Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2687 
Introduced by: 
HONORABLE JAIME EDUARDO MARC D. COJUANGCO 
Representative, 1st District, Tarlac 
AN ACT INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, PROVIDING THE 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE  THE 
NATIONAL LAND USE COMMISSION, AND APPROPRIATING  FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This Bill was approved on 3rd Reading by the 19th Congress of the House of 
Representatives. 
As a background, land use planning is the process of regulating the use of land in an 
effort to promote more desirable social and environmental outcomes as well as a more efficient 
use of resources. Goals of land use planning may include environmental conservation, restraint 
of urban sprawl, minimization of transport costs, prevention of land use conflicts, and a 
reduction in exposure to pollutants. By and large, the uses of land determine the diverse 
socioeconomic activities that occur in a specific area, the patterns of human behavior they 
produce, and their impact on the environment. 
In urban planning, land use planning seeks to order and regulate land use in an efficient 
and ethical way, thus preventing land use conflicts. Governments use land use planning to 
manage the development of land within their jurisdictions. In doing so, the governmental unit 
can plan for the needs of the community while safeguarding natural resources. To this end, it is 
the systematic assessment of land and water potential, alternatives for land use, and economic 
and social conditions in order to select and adopt the best land use options.1 Often one element of 
a comprehensive plan, a land use plan provides a vision for the future possibilities of 
development in neighborhood, districts, cities, or any defined planning area. 
The unchecked use of land makes the Philippines even more susceptible to natural 
disasters. It is a tropical country that has been historically prone to harsh weather conditions and 
calamities. The 2016 World Risk Index report even ranked it 3rd among 171 countries most 
vulnerable to natural hazards. It has since improved its ranking for 2018 by coming in 69th over 
173 countries. The main aspects analyzed in the study are exposure, susceptibility, coping 
capacity, and adaptive capacity. When speaking of exposure, the study looks into the degree of 
threat that earthquakes, cyclones or typhoons, floods, droughts, and sea level rise have on the 
population. Balancing these dangers out are some competencies in public infrastructure 
(susceptibility), government and disaster preparedness (coping capacity), and ecosystem 
protection (adaptive capacity). Exposure is unavoidable, as the country notoriously experiences 
typhoons and floods on an annual basis. It can, however, improve on its public infrastructure, 
land use, and ecosystem protection. The NLUA’s passage can help with that. It can provide better 
1  Young, A., 2003 
July 30, 2025
4:19 pm


safeguards for communities, especially in the Philippine countryside where land use regulation is 
required the most.2 
The following benefits can be achieved with the passage of this proposed measure into 
law: 
1.
Land use planning is an important growth framework: certainly, prosperous urban
areas have a vision that they must follow through a framework to achieve a development in a 
well-ordered way. Hence, land use planning provides this framework.3 
2.
A well planned urban area is a well-prepared urban area: Anticipating the future
allows for better preparedness. Indeed, the presence of natural phenomenon that represents a 
threat to human life activities implies a limitation in the use of land. It is necessary then, to plan 
the use of the land taking into account its limitation in order to allow the containment of natural 
phenomenon and its manifestations either by restricting the presence of human life and/or 
activities, adapting infrastructure conditions in a manner that reduces its vulnerability to natural 
phenomenon or implementing plans conducive to risk mitigation. The absence of territorial 
planning plans, the lack of definition of areas exposed to threats and the lack of studies on 
natural phenomena that might bring threats, ensure an increase in the number and magnitude of 
disasters of natural origin. The process of land use planning developed putting into consideration 
this aspects, allows the identification, location and evaluation of areas exposed to natural 
phenomena, hence allowing the implementation of measures that guarantee risk mitigation.4 
3.
Good land use planning positively impacts the development of urban economy.5
4.
Promote the national territorial order and economic ecological zoning as a support
for the conservation, use and sustainable use of natural resources and biological diversity, as well 
as the orderly occupation of the territory.6 
5.
Incorporate the analysis of natural and anthropic risk in territorial planning
processes, as well as adaptation measures to climate change.7 
6.
Promote mechanisms to prevent the settlement of populations and the
development of socio-economic activities in areas with high potential for risks in the face of 
natural and anthropic hazards.8 
8
 Southwestern NC Planning and Economic Development Commission, Community Foundation of WNC, & the Lawrence 
Group Architects of NC, Inc., 2009 
7
 higbu et al. (2017). Combining land use planning and tenure security: a tenure responsive land use planning approach for 
developing 
countries. 
Journal 
of 
Environmental 
Planning 
and 
Management, https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2016.1245655 
6
 Lewis, Roger K. (1987) “The Powers and Pitfalls of Zoning,” and “From Zoning to Master Planning and Back.” In 
shaping the City. Washington, DC: AIA Press 1987, pp 274 281. ISBN 0913962880 
5
 Ibid. 
4
 Ibid. 
3 Long, Hualou; Qu, Yi (May 2018). "Land use transitions and land management: A mutual feedback perspective". Land 
Use Policy. 74: 111–120. doi:10.1016/j.landusepol.2017.03.021. ISSN 0264-8377 
2
 https://www.lamudi.com.ph/journal/proposed-national-land-use-act/ 


