NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1019
Senate
i5^i5i«h» rf mt *■ it'10'? 
*22 WJG-4 A 9 26
received by. .
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, PROVIDING THE 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Land Is a precious national resource. It is a fundamental component for 
progress and economic growth, where industries are built and vital Infrastructure are 
erected. Its vastness and fertility host agricultural activities and food production 
necessary for humans to survive. Its stable grounds provide safe habitat and spaces 
for communities and settlements to thrive. Land is also a measure of social justice as 
It indicates who possesses and benefits from the immense wealth that it offers.
Considering Its infinite use to humankind, it is therefore Imperative that 
management of land must be judicious and deliberate. There must be a national 
policy that will guide the decision makers in addressing the legitimate and urgent 
concerns of food security, decent housing, industrialization, environment protection, 
among many others, all of which depend on appropriate land allocation and 
utilization. With all these competing demands on land use, each "with valid and 
immediate impact to the wellbeing of the nation. It is important that a well thought 
out framework and long-term comprehensive plan be laid out to define priorities 
across residential, infrastructure, agricultural and protective uses, and harness such 
towards sustainable and inclusive development. There is also a need to harmonize


fragmented and sector-specific land policies which prevent the optimal use of this 
highly valuable resource.
In the very first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. 
Marcos, Jr., the Chief Executive asked the support of both houses of Congress to 
legislate nineteen priority measures, one of which is the National Land Use Act.
It Is but time to finally approve this bill. Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte 
strongly pushed for the passage of a National Land Use Act, as he appealed for Its 
enactment in his SONA for three consecutive years. During the Fifteenth Congress, 
former President Benigno Aquino III also certified as urgent a Senate bill1 instituting 
a national iand use policy, after Its counterpart was approved on Third and Final 
Reading by the House of Representatives. The bill has consistently been included in 
the Common Legislative Agenda of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory 
Council (LEDAC) since the 13th Congress (July 2004-June 30, 2007), but languished 
in the chan sbers of Congress.
According to The Philippine Greenprint, a network of environmental non­
government organizations (NGO) who is promoting measures critical to the 
conservation of natural resources, different versions of the National Land Use Act 
have been filed since 1994, but not one bill has reached the Office of the President 
for signing.2
Currently, the National Land Use Act is identified as legislative agenda of the 
updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, as it is an essential part of three 
major thrusts: a) Building safe, resilient and sustainable communities; b) Ensuring 
ecological integrity, clean and health environment; and c) Expanding economic 
opportunities In agriculture, forestry, and fisheries and ensuring food security.
1 Senate Bill No. 3091 entitled "An Act Instituting a National Land Use Policy, Providing the Implementing 
Mechanisms Therefor, and for Other Purposes. 15th Congress
2 https://www.greenprint.Dh/national-land-use-
act#:~:text=The%20National%20Land%20Use%20Act&text=lt%20worsens%20issues%20and%20disasters.coun
trvls%201and%20and%20water%20rescurces.


This representation is fervently endorsing the immediate passage of this long 
overdue piece of legislation.
IGGOY EJERCrrO ESTRADA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 1019
^senate
o( tljf ^vciTCtarp
*22 AUG-4 A 9 ‘26
RUCElVtDBV
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejerdto Estrada
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AN ACT
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, PROVIDING THE 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
Section 1. Short Tide. - This Act shall be known and cited as the '^National 
Land Use Policy Act (NALUPA) of2022’.
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policies and Principles. - It is hereby declared the policy 
of the State to instill in our people, in the hearts and minds of all Filipinos, a thirty- 
year vision and land use plan for our country we can all aim for, work for, and 
achieve as one Filipino nation. All lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, 
petroleum, and other mineral oils, ail forces of potenlial energy, fisheries, forests or 
timber, wilclife, fora and fauna, and other natural resources are owned by the State. 
With the exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be 
alienated.
Pursuant to the constitutional provision or mandate, it is the policy of the 
State to provide for a rational, holistic, and just allocation, utilization, management, 
and development of the country's land to ensure their optimum use, consistent with 
the principle of sustainable development.


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The State shall recognize the need for rational, optimal and sustainable 
settlements development, consistent with the principles of environmental 
management and equitable access to land and water security.
The State shall treat group of Islands, Including parts of islands, 
interconnecting waters and other natural features which are so closely interrelated, 
as forming an intrinsic geographical, economic and political entity, or which 
historically have been regarded as such entity.
Toward this end, the State shall institutionalize land use and physical planning 
as mechanisms for identifying, determining, and evaluating appropriate land use and 
allocation patterns that promote and ensure:
(a) Sustainable management and utilization of natural resources;
(b) Maintenance and preservation of environmental Integrity and stability 
specifically the perpetual protection of permanent forests and 
watersheds for the attainment of food, water and energy sufficiency;
(:) Disaster risk-reduction and climate change resiliency;
(d) Protection of prime agricultural lands for food security in basic 
commodities with emphasis on self-sufficiency in rice and corn;
(e) Water security through sustainable development and management of 
water resources;
(f) Settlements, transportation and infrastructure development In support 
of urban, rural and regional development and inclusive growth;
(g) Harmony between the rights and the varied interests of every Filipino 
within the framework of people empowerment, decentralization, social 
justice, and equity;
(h) Respect for and protection of the sustainable traditional resource rights 
of the Indigenous Cultural Communities / Indigenous Peoples 
(ICCs/IPs) to their ancestral domains to ensure their economic, social, 
and cultural weil-being as well as recognition of the applicability of 
customary laws and sustainable traditional resource use and 
management, knowledge, and practices in ancestral domains in 
compliance with free and prior Informed consent of ICCs/IPs;


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(i) Equitable access to land through State intervention that guarantees Its 
affordability to the basic and marginalized sectors;
(j) Protection, preservation, and development of the Filipino historical, 
cultural and built cultural heritage and resources for the deeper 
understanding of our history and culture as a people;
(k) Attainment of energy security and self-sufficiency; and,
(l) Market orientation where the interplay of market forces and fair trade 
within the framework of ecological development and equity 
consideration Is encouraged and adopted as the basic parameter In 
achieving efficiency in land use and allocation.
It is also the policy of the State to ensure that local government units (LGUs) 
share with the national government the responsibility of managing and maintaining 
ecological balance through co-management, partnership and convergence 
arrangements within their territorial jurisdiction as stated in the 1987 Constitution 
and the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC) or Republic Act No. 7160.
Guided by the principle that the use of land bears a social function and that 
all economic agents shall contribute to the common good, landowners, land tenure 
holders, in the case of forestlands, be it an Individual, communal, corporate or group 
shall be held responsible for developing and conserving their lands thereby making 
their land productive and supportive of environmental stability.
Sec. 3. Scope. - This Act shall apply to all lands whether public, private, 
government-owned, and/or in the possession of individuals, communities, 
indigenous people, or groups of people, including areas declared/designated as 
special economic zones and/or freeports, proclamations and reservations to provide 
for a rational, holistic, and just allocation, development and management of land 
and water resources including such activities that bear impact on said resources.
CHAPTER II 
DEFINITIONS
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. — As used in and for purposes of this Act, the 
following terms shall mean:
(a) '^Agricuiturai land' shall refer to land of public domain and private 
land which have been devoted to agricultural activity as defined in


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Republic Act No. 6657, as amended and not further classified for 
residential, commercial or industrial use and such other uses as 
may be provided by law;
(b) 
Agricultural Land Use Conversiorf' shall refer to the undertaking 
of any development activity which modifies or alters the physical 
charaaeristics of agricultural lands to render them suitable for 
non-agricultural purposes with an approved order of conversion 
issued exclusively by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR);
(c) 
'"'Alienable and Disposable (A&D) Landf shall refer to lands of the 
public domain which have been delineated, classified, and 
certified as open and available for disposition under the provisions 
of Commonwealth Act No. 141, otherwise known as the "Public 
Land Act," as amended;
(d) 
''Ancestral Domalnd' shall refer to all areas generally belonging to 
ICCs/IPs as defined in Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as 
the "Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1998";
(e) 
"Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan 
(ADSDPPy refers to the consolidation of the plans of ICCs/IPs 
within an ancestral domain for the sustainable management and 
development of their land and natural resources as well as the 
development of human and cultural resources based on their 
indigenous knowledge, systems and practices;
(0 "Basic ana Marginalized Sectord' shall refer to a group of people 
such as but not limited to the farmers, fisherfolks, urban poor and 
indigenous people;
(g) 
Basic Sheitef shall refer to any subdivision unit, housing unit or 
condominium satisfying the barest minimum shelter requirements 
under the minimum design standards of Batas Pambansa Big. 
220;
(h) 
"Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUPJ' shall refer to a document 
embodying a set of policies ana guidelines, accompanied by 
official maps and similar illustrations, that serves as a principal


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basis for determining the future <and use of lands and natural 
resources for production and protection purpose within the 
territorial jurisdiction of the city or municipality. It represents the 
community-desired pattern of population distribution and 
proposes future allocation of land resources to various land-using 
activities. It identifies the allocation, character, and extent of the 
areas of land resources to be used for different purposes and 
includes the processes and the criteria employed In the 
determination of the land use. It has a long-term perspective, 
encompassing a minimum often (lO) years;
(i) 
"Comprehensive Land Use Planning’ shall refer to the act of 
defining the strategic allocation, utilization, development and 
management of all lands within a given territory or jurisdiction 
according to the inherent characteristic of the land itself and 
supportive of sustainable, economic, demographic, socio-cultural 
and environmental objectives as an aid to decision-making and 
legislation;
(j) 
Coastal Area/Zond' shall refer to a band of dry land and the 
adjacent ocean space (water and submerged land) in which 
terrestrial processes and uses directly affect oceanic processes 
and uses, and vice versa. Its geographic extent may Include areas 
within a landmark limit of one (1) kilometre from the shoreline at 
high tide to Include mangrove swamps, brackish water ponds, 
nipa swamps, estuarine rivers, sandy beaches and other areas 
within a seaward limit of 200 meters Isobaths to include coral 
reefs, algal flats, seagrass beds, and other soft-bottom areas. For 
purposes of Initiating and Implementing sustainable coastal 
resources protection and management, it shall include foreshore 
lands;
(k) 
'"'Critical Habitatd' shall refer to areas outside protected areas as 
defined in Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the 
"National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992", as


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amended by Republic Act No. 11038, otherwise known as the 
"Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 
2018," that are known habitats of threatened species and 
designated as such based on scientific data taking Into 
consideration species endemicity and/or richness, presence of 
human-made pressures/threats to the survival of wildlife living In 
the area, among others;
(l) 
"Critical Watershed' shall refer to drainage area of a river system 
supporting existing and proposed hydro-electric power, domestic 
water consumption. Irrigation works or existing water facilities 
needing immediate protection and rehabilitation to minimize 
erosion and improve water yield. It shall be closed for logging 
until it Is fully rehabilitated;
(m) 
^"Cultural Heritagd' shall refer to the totality of cultural properties 
preserved and developed through time and passed on for 
posterity;
(n) 
xxCustomary Lawd' shall refer to a body of written and/or 
unwritten rules, usages, customs and practices traditionally and 
continually recognized, accepted, and observed by respective 
ICCs/IPs consistent with the IPRA;
(o) 
xxDevelopment Plari' shall refer to a document that defines the 
activities or measures that the national government or local 
government units (LGUs) Intend to Implement in order to achieve 
a defined set of development goals. It integrates the socio­
economic and sectoral plans of the national government or its 
Instrumentality or a particular LGU with the approved land use or 
physical framework plans. It may include an analysis of problems 
and resources, definition of goals and objectives, policy 
guidelines, project and target achievements, and an 
implementation mechanism which defines the roles and 
contributions expected from the government and the private 
sector. Development plans include the national-level Medium-


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Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) and its counterpart 
plans at the regional, provincial and local levels called the 
Medium-Term Regional Development Plan (MTRDP), the Provincial 
Physical Framework and Development Plan (PPFDP) and the 
Comprehensive Development Pi:m (CDP). These plans are 
translated into medium-term investment programs, also prepared 
at the national, regional and local levels, where programs, 
projects and activities derived from the development plans are 
ranked, prioritized, and matched with investment financing 
capacities;
(p) 
""Ecologically-Fragile Landf shall refer to lands within the critical 
watershed, brackish and freshwater wetlands, pasture lands, and 
croplands which require rehabilitation and whose continued 
unsustainable use would adversely affect the productivity of 
lowland agricultural areas and the stability of the upland 
ecosystem;
(q) 
Ecotourisrrl, shall refer to sustainable tourism and travel to a 
given natural area with exotic or threatened ecosystems or a 
heritage area to observe wildlife or to help preserve nature, in the 
process providing for community participation, protection and 
management of natural resources, culture and Indigenous 
knowledge systems and practices, environmental education and 
ethics, as well as economic benefits fostered and pursued for the 
enrichment of host communities and the satisfaction of visitors;
(r) 
Energy Resource Landd' shall refer to lands where naturally 
occurring or indigenous energy resources exist in sufficient 
quantity or quality as to be economically viable for exploration, 
development, production, utilization, and distribution process;
(s) 
''"Energy Resourced' shall refer to surface or subsurface 
substances that serve as energy sources. These are traditionally 
mineral fuel deposits such as coal, petroleum, natural gas or 
renewable resources from geothermal, hydro reservoirs, or non-


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conventional sources such as ocean waves, solar, wind, biomass, 
and other similar resources which serve the same purpose;
(t) 
Environmentally Critical Area^' shall refer to areas declared by 
law as: (a) protected areas pursuant to Republic Act No. 7586 or 
the NIPAS Act of 1992, as amended by Republic Act No. 11038 or 
the E-NIPAS Act of 2018"; (b) areas for natural parks, watershed 
reserves, wildlife preserves, and sanctuaries; (c) areas set aside 
as aesthetic potential tourist spots; (d) areas which constitute the 
habitat of any endangered or threatened species or indigenous 
Philippine wildlife (flora and fauna); (e) areas of unique historic, 
archaeological, or scientific interests; (f) areas which are 
traditionally occupied by ICCs/IPs; (g) areas with critical slopes; 
(h) areas frequented and/or hard hit by natural calamities such as 
