SP questions CPDO report on city's total land area
THE Sangguniang Panlungsod protested the report of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) over the total land area of city. Iloilo City as per CPDO report has a total land area of 7,023 hectares.
In last Wednesday's regular session, members of the city council only "noted down with protest" the report made by CPDO chief Jose Roni Penalosa. Penalosa was not available when reached for comment over his report to the city council.
Councilor Perla Zulueta said the figures reported by Penalosa contradicted with the figures available at the office of City Assessor chief Nelson Parreno. She said based on the City Assessors figures, Iloilo has a total land area of 7,200 hectares. It has a discrepancy of 177 hectares.
The data provided by the City Assessors Office is being used for identifying the commercial areas, housing areas and industrial zones. The assessment made by the assessor office is a basis for the computation of the real property taxes.
Majority Floor Leader Eduardo Penardondo for his part said he could not ascertain whether it is within the job description of the CPDO nor is it the right agency to make a report on the total land area of the city.
While other members of the city council laughed off the CPDO report saying it depends on whether the measurement was done during high tide or during low tide. It was learned that the report will be the starting point of the city's plan to reclaim portions of the city for its economic development.