7.
Promote territorial planning as a basis for concerted development plans and
border development, in the management of watersheds and coastal marine areas.9 
8.
Guides the actions of regional and local governments for the efficient fulfilment
of their functions in this area of land use planning.10 
A national land use policy is a primary tool to achieve national development and social 
equity. No less than President Rodrigo Roa Duterte emphasized its importance during his Second 
State of the Nation Address on July 24, 2017 when he mentioned that the passage of the National 
Land Use Act is one of his administration's priority.11 
A national land use policy is envisioned to provide a policy for the rational, holistic and 
just allocation, utilization, management and development of our land resources. It includes the 
parameters that will guide planning at the national and local levels. 
In crafting this measure, the following importance policies and principles were adhered 
to: (1) sustainable development and just management of resources; (2) environmental integrity 
and stability; (3) disaster risk-reduction and climate change resiliency; (4) food security; (5) 
protection of prime agricultural lands; (6) water security; (7) rational settlements development; 
(8) physical and economic integration; (9) agrarian reform, urban land reform and rural
development; (10) private-public partnership; (11) people empowerment, decentralization, social
justice and equity; (12) respect and protection of the rights of indigenous cultural communities
and indigenous peoples; (13) protection of the rights of basic sectors; (14) deeper understanding
of our history and culture; (15) energy security; and (16) market orientation within the
framework of ecological and intergenerational factors.
The proposed national land use policy will harmonize existing laws governing the 
allocation, utilization, development and management of land resources. Furthermore, conflicting 
land uses and interests of our growing population over limited land resources show the need to 
institutionalize a comprehensive national land use policy. 
JAIME EDUARDO MARC D. COJUANGCO 
Representative, 1st  District, Tarlac 
11Explanatory Note of Senate Bill 1522 entitled “AN ACT INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, 
PROVIDING THE IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES” authored 
by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri during the 17th Congress and was filed on 26 July 2017. 
10 Ibid. 
9
Savini, Federico; Aalbers, Manuel B (2016-07-26). "The de-contextualisation of land use planning through 
financialisation: 
Urban 
redevelopment 
in 
Milan". European 
Urban 
and 
Regional 
Studies. 23 (4): 
878–894. doi:10.1177/0969776415585887. ISSN 0969-7764 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2687 
Introduced by: 
HONORABLE JAIME EDUARDO MARC D. COJUANGCO 
Representative, 1st District, Tarlac 
AN ACT INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, PROVIDING THE 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE  THE 
NATIONAL LAND USE COMMISSION, AND APPROPRIATING  FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
CHAPTER I 
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “National Land Use Act”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Principles and Policies. – All lands of the public domain, waters, 
minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests 
or timber, wildlife, flora 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 to promote sustainable socioeconomic development 
and ecological protection.  
The State recognizes the need for rational, optimal and sustainable settlements 
development, consistent with the principles of environmental management and equitable access 
to land and security.  
Toward this end, the State institutionalizes 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 watershed and ecosystem
services for the attainment of food, water and energy sufficiency;
(c)
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 towards water security;  
 
(f) ​
Provision of adequate and efficient settlements, transportation and infrastructure 
development in support of urban, peri-urban, and rural linkages towards 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 well-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 ICC/IPs;  
 
(i) ​
Protection of the rights of basic sectors to equitable access to the country’s land;  
 
(j) ​
Protection, preservation, and development of the country’s historical, cultural, 
archaeological, and built heritage resources for the deeper understanding of our 
history and culture as a people; 
 
(k) ​
Attainment of energy security and self-sufficiency;  
 
(l) ​
A whole-of-society and whole-of-government orientation, through  which thrusts 
and strategies espoused by different actors and sectors are heard and brought 
together to achieve complex and interrelated goals, is encouraged  and adopted as 
a basic parameter in achieving efficiency in land use and  allocation, within the 
framework of ecological development and equity;  
 