but not limited to geologic hazards, floods, typhoons and volcanic 
activities; (i) areas exposed to geologic and hydro-meteorologic 
hazards; (j) prime agricultural lands; (k) recharge areas of 
aquifers; (!) water bodies; (m) mangrove areas; (n) coral reefs; 
(o) mossy and old-growth forests; (p) rivers and river banks; (q) 
swamp forest and marshlands; and (r) foreshore lands. This term 
shall also include other terrestrial, aquatic and marine areas that 
need special protection and conservation measures because they 
are ecologically fragile or they are needed for food security and 
food self-sufficiency as determined by concerned agencies and 
LCDs in consultation with the concerned sectors;
(u) 
Estuary’ shall refer to a wetland type where the river mouth 
widens into a marine ecosystem, the salinity of which is 
intermediate between salt and freshwater where tidal action is an 
important biophysical regulator;
(v) 
Exhausted Energy Resource Landd’ shall refer to specific energy 
resource sites whose energy reserves of the desired type(s) are 
no longer in sufficient quantity or quality to justify additional


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expenditure for their extraction and utilization as certified by the 
Department of Energy;
(w) 
'‘^Exhausted Mineral Landd' shall refer to a specific sites whose 
mineral deposits are no longer in sufficient quantity or quality to 
justify additional expenditure for their extraction and utilization as 
may be determined by the latest technology available;
(x) 
Exhausted Mineral Resourced' shall refer to a situation where the 
mineral resources In specific sites are no longer in sufficient 
quantity or quality to justify additional expenditure for extraction 
or utilization as determined by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau 
(MGB) and approved by the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources (DENR);
(y) 
Floodpiairi' shall refer to the portion of a river valley adjacent to 
a river channel which is covered with water when river overflows 
Its banks at flood stages. The plain usually consists of silt 
deposited by the stream;
(z) 
Flood-Prone Aread' shall refer to (ow lying areas usually adjacent 
to large or active water bodies and therefore experience regular 
or seasonal Inundation as a result of changes In the mean water 
level of these bodies or because of land reclamation and other 
artificial interference with the natural processes;
(ja) 
xxFood Security’ shall refer to the policy objective of meeting the
food availability, accessibility, quality and affordability 
requirements of the present and future generations of Filipinos In 
a sustainable manner, through local production or importation, 
only when there is shortage established based on a micro level 
situation, or both, based on the country's existing and potential 
resource endowments and related production advantages, and 
consistent with the overall national development objectives and 
policies;
(bb) 
xxForest refers to an ecosystem or an assemblage of ecosystems
dominated by trees and other woody vegetation; a community of


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plants and animals interacting with one another and its physical 
environment;
(cc) 'AFood Self-Sufficiency1 shall refer to the policy objective of 
meeting the food requirements through intensive local food 
production in a sustainable manner based on the country's 
existing and potential resource endowments and related 
production advantages;
(dd) Forestlandd’ shall refer to lands of the public domain classified 
and/or determined as needed. They include all permanent forests 
or forest reserves, forest reservations and all remaining 
unclassified lands of the public domain;
(ee) ''Foreshore Land’ shall refer to the part of the shore which Is 
alternately covered and uncovered by the ebb and flow of the 
tide;
(ff) "Free and Prior Informed Consent' shall refer to consensus of all 
members of the ICCs/IPs to be determined In accordance with 
their respective customary laws and practices, free from any 
external manipulation, interference and coercion, and obtained 
after fully disclosing the intent and scope of the activity, in a 
language and process understandable to the community;
(gg) 
"Geo-Hazardd' shall refer to natural and human-induced
geological processes that have potential to cause destruction and 
pose a threat or risk to human life and property;
(hh) "Geo-Hazard Prone Aread' shall refer to areas frequently visited 
and/or vulnerable or prone to experience weather/climatic, 
hydrologic, geologic, and other natural calamities;
(ii) 
"Heritage Zoned' shall refer to historical, anthropological,
archaeological and artistic geographical areas and settings that 
are culturally significant to the country as declared by the National 
Museum and/or National Historical Commission of the Philippines, 
pursuant to Republic Act No. 10066 or the "National Cultural 
Heritage Act of 2009";
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Qj) '^Indigenous Cultural Communities / Indigenous Peoples 
(ICCs/IPsf shall refer to groups of people or homogenous 
societies identified under Republic Act No. 8371 or the 
"Indigenous People's Rights Act (L ’RA)";
(kk) '"'Inland Waterd' shall refer to waters, which are not coastal and 
marine waters not subject to acquisitive prescription consistent 
with the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1067, otherwise 
known as the "Water Code of the Philippines";
(11) "Inter-Tidal Sand Flat1 shall refer to a juvenile fish-feeding area 
and habitat for crustaceans. The littoral gravel and sand biotopes 
are also used by Important wintering ground and roosting/feeding 
grounds of indigenous migratory birds;
(mm) "Integrated Ecosystems Watershed Management' shall refer to an 
Integrated planning and management framework that covers the 
ridge-to-reef landscape of a watershed or sub-watershed from its 
upland, lowland and coastal ecosystems and the interaction, 
interdependencies and linkages of its bio-physical, human and 
physical resources and development;
(nn) "Key Biodiversity Aread shall refer to sites that are nationally and 
globally significant for biodiversity conservation primarily 
containing species that require site-scale conservation to prevent 
extinction in the short-term and medium-term. Such species may 
be nationally and globally threatened, restricted-range and/or 
nationally and globally significant congregations of species;
(oo) "Lagoorf shall refer to a semi-encbsed coastal basin with limited 
freshwater input, high salinity and restricted circulation which 
often lies behind sand dunes. It is often highly productive and 
habitat for variety of plants and animals, serves as nurseries of 
prawns and shrimps and also site for harbor, aquaculture, 
industry and recreation;
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(PP)
(qq)
(rr)
(ss)
(tt)
(uu)
(w)
Lbncf' shall refer to resources, both natural and artificial, found 
on the surface, below and above the ground including inland and 
coastal waters;
'^Land Usd' shall refer to the manner of allocation, utilization, 
management and development of land;
'"'Land Use Classificatiort' shall refer to the act of delineating or 
allocating lands according to protection land use, production land 
use, settlements development, and infrastructure development as 
defined and provided for in this Act;
Land Sub-Classificatiorl' shall refer to the act of determining and 
assigning specific uses of classified lands of the public domain, 
such as forest or timber lands, alienable or disposable agricultural 
lands, national parks, and mineral lands In accordance with 
existing laws and this Act;
^'"Mandatory Public Hearings/Consultationd' shall refer to the 
mechanism to ensure the active participation of concerned sectors 
in all affected areas in land use planning from the local to the 
national level. It involves giving effective notice of 
hearing/consultation to concerned sectors within an affected area 
through direct written invitations, using regular mail or electronic 
means, and publication/posting in conspicuous places, conduct of 
reasonable number of hearings In or proximate to the specific 
area affected, and solicitation of positions and the public 
presentation and public confirmation of the planning results in the 
specific area affected before the firial adoption of the plans; 
xxMinerald' shall refer to all naturally occurring inorganic substance 
in solid, gas, liquid or intermediate state excluding energy 
materials such as coal, petroleum, natural gas, radioactive 
materials and geothermal energy;
xxMineral Exploratiori’ shall refer to the systematic searching or 
prospecting for mineral resources;
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(ww) 
"^Mineral Landf shall refer to lands of the public domain,
excluding those in permanent forestlands, protection lands and 
privately-owned lands where minerals resources are found In 
siiTicient quantity and quality for extraction, development and 
utilization;
(xx) 
"^Mineral Resourced' shall refer to any concentration of
minerals/rocks with potential economic value;
(yy) xxMudflat' shall refer to a wetland type that Is usually an 
unvegetated area, dominated by muddy substrate which provides 
rich feeding grounds for vertebrates such as fish and water birds 
and also important in preventing soil erosion;
(zz) Multiple Use of Land Resourced' shall refer to the utilization or 
management strategy for any land, within production land use 
areas, which allows any activity, involving one or more of its 
resources, depending on the result of prior evaluation on its 
numerous beneficial use that will produce the optimum benefits to 
the development and progress of the country and the public 
welfare without Impairment or with the least injury to its 
resources;
(aaa) '^Municipal Waterd' shall include not only streams, lakes. Inland 
bajies of water and tidal waters within the municipality which are 
not Included within the protected areas as defined under Republic 
Act No. 7586 (the NIPAS Law), as amended by Republic Act No. 
11038, or the E-NIPAS Act of 2018," public forest, timber lands, 
forest reserves or fishery reser/es, but also marine waters 
included between two (2) lines drawn perpendicular to the 
general coastline from points where the boundary lines of the 
municipality touch the sea at low tide and a third line parallel with 
the genera! coastline including ofishore islands and fifteen (15) 
kilometres from such coastline. Where two (2) municipalities are 
so situated on opposite shores that there is less than thirty (30) 
kilometers of marine waters between them, the third line shall be
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equally distant from opposite shore of the respective 
municipalities;
fbbb) National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPASJf shall refer 
to the classification and administration of all designated protected 
areas to maintain essential ecological processes and life-support 
systems, to preserve genetics diversity, to ensure sustainable use 
of resources found therein, and to maintain their natural 
conditions to the greatest extent possible;
(ccc) National Parkd’ shall refer to a forest reservation essentially of 
natural wilderness character which has been withdrawn from 
settlement, occupancy or any form of exploitation except in 
conformity with approved management plan and set aside as such 
exclusively to conserve the area or preserve the scenery, the 
natural and historic objects, wild animals and plants therein and 
to provide enjoyment of these features in such areas;
(ddd) ''National Physical Framework Plad' also referred to as the 
National Land Use Plarf, shall refer to a strategic plan containing 
the policy areas determining the most appropriate and rational 
use of land and other physical resources such as but not limited 
to protection, production, settlement and infrastructure land use. 
It provides policy guidelines for ail decisions relating to land use 
and environmental management, to prevent and mitigate the 
adverse effects of inappropriate resource utilization on the 
country's food security and food self-sufficiency on rice and corn, 
the people's welfare and their environment. It embodies both 
policies and strategies necessary to carry out goals and objectives 
of this Act;
(eee) Network of Protected Areas for Agriculture and Agro-industrial 
Development (NPAAADf shall refer to agricultural areas Identified 
by the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Soils and 
Water Management (BSWM) in coordination with the National 
Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) In order
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to ensure the efficient utilization of land for agriculture and agro­
industrial development and promote sustainable growth. The 
NPAAAD covers all irrigated areas, all irrigable lands already 
covered by Irrigation projects with firm funding commitments, all 
alluvial plains, land highly suitable for agriculture whether 
irrigated or not, agro-industrial croplands or lands planted to 
Industrial crops that support the validity of existing agricultural 
Infrastructure and agro-based enterprises, highlands or areas 
located at an elevation of five hundred (500) meters or above and 
have the potential for growing semi-temperate and high value 
crops, all agricultural lands that are ecologically fragile the 
conversion of which will result in serious environmental 
degradation, and all mangrove areas and fish sanctuaries;
(fff) '^Patrimonial Propertied' shall refer to aH the properties belonging 
to the State that are not intended for public use or for public 
service for the development of national wealth;
(999) ^'People's Organizatior!' shall refer to a private, non-profit, 
voluntary and community-based organization with membership 
constituency established primarily to provide service to its 
members and the community in general;
(hhh) "Permanent Forest' shall refer to lands of the public domain, that 
includes forest reserves, which has been identified and 
determined to be needed for protection, conservation, 
preservation and management as forests and shall be reserved, 
conserved and protected into perpetuity for such purpose;
(iil) "Permanent Forestiandf shall refer to forestlands, within public or 
private lands, that have been identified, determined and 
demarcated on the ground by the State to serve such purpose 
and shall De protected, conserved, preserved, maintained and 
managed as forestlands free from any form of utilization, 
exploitation or development and reserved permanently as such for 
the benefit and use of future generations;
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(iii) Physical Framework P!an^r shall refer to strategic plans based on 
comprehensive land use plans (CLUPs) and national policies 
whether national, regional, or provincial which provide policy 
guidelines for all decisions relating to land use and environmental 
management to prevent or mitigate the adverse effects of 
inappropriate resource utilization on food security, the people's 
welfare and their environment, it embodies both policies and 
strategies necessary to carry out development goals and 
objectives;
(kkk) 
x" Premature or Illegal Conversion of Agricultural Landf shall refer
to any activity that modifies or alters the physical characteristics 
of agricultural lands to render them suitable for non-agricultural 
purposes without an approved order of conversion from the 
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary;
(III) ''Prime Aghcultural Landf shall refer to all irrigated areas; ail 
irrigable lands; all rain-fed areas planted to rice and corn; ail 
lands classified by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management 
under its land capability classification system as Class A, Class B, 
and Class C lands; all agricultural lands that are ecologically 
fragile, the conversion of which will result in serious 
environmental degradation, and mangrove areas and fish 
sanctuaries;
(mmm) "Production Land Usd' shall refer to the direct and Indirect 
utilization of land to generate outputs resulting from the following 
activities, but not limited to: agricultural, fish, farming or 
aquaculture, timber production, agro-forestry, grazing and 
pasture, mining. Indigenous energy resource development, 
industry, and tourism;
(nnn) "Protected Aread' shall refer to portions of land and water set 
aside by reason of their unique physical and biological 
significance, managed to enhance biological diversity, and 
protected against destructive human exploitation. For purposes of
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this Act, It shall include agricultural lands Identified and delineated 
under Section 32 hereof;
(ooo) Protection Land Usd' shall refer to the utilization of land primarily 
for food, water and energy security, rehabilitation, conservation, 
and protection purposes for the promotion of the country's 
ecological and life-support systems;
(ppp) '^Public Domairf' shall refer to lands that belong to the State which 
may be any of the following: agricultural, forest or timber, 
mineral, or national park as provided for In the Constitution;
(qqq) Public Landf shall refer to lands which have not been subject to 
private property rights or subject to sale or other modes of 
acquisition or concession under the general laws, and are devoted 
to public use;
(rrr) 
"Reclassification of Agricultural Landd' shall refer to the act of
specifying how agricultural lands shall be utilized for non- 
agricultural uses such as residential, industrial, or commercial 
purposes through the local planning and zoning processes 
pursuant to Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code 
of 1991 and subject to the requirements and procedure for 
conversion. It Is equivalent to land sub-classification, as defined in 
this Act for classified lands of the public domain and also includes 
the reversion of non-agricultural lands to agricultural use;
(sss) Resettlement Sited' shall refer to areas Identified by the 
appropriate national agency or by che LGU, with respect to areas 
within its jurisdiction which shall be used for the relocation of the 
underprivileged and homeless, as defined under Republic Act No. 
