upgrading of service delivery of protective services (Fire and Police)
          Economic Development

Agriculture Sub-sector

·         Enhancement of seaweed production; provision of dying and processing facilities in island barangay

·         Development of a stock farm for swine and cattle with satellite animal breeding station 

·         Establishment of a livestock auction market, upgrading of existing abaitor; establishment of halal slaughterhouse and meet processing plan in San Roque

·         Enhancement of banana production in island barangays

·         Establishment of fruit processing plants in Labuan and Vitali areas

Trade and Industry

·         On site infrastructure development in the Zamboecozone

·         Craft villages for indigenous skills and crafts

·         Development of the |Vitali-Curuan satellite centers

·         Business one-stop-shop center for trade, industry and investments

·         Promotion and transfer of clean technology and environment-friendly technology program

·         Expansion and upgrading of a Regional Standards and Testing Center supported by:

Ø      Investments Promotions Program

Ø      Off-site Infrastructure and Development

Ø      Trade Promotions Program

Ø      Policy Advocacy

Ø      Technology Business Incubator for industry

·         Establishment of a Fashion Institute supported by joint venture investment

Tourism Sub-sector

·         Rehabilitation/restoration of Pasonanca, Abong-abong, and
         other city parks

·         Development of Sta. Cruz Island as island resort

·         Development of Bog Lake as Eco-tourism/Recreational park

Environmental Management

·         Institutional strengthening and capability building on ENR management (localized) supported by institutionalization of the EIA and capacity-building

·         Programs on Integrated \Watershed Management, Comprehensive Coastal Management and Comprehensive Solid Waste Management

·         Programs on Water Resources assessment and management (ground and surface), River protection, planning, management and development (Sand and gravel policy)

·         Establishment of air and water quality monitoring supported by Anti-Smoke Belching project

Physical and Infrastructure Development

·         Airport/seaport relocation/New Central Business districts

·         Construction and upgrading of roads, drainage and
             ewerage/drainage, urban roads and farm to market road

·         Pedestrianization

·         Development Plan: Growth Centers

·         Water Supply improvement

·         Market Upgrading/Relocation

·         Island ports to support seaweeds production.