(m) ​
Promotion of the integrated approach to land use and urban  transport planning to 
effectively manage growth in urban areas and ensure that  the capacity of 
transport facilities can accommodate the demand for movement of passengers and 
goods to, from, and within the centers of socioeconomic activities;  
 
(n) ​
Vertical and horizontal linkages or spatial strategies and the  potential for 
co-management and inter-locality cooperation across territorial  jurisdictions and 
government levels, highlighting the imperative for a ridge-to reef and 
ecosystem-based approach to land and water resource management and  
governance; and  
 
(o) ​
Data and evidence-informed management and governance of land and water 
resources, in line with the place-based aspirations and shared values of the 
community.  
 
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 
within their territorial jurisdiction as stated in the 1987 Constitution and Republic Act RA 7160, 
as amended, also known as  the “Local Government Code of 1991”. Guided by the principle that 
the use of  land bears a social function and that all economic agents contribute to the common 
good, landowners, land tenure holders, in the case of forestlands, be it an individual, communal, 
corporate or group, is held responsible for developing and conserving their lands, thereby making 
their lands productive and supportive of environmental stability.  


 
SEC. 3. Scope. – This Act applies to all lands and natural resources in the country, 
whether public, private, government-owned or in the possession of any person, whether natural 
or juridical, and serves as guide for the rational, holistic and just allocation, utilization, 
development and management of the  land and water resources in the country, including such 
activities that bear  impact on those resources.  
 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act:  
 
(a) ​
Agricultural land refers to land of public domain which has been  classified as 
such and is devoted to agricultural activity as defined under RA 6657, as 
amended, otherwise known as the “Comprehensive Agrarian Reform  Law of 
1988,” and not further classified for residential, commercial or industrial use and 
such other uses as may be provided by law;   
 
(b) ​
Agricultural land use conversion refers to the act or process of  changing the 
current physical use of a piece of agricultural land into some other  use not 
comprising an agricultural activity as defined under RA 6657, as approved 
exclusively by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in an order of 
conversion;   
 
(c) ​
Alienable and Disposable (A&D) lands refer to lands of the public  domain 
which have been delineated, classified, and certified as open and  available for 
disposition under existing laws;  
 
(d) ​
Ancestral domains refer to all areas generally belonging to indigenous cultural 
communities or indigenous peoples as defined in RA 8371, otherwise known as 
“The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997;” 
 
(e) ​
Archaeological site refers to any place, whether above or underground, 
underwater or at sea level, containing fossils, artifacts and other  cultural, 
geological, botanical, zoological materials which depict and document  culturally 
relevant paleontological, prehistoric or historic events;  
 
(f) ​
Basic sector refers to a group of people not referring to any  organized groups, 
such as but not limited to women, youth, elderly, differently  abled, peasants and 
fisherfolk;  
 
(g) ​
Coastal area or zone refers 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, the geographic extent of which 
includes areas within a landward limit of one (1) kilometer 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 two 
hundred (200) meters isobaths to include coral reefs, algal flats, seagrass  beds, 
and other soft-bottom areas;  
 
(h) ​
Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) refers to a plan embodying  a set of 
policies accompanied by maps and similar illustrations that serves as a  policy 
guide for determining the future use of lands and natural resources within  the 
territorial jurisdiction of the LGU, including municipal waters with due 
consideration to the biogeographic region within which the locality belongs,  
representing the community desired pattern of population distribution and  


proposes future allocation of land and resources to various activities including 
the processes and criteria employed in such determination of allocation of land 
and resources for a long-term management of the local territory covering a 
minimum period of twelve (12) years, reviewable not earlier than every six (6) 
years;  
 
(i) ​
Comprehensive land use planning refers to the act of defining the allocation, 
utilization, development and management of all lands and water resources within 
a given territory or jurisdiction according to the inherent characteristic and 
carrying capacities of the land itself and supportive of sustainable economic, 
demographic, socio-cultural and environmental  
objectives as an aid to 
decision-making and legislation;  
 
(j) ​
Critical habitats refer to areas outside protected areas as defined in RA 7586, 
otherwise known as the “National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 
1992”, that are known habitats of threatened species and designated as such 
based on scientific data taking into consideration species endemicity or richness, 
presence of human-made pressures or threats to the survival of wildlife living in 
the area;  
 
(k) ​
Critical watershed refers to a drainage area of a river system  supporting existing 
and proposed hydroelectric power, irrigation works or  existing water facilities 
needing immediate protection and rehabilitation to  minimize erosion and 
improve water yield;  
 