7279 or the "Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA)";
(ttt) 
yyRiver Basirf shall refer to the portion of land drained by a river
and its tributaries. It encompasses the entire land surface 
dissected and drained by many streams and creeks that flow 
downhill into one another, and eventually Into one river. The final 
destination is an estuary or an ocean;
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(uuu) Settlement^' shall refer to formal and Informal communities or 
built-up residential areas where people prefer to live In land areas 
classified, zoned, or converted for current or future residential or 
housing development purposes, including socialized housing 
zones for the homeless and underprivileged citizens;
(vw) Settlements Development' shall refer to any improvement on 
existing formal or informal residential or housing settlements or 
any proposed development of certain areas for residential or mass 
housing settlement purposes. It also involves the spatial 
distribution of population, identification of the roles and functions 
of key urban centers, determination of relationships among 
settlement areas, and the provision of basic services and facilities 
of identified major residential or housing settlement areas or 
growth centers. It is also concerned with the interrelationship of 
settlements as they develop and establish functional linkages 
based on their respective resource endowments and comparative 
advantages;
(WWW) XKShorellntt' shall refer to the line where shore and water meet; 
(xxx) significant Cavef shall refer to cuves which contain materials or 
possess features that have archaeological, cultural, ecological, 
historical or scientific value as determined by the DENR in 
coordination with the scientific community and the academe;
(yyy) socialized Housing' shall refer to housing programs and projects 
undertaken by the government or the private sector for the 
underprivileged and homeless citizens which shall include sites 
and services development, long-term financing, liberalized terms 
on interest payments, and such other benefits in accordance with 
the UDHA;
(zzz) ^'Socialized Housing Zoned' shall refer to lands Identified and 
designated by local government units as sites for socialized 
housing, pursuant to Article IV of Republic Act No. 7279 or the 
UDHA, and its implementing guidelines;
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(aaaa) "'Sustainable Development' shall refer to the development 
objective of meeting the needs of the present generation without 
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own 
needs consistent with the principles of social equity, efficiency, 
and environmental integrity;
(bbbb) "Tourism Development Area^’ s.iall refer to specific sites for 
tourism development located in areas identified as priorities in the 
national, regional, and inter-regional area specific tourism master 
plans and other sector plans such as eco-tourism and agri-tourism 
sites, including those designated through legislative and executive 
issuances such as tourist spots, tourist zones and tourism 
ecozones which can be developed Into tourism estates or 
integrated resort, leisure, and recreation complexes, and other 
tourism related facilities subject to restrictions imposed by its 
protection status and land use category;
(cccc) "Tourism Enterprise Zond' shall refer to an area designated as 
tourism enterprise zone by the Tourism Infrastructure and 
Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) pursuant to the provisions of 
Republic Act No. 9593 otherwise Known as the "Tourism Act of 
2009";
(dddd) "Tourism Estate^' shall refer to large tracts of land with well- 
defined boundaries In any area identified in the Philippine tourism 
master plaii and regional tourism master plan, by proclamation of 
the President and/or by an act of Congress or local legislation. 
Such land shall be suitable for the development of an integrated 
tourism and resort complex including but not limited to 
accommodation facilities, food and beverage outlets, convention 
and meeting areas, sports, recreational and leisure centers and 
commercial outlets among others. It shall be provided with roads, 
water supply facilities, power and utilities like potable water, 
drainage sewerage disposal, solid waste disposal system and
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Other necessary infrastructure. The estate shall be under one 
unified and continuous management;
(eeee) Tourist Spot shall refer to a particular area/site/spot, human- 
made or natural, known for its unique tourist/visitor-drawing 
attributes and activities. It may be classified according to its 
social, cultural, natural, historical, scientific, religious, and 
recreational significance;
(ffff) " Tourist Zond' shall refer to a geographic area not designated 
under protection land use, with well-defined boundaries 
prodaimea as such by the President of the Philippines and/or by 
acts of Congress. No development projects for any purpose shall 
be initiated and Introduced within the zone prior to the 
formulation of a tourism master development plan which shall be 
undertaken In coordination with the Department of Tourism 
(DOT) and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority 
(TIEZA). A tourist zone Is established for the enhancement and/or 
the conservation of cultural and historical heritage and for the 
appreciation and enjoyment of the local population and Its 
visitors;
(9999) '"'Urban Areaf shall refer to all cities regardless of their population 
density and to municipalities with population density of at least 
Five hundred (500) persons per square kilometer;
(Thhh) ^xUrbanizab!e Aread' shall refer to sites and lands which, 
considering present characteristics and prevailing conditions, 
display marked and great potential of becoming urban areas 
within a period of five (5) years;
(iiii) xxUrban Forestry or Green Spaed' shall refer to the establishment 
and management of forest in urban environment for the 
physiological and psychological well-being of the people;
Ojjj) " Water Security' shall refer to the sufficient access throughout the 
year to the minimum daily requirement of clean water to maintain 
a healthy life;
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(kkkk) " Water Usd' shall refer to the appf opriation of water for domestic, 
municipal, irrigation, power generation, inland fisheries, poultry 
and livestock raising, industrial and commercial, environmental, 
and recreational use and other purposes;
(1111) Watershed1 shall refer to a land area drained by a stream or 
fixed body of water and its tributaries having a common outlet for 
surface runoff;
(mmmm) ""Zoning shall refer to the process of delineating the specific 
uses of lands in accordance with the approved Comprehensive 
Land Use Plan (CLUP) within the territorial jurisdiction of a 
city/municipallty and specifying the conditions for their regulation, 
subject to the limitations imposed by law and competent 
authority; and,
(nnnn) Zoning Ordinance or ZO' shall refar to a local law passed by the 
Sangguniang Bayan ovPaniungsod approving the development 
control/zoning plan In accordance with an approved or adopted 
CLUP for the city/municipallty, and providing for the regulations 
and other conditions on the uses of land including the limitation of 
the infrastructure that may be placed thereon within the territorial 
jurisdiction of a city or municipality. It incorporates the protected 
areas under Section 13(a) and the protected agricultural lands 
under Section 32 of this Act.
CHAPTER III
PHYSICAL FRAMEWORK AND LAND USE PLANS
Sec. 5. Nationai Land Use Planning Process. - The land use and physical 
planning process shall be formulated following a combined bottom-up and top-down 
approach. The National Land Use Commission (NLUC) shall draft the National 
Physical Framework Plan (NPFP)/National Land Use Plan (NLUP) which shall have a 
timeframe of thirty (30) years, with regular review and updating every ten (10) 
years: Provided, however, That nothing herein shall prevent the NLUC from 
reviewing e nd updating at anytime the NPFP/NLUP where public interest so requires. 
The NPFP, which guides the planning and management of the country's land and
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Other physical resources at the national and sub-natonal levels, shall indicate broad 
spatial directions and policy guidelines on settlements development, production land 
use, protection land use, and infrastructure such as but not limited to social services, 
and utilities, transportation and communication. The Regional Physical Framework 
Plans (RPFPs), Provincial Physical Framework and Development Plans (PPFDPs), and 
Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs), which shall also have a 30-year timeframe 
and cover the physical development of their respective territories, shall be consistent 
with the national physical framework development of their respective territories, 
shall be consistent with the national physical framework plan: Provided, That the 
integration and harmonization of the physical framework plans at all levels shall be 
Iterative to ensure that the concerns of both top and bottom levels of government 
are considered. The physical and land use plans prepared at all levels shall have 
internal consistency specifically on, but not limited to, the development, 
managemeiit and conservation of forestlands found within a given territory and the 
linkages of the major land use categories to ensure their complementation in the 
utilization, development and management of resources.
All regional, provincial, city and municipal land use plans and zoning 
ordinances shall only be amended or revised at the earliest after every ten (10) 
years except if an earlier amendment or revision of the CLUP or ZO is authorized by 
the NLUC due to extraordinary causes.
The NLUC shall issue procedural guidelines which shall guide the formulation 
and integration/harmonization process: Provided, That the National Economic and 
Development Authority (NEDA), the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission 
(HSAC) created under Republic Act No. 11201, the Department of the Interior and 
Local Government (DILG) and other agencies will continue to issue guidelines on the 
content of the plans consistent with their respective agency mandates.
Sec. 6. City and Municipal Land Use Pians. - All barangays shall provide their 
sectoral, temporal and spatial data for the CLUP which shall serve as the foundation 
for the formulation of the city/municipal CLUPs. The data shall be provided by the 
Sangguniang Pambarangay through stakeholder consultations. The CLUP shall 
determine rhe specific use of land and other physical and natural resources, both 
private and public, within their territorial jurisdiction including areas co-managed
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With the national government and, as appropriate, management plans for ancestral 
domains, critical watersheds, river basins, and protected areas.
The CLUP shall delineate actual boundaries on the ground within the 
territorial jurisdictions, embody the desired land use patterns of the barangay, city or 
municipality, translate and integrate sectoral plans, ^nd provide appropriate policies 
for each of the four land use planning categories. The spatial directions prescribed in 
the CLUP shall serve as the basis for the preparation and formulation of the 
Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) and Local Development Investment Plan 
(LDIP) of theLGUs.
The CLUP may be formulated as a component of a Comprehensive Land Use 
and Development Plan (CLUDP), which merges the traditionally separate CLUP and 
Comprehensive Development Plan to address the disconnect between the spatial and 
sectoral factors and to ensure the complementation between the medium- and long­
term concerns: Provided, That the CLUDP shall remain consistent with the CLUP.
Consistent with the national standards and guidelines prescribed In Section 5, 
the cities and municipalities shall, in consultation with the concerned sectors, 
prepare their respective CLUPs. The City/Municipal Land Use Planning and 
Management Board (C/MLUPB), created under this Act, shall be responsible for the 
preparation and formulation of the CLUP and ensure Its consistency with national 
and regional physical planning guidelines and standards. Under the general 
supervision of the respective C/MLUPB, the City/Municipal Planning and 
Development Coordinator/Ofhce (C/MPDC/PDO) shai! provide technical, secretariat 
and administrative support in the preparation, consultation, and integration and 
formulation process of the respective CLUPs of each city or municipality.
The CLUPs shall be submitted by the city/municipal Local Development 
Councils (LDC) for adoption and approval of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB). The 
approved CLUPs shall be submitted to the province for Integration into the PPFP.
The CLUP shall be translated into a zoning ordinance by the concerned 
Sanggunian to regulate the uses of land, including the limitations on height, density 
and bulk of buildings and other infrastructure that mav be placed thereon.
Sec. 7. Provincial Physical Framework Plan (PPFP). - The PPFP shall 
determine the physical development of the entire provincial territory, consolidate and
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harmonize the comprenensive land use plans of component cities and municipalities, 
consistent with the RPFP. It shall reflect the indicative land use management and 
physical development direction of the province.
Further, the PPFP shall serve as basis for other sectoral and development 
plans relalad to land, natural resources, and infrastructure facilities. Including the 
development plan of the province; reconciliation and rationalization of land use 
proposals among component cities and municipalities and with the higher level 
framework plan; guiding development agencies and private developers, particularly 
those that undertake large scale projects; and pi oviding a basis for resolving 
conflicts arising from the implementation of land use plans and development projects 
involving two or more municipalities.
The PPFP shall serve as the basis for the preparation of the Provincial 
Development Plan (PDP) and Provincial Development Investment Program (PDIP). 
The PPFP, PDP, PDIP and/or Provincial Physical Framework and Development Plan 
(PPFDP) shall serve as the basis for the formulation of sectoral action plans of 
national government agencies in the province and all LGUs within its jurisdiction. 
The province may opt to prepare their PDP alongside the preparation of PPFP and 
consolidate them Into a PPFDP; Provided, That PPFDP shall remain consistent with 
the PPFP: Provided, further, That any review or changes in the PPFP shall coincide 
with the over-all review process of the NPFP.
