For the last time, Mayor Beng Climaco convened on Tuesday, June 14, the City Development Council (CDC), the body tasked to formulate long-term, medium-term, and annual socioeconomic development investment plans and policies of the local government unit.

Top on the agenda was the approval of the City Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals (CZBAA) membership pursuant to the City Zoning Ordinance, particularly the membership of civil society organizations.

The Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development Alliance, Inc. (ZABIDA), which is a consortium of four non-government organizations, represented by Dr. Grace Rebollos was among those recommended to the Board along with the Western Mindanao Federation of Cooperatives.

Under the Zoning Ordinance, the CZBAA shall have one representative each from the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineering (PICE) and the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), Zamboanga Chapter, nominated by their respective organizations and confirmed by the City Mayor.

In the event of their non-availability, the Sangguniang Panlungsod shall determine the number from the organization’s members as may be necessary to meet the total number above set forth, as representatives.

Two representatives from non-government and civil society organizations nominated by their respective organizations, SP accredited NGO and members of City Development Council and Confirmed by the City Mayor.

In the event of non-availability of any of the officials enumerated above, the Sangguniang Panlungsod shall elect the number of its members as may be necessary to meet the total number above set forth, as representatives.

As an appellate Board, the members of the CZBAA shall adopt its own internal rules that will govern its procedures. The Zoning Administrator through the Zoning, Planning and Programming Division of the Office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator shall serve as the Secretariat to the CZBAA.

The CZBAA may invite resource persons in support of the performance of its functions. Any of the above CZBAA members, in his/her absence, may designate and authorize a representative to the CZBAA.-(Vic Larato)