(l) ​
Cultural heritage refers to the totality of cultural properties,  whether natural or 
human made, preserved and developed through time and  passed on for posterity;   
 
(m) ​
Cultural property refers to all products of human creativity by  which a people 
and a nation reveal their identity, including churches, mosques  and other places 
of religious worship, schools and natural history specimens and sites, whether 
public or privately-owned, movable or immovable, and tangible or intangible;  
 
(n) ​
Customary laws refer to a body of written or unwritten rules,  usages, customs 
and practices traditionally and continually recognized,  accepted, and observed 
by respective ICCs/IPs, consistent with RA 8371;  
 
(o) ​
Development plan refers to the activities and measures that the national 
government or LGUs intend to implement over a specified period of time to 
achieve the defined set of development goals identified in the national or  local 
physical framework plans integrating socio-economic, financial, fiscal, legal and 
legislative institutional and sectoral plans of the national government  or any of 
its instrumentalities or a particular LGU, consistent with the objectives identified 
in spatial plans, such as land use plans or physical framework plans  including an 
analysis of problems and resources, definition of goals and  objectives, policy 
guidelines, programs and projects, and an implementation  mechanism which 
defines the roles and contributions expected from the  government and the 
private sector;  
 
(p) ​
Ecologically fragile areas refer to areas within critical watersheds, brackish and 
freshwater wetlands, pasture lands, inland rivers and waterways coastal and 
settlement areas, and croplands which require rehabilitation, protection and whose 
continued unsustainable use may result in physical risks and threats to life and 
property, public health and safety as well as adversely affect the productivity of 


lowland agricultural areas and stability of the upland system;   
 
(q) ​
Ecotourism refers to a form of sustainable tourism within a natural or cultural 
heritage area where community participation, protection and management of 
natural resources, culture and indigenous knowledge and practices, environmental 
education and ethics, as well as economic benefits are fostered and pursued for 
the enrichment of host community and satisfaction of  visitors;  
 
(r) ​
Energy resources refer to surface or subsurface substances that serve as energy 
resources including traditionally mineral fuel deposits such as coal petroleum, 
natural gas or renewable resources from geothermal, hydro reservoirs or 
non-conventional sources such as ocean waves, solar, wind, biomass, and other 
similar resources which serve the same purpose; 
 
(s) ​
Energy resource lands 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 
purposes;  
 
(t) ​
Exhausted mineral resources refer to specific sites where the mineral resources 
are no longer in sufficient quantity or quality to justify additional expenditure for 
extraction or utilization as determined by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and 
approved by the Department of Environment and  Natural Resources (DENR);  
 
(u) ​
Flood plain refers to relatively smooth valley floors adjacent to and formed by 
rivers which overflow its banks at flood stages. The plain usually consist of 
unconsolidated fine sediments such as sand, silt, and clay;  
 
(v) ​
Flood-prone areas refer to low lying areas usually adjacent to large  or active 
water bodies and which 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;  
 
(w) ​
Foreshore land refers to a string of land margining a body of  water, the part of a 
seashore between the low-water line usually at the seaward margin of a low tide 
terrace and the upper limit of wave wash at high tide  marked by a beach scarp or 
berm;  
 
(x) ​
Forest refers to an ecosystem or an assemblage of ecosystems dominated by trees 
and other woody vegetation or a community of plants and animals interacting 
with one another and its physical environment;  
 
(y) ​
Forest lands refer to one of the four classifications of land defined in the 
Constitution under the public domain determined as suitable for forest  purposes 
and not classified as mineral land, national park or agricultural land  such as all 
permanent forest reserves, forest reservations, and all the remaining unclassified 
lands of the public domain;  
 
(z) ​
Geo-hazards refer to a geological process or phenomenon that may cause loss of 
life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and 
services, social and economic disruption or environmental damage. This includes 
internal earth processes such as earthquakes and volcanic activities, and 
geophysical processes like mass movements landslides, surface collapses, debris 
and mud flow;  


 
(aa) ​
Geo-hazard prone areas refer to areas frequently affected and/or are vulnerable or 
at risk to weather/climatic, hydrologic, geologic and other natural calamities;  
 
(bb) ​
Heritage zone refer to historical, anthropological, archaeological, artistic 
geographical areas and settings that are culturally significant to the country, as 
declared by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts  (NCCA) and/or 
the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP);  
 
(cc) ​
Illegal conversion refers to an attempt to or an actual change in the use of land 
from agricultural to a residential, commercial, or industrial and other 
non-agricultural activity, without a conversion grant or clearance based on the 
requirements under Section 65 of RA 6657, as amended, and to dispossess a 
tenant as provided under Section 73 (c) of RA 6657, as amended, when 
established from the following instances:  
 
(1) ​
an agricultural land is developed for use in non-agricultural activities 
without a DAR Conversion Order;  
 
(2) ​
the agricultural land being converted is irrigated or irrigable;  
 
(3) ​
there is land activity such as, but not limited to, earth  filling/dumping, 
earth moving/digging, and quarrying, and in each  case, bona fide conduct 
of agricultural activities on a greater portion  of the land developed has 
ceased; and  
 
(4) ​
Other analogous activities.  
 