The Provincial Land Use Planning and Management Board (PLUPMB), created 
under this HCt, shall ensure that the PPFP is consistent with the national and regional 
planning framework and guidelines Issued by the NLUPC/RLUPB. The PPFP shall be 
presented to the Provincial Development Council (PDC) for endorsement to the 
Sangguniang Paniaiawigan, who shall formally adopt and approve the PPFP. The 
approved F’PFP shall be submitted to the RLUPB for consolidation and integration 
into the RPFP.
Under the general supervision of the PLUPMB, the Provincial Planning and 
Development Coordinator/Office (PPDC/PPDO) shall provide technical, secretariat 
and administrative s^jpport in the preparation, consultation, and integration and 
formulation process of the PPFP.
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Sec. 8. Regional Physical Framework Rians. — In consultation with concerned 
sectors, the Regional Land Use Policy Board (RLUPB) shall define the desired spatial 
arrangement of land-using activities in the entire region, consolidating and 
harmonizing the provincial physical framework plans of provinces and Independent 
cities within the territorial jurisdiction of the region. The regional physical framework 
plan, which depicts and end-state scenario toward which efforts and activities are 
directed, shall consist of spatially-based and area-focused policies, consistent with 
those In the national framework for physical planning, to guide detailed physical, 
socio-economic, sectoral and investment planning.
Sec. 9. The National Physical Framework Plan /National Land Use Plan. - The 
National Land Use Commission (NLUC) created in Section 14 herein, in consultation 
with the concerned sectors through the conduct of mandatory public 
heahngs/G^nsultatlons, shaL formulate, periodically update and ensure the 
Implementation of a national physical framework plan that shall prescribe and 
influence the country's land use and physical development. The NPFP shall 
operationalize the pdicies provided in this Act and will be the basis for adopting land 
use and physical planning-related guidelines and standards, including zoning and 
other land use control standards that will guide the formulation of city/municipal 
zoning ordinances.
The NPFP strategic objectives and directions shall be the basis for the 
preparation, formulation and prioritization of the MTPDP and Medium-Term 
Philippine Investment Program (MTPIP).
CHAPTER IV
FRAMEWORK FOR LAND USE PLANNING
Sec. 10. Priorities in Land Use Allocation and Planning. — In projecting spatial 
allocation for different land uses, the LGUs shall first exclude areas under protection 
land use of Section 13(a) hereof, national parks, energy resource lands, and prime 
agricultural lands to ensure ecological integrity, energy supply, and promote food 
security. Areas with prior rights and those with site-specific resources for basic 
services, such as but not limited to, water and indlyenous energy resources, shall 
also be excluded. Spatial allocation and planning shall then proceed in accordance 
with Sections 12 and 13 hereof with priorities given to Integrated watershed
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management areas, socialized housing sites, fisherfolk settlement in coastal areas, 
and waste disposal sites.
Sec. 11. Adoption of Multiple Uses of Land Resources. — The primary and 
alternative uses of a specific land resource shall be determined and evaluated prior 
to any decision for the assignment of Its use. Areas feasible for sustainable land 
resource may be considered multiple-use zones wherein settlements, tourism, 
agriculture, forestry, agro-forestry and extraction activities and other income- 
generating or livelihood activities may be allowed: Provided, That multiple uses of 
land resources shall be excluded in areas identified as protection land use: Provided, 
further, That such land resources shall be in accordance with priorities in land use 
allocation and planning and that no reclassification shall be allowed.
Sec. 12. Land Use Plans for Ancestral Domains. - Land use plans of ancestral 
domains snail be formulated by the ICCs/IPs themselves In accordance with their 
particular needs and traditional resource and management systems with the 
assistance of the NCIP, the LGUs and civil society organizations (CSOs) concerned. 
Such plans shall be recognized and adopted in the barangay, city/municipal, 
provincial e nd national physical framework plans.
Physical framework plans made prior to the delineation of ancestral domains 
included in such plans or ordinances shall, without prejudice to the rights of the 
ICCs/IPs concerned, adopt different land use categories in accordance with their 
particular needs and traditional resource and management systems.
In cases where there are no ADSDPPS, the LGU and the ICCs/IPs shall jointly 
formulate the land use plan within the ancestral domain until such time that the 
ICCs/IPs have formulated their ADSDPPS.
Sec. 13. Basic Land Use Considerations. — Various land uses as categorized in 
the succeeding section shall be determined in a manner that promotes the policies 
and principles defined In Section 2 of this Act and shall consider the following 
elements therein, among others:
(a) Protection land use category as defined in Section 14 shall prevail over 
existing production land use category. The State shall undertake the 
necessary action in changing the classification of these production 
areas;
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(b) Preservation, conservation, rehabilitation and protection to perpetuity 
of permanent forestlands, critical watersheds, key biodiversity areas, 
environmentally-critical and ecologically-fragile areas and prime 
agricultural lands from any other land use, conversion, disposition, 
intrusion, utilization and development aside from its determined use 
and limits;
(c) Protection of natural forests and natural resources ensures
environmental 
stability, conserve biological 
diversity, 
improve
ecosystem functions and provide long-term ecological and economic 
benefits. Designated restoration areas are designed to revive the 
ecosystem functions and services of forests as well as improve the 
economic and ecological benefits of local communities;
(d) Protection of forest and wetlands from infrastructure development to 
preserve the ecological services they provide which are essential to 
economic development. These activities include, but not limited to river 
channelization and dredging, large scale irrigation and river diversions 
which reduce riverine habitat and alters flood patterns and natural flow 
regimes, reduce downstream water availability for agriculture and 
contribute to salinization through saltwater intrusion in coastal areas;
(e) Resolution of land use conflicts which are life-threatening to public 
safety, sustainability of key production resources or employment 
activities and the delivery of basic services and are harmful or 
destructive to protected areas, flora, fauna and other protected natural 
resources. Greater consideration shall be given to the human and 
tenurial rights of vulnerable groups In resolving land use conflicts;
(f) Identification of geo-hazard prone areas and high risk/danger zones 
and corresponding risk reduction measures to ensure the prioritization 
of life and safety: Provided, That specifically identified and assessed 
extremely hazat'dous and high-risk/danger zones shall be similarly 
protected and cleared from all forms of human-made obstacles, 
obstructions and infrastructures to ensure and secure public health and 
safety;
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(g) Respect for existing customary rights and traditional land uses of 
ICCS/IPS;
(h) Identification of settlement areas to check the demand for land and 
establish the location of employment-generating industries and basic 
services; and,
(i) The availability of natural resources including indigenous energy 
resources for energy security and self-sufficiency. However, 
infrastructure energy projects such as dams with large reservoirs In 
natural ecosystems shall not be allowed if it would interrupt the 
connectivity of river systems, disrupt fish spawning and migration, and 
alter seasonal flood regimes.
Sec. 14. Categories of Land Uses for Planning Purposes. - In determining and 
defining the national, regional and provincial framework plans, and CLUPs, land uses 
shall be grouped into four major functional uses as follows:
(a) Protection Land Use shall refer to the use of land primarily for food, 
water and energy security, rehabilitation, conservation, and protection 
purposes for the promotion of the country's ecological and life-support 
systems. Planning for protection land use intends to achieve food self- 
sufficiency in rice and corn, water and energy security, environmental 
stability and ecological integrity, ensure a balance between resources 
use and the preservation of some areas with environmental, aesthetic, 
educational, cultural, heritage and historical significance, and protect 
people and human-made structures from the Ill-effects of natural 
hazards. All lands, either public or private, under protection land use 
shall be permanently conserved, preserved, rehabilitated and protected 
from ail other land uses, disposition, intrusion, utilization and 
development that is not consistent from its existing uses. Areas under 
this category also include those covered by Republic Act No. 7586 or 
the NIPAS Law, as amended by Republic Act No. 11038 or the E-NIPAS 
Act of 2018," and other coastal and marine protected areas, those 
areas outside NIPAS but nonetheless require protection because of 
their outstanding physical and aesthetic features, anthropological
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Significance, and biological diversity, and those areas prone to natural
hazards. Areas outside the coverage of the NIPAS law include, but are
not limited to the following:
(1) 
Old-growth forest and mossy;
(2) 
Areas with more than 50% in slope gradient;
(3) 
Mangrove and fish sanctuaries, pursuant to Republic Act No. 
8435 or the "Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 
1997" and Republic Act No. 8550 or "The Philippine Fisheries 
Code of 1998";
(4) 
Buffer zone or strips/easements, pursuant to Presidential Decree 
No. 705, amending Presidential Decree No. 389, otherwise 
known as the "Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines" and 
Presidential Decree No. 1067 or the "Water Code of the 
Philippines";
(5) 
Salvage zones along foreshore areas, freshwater swamps and 
marshes, plazas and heritago/historic sites, pursuant to 
Presidential Decree No. 2146;
(6) 
Watersheds;
(7) 
Utility easement like transmission lines of power companies, oil 
and gas facilities, cell sites, and domestic water lines;
(8) 
Amenity areas or those with high aesthetic values, pursuant to 
Presidential Decree No. 2146;
(9) 
Natural and human-made areas/sites of cultural, historical and 
anthropological significance, which are declared as such by 
internationally-recognized organizations and concerned national 
agencies;
(10) 
Critical habitats as provided in Republic Act No. 9147 or the 
"Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act";
(11) 
Significant caves under Republic Act No. 9072 or the "National 
Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act";
(12) 
Key biodiversity areas under Executive Order 578, Series of 
2006, or the "National Biodiversity Policy";
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(13) 
Prime agricultural lands as defined under this Act; or,
(14) 
Areas within ancestral domains excluded by the IPs/ICCs from 
any activities, except for the exclusive purposes for which they 
are Identified, such as sacred grounds and burial sites of ICCs; 
identified international and local cultural and heritage sites; 
critical areas identified or reserved by the ICCs/IPs for special 
purposes; and other areas specifically identified by IPs/ICCs in 
their ADSDPP.
(b) Production Land Use shall refer to the direct and indirect utilization of 
land resources for crop, fishery, livestock and poultry production, 
forestry, agro-forestry, mining, industry, energy development, 
indigenous energy exploration and development, and tourism. 
Planning for production land shall determine the most efficient, 
sustainable, and equitable manner of utilizing, developing and 
managing land for productive purposes. Areas included In this category 
area agricultural lands, fishing grounds, coastal and marine zones, 
production forest which comprise lands 18% to 50% in slope gradient 
such as: residual dipterocarps, rangelands for grazing purposes, 
industrial tree plantation/integrated Forest Management Agreement 
(IFMA), community based forest management areas and other 
reforestation projects, mineral lands or mining areas and reservations, 
energy resource lands, industrial development areas, and tourism 
development areas where productive activities could be undertaken to 
meet the country/s requirements for food security, economic growth 
and development.
(c) Settlements Development shall refer to any Improvement on existing 
settlements In urban and rural areas or any proposed development of 
certain areas for settlement purposes involving the spatial distribution 
of population, identification of the roles and functions of key urban 
centers, determination of relationships among settlement areas, and 
the provision of basic services and facilities to such settlement. The 
settlements development plan ensures for the present and future
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generation the following: (i) effective integration of activities within 
and among settlements, allowing efficient movement of people and 
production of commodities through the provision of appropriate land, 
infrastructure, and facilities; and (ii) access of the population to 
housing, education, health care, recreation, transportation and 
communication, sanitation, and basic utilities such as water, power, 
waste disposal, and other services.
(d) Infrastructure Development shall refer to the availability or supply of 
basic services and fostering of economic and other forms of integration 
necessary for producing or obtaining the material requirements of 
Filipinos, in an efficient, responsive, safa and ecologically friendly built 
environment. It covers sub-sectors of transportation, communication, 
water resources, and social infrastructure: Provided, That the 
determination of functional uses of lands within ancestral domains shall 
consider traditional resource and management systems that do not 
endanger the lives of the people and property of the local community 
and neighboring areas or increase the vulnerability of the natural 
environment to the effects of natural and human-induced geological 
processes.
CHAPTER V
IMPLEMENTING STRUCTURE AND MECHANISMS
ARTICLE I 
NATIONAL
Sec. 15. Creation of the National Land Use Commission (NLUC). - The 
National Land Use Commission, hereinafter referred to as NLUC, is hereby created as 
a Commission under the Office of the President. It shall exercise the powers and 
responsibilities of the current NEDA Board-National Land Use Committee which is 
hereby abolished and the powers and functions pertaining to land use planning 
vested by law to the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC). The 
NLUC shall act as the highest policy making body on land use and resolve land use 
policy conflicts between or among agencies, branches, or levels of the government.
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It shall integrate efforts, monitor developments relating to land use and the 
evolution of policies. It shall also establish Regional Offices.
Sec. 16. Composition of the NLUC. - The NLUC shall be composed of the 
following:
(a) Chairperson to be appointed by the President for a term of six (6) 
years, with a rank of Cabinet Secretary;
(b) The Director-General of the Nationa! Economic and Development 
Authority (NEDA) and Secretary of the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources (DENR) as Vice-Chairpersons;
The President may designate from among the two Vice-Chairpersons a 
Chief Executive Officer who shall supervise the day-to-day affairs of 
the NLUC.
The members shall be:
(c) The Secretaries of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban 
Development (DHSUD), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the 
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Department of Trade and 
Industry (DTE), the Department of Public Works and Highways 
(DPWH), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of 
Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department 
of Tourism (DOT), the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government (DILG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department 
of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Finance (DOF), 
the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Chairperson of the National 
Commission on indigenous Peoples (NCIP);
The Department Secretaries and the Chairperson of the NCIP may 
designate a representative with a rank not lower than Assistant 
Secretary and Commissioner, respectively: Provided, That the 
designated representative shall be on a permanent basis.
