By the invitation of Mayor Leni Robredo, a team of urban planners from Manila will arrive in the city today, July 10, to conduct site visits and assessments that will help determine suitable locations for several upcoming infrastructure projects.
The initiative is part of Mayor Robredo’s 2028 Finish Lines, a strategic roadmap aimed at ensuring that all development efforts contribute to a livable, resilient, and well-planned Naga.
The projects, which will be funded through national government agencies upon the mayor’s request, must be holistically integrated with the city’s existing facilities and developments.
Robredo said the team will also recommend appropriate designs for the proposed projects—such as the road at the Naga River Esplanade in Barangay Dinaga where sidewalks and a bike lane still need to be developed.
The mayor added that she will accompany the team to the proposed sites of six detention ponds, which are intended as major flood control facilities. The planners will personally assess these areas for their strategic viability. They will also help identify locations where new roads can be constructed.
“In essence,” Robredo said, “the mission of the urban planners is to develop a comprehensive plan that ensures city facilities and infrastructure are logically and cohesively integrated.”
She noted that such a plan will guide the city government in identifying appropriate locations for future development projects.
As an example, Robredo cited the current condition of the area where the City Hall stands. She said several offices and small buildings were constructed there without proper planning, and now require rationalization.
In addition, the mayor will consult with the planners about the city government’s plan to redevelop the Central Business District into a heritage center within the next three years. “We have to maximize the area’s tourism potential—that’s why we need their guidance,” Robredo said. | via Jason B. Neola