(dd) ​
Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPPs) refer to 
groups of people or homogenous societies identified by self-ascription and 
ascription by others, who have continuously lived as organized community on 
communally bounded and defined territory, and who have, under claims of 
ownership since time immemorial, occupied, possessed, and utilized such 
territories, sharing common bonds of language, customs, traditions, and other 
distinctive cultural traits, or who have, through resistance to political, social,  and 
cultural inroads of colonization, non-indigenous religions and cultures, became 
historically differentiated from the majority of Filipinos including peoples who 
are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent from the populations which 
inhabited the country at the time of conquest or colonization,  or at the time of 
inroads of non-indigenous religions and cultures, or the establishment of present 
state boundaries, who retain some or all of their own  social, economic, cultural, 
and political institutions, but who may have been displaced from their traditional 
domains, or who may have resettled outside their ancestral domains;   
 
(ee) ​
Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) refer to the present most important  sites for 
biodiversity conservation worldwide which are considered places of international 
importance for the conservation of biodiversity through protected  areas and other 
governance mechanisms and which are identified nationally  using simple 
standard criteria based on their importance in maintaining species  populations;  
 
(ff) ​
Land refers to resources, both artificial and natural, found on the surface, below, 
and above the ground, including inland waters and the air therein;  
 
(gg) ​
Land use refers to the manner of allocation, utilization, management and 


development of land; 
  
(hh) ​
Land use classification refers to the act of delineating or allocating lands 
according to protection land use, production land use, settlements development 
and infrastructure development as provided for in this Act;  
 
(ii) ​
Land use planning refers to the rational and judicious approach of allocating 
available land resources to different land-using activities, such as but not limited 
to agricultural, residential, industrial, commercial, institutional,  forest land uses, 
and for different functions consistent with the overall  development vision/goal of 
a particular locality;  
 
(jj) ​
Mandatory public hearings or consultations refer to the mechanism of involving 
the concerned stakeholders and communities in land use planning, from the 
barangay to the national level, to ensure the social  acceptability of the plans 
including giving notice of hearing or consultation to the concerned stakeholders 
through publication or posting in conspicuous places, conducting a reasonable 
number of hearings, and soliciting position to arrive at a consensus through public 
presentations and validation of the planning  results undertaken before the final 
adoption of the plans;  
 
(kk) ​
Marine protected area refers to a defined area of the sea established and set aside 
by law, administrative regulation or any other effective  means to conserve and 
protect a part of the entire enclosed environment, through the establishment of 
management guidelines; 
 
(ll) ​
Minerals refer to naturally occurring inorganic substance beneath  or at the 
surface of the earth, whether or not under water, and includes all  metallic 
minerals, and non-metallic minerals such as precious stones, industrial  rocks, and 
building stones;  
 
(mm) ​ Mineral lands refer to any area where mineral resources are found, including 
areas that are established as mineral reservations, areas with active mining 
operations; areas with projected mining tenurial rights; and areas  8 declared by 
court decisions as mineral lands;  
 
(nn) ​
Mineral reservations refer to areas established and proclaimed as such by the 
President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Director of the 
Mines and Geosciences Bureau through the DENR Secretary including all 
submerged lands within the contiguous zone and exclusive Economic Zone.  
 