(d) A representative each from the Leagues of Provinces, Cities and 
Municipalities;
(e) A representative each from four (4) basic and marginalized sectors 
directly involved in land use, namely: urban poor, farmer-peasants,
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fisherfolk, and indigenous peoples who shall be appointed by the 
President of the Philippines based on the nomination and 
recommendation of the respective sectoral councils of the National 
Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC). At least two (2) sectoral 
representatives shall be women;
(f) Two (2) representatives from private subdivisions, and housing 
developers; and,
(g) Two (2) representatives from the accredited association of 
professionals dealing on land use such as but not limited to urban and 
regional planners, environmental planners, architects, geologists and 
geodetic engineers.
Sec. 17. Powers and Functions. - The NLUC shall have the following powers 
and functions:
(a) Advise the President of the Philippines and the NEDA Board on all 
matters concerning land use and physical planning;
(b) Integrate and harmonize all laws, guidelines and policies relevant to 
land use and physical planning to come up with a national, cohesive, 
and comprehensive national land use framework;
(c) Formulate policies and approve land use and physical planning-related 
policies that may be formulated by the Regional Land Use Policy Board 
(RLUPB), created under Section 25 of this Act, and concerned agencies 
as well as promulgate zoning and other land use control standards and 
guidelines which shall guide the formulation of land use plans and 
zoning ordinances by local governments;
(d) Prepare, periodically review and if necessary, update the national 
framework for physical planning to provide the general framework for 
the spatial development directions for the entire country and sub- 
national levels;
(e) Review and approve all land use physical planning related guidelines;
(f) Monitor and coordinate the gathering of data, the conduct of studies 
pertaining to land use planning Including studies on the management
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of identified land uses and such other studies not undertaken by other 
government agencies;
(g) Report and recommend to the President of the Philippines and to 
Congress the adoption, passage, or amendment of laws to ensure that 
sectoral programs, plans, projects and activities including local 
government initiatives affecting land use are consistent with national 
development objectives;
(h) Coordinate with and assist other government agencies and LGUs in 
planning, developing, and implementing their land use classification 
programs, and provide, to the extent possible, technical assistance and 
guidance;
(I) Monitor and coordinate the activities of concerned agencies and 
entities of the government, as well as LGUs, in the enforcement and 
implementation of policies and regulations relating to land use and 
resource management and development;
(]) Monitor and coordinate activities In the establishment of a national land 
resource information and management system of concerned agencies 
that shall integrate and process information on land use and allocation 
generated by the various national government agencies, define 
information requirements at various levels; and standardize information 
inputs and outputs including scales and symbols used in territorial and 
sectoral maps;
(k) Be the repository of all RPFPs, PPFDPs and CLUPs and all data and 
information pertaining to land and land use;
(l) Call on any department, bureau, office, agency, or Instrumentality of 
the government, and/or private entities and organization for 
cooperation, support, and assistance in the performance of its 
functions;
(m) 
Decide and resolve policy conflicts and territorial jurisdiction on 
land use between or among agencies, branches, or levels of the 
government and act on unresolved land use policy conflicts at the 
regional level elevated by the Regional Land Use Policy Board (RLUPB);
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(n) Adopt rules of procedures for the orderly and expeditious conduct of 
meetings and other business of the Council;
(o) Perform such other acts and functions and exercise such other powers 
as may be necessarily implied, inherent, incident, or related to the 
foregoing; and,
(p) Reviev^ and recommend fiscal policies and taxation on different land 
uses and classification to achieve national goals.
Sec. 18. NLUC Technical Secretariat (NLUC-TS). - A Technical Secretariat 
shall be created to provide technical support to the NLUC. It shall be headed by an 
Executive Director with a rank of Undersecretary. He shall be a qualified professional 
In any of the fields of land use, physical planning, environmental management, 
engineering, public governance or law.
Sec. 19. The NLUC Technical Secretariat Executive Director. - The Executive 
Director shall supervise the operations of the NLUC Technical Secretariat and assist 
the NLUC Chairperson or his/her designated Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
In the absence of the CEO, he/she shall preside over the meetings of the 
NLUC-TS.
He/she shall also perform such other functions as may be tasked by the 
Chairperson or CEO-Vice Chairperson.
Sec. 20. Offices, Units and Staff Support. — The appropriate office in the 
Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC) created under Republic Act No. 
11201 or the "Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Act" shall 
be the core secretariat of the NLUC. The staff In che HSAC and NEDA Regional 
Development Office who opted to transfer to the NLUC shall be given priority 
without diminution in rank and remuneration. The staffing pattern shall be drafted 
by the NLUC In coordination with the DBM and Civil Service Commission. Other 
government agencies may also be called upon for staT support.
The NLUC technical secretariat shall be divided into the following service units 
“ Planning and Policy Services, Technical Advisory and Assistance Service, and 
Administrative and Financial Services. Each service unit shall be headed by a Director 
with a minimum rank of Director I (Salary Grade 22) and shall possess professional
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qualifications that relate to land use, physical planning, management, engineering, 
governance and law.
(a) Planning and Policy Services - shall provide planning and policy 
support services to the NLUC. It shall be responsible for preparation, 
formulation and issuance of national land use planning guidelines, 
standards and policies that would be approved by the NLUC. It shall 
also be responsible for assisting the NLUC in monitoring the 
implementation and compliance of national and local agencies on the 
national land use policies, directives, and guidelines. It shall also 
maintain and update an open and publicly accessible national land use 
plan inventory, information and database monitoring system that shall 
collate, integrate and consolidate the general status of the country's 
land uses at all LGU levels. It shall also provide legal and legislative 
support to the NLUC and other policy-making bodies on land use 
policies and land use related issues and concerns.
(i3)Technical Advisory and Assistance Ser/lce - shall provide technical 
advisory services to the NLUC and other policy making bodies related 
to land use management and implementation. It shall also provide 
technical assistance to local and national agencies in the preparation 
and formulation of their local land use p'ans, development and sectoral 
plans, and other land use-related concerns that may be raised by these 
bodies. It shall maintain a national network of technically capable and 
qualified representatives under its supervision and administration that 
shall provide technical advisory and secretariat support to local land 
use planning bodies at the LGU levels. The technical advisory and 
assistance service shall develop and provide training and capacity 
building programmes on land use planning, land management, zoning, 
mapping and other related skills for local government units to enhance 
and strengtfien their capacity to effectively perform the functions of 
LGUs under this Act.
(c) Administrative and financial services - shall provide day-to-day 
administrative, human resources, budgeting, logistical support and
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financial services to the NLUC and its technical secretariat. It shall also 
perform other administrative and support services necessary for the 
effective and eff icient operation of the fJLUC and NLUC secretariat.
ARTICLE II
REGIONAL AND LOCAL LAND USE PLANNING BOARDS
Sec. 21. City/Municipal Land Use Planning and Management Board 
(C/MLUPMB). ~ The C/MLUPHB is hereby created under this Act in all municipalities 
and cities, Including highly urbanized and component cities, to oversee the 
preparation, Integration, adoption and approval of their respective Comprehensive 
Land Use Plans (CLUPs) and shall ensure the consistency of such plans with 
approved national, regional and provincial planning guidelines. The C/MLUPMB shall 
also oe directly responsible for the effective management and Implementation of the 
approved CLUP and for ensuring that any existing and future local policies, including 
zoning ordinances, development Initiatives, programs and projects introduced within 
its jurisdiction are consistent with and supportive of land use resource management 
and physical planning objectives, directions and character Identified by the approved 
CLUP.
Sec. 22. Powers and Responsibilities of the City/Municipai Land Use Planning 
and Management Board. - The following are the powers and responsibilities of the 
C/MLUPMB
(a) In coordination with the city/municipal planning and development 
office/coordinator, review and Issue the necessary local planning 
guidelines and/or implementing policies for the preparation and 
formulation of :he CLUPs within Its jurisdiction as provided for by 
approved national, regional and provincial planning policies and 
guidelines;
(b) Review and endorse to the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang 
Paniungsodthe draft CLUP for adoption;
(c) Ensure the input of the barangays within the jurisdiction of the 
respective city/municipal on sectoral, temporal and spatial dimensions 
of the plan and its consistency with approved national, regional and 
provincial planning guidelines;
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(d) Review, monitor and assess the implementation and operation^ization
of the approved CLUP; 
■
(e) Decide and resolve land use policy and zoning conflicts that may arise 
between or among barangays within the LGUs;
(f) Resolve and decide any complaints regarding the Issuance of 
applications for locational clearances, building and zoning permits 
and/or other pianning-related requirement for any project, both private 
and public, by the LGU to ensure consistency and conformity with the 
approved CLUP and zoning ordinances;
(g) Advise the local chief executive and Sangguniang Bayan on all matters 
pertaining to lard use and physical planning;
(h) Promote cooperation and sharing of resources between and among its 
barangays and neighboring LGUs to address common land use and 
development Issues including those related to geo-physical hazards, 
watershed and river basins, coastal and marine waters, climate change 
impact and disaster risks; and,
(i) Convene a technical working group composed of city/municipal 
agriculturist, city/municipal environment and natural resources officer, 
city/municipal engineer, city/municipal assessor and such other LGU 
officials with land related functions in the preparation of the CLUP. 
The TWG may request any field officials of national government 
agencies with land administration function to assist for the same 
purposes.
Sec. 23. Composition of the C/MLUPMB. - The C/MLUPMB shall be composed 
of five (5) members and shall be headed by a Chairperson:
(a) City/municipal planning and development coordinator (C/MPDC);
(b) Chairperson of the Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Environment and 
Natural Resources who shall serve as the chairperson of the 
C/MLUPMB;
(c) One (1) representative from the local business/private sector 
association/chamber of commerce, who shall be appointed from
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among the accredited organizations within their respective 
development councils;
(d) One (1) representative from the basic sector and marginalized groups 
(urban poor, fisherfolk, farmers and indigenous peoples) who shall be 
appointed from among the accredited organizations within their 
respective development councils; and,
(e) NLUC representative who shall serve as ex-officio member.
Except for ex-officio members, the members of the C/MLUPMB shall be 
appointed for a term of three (3) years, subject however to the elected office held, 
government employment and/or official designation in the LGU, national agency 
and/or local business/private sector association or basic and marginalized sector 
group representation in the Board. The City/Municipal Planning and Development 
Coordinator/Office (C/MPDC/0) shall provide technical secretariat and administrative 
support and resources for the effective operation of the C/MLUPMB.
Aside from the C/MPDO/C, the C/MLUPMB may call upon other local and 
national government offices and agencies such as the local engineer, the assessor 
and the local field representatives of the DA, the DPWH, the DOTr, the DOT, the 
DENR, the DAR, the DepEd and other concerned national agencies to assist the 
C/MLUPMB in the performance of its roles and mandates.
Annual appropriations for the operation and activities of the C/MLUPMB shall 
be included In the annual budget proposal of the C/MPDO/C: Provided, That other 
funds and resources, including grants, applicable services fees and charges 
collected, contributions, donations, and other funds to support Its operations and 
activities nay be accepted and received by the C/MLUPMB, subject to existing 
auditing and reporting procedures.
LGUs shall create and/or activate their respective C/MLUPMB upon guidelines 
issued by the NLUC for such purposes, not later than six (6) months from the 
effectivity of this Act.
Sec. 24. Provincial Land Use Planning and Management Board (PLUPMB). — 
The PLUPMB is hereby created in all provinces under this Act to oversee the 
preparation, integration, adoption and approval of the Provincial Physical Framework 
Plan (PPFP) and shall ensure Its consistency with approved national and regional
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planning guidelines. The PLUPMB shall also be directly responsible for the effective 
management and implementation of the approved PPr^P and ensure that any existing 
and future development initiatives, programs and projects introduced within its 
jurisdiction are consistent with and support of the land use resource management 
and physical planning objectives, direction and character identified in the approved 
PPFP.
In addition to the functions enumerated in Section 109 of the Local 
Government Code (LGC), the PLUPMB shall:
(a) Advise the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on all matters pertaining to land 
use and physical planning;
(o) Review and endorse to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for adoption, 
the Provincial Physical Framework Plans, prepared and periodically 
updated by the Provincial Planning and Development Office and other 
land use and physical planning-related policies;
(c) Assist the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in reviewing the CLUPs of 
component cities/municipalltles to ensure consistency with the 
provincial framework plans and compliance with the limits prescribed 
under the 1991 LGC for reclassifying agricultural lands; and,
(d) Decide and resclve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, 
and allocation that may arise between or among cities/municipalitles 
and any unresolved land use conflicts at the city/municipal level.
The PLUPMB may call upon any local official concerned such as Provincial 
Planning and Development Coordinator, Provincial Agriculturist, Provincial 
Environmerit and Natural Resources Officer, Provincial Engineer, Provincial Assessor, 
or any official of national agencies and other relevant agencies during discussion on 
land use and physical planning concerns.
Sec. 25. Composition of the PLUPMB. - The PLUPMB shall be composed of the 
foHovdng fourteen (14) members to be selected based on the rules to be formulated 
by the NLUPC as provided in this Act:
(a) Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC);
(b) Chairperson of SP Committee on Environment and Natural Resources;
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(c) Provincial Chapter President - League of Municipalities and/or League 
of Cities;
(d) Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO);
(e) Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO);
(f) Provincial Agricultural Officer (PAO);
(g) NCIP Provincial Officer;
(h) NLUC Technical Representative;
(i) One (1) representative from the local business/private sector 
association/chamber of commerce, who shall be appointed from 
among the accredited organizations within their respective 
development councils;
(j) Four (4) representatives from the basic and marginalized sector groups 
(urban poor, fisherfolk, farmers, indigenous peoples): Provided, That at 
least two (2) representatives shall be women: Provided, further, That 
the representatives shall be appointed from among the accredited 
organizations within their respective development councils; and,
(k) Designated board chairperson to be chosen among the members.
