City mourns death of renowned urban planner
Local officials and residents are now mourning the untimely demise of famous urban planner Joseph Alabanza who joined his Creator at the age of 88.
Alabanza, who succumbed to a lingering illness, was known among city residents as a renowned urban planner because of his significant insights and contributions in the crafting of the city’s comprehensive development and land use plans over the past several decades.
He was the former chairperson of the Baguio Centennial Commission; Planning Consultant of the Agno river Basin development Commission under the office of the President; Vice President for John hay Operations of the John hay Poro Point development corporation; member of the board of Directors of the JPDC; Presidential Assistant for Urban/Regional Development and Cordillera Affairs; and regional executive director of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in the Cordillera.
Alabanza’s other relevant designation and work experiences include member of the Citation Steering Committee of the San Roque Multipurpose Project Inter-Agency Task f
Force; member, Northwest Luzon Growth Quadrangle Commission; Counterpart Official and Project Coordinator of the Government of the Philippines European Community Earthquake Rehabilitation Program, master Planning Baguio and Dagupan and Chairman Inter-Regional Master Planning Committee for the Earthquake Affected Cities in Region I, II, III and CAR.
He is a holder of the degree on Master of Urban/Regional Planning from the Michigan State University; and holds a special degree on Doctor of Rural Development Honoris Causa from the Benguet State University (BSU) which was awarded to him in 1994.
The former Palace official was also the former president of the Cordillera Association of Regional Executive (CARE), and former president of the Career Executive Service Guild/Career Executive Service Development Program Alumni Association (ESG/DPAA) Region I chapter based in San Fernando City, La Union.
Among his awards and citations include Environmental Planner of the Year by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Presidential citation in recognition of his distinguished and exemplary service rendered to the Republic of the Philippines as Presidential Adviser for Urban and Regional development Planning and cordillera Affairs; Ramos Fellow; Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners and Lingkod Bayan Award.
Alabanza also holds the distinction of the first recipient among 12 Career Service Executive Officers (CESOs), of the highest ward of the Philippines government Career Executive Service, for leadership and institutionalizing the regional project monitoring system in Northern Luzon.
He was married to Nelly Enriquez, a holder of the degree Doctor of Education, who died earlier and was blessed with 3 children Leonard E. Alabanza, Mary Ann E. Alabanza-Akers and Dennise E. Alabanza, who are all professionals in their respective fields. – Dexter A. See