(oo) ​
National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) refers to the classification 
and administration of all designated protected areas to maintain  essential 
ecological processes and life-support systems, to preserve genetic diversity, to 
ensure sustainable use of resources found therein, and to maintain  their natural 
conditions to the greatest extent possible;  
 
(pp) ​
National park refers to forest reservation, essentially of natural  wilderness 
character, which has been withdrawn from settlement, occupancy or any form of 
exploitation, except in conformity with the approved management  plan and set 
aside as such exclusively to conserve the area or preserve the scenery, natural and 
historic objects, wild animals and plants therein, and to provide enjoyment of 
these features in such areas including lands and waters of  the public domain 
classified as such in the Constitution such as all areas under the NIPAS primarily 


designated for the conservation of native plants and  animals and associated 
habitats and cultural diversity;  
 
(qq) ​
Network of Protected Areas for Agriculture and Agro-Industrial Development 
(NPAAAD) refers to agricultural areas identified by the Department of 
Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Soils and Water Management in 
coordination with the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority 
(NAMRIA), in order to ensure the efficient utilization of  land for agriculture and 
agro-industrial development and to promote sustainable growth, covering all 
irrigated areas, all irrigable lands already covered by irrigation projects, all 
alluvial plains, lands highly suitable for agriculture,  whether irrigated or not, 
agro-industrial croplands or lands planted with  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 may result 
in serious environmental degradation, and all mangrove areas and fish sanctuaries;  
 
(rr) ​
Physical framework plans refer to the national, regional or provincial indicative 
plans that outline the over-all and macro-level spatial and physical development 
objectives, priorities, directions and strategies in its  respective levels as prepared, 
reviewed, integrated and finalized by the national,  regional and provincial land 
use councils or boards respectively based on the CLUPs of the LGUs and the 
national policy guidelines relating to land use,  infrastructure development and 
environmental management to prevent or  mitigate the adverse effects of 
inappropriate resource utilization on food  security, the welfare of the people and 
their environment;  
 
(ss) ​
Physical Planning is the process of organizing physical activities and land uses, 
including settlements, environmental protection, economic  
activities, and 
infrastructure to ensure sustainable, orderly, and optimal siting  and coordination 
of land uses;  
 
(tt) ​
Prime agricultural lands refer to all contiguous irrigated lands/areas and irrigable 
lands already covered by irrigation projects, including all alluvial plain lands 
highly suitable for agriculture, not irrigated that have been identified to satisfy the 
need for food self-sufficiency and food security and agro-industrial croplands or 
lands presently planted to industrial and high  value crops that support the 
viability of existing agricultural infrastructure and  agro-based enterprises, 
highlands or areas located at an elevation of five hundred (500) meters or above, 
highly suitable for growing semi-temperate and  high value crops outside of 
declared permanent forestlands and protections forests, and are not located in 
ecologically fragile and environmentally critical areas; 
  
(uu) ​
Production land use refers to the most efficient, sustainable, and equitable 
utilization, development and management of land for productive purposes which 
are not classified for protection land use;   
 
(vv) ​
Protected areas refer to portions of land and water set aside by reason of their 
unique physical and biological diversity and protected against human exploitation 
including all natural forests and agricultural lands identified  and delineated under 
this Act;  
 
(ww) ​ Reclassification of agricultural lands refer to the act of specifying  how 


agricultural lands are classified or used for non-agricultural uses such as 
residential, industrial or commercial purposes, as embodied in the land use plan 
subject to the requirements and procedure for reclassification undertaken by the  
LGU in accordance with Section 20 of RA 7160, as amended;  
 
(xx) ​
Resettlement areas refer to areas identified by the appropriate national agency or 
by the LGU with respect to areas within its jurisdiction which are used for the 
relocation of the underprivileged and homeless, as  defined under RA 7279, 
otherwise known as the “Urban Development and  Housing Act of 1992;”  
 
(yy) ​
Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zones (SAFDZ)  refers to the 
areas within the NPAAAD identified for production, agro processing, and 
marketing activities to help develop and modernize, with the support of 
government, the agriculture and fisheries sectors in an environmentally and 
socio-culturally sound manner pursuant to Section 4 of RA 2 8435 or “Agriculture 
and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997”;  
 
(zz) ​
Settlements refer to communities or built-up environment areas where people 
prefer to live in;  
 
(aaa) ​ Settlements development refers to any improvement on existing settlements 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 of identified  major settlement areas of 
growth centers;  
 
(bbb) ​ Shoreline refers to a strip of land covering of at least one (1) 12 kilometer from 
the point where seawater reaches during the highest high tide;  
 
(ccc) ​ State universities and colleges (SUCs) refer to public higher education institutions 
in the Philippines created and established by law which constitutes their charter 
and which have independent and separate governing boards;  
 
(ddd) ​ SUC Land Use Plan refers to a campus master plan mandated under RA 11396, 
otherwise known as the “SUCs Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan 
Act” that contains the allocation and utilization of the land within a campus’ 
geographic boundary to meet the required academic and non-academic support 
services and facilities as well as the campus development programs and projects 
and the investment needed to implement them; 
  
(eee) ​ Sustainable development refers 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;  
 