Except for ex-officio members, the members of the PLUPMB shall be
appointed for a term of three (3) years, subject however to the elected office held, 
government employment and/or official designation of the local government unit, 
national agency and/or local business/private sector association or basic and 
marginalized sector group representation in the Board. The NLUPC, within ninety 
(90) days from its establishn.ent, shall formulate th^^ rules for the selection of the 
chairperson and the members of the PLUPMB. The Provincial Planning and 
Development Coordinator/Office (PPDC/0) shall provide technical secretariat and 
administrative support and resources for the effective operation of the PLUPMB.
Aside from the PPDO, the PLUPMB may call upon other local and national 
government offices and agencies such as the local engineer, assessor, and local field 
representatives of the DA, DPWH, DOTr, DOT, DENR, DAR, DepEd, NCIP and other 
concerned national agencies to assist the PLUPMB in the performance of its roles 
and mandates.
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Appropriations for the regular operation and activities of the PLUPMB shall be 
included in the annual budget proposal of the PPDO: Provided, That other funds and 
resources, including grants, applicable service fees and charges collected, 
contributions, donations, and other funds to support its operations and activities may 
be accepted and received by the PLUPMB subject to existing auditing and reporting 
procedures
Sec. 26. Regional Land Use Policy Board. - At the regional level, the Regional 
Land Use Policy Board (RLUPB) shall be institutionalized, replicating the NLUC 
structure and composition which shall include a duly authorized representative from 
the NEDA, the DENR, the DA, and the DAR. The PLUPB shall have the following 
functions:
(a) Formulate and adopt regional policies on land use and physical 
planning;
(b) Prepare and periodically update a regional physical framework plan, 
taking into consideration national policies and lower level plans;
(c) Assist the provinces in preparing and periodically updating its physical 
framework plans to ensure consistency with the regional and national 
plans and policies and to facilitate Its integration to the regional plans;
(d) Review, prior to adoption by respective Sanggunians, the Provincial 
Physical Framework Plan and CLUPs of highly urbanized and 
independent component cities to ensure consistency with the regional 
physical framework plan and national policies set forth by LUPC and 
compliance with limits prescribed under the 1991 LGC for reclassifying 
agricultural lands;
(e) Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, 
and allocation that may arise between or among regional line agencies, 
provinces and dcies/municipalities;
(f) Monitor changes In land use and other physical resources In the region;
(g) Evaluate consistency of major programs and projects with the regional 
physical framework plans and their impact on land use and the 
environment;
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(h) Undertake the gathering of regional data for the Land Resource 
Information and Management System; and
(i) Perform other related functions as may be directed by the LUPC.
ARTICLE III
ADOPTION, APPROVAL AND REVIEW OF LAND USE PLANS
Sec. 27. Component Cities and Municipaiities. — Component cities and 
municipalities shall have the power and authority to adopt and approve their 
respective CLUPs and ZOs through their respective Sanggunians subject to the 
power of review of their respective provinces only with respect to the consistency of 
the CLUPs and ZOs with Section 7 hereof on the preparation of the provincial 
physical framework plan.
Sec. 28. Provinces and Independent and Highiy Urbanized Cities. - Provinces 
and Independent and highly urbanized cities shall have the power and authority to 
adopt and approve their respective CLUPs, ZOs or provincial physical framework 
plan, as the case may be, through their respective Sanggunian but subject to the 
review of the RLUPB as provided In Section 25 of this Act.
ARTICLE IV
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
AND LGUs
Sec. 29. Nationai Base Mapping Program. - A national mapping program shall 
be implemented, coordinated, and monitored through the creation of an Inter­
agency Technical Committee (ITC) composed of the NAMRIA, as the lead agency, 
the Bureai of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), the Forest Management 
Bureau (FMB), the Land Management Bureau (LMB), the Land Registration Authority 
(LRA), the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), the Mines and Geosciences 
Bureau (MGB), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS), 
the DAR, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), the DOE, the NEDA and 
other concerned government agencies/bureaus. The ITC shall be constituted, and 
the mapping program shall be initiated, within thirty (30) days from the effectivlty of 
this Act. The agencies mentioned In this Section shall endeavor to finish their base 
mapping program within two (2) years upon the effectivlty of this Act.
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To facilitate land use planning and as a part of the National Base Mapping 
Program, the Interagency Technical Committee (ITC) shall establish a nationally 
consistent Alphanumeric Grid Reference System based on universally-defined 
coordinate and grid systems for accurate and consistent Identification and 
communication.
The spatial and non-spatial data generated by these activities shall be 
downloaded to the LGU as soon as practicable. On the other hand, existing land 
information data available to the national government agencies as of the effectivity 
of this Act shall be immediately downloaded to the LGU.
For purposes of uniformity and standardization, the LGUs, to be assisted by 
the appropriate agencies of the national government, shall likewise prepare their 
respective territorial maps using scales, symbols, and other indicators to be 
prescribed in accordance with this Act. The completed maps shall be Integrated in
14 the National Physical Framework Plan pursuant to Secdon 5 of this Act.
Sec. 30. National Geo-Hazard Mapping Program. - Within thirty (30) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, a nationwide geo-hazard mapping program shall be 
Initiated jointly thru the NLUC by the PHILVOLCS, the Philippine Atmospheric 
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the NAMRIA, the 
MGB, the BSWM, and the DOE, in coordination with the National Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Regional Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), and other concerned government 
agencies. The program shall include the generation of Indicative geo-hazard zoning 
maps that will outline areas in the Philippines which are prone to liquefaction, 
landslides, severe flooding, iahar, ground rupturing, tsunami, river erosion, coastal 
erosion, sinkhole collapse, earthquake, lava flow, pyroclastic flow, base surge, and 
other natural hazards.
For purposes of uniformity and standardization and in order to develop a safe- 
built environment, the LGUs shall subsequently incorporate and integrate the 
generated geo-hazard zoning maps in their respective CLUPs. Said geo-hazard maps 
shall serve as guide for all the LGUs in the preparation of their own hazards- 
constrained development plans. The national physical framework planning, pursuant 
to Section 5 hereof, shall incorporate these geo-hazard maps.
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All infrastructure activities including real estates and subdivision projects and 
the development of tourist spots requiring an Environmental Compliance Certificate 
(ECC) shall be required to submit an Engineering Geological and Geo-Hazard 
Assessment Report (EGGAR).
Sec. 31. Scope and Nature of Responsibilities of Other Nationai Government 
Agencies. - All concerned national government agencies/bodies shall periodically 
report to the NLUC on the various activities and accomplishments relative to land 
use. Likewise, they shall provide their respective sectoral/development plans and 
render technical and administrative support if called upon by the NLUC relative to 
the implementation of the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 32. Submission of Annual Report for Agricuiturai Development — Priority 
areas for agricultural development for purposes of agricultural production shall be 
those agricultural areas under protection land use covered under Republic Act No. 
6657 or the CARP, as amended, and those covered under Network of Protected 
Areas for Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Development (NPAAAD), defined in Section 
4 of this Act and in R.A. No. 8435 or the "Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization 
Act".
CHAPTER VI
SPECIAL AREAS OF CONCERN 
ARTICLE I
AGRICULTURAL LANDS
Sec. 33. Priority Areas for Agricultural Development - Priority areas for 
agricultural development for purposes of agricultural production shall be those 
agricultural areas under protection land use covered under Republic Act No. 6657 or 
the CARP, as amended, and those covered under Network of Protected Areas for 
Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Development (NPAA/^D), defined in Section 4 of this 
Act and In Republic Act No. 8435 or the "Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization 
Act."
Sec. 34. Conversion of Agricultural Lands. — Prime agricultural lands and 
specific types of lands to the extent necessary for attaining food self-sufficiency in 
rice and corn and food security in other basic commodities, as determined by the 
DA, subject to mandatory public hearings/consultations with the LGUs, the private
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sector, the NGOs, and POs, shall be protected from conversion, which shall include 
but not limited to areas under the NPAAAD: Provided, That ail irrigated and irrigable 
lands, all lands developed or possessing the potential for development of high value 
crops, and all agricultural lands that are ecologically fragile and whose conversion 
will r esult s i serious environmental problems cannot be converted, the areas under 
which are subject to review every ten (10) years by the DAR, with the mandatory 
public hearings/consultations.
Sec. 35. Sub-classification or Re-dassification of Agricultural Lands by LGUs. — 
Sub-classifcation or re-classit cation of agricultural lands to other uses under Section 
20 of the LGC of 1991 shall exclude the protected agricultural lands as stated in the 
preceding section. Moreover, such sub-classification/re-classification is not 
synonymous to conversion. The DA and DAR shall provide the LGUs with complete 
list and maps of protected agricultural lands within their territorial jurisdictions.
ARTICLE II 
ANCESTRAL DOMAIN
Sec. 36. Priority Areas for Agricultural Development within Ancestral Domain. 
— Agricultural lands within ancestral domain shall be developed in accordance with 
their Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development Protection Plan (ADSDPP).
Sec. 37. Respect for Ancestral Domains. - The Ancestral Domain Management 
Plan (ADMP) or ADSDDP shall be adopted in the CLUP and/or other plans that the 
LGU is mandated to produce. The extent of the ancestral domains shall be reflected 
in the land use plan, where it will be zoned as such in the zoning ordinance and shall 
be co-managed by the LGU and IP community. Additionally, the ADSDPP shall be 
included in the investment plans of the LGU.
Sec. 38. Ancestral Domain Policy Adoption. — Ancestral domain policies shall 
be adoptee in the LGU's land use policy framework. However, in the event that the 
ADMP/ADSDPP is still in the formulation stage or remains to be formulated, the right 
to self-determination and traditional resource and management systems and 
processes shall be upheld at all times as provided for by the IPRA of 1997.
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ARTICLE 111
FOREST LANDS AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
Sec. 39. Forestland Boundary Delineation. — Pursuant to Section 4, Article 12 
of the 1987 Constitution which mandates Congress to determine by law the specific 
limits of forestlands and national parks, the Secretaiy of the DENR shall submit to 
Congress the final forestland boundaries delineated by province and the Congress 
shall consider the same for adoption.
Sec. 40. Reversion of Alienable and Disposable Lands to Forestlands. - Upon 
the recomr lendation of the Secretary of the DENR, duly reviewed and endorsed by 
the NLUC, and after due consultations with the concerned LGUs and affected parties. 
Congress may authorize the reversion of alienable and disposable lands of the public 
domain or portion thereof to forestlands. Thereafter, said lands shall be Included in 
the prepamtion of land use plans within forestlands.
Sec. 41. Critical Watershed Areas. — The DENR, in coordination with the DA, 
LGUs, and other government agencies, including government-owned and -controlled 
corporations, and with mandatory public hearings/consultations, shall review, 
identify and delineate critical watershed areas that need to be protected, 
rehabilitated, enhanced, and/or withdrawn from uses that contribute to their further 
degradation.
Sec. 42. Formulation and Implementation of Integrated Watershed 
Management Plans. — In the absence of a law on the protection and sustainable 
management of our forests, the LGUs through their local land use committees and 
upon mandatory public hearings/consultatlons with the concerned sectors, and with 
the assistance of DENR, shall prepare their watershed management plans which 
shall be integrated with their respective CLUPs. The formulation and Integration of 
the plans snail be guided, among others, by the principle that the management and 
development of Inland water resources shall be at the watershed level. A nationwide 
mapping of watersheds in the country shall be implemented.
In cases where the watershed areas transcend the boundaries of a particular 
municipalib', an inter-LGU committee composed of i epresentatives from local land 
use committees of the LGUs where the watershed area is located shall be formed. 
With the assistance of the DENR and upon mandatory public hearings/consultations
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with the concerned sectors, the inter-LGU committee shall formulate the watershed 
management plan for the said watershed area.
The DENR and the concerned LGUs shall jointly implement the watershed 
management plan subject to regular consultations with and involvement of the 
community and other stakeholders in the implementation of the plan.
The preparation of forest land use plans shall make use of the watershed as 
the basic planning unit.
ARTICLE IV 
COASTAL ZONE
Sec. 43. Criteria on the Aiiocation and Utiiization of Lands within the Coastai 
Zones. — The allocation and utilization of lands within the coastal zone shall be 
guided by the following:
(o) Areas vegetated with mangrove species shall be preserved for 
mangrove production and shall not be converted to other uses;
(b) Areas which meet all accepted criteria on elevation, soil type, soil 
depth, topography, supply for successful fishpond development, and 
are not identified as mangrove protected areas, shall be utilized for 
aquaculture purposes: Provided, That a 4:1 ratio for mangroves and 
fishponds is maintained to support ecological processes in mangrove 
ecosystems;
(c) Areas sub-ciassified as mangrove and still suitable for use as such, or 
due to environmental conditions need to be preserved as mangrove, 
but is devoid of mangrove stands shall not be converted to other uses. 
The DENR shall ensure that these lands shall be reforested within a 
given period of time;
(d) Areas accessible to the sea and identified for fisherfolk settlement and 
housing shall be allocated to traditional fisherfolk who are Inhabitants 
of the coastal communities and members of legitimate fisherfolk 
organizations and/or holders of stewardship lease contracts or titles to 
ancestral domains or any form of property right arrangements who 
participate In coastal resource management Initiatives, subject to the
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usual census procedures of the Department of Human Settlements and 
Urban Development.
