Land Use
City Ordinance 2009-054 identifies the construction of tall buildings as its strategy for prosperity:

The fact that the city's land area is considerably small and buildable area is limited, the possible option is to allow vertical development on specific areas…. It is a fact that the current trend of economic activities especially on tourism as well as real estate development will lead our city towards a genuine and sustainable economic growth.

Today, 3 PUC zones are occupied by the new condominiums and commercial establishments, including the Sky Ranch, a recreational area with rides and restaurants. The 4th PUC zone is yet to be developed. Tagaytay visitors know it well: it's the Picnic Grove.

Define 'sustainable'

City planning officials defend Tagaytay's path of development.

"We don't see yet at present that the city's urban growth threatens our environment because we provide our own measures to protect the environment and we strictly enforce the zoning ordinance," said Zuniga.

The amended ordinance does control what type of structures can rise in specific parts of Tagaytay. For instance, only one to two-story buildings can be constructed on the Ridge, the highest part of Tagaytay facing the Taal Volcano.

To ease traffic, buildings inside a PUC zone are required to provide their own parking space and set back their building at least 5 meters from the road.

The current administration has also stopped the construction of additional subdivisions, Planning Officer Lambert Manalo told Rappler.

To keep its water supply free from contamination, households are required to have multi-chamber septic tanks. Establishments like malls, stores, and restaurants must have their own sewerage treatment plant.

But only time will tell if these measures are enough to keep Tagaytay's development sustainable.

Arellano and Sedigo have a different idea of sustainable.

Arellano said, if he was in charge, he would "promote proper zoning measures and limited urban vertical development, in order for Tagaytay to sustain its tourism and charm."

Sedigo suggested a shift to ecotourism and "backpacker" tourism to keep most of the city forested. He regrets the trend of building residential units and summer houses that will lead to increased use of the limited water supply.

"Tagaytay should be kept transient. Tourists come, take photos, and then go home."

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