(fff) ​
Tourism development areas refer to specific sites for tourism development located 
in areas identified as priorities in the national and regional  tourism master plans 
and those designated through legislative and executive issuances as tourist spots 
and tourist zones which may be developed into tourism estates or integrated 
resort, leisure, recreation complexes, and other  tourism related facilities;  
 
(ggg) ​ Tourism ecozone refers to tourism development areas, outside of protection lands 
which have been granted special economic zone status through the Philippine 


Export Zone Authority registration and issuance of the required  Presidential 
Proclamation, with its metes and bounds, delineated by said proclamation, 
pursuant to RA 7916, as amended, otherwise known as “The Special Economic 
Zone Act of 1995”;  
 
(hhh) ​ Tourism estates refer to large tracts of land with well-defined boundaries in any 
area, excluding those protection lands, identified in the Philippine tourism master 
plan and regional tourism by proclamation of the President of the Philippines or 
by acts of Congress or by local legislation and declared suited for the 
development of an integrated tourism and resort complex with prescribed carrying 
capacities and limits for its facilities and activities; 
 
(iii) ​
Tourist spot refers to a particular area, site or spot, man-made or natural, known 
for its unique tourist or visitor-drawing attributes and activities  and which may be 
classified according to its social, cultural, natural, historical, aesthetic, visual, 
scientific, religious, or recreational significance;  
 
(jjj) ​
Tourist zone refers to a geographic area with well-defined boundaries proclaimed 
as such by the President of the Philippines or by acts of  Congress where 
development projects for any purpose are initiated and introduced prior to 
formulation of a tourism master development plan which are undertaken in 
coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism 
Infrastructure Enterprise Zone (TIEZA) for the enhancement or the  conservation 
of cultural and historical heritage, and for the appreciation and  enjoyment of the 
local population and its visitors;  
 
(kkk) ​ Transmission line corridor refers to the land beneath, the air spaces surrounding, 
and the area traversed by electric power transmission lines  including its 
horizontal, vertical, and similar clearance requirements;  
 
(lll) ​
Urban areas refer to all cities regardless of their population density  and to 
municipalities with a population density of at least five hundred (500) persons per 
square kilometer;  
 
(mmm) Urbanizable areas refer to sites and lands which,  
considering present 
characteristics and prevailing conditions, display great potential of becoming 
urban areas within a period of five (5) years; 
 
(nnn) ​ Urban forest or green space refers to the establishment or setting up of areas for 
mini-forest, eco-parks or small nature parks, in both public and private lands, 
wetlands, man-made lagoons and lakes systems, riverbanks and shores, 
grasslands, roof and rock gardens, lining roads and highways with trees,  shrubs, 
or ornamental plants, and ground landscaping of schools, hospitals, and  other 
government agencies in order to improve the environment in urban areas;  
 
(ooo) ​ Water security refers to the sufficient access throughout the year to the minimum 
daily requirement of clean water to maintain a healthy life;  
 
(ppp) ​ Water use refers to the appropriation of water for domestic, municipal, irrigation, 
power generation, inland fisheries, poultry and livestock, industrial and 
commercial, environmental, and recreational use;  
 
(qqq) ​ Watershed refers to a topographically delineated area of land from which 
rainwater can drain as surface run-off vis-a-vis a specific stream or river system to 


a common outlet point which may be a dam, irrigation system or urban water 
supply take off point, or where the stream discharges into a river,  lake, or the sea;  
 
(rrr) ​
Zoning refers to the regulatory tool for delineating the specific land  uses in 
accordance with the approved CLUP within the territorial jurisdiction of  a city or 
municipality and specifying the conditions for their regulation, subject  to the 
limitations imposed by law and competent authority; and  
 
(sss) ​ Zoning ordinance refers to a local law passed by the Sangguniang  Bayan or 
Panlungsod approving the development control or zoning plan in accordance with 
an approved or adopted CLUP of the city or municipality, providing for the 
regulations and other conditions on the land uses, including the limitation on the 
infrastructure that may be placed within the territorial jurisdiction of the city or 
municipality, incorporating the protected areas,  protected agricultural lands and 
ancestral lands as provided for in this Act.   
 
CHAPTER II 
PHYSICAL FRAMEWORK AND LAND USE PLAN 
 
SEC. 5. National Physical Framework Plan. – The National Land Use  Commission 
(NLUC) created under Section 18 herein shall draft the National Physical Framework Plan 
(NPFP), which shall have a timeframe of thirty (30) years, with regular review and updating 
every ten (10) years. The NPFP, which guides the planning and management of the country's land 
and other physical resources at the national and sub-national levels, shall indicate broad spatial 
directions and policy guidelines on settlements development, production land use, protection 
land use, social services and utilities, transmission line corridor, and transportation and 
communication.   
 
