DHSUD approves Albay, CamSur dev’t plans for resilient, sustainable growth

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

In line with its commitment to promote well-planned, resilient, and sustainable development amid the growing threats of climate change, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has approved the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plans (PDPFPs) of Albay and Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region.

Governors Noel Rosal of Albay and Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte of Camarines Sur received the awards from DHSUD in a ceremony held at the DHSUD Auditorium, signifying the agency’s formal approval of the provinces’ PDPFPs for the period 2024–2029.

Albay and Camarines Sur are among only four provinces nationwide—alongside Eastern Samar and Ilocos Norte— of which the PDPFPs have been approved by the DHSUD. Additionally, the Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) of Marikina City and Pasay City were also given the green light.

According to the DHSUD central office, the approval of these plans marks a significant milestone in the country’s drive for sustainable and inclusive local development.

Gracing the awarding ceremony were Governors Rosal and Villafuerte, DHSUD Region V Regional Director Engr. Maria O. Amoroso, and the Environmental Land Use and Urban Planning and Development Division (ELUPDD) team led by Mary Kathleen Cristy Vibar.

The awarding was led by DHSUD Undersecretary Henry Yap, who underscored the department’s unwavering support for resilient and sustainable communities.

“Congratulations to all the LGUs for this significant step toward inclusive and sustainable development,” DHSUD said in a statement.

Governor Rosal presented the Albay PDPFP during the event and shared that the planning process began in 2022. He acknowledged the contributions of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) headed by Engr. Millie Bueta, the 14th Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and former governors Grex Lagman and Glenda Ong-Bongao.

“We started it in 2022. Good work to the PPDO, the 14th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay, Governor Grex Lagman, and Gov. Baby Glenda Ong-Bongao,” Rosal said.

He added that Albay aspires to be the region’s leading hub for health, education, agriculture, tourism, transportation, social protection, and urban planning. He envisions the province as a globally competitive area with modern, well-designed infrastructure in harmony with the biosphere reserve—offering a safe, God-fearing, resilient, and inclusive environment under dynamic, gender-responsive, and participatory governance.

For his part, Governor Villafuerte said the Camarines Sur PDPFP (2024–2029) embodies their commitment to build a connected, green, and globally competitive province.

“Honored to present our Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (2024–2029) at the DHSUD awarding ceremony. This plan isn’t just a document—it’s our commitment to building a connected, green, and globally competitive Camarines Sur,” he posted on Facebook.

Villafuerte noted the province’s transformation from being the 39th poorest to the 3rd richest in the country. He highlighted the planting of over 50 million trees under the “El Verde” program and expressed the province’s aim to plant 100 million trees by 2034 with carbon credit funding.

He also outlined a future roadmap anchored on: Agri-industrial growth through the CamSur Food Complex, Smart, inclusive infrastructure via the Connected CamSur plan, the rise of CamSur Uptown, a global city in Pili, and the launch of a proudly local, globally competitive brand—“Coco Cola.”

“This is the roadmap to our future—and together, we’re making it real,” he said.