Transportation and Land Use Planning in Plaridel, Bulaca

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The report is divided into 6 main sections, starting with an introduction and background of the Plaridel context (Chapter 1) and the study framework and objectives (Chapter 2). The proceeding 3 chapters describe (Chapter 3) and analyze (Chapter 4) the current governance, land use, and transportation issues in Plaridel, and then prescribe the recommendations (Chapter 5) to address those issues. The final chapter (Chapter 6) provides a summary of the key assets and challenges of transportation and land use planning in Plaridel.

This study examines the transportation and land use planning in the Municipality of Plaridel, Province of Bulacan through the lens sustainability, the broader global issues of climate change, peak oil, air pollution, and food security, and in light of Plaridel’s Mission, Vision, and 6-Point Agenda. A series of semi-structured, personal interviews and focus groups were conducted with key informants from various groups including, the municipal and provincial governments, the general public, transportation service operators, traffic safety enforcers, barangay councils, and youth. It was found that the governance and management of transportation and land use, particularly at the municipal administrative level, were key areas of concern and were thus given heavy consideration in the analysis of this study. Land use in Plaridel is currently relatively unguided and unbounded by a mandated Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), as it is still pending approval from the Province of Bulacan. There are many concerns regarding the conversion of agricultural land and its implications on food supply in the municipality. Plaridel’s transportation problems also possess significant impacts on global issues, and are mainly concerned with air pollution, traffic congestion, violation of traffic safety measures, and a heavy dependence on motorized vehicles. Notably, most of these challenges are attributed to the surplus of tricycles and jeepneys in the municipality. 

The municipality must address these concerns proactively and strategically.  In order to progress its development towards social, economic, and environmental sustainability, Plaridel must focus its efforts on prohibiting agricultural land reclassification or conversion, developing compact, mixed-use, high density urban centers, and shifting from fossil fuel dependent modes of transportation, to either less dependent forms or non-motorized modes of transportation altogether. 

Lastly, the following themes have been explored and incorporated throughout this study: of the role and amount of participation of civil society, patterns of social inclusion and exclusion, the strengthening of municipal government capacities, the building of multi-sectoral partnerships, and the development of monitoring and evaluation systems for the municipality. These topics play a vital role in the understanding, analysis and improvement of Plaridel’s issues and should be considered sincerely for the sustained betterment of public well-being.