BAGUIO CITY — The Baguio City government will utilize digital monitoring tools to address recurring zoning exemptions and ensure that actual development strictly adheres to the city’s land-use plans.

City Planning, Development, and Sustainability Office head Donna Tabangin presented the updated Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) to the Baguio City Council during a review of key city development documents. She said the high volume of exemption applications filed between 2017 and 2026 pointed to systemic issues in land-use enforcement.

Many developers began construction or business operations before securing zoning clearance, forcing the city to address non-conforming projects retroactively through exemptions rather than through established land-use guidelines.

The existing zoning framework also failed to adequately align development intensity with the carrying capacity of specific neighborhoods. Factors such as road width, water availability, drainage infrastructure, disaster hazards and environmental sensitivity vary across Baguio.

As a result, developments that appeared compliant under general zoning rules often placed additional strain on local utilities or increased community risks.

Unmonitored growth has also created discrepancies between official zoning maps and actual population densities. Several barangays have become densely populated despite being designated for low-density development, while high-intensity projects in areas with narrow roads have contributed to traffic and parking problems.

To address these gaps, the city is integrating digital technologies into its planning operations. One of the primary tools is a Digital Twin system, which maps existing physical conditions and establishes a real-time data baseline for the city. The system will work alongside data gathered through the Community-Based Monitoring System to assess long-term development trends.

The proposed Zoning Ordinance also adopts a site-sensitive approach through zoning overlays. Instead of relying solely on a property’s base classification, the framework will consider site-specific constraints, including hazard susceptibility, infrastructure capacity, road access and proximity to environmentally sensitive areas, before projects are approved.

Barangay officials will also play a more active role in enforcement. Under the updated plan, barangay councils may appoint focal persons or committees to monitor construction activities and report unauthorized developments at an early stage.