(e) Areas which are neither sub-classified as mangrove, fisherfolk 
settlement nor fishpond may be devoted to recreational or tourism 
purposes: Provided, That such undertaking will not result in 
environmental degradation and displacement of small fishers;
(f) Areas which are considered as traditional fishing grounds shall be used 
primarily for such purpose;
(g) Areas which have been allocated for small Infrastructure needed by 
fisherfolk shall be allowed; and,
(h) Areas which form part of foreshore lands as defined in this Act 
including those which are under lease agreements or arrangements 
shall undergo zoning and evaluation to determine their boundaries and 
actual sizes and corresponding uses, taking into consideration the 
protection of mangroves or restoration zones and the compliance with 
the required 4:1 ratio between mangroves and fishponds.
Sec. 44. Coastal Land Zone Sub-classification. - All public lands in the coastal 
zones shall be sub-classified into any of the following: estuaries, lagoons, inter-tidal 
flats, mudflats, fishponds, mangroves, protection from tidal surge, for preservation 
of biodiversity, habitats and sanctuaries for endangered wildlife, fisherfolk 
settlement or recreational/tourism areas. No sub-ciassification of coastal zone to 
different uses shall be done without the following:
(a) Conduct of a comprehensive resource and environmental assessment 
by the DENR and respective LGUs and accredited NGOs and POs within 
their jurisdiction; and,
(d) Prior consultation with the Local Fisheries and Aquatic Resource 
Management Councils (FARMCs) formed under Republic Act No. 8550 
or the Philippine Fisheries Code.
Sec. 45. Zoning of Foreshore Areas. — Local government units, in coordination 
with the DiENR, shall conduct zoning of their respective foreshore areas to assist 
government and community fishers identify priority areas for conservation and
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development, and to enable them to set targets for mangrove reforestation and 
rehabilitation.
Sec. 46. Protection of Waterways Easements and Flood Plains. - Structures of 
any kind snail not be built in waterways easements. Pursuant to PD 1067 or the 
Water Code, the banks of rivers and streams and the shores of the seas and lakes 
throughout their entire length and within a zone of three (3) meters In urban areas, 
twenty (20) meters In agricultural areas and forty (40) meters in forest areas, along 
their margins, are subject to the easement of public use only in the interest of 
recreation, navigation, floatage, fishing and salvage.
The protection of flood plains shall adopt a river basin management approach 
in order to come up with integrated flood mitigation interventions. Development 
within flood plains and othe: flood-prone areas must be controlled or. If allowed, 
must be so sited, constructed and serviced that life of occupants are not put at risk 
and that disruptions during floods are minimal. The identification and 
characterization of flood-prone areas and flood plains shall be an integral part of 
CLUP preparation. Through the CLUPs and zoning ordinances, LGUs shall establish 
land use regulations to mitigate flood risks.
The DPWH, in coordination with DOST and DENR, shall declare flood control 
areas, as necessary, and prohibit or control activities that could damage or cause 
deterioration of lakes and dikes, obstruct the flow of water, change the natural flow 
of rivers, increase flood losses or aggravate flood problems pursuant to Presidential 
Decree 1067.
ARTICLE V 
MINERAL LANDS
Sec. 47. Criteria for the Utilization and AHocation of Land for Mining Purposes. 
- To ensure that ecological balance and sustainable use of mineral resources will 
promote economic growth and uphold human rights of indigenous peoples and/or 
local communities in areas with mining operations, the allocation and utilization of 
lands for mining purposes shall be guided by the following:
(a) The principle/s of sustainable development;
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(b) In case of small-scale mining, adequate and acceptable safeguards 
shall be instituted by the holders of mining rights or permits to prevent 
environmental degradation of the mining sites and adjacent areas;
(c) Mineral reservations which have become non-operatlonal for more than 
five (5) years as determined by the MGB shall be placed under 
appropriate surface management by the DENR;
(d) Consistent with the Mining Act of 1995, areas closed to mining 
operations shall be periodically reviewed through mineral exploration to 
be undertaken by the DENR for the purpose of determining whether or 
not their continued closure is consistent with the national interest and, 
if warranted, recommend their re-classification as mineral lands;
(a) Land under protection land use shall be exempted from mining 
activities to minimize the effect of natural calamities and to protect 
food security, respectively.
(0 The small to large scale mining operations shall recognize the tenurial 
instrument given by the government such as Original Certificate of Title 
(OCT), Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT), Certificate of Ancestral 
Domain Title (CADT), Emancipation Patent - Certificate of Land 
Ownership Award (EP-CLOA) and other instruments.
Sec. 48. Reversion of Mineral Lands. - All mineral lands with exhausted 
mineral resources, as determined by the MGB upon the recommendation of the 
DENR, shall revert to its original land classification, either as forestland or 
agricultural land. The full cost of rehabilitation shall be borne by the company or 
entity which undertook the mining activity in the area. In the case of forestlands, the 
DENR may classify such areas for other purposes in consultation with concerned 
LGUs, the Department of Tourism (DOT), and other national government agencies.
ARTICLE VI
ENERGY RESOURCE LANDS
Sec. 49. Guidelines for the Utilization and Allocation of Lands for Energy 
Resource Exploration, Development, Production, Utilization, and Distribution 
Purposes. - To ensure that the objectives of maintaining ecological balance and 
maximizing the power potential from Indigenous energy resources In the most
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economical and environmentally-acceptable means are realized, the allocation and 
utilization of lands for said purposes shall be guided by the following, consistent with 
existing regulations and laws on energy resources:
(a) Indigenous energy resource exploration and development for the purpose 
of a National Energy Resource Inventory and Data Base as well as Energy 
Resource Block Map shall be allowed subject to the implementation of 
complementary watershed and other land management plans;
(b) Indigenous energy resource exploration, development, production, 
utilization, and distribution shall be subject to the appropriate 
requirements and processes of the Philippine Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) System. Each project shall secure an Environmental 
(ompliance Certificate (ECC) prior to project implementation to ensure 
adequate and appropriate environmental management measures and 
optimum methods for resource access and recovery are utilized; and,
(c) Energy reservations or portions thereof which have become or have been 
established to be non-economically viable to operate or are no longer used 
for energy purposes shall be released to give way to other land uses, 
subject to existing laws covering energy reservations.
Sec. 50. Reversion of Energy Resource Lands. - All exhausted Indigenous 
energy resource lands not covered by proclamations shall automatically revert to the 
category of forestlands or agricultural lands open to disposition, whichever Is 
appropriate. Exhausted energy resource lands shall refer to specific energy resource 
sites whose energy reserves of the desired type/s are no longer In sufficient quantity 
or quality to justify additional expenditure for their extraction and utilization.
CHAPTER VII
SETTLEMENTS DEVELOPMENT
Sec. 51. Town, City, and Settiements Deveiopment -- The development of 
town, city and settlements through the zoning ordinances of cities and municipalities 
shall be guided by the CLUPs and urban zoning standards designed to maximize 
existing urban spaces. Socialized housing and settlement areas shall be established 
only on alienable and disposable lands and which are expressly declared by an act of 
Congress or Presidential Proclamation that the same are no longer Intended for
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public service or development of the national wealth or otherwise been converted to 
patrimonial property in order to avoid further degradation of forestlands.
Sec 52. Settlements Within Geo-Hazard Areds. — Settlements, in particular 
housing or residential developments, within geo-hazard areas may be allowed 
provided that mitigating and/or protective measures are adopted to address the 
potential danger or risk to lives and property within such settlements.
Sec. 53. Designation of Sanitary Landfiii. — Each city or municipality shall 
identify, designate and allocate an area preferably within their territorial jurisdiction 
to serve as sanitary landfill within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. The 
LGUs, in coordination with the DENR or any other competent authority, shall identify 
sanitary landfill In order to exoedite the conduct of environmental impact assessment 
study and to facilitate processing of the environmental compliance certificate. The 
site or area shall be identified in the city or municipality's CLUP. For this purpose, 
cities and municipalities shall establish their solid waste management program, 
pursuant to R.A. No. 9003, otherwise known as the "Ecological Solid Waste 
Management Act of 2000". Likewise, as provided under Section 33 of the LGC, cities 
and municipalities may, through appropriate ordinances, bind themselves towards 
the establishment of a common solid waste management program.
Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DENR, in 
coordination with concerned agencies, shall promulgate the necessary guidelines and 
standards for the formulation and establishment of solid waste management 
programs by cities and municipalities, and shall submit the same to the LUPC for 
review and approval.
Sec. 54. Designation and Zoning of Socialized Housing Zones. - Each city of 
municipality In urban, urbanizable and rural areas shall designate through the CLUP 
adequate lands for housing or residential purposes, including socialized housing and 
resettlement areas for the immediate and future needs of the local population as 
well as the underprivileged and homeless in their territory, pursuant to existing laws 
and regulaJons. In order to ensure adequate availability of land for the housing 
needs of the local population, the CLUP shall be updated, at the earliest after every 
ten (10) years for provinces, cities and municipalities.
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The designated sites for socialized housing shall be located in residential 
zones, and shall be zones as socialized housing zones that are integrated in the city 
or municipality's zoning ordinance, pursuant to existing laws and regulations. 
Preference shall be given to lands proximate to public transportation facilities which 
may Include inter alia railways and public terminals.
FIsherfolk settlements and housing in coastal municipalities shall be zones 
near the sta for easy access co their livelihood pursuant to Section 42 of this Act.
Sec. 55. Urban Forest or Green Space. — Each city or highly urbanizing 
municipality shall identify, designate, and allocate lands owned by the city of 
municipality as urban forest or green space based on the guidelines and standards 
to be issued by the DENR and approved by the NLUC
CHAPTER VIII
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS
Sec. 56. Criteria for Designating Industriai Deveiopment Areas. — The 
identification and establishment of industrial development areas Including Special 
Economic Zones and/or freeports shall conform with the provisions of R.A. No. 7916, 
or the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Act, R.A. No. 6657 or the 
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) Act, as amended by R.A. No. 9700 
or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Extension and Reforms Act 
(CARPER), R.A. No. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), R.A. No. 
7279 or the Urban Development Housing Act (UDHA), and R.A. No. 8435 or the 
Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA), taking into consideration the 
following:
(a) Identified network of areas for agricultural development and protected 
agricultural areas pursuant to the AFMA;
(b) National policies on the regional dispersal of industries and agri-based 
industrial development;
(c) Identified growth areas and corridors In the National Development 
Plan;
(d) National Protected Areas System (NIPAS) and non-NIPAS areas that 
require protection;
(e) National and Urban Development and Housing Framework;
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(f) Identified Socialized Housing Zones;
(g) National framework for physical planning and other existing national 
programs and policies;
(h) Local Government Unit (LGU) consent through a resolution from the 
affected LGU's respective Sanggunians',
(i) Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS);
(j) Certificate of no overlap from the DENR, DAR and the NCIP; and,
(k) NEDA approval.
The land use plans of all Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and/or freeports 
whether ci eated by special laws, through Republic Act No. 7916 (PEZA Law) or 
executive proclamations shall conform to the approved Comprehensive Land Use 
Plans pursuant to this Act. The NLUC shall order all Special Economic Zones and 
freeports to submit revised land use plans, for review and approval by their 
respective :ity or municipal cc»uncils where these arec.s are located.
Any ambiguity in the conflict or overlap in land use shall be resolved in favour 
of the preferential rights of the basic and marginalized sectors protected by the 
Constitution.
NEDA shall review and evaluate the vlabilih/ in terms of the volume of 
investments against the cost of environment, labor, tax incentive, and maintenance 
of peace and order of Special Economic Zones and freeports.
The designated industrial development areas shall become an integral part of 
the land use plan and zoning ordinance of the city or municipality where these areas 
are located.
CHAPTER IX
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND HERITAGE AREAS
Sec. 57. Designating Tourism Development Areas. - The identification, 
selection, and development of tourism development areas, tourism estates and 
tourism enterprise zones (TEZs) shall be done in consultation and coordination with 
the concerned LGUs, the TIEZA and concerned national government agencies, the 
private sector, and affected communities, subject to the provisions of R.A. No. 9593 
or Tourism Act of 2009. Tourism development areas shall likewise include those
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covered by legislative and executive issuances as tourist spots, tourist zones and 
tourism ecozones which can be developed into tourium estates or integrated resort, 
leisure and recreation complexes and other tourism-related facilities as well as those 
identified in the national, regional and inter-regional tourism, and area specific 
tourism master plans and other sector plans such as ecotourism and agri-tourism 
sites.
Designated areas for tourism development shall become part of the CLUPs of 
the cities or municipalities where these are located.
Lands identified as part of a TEZ shall qualify for exemption from the 
coverage of Republic Act Nos. 7279 and 6657 subject to rules and regulations to be 
crafted by the TIEZA, DHSUD, DAR and DA: Provided, That a certificate shall be 
obtained from the DA that said lands are no longer economically feasible and sound 
for agricultural purposes, consistent with Section 33 of this Act.
Sec. 58. Identification and Deciaration of Areas for Protection, Conservation 
and Preset vation of Cuiturai Heritage. - Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10066, the 
National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and/or the National 
Museum In coordination with National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), 
DHSUD and other concerned agencies, local communities, and the private sector, 
shall identify declared areas and structures which shall be protected and/or 
preserved as part of the Philippine cultural heritage subject to the IPRA.
The LGUs in coordination with the NHCP, the NCCA and the Cultural Center of 
the Philippines (CCP) shall designate historical zones to protect the historical 
integrity of said geographical areas and cultural space of intangible cultural 
properties.
CHAPTER X
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
Sec. 59. Aiiocation and Use of Land for Infrastructure Deveiopment - Land, 
whether public or private, shall be allocated and utilized for priority infrastructure 
projects that are supportive of national or local development objectives. The NEDA, 
in consultation with the concerned national government agencies, LGUs, and the 
private sector shall identify and periodically review, update and/or revise the list of 
priority infrastructure projects subject to Sections 5 and 33 of this Act, and Section
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47 of Republic Act No. 8435 or AFMA. In determining and evaluating the list of 
priority infi astructure projects, consideration shall be given to those that:
(a) Respond to immediate and vital requirements of the national economy 
with priority on improving rural infrastructure and the development of 
the agriculture and fisheries sectors;
(b) Upgrade existing facilities to international standards;
(c) Address the need for sustainable settlements development; and,
(d) Help mitigate the destructive effects of natural disaster-causing 
phenomena or those that shall serve as alternatives to existing 
infrastructures found In natural hazard-prone areas: Provided, That 
the provision and implementation of infrastructure support shall be 
made compatible with existing environmental conditions and the 
physical, whether natural or human-made, and cultural character of 
the area. Mandatory public hearings/consultations pursuant to existing 
laws and regulations shall be held prior to the conduct of all 
Infrastructure projects that will necessarily involve dislocation or 
displacement of people In the area: Provided, further, That the 
proponent of the Infrastructure project' shall follow the rules on just 
and humane eviction or demolition under Section 28 or R.A. No. 7279 
or the Urban Development Housing Act (UDHA), notwithstanding the 
provisions of R.A. 8975, prohibiting lower courts from issuing 
temporary restraining orders, preliminary Injunctions, or preliminary 
mandatory injunctions, and proponen: shall follow IPRA: Provided, 
finaiiy, That national government infrastructure projects shall allocate 
budget for the adequate relocation of displaced communities.
Sec. 60. Infrastructure Projects Within Geo-Hazard Areas. - Construction of 
priority infrastructure projects within hazard-prone areas shall be allowed: Provided, 
That mitigating and/or preventive measures are adopted to address the potential 
adverse economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts that will emanate from 
these infrastructure projects, subject to the findings and recommendations of a 
feasibility study/environmental impact assessment in accordance with Presidential 
Decree No. 1586 enttled, "Establishing an Environmental Impact Statement System,
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Including Other Environmental Management Related Measures" and Republic Act 
No. 4846 or the "Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act" as amended 
by Presidential Decree No. 374.
Existing projects that did not go through the process of an environmental 
impact assessment and pose threats to the environment, integrity of historic, 
archeological, or scientificaily significant areas; or are impinging on critical 
ecosystems, shall either be, as determined by the concerned agencies: (a) 
terminated Immediately, (b) required to Implement an Environmental Management 
Plan; (c) gradually phased-out and relocated; or, (d) maintained up to their life 
span, sub act, however, to mitigating measures: Provided, That the rules on 
mandatory public hearings/consultations and just and humane eviction or demolition 
shall also be observed prior to the termination, gradual phase-out, or relocation of 
projects that will necessarily involve dislocation or displacement of people in the 
area.
CHAPTER XI
TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND VALUE FORMATION
Sec. 61. Value Formation. — In order to create a well-informed, responsible 
and committed citizenry who values the protection, conservation and development of 
the country's limited land, and other physical resources, the State shall mandate the 
inclusion of sustainable land use education or any subject related thereto into the 
curricula of primary, secondary and tertiary education.
Sec. 62. Information and Education Campaign. - The NLUC shall undertake a 
nationwide education information campaign in land use and physical planning to be 
implemented by local and national government agencies. The DILG and concerned 
agencies shall formulate and Implement a land use management capability-program 
for national and local government officials, community leaders, NGOs, POs, religious 
sector, and the general puDlIc: Provided, That it shall be mandatory for local 
government officials involved In the preparation of CLUPs and PPFDP, Including the 
municipal, city and provincial development officer to attend the Land Use 
Management Capability-Building Program.
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CHAPTER XII
INCENTIVES, SANCTIONS, AND PENALTIES 
ARTICLE I
INCENTIVES AND AWARDS
Sec. 63. Formulation of a System of Incentives and Awards. - The NLUC shall 
issue a svstem of incentives and awards to LGUs that regularly update their 
CLUPs/ZOs within the prescribed period, as follows:
(a) Provinces, Highly Urbanized Cities, and Independent Component Cities 
once every ten (10) years; and,
(b) Component cities and municipalities once every ten (10) years.
Sec. 64. Priority in Giving Technical Assistance to LGUs. - In providing 
technical assistance and other forms of support related to land use management and 
the implementation of development plans, the national government agencies shall 
give priority to cities and municipalities with approveo CLUPs/ZOs.
ARTICLE II
SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES
Sec. 65. Fine for Non-Compietion and Non-Commencement of Development 
of Agricultural Lands with Approved Order of Conversion. — A landowner and his/her 
designated developer or duly authorized representative who fail to commence 
and/or complete the development of agricultural lands with approved order of 
conversion shall be penalized, jointly or severally, with any of the following fines 
based on the zonal value of the land at the time the fine is imposed:
(a) On failure to commence within one (1) year from the date of 
conversion order:
(1) Six percent (6%) of the zonal value of the subject land for the 
first three (3) hectares;
(2) Fifteen percent (15%) of the zonal value of the subject land for 
the next three (3) hectares; and,
(3) Thirty percent (30%) of the zonal value of the subject land for 
the remaining area: Provided, That the order of conversion shall 
be deemed revoked automaticailv and the land shall revert to Its
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original agricultural use and covered by the DAR through 
compulsory acquisition for distribution to qualified beneficiaries.
(b)On failure to complete fifty percent (50%) of the approved conversion 
plan within a specified time frame. Fifty percent (50%) of the zonal 
value of the subject land and the revocation of the conversion plan on 
the undeveloped portion which shall automatically revert to its original 
use as agricultural land. The same shall be covered under the CARP 
and processed for land distribution as soon as possible.
Sec. 66. Authority to Impose Fine. — The OAR shall Impose the penalty 
provided for under the preceding section.
Sec. 67. Withdrawal of Local Development Permits or Licenses. - Upon 
receipt of notice from the DAR, the concerned agencies and the city or municipality 
shall withdraw or revoke any development permits and other licenses that may be 
necessary io develop the agricultural land subject of conversion.
Sec. 68. Utilization of Fines. — The fines collected under Sections 64, 69 and 
70 hereof shall automatically accrue to the Agrarian Reform Fund consistent with the 
provisions of the CARP, as amended.
Sec. 69. Failure to Formulate, Enforce, anJ/or Implement the CLUPs. - 
Consistent with due process, the DILG shall investigate, review, and Impose 
appropriate action regarding local chief executives and other local officials and 
employees responsible for the formulation, enforcement, and/or Implementation of 
the CLUPs in case of any of the following:
(a) Failure to implement and enforce the CLUP due to negligence of duty;
(b) Failure to provide appropriate budgetary allocation to effect its 
Implementation; and,
(c) Failure to complete the preparation of the CLUP despite the availability 
of funds, resources, and support by the Sanggunian concerned.
Any public official or employee, regardless of whether elected or appointed or 
holding office or employment in a casual, temporary, holdover, permanent, or 
regular capacity, found to be responsible for any of the foregoing acts, after due 
notice and hearing by the appropriate body or agency, shall be punished with 
forfeiture of salaries and allowances and suspension from:
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(1) Six (6) months to nine (9) months, in case of non-implementation of 
CLUP; or
(2) Three (3) months to six (6) months. In case of non-completion of the 
CLUP.
Sec 70. Person/s Abetting Illegal Convention. - Any person Initiating, 
causing. Inducing, or abetting illegal conversion shall, upon conviction, be 
imprisoned from seven (7) to twelve (12) years and imposed a fine of not less than 
One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00), or both at the discretion of the Court: 
Provided, That If the offender Is a public official or employee, whether elected or 
appointed, the penalty shall, In addition thereto, include dismissal, through 
permanent separation from the service and forfeiture of ail benefits and entitlements 
accruing to the public position and perpetual disqualification to run or apply for any 
elective or appointive public office: Providedf further, That if the offender is a 
juridical person, the penalty of Imprisonment shall be imposed on the president, 
chief executive officer, manager, chairperson and ail the members of the board, and 
other responsible officers thereof, and the fine shall be equivalent to the zonal value 
of the land or forty percent (40%) of the shareholders equity, as determined at the 
time of jud gment whichever is higher, plus forfeiture of the land In favour of the 
State for sale through public auction, the proceeds of which shall automatically 
accrue to the Agrarian Reform Fund as provided for in Section 67 of this Act.
Sec. 71. Penalty for Reclassification of Protected Agricultural Lands and 
Exceeding the Limit Areas Allowed for Re-classificdtion. — Any person initiating, 
causing, inducing, or abetting the re-classification of protected agricultural areas Into 
non-agricultural uses and exceeding the limits set forth under Section 20 of the LGC 
of 1991, shall be penalized with imprisonment of twelve (12) years and a fine of not 
less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.0r)), or both at the discretion of 
the court: Provided, That If the offender Is a public official or employee, the penalty 
shall. In addition thereto, include dismissal through permanent separation from the 
service, whether elected or appointed, and forfeiture of entitlements accruing to the 
public position, and perpetual disqualification to run or apply for any elective or 
appointive public position: Provided, further. That if the offender is a juridical 
person, the penalty shall be Imposed on the president, chief executive officer.
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manager, chairperson and all the members of the board, and other responsible 
officers thereof.
Sec. 72. Payment of Disturbance Compensation. - Following the order of 
priority as enumerated in Section 22 of the CARP, as amended, qualified 
beneficiaries such as agricultural lessees and share tenants, regular farm workers, 
seasonal farm workers, other farm workers, actual tillers or occupants of public 
lands, collective, or cooperative of the above-mentioned beneficiaries, and others 
directly working on the land affected by agricultural land use conversion shall be 
entitled to Hhe payment of di.sturbance compensation equivalent to five (5) times the 
average of the gross harvests on the landholding during the last five (5) preceding 
calendar years, as determined by the DAR.
CHAPTER XIII
TRANSITORY AND FINAL PR OVISIONS
Sec. 73. Convening of the NLUC. — Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity 
of this Act, the President shall convene the NLUC.
Sec. 74. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. — Within six (6) months from 
the effectivity of this Act, the NLUC shall promulgate the rules and regulations to 
implement che provisions of this Act.
Sec. 75. Congressional Oversight Committee on the Land Use Act. - There Is 
hereby created a Congressional Oversight Committee which shall monitor the 
implementation of this Act. It shall be composed of seven (7) members from the 
Senate and seven (7) members from the House of Representatives. The 
Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and 
Climate Change and the House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources 
shall be the Chair and Co-Chair of the Congressional Oversight Committee, 
respectively. The other members from the Senate shall be appointed by the Senate 
President based on proportional representation of the parties or coalitions therein 
with at least one (1) senator representing the minority. The other members from the 
House of Representatives shall be appointed by the Speaker also based on 
proportional representation of the parties or coalltior s therein with at least one (1) 
member representing the minority.
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The secretariat of the Oversight Committee shall be drawn from the existing 
secretariat personnel of the committees comprising the oversight and the funding 
shall be taken from the appropriations of both the Senate and the House of 
Representatives.
Sec. 76. Appropriations. - The appropriations of the National Land Use 
Commission shall be taken from the budget of the Office of the President In the 
General Appropriations Act in the year following the effectivlty of this Act. It shall be 
used to carry out the initial operations of the National Land Use Commission. 
Thereafter, additional sums as may be necessary for the full implementation of 
NLUC's functions shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 77. Review of Existing Land Use Rians. — Provinces, cities, and 
municipalities especially managed/administered areas by government, all Special 
Economic Zones and/or freeports with existing lana use plans shall review, revise, 
reconcile, and harmonize the same with the guidelines and standards set forth under 
this Act within three (3) years from the effectivlty of this Act. Actual use shall be 
preferred over future or reserve use: Provided, That all existing locational clearances 
and zoninci permits Issued L/y the LGUs, prior to the effectivlty of this Act, shall 
remain valid pending review of the existing CLUPs and zoning ordinances and they 
shall not be invalidated because of the sole reason that the new and approved 
CLUPs and ZOs have determined that they should be properly located In a different 
land use zoning area: Provided, further, That appropriate measures shall be adopted 
by the local government unit concerned, the landowner and the developer should 
any existing structure and facilities are found to be properly covered by a different 
land use zoning category in areas where they are currently located: Provided, finally, 
That existing structures and facilities within extremely hazardous and hlgh- 
risk/dange; zone which cannot be addressed by any mitigating and/or protective 
measures shall be required to relocate.
Sec. 78. Repealing Clause. — All republic acts, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with the ’ 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modifiec accordingly.
Sec. 79. Non-impairment Clause. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed as 
to diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or available to marginalized
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or basic sectors under existing laws including but not limited to Republic Act Nos. 
7279, 6657, 8371, and 8550.
Sec. 80. Separability Clause. — If for any reason or reasons, any part or 
provision cf this Act shall be declared or held to be unconstitutional or invalid, other 
parts or provisions hereof, which are not affected thereby shall continue to be In full 
force and effect.
Sec. 81. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
Its publication In the Official Gazette or In at least two (2) national newspapers of 
general circulation.
Approved,
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