The Regional Physical Framework Plans (RPFPs), Provincial Physical Framework and 
Development Plans (PPFDPs), and CLUPs shall cover the physical development of their 
respective territories and shall be consistent with the NPFP: 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, management and conservation of forestlands, watersheds, and all terrestrial, 
aquatic, and marine ecosystems found within a given territory and the linkages of the major land 
use categories to ensure their complementation in the utilization, development, management, 
protection and conservation of all natural resources. The NLUC shall issue procedural guidelines 
which shall guide the formulation and integration or harmonization of land use plans at all levels: 
Provided, That the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), DENR, Department of 
Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Department of the Interior and  Local 
Government (DILG) and other agencies will continue to issue specific guidelines on the planning 
process and content of the plans consistent with the NLUC guidelines and their respective 
agency mandates.  
 
SEC. 6. Regional Physical Framework Plans. – In consultation with concerned sectors, 
the Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC) shall define the desired spatial arrangement of 
land and land-use activities in the entire region, based on the consolidated and harmonized 
PPFDPs of provinces and independent cities within the territorial jurisdiction of the region. The 
RPFP, which depicts an 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. The RPFP shall have a planning period of twelve (12) years to be updated 
every six (6) years or when deemed necessary.  


 
SEC. 7. Provincial Physical Framework and Development Plans. – In consultation with 
concerned sectors, the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) shall prepare a 
Provincial Physical Framework and Development Plans (PPFDP), which shall define the 
province's development vision, economic and social development policies, environmental and 
ecological protection policies, general land uses, and inter-city/municipal transportation system. 
The PPFDP shall integrate and harmonize the land use plans of component cities and 
municipalities using the ridge-to-reef (R2R) or watershed ecosystem management (WEM) 
approach taking into consideration shared watersheds, ecosystems and natural resources and 
planning concerns, and define the uses of land and other resources within the province consistent 
with the policies in the regional physical framework plan. The programs, projects and activities 
prescribed in the PPFDP shall be integrated into the provincial development investment program. 
The PPDO shall submit the PPFDP to the  Provincial Land Use Policy Council (PLUPC), created 
under Section 24 of this Act, for review and endorsement to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, 
which shall adopt the same pursuant to Section 468 (2) (vii) of RA 7160. The PPFDP shall have 
a planning period of twelve (12) years to be updated every six (6) years or when deemed 
necessary. 
  
SEC. 8. City/Municipal Land Use Plans. – The City/Municipal Planning and 
Development Office (C/MPDO) shall prepare the comprehensive land use plan (CLUP) to 
determine the specific uses of land and other physical resources therein including areas 
co-managed with the national government and, as appropriate, the ancestral domain areas. This 
shall be done in consultation with concerned sectors through mandatory conduct of public 
hearings and with the use of technology-based systems such as, but not limited to, the 
Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS) required to be established in every city and 
municipality under RA 11315 or the “Community-Based Monitoring System Act”. The CLUP 
shall be consistent with the R2R/WEM-based PPFDP and shall define the city or municipal 
development vision, appropriate economic, environmental and social development policies, 
densities and transportation system using the R2R/WEM approach. The CLUP shall have a 
planning period of twelve (12) years to be updated every six (6) years or when deemed 
necessary. The C/MPDO shall also use, among others, the CBMS in the updating of the CLUPs.  
 
The R2R/WEM-based CLUP will be used as the common reference framework for the 
preparation of all sectoral development plans that will form part of the Comprehensive Land Use 
and Development Plan which merges the traditionally separate CLUP and comprehensive 
development plan to address the disconnect between spatial development and sectoral programs 
and to ensure the complementation between the medium- and long-term concerns and shall be 
the basis of the formulation of the local development investment program. 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 
may be placed thereon.  
 
SEC. 9. Physical Framework and Land Use Planning Process. – The land use and 
physical planning process shall be formulated following a combined bottom-up and top-down 
approach. The NLUC, in consultation with the concerned sectors through the mandatory conduct 
of public hearings, shall formulate, periodically update and ensure the implementation of the 
NPFP that shall prescribe and influence the country’s land use and physical development.  The 
NPFP shall operationalize the policies provided in this Act and shall be the basis for adopting 
land use and physical planning-related guidelines and standards, including zoning and other land 
use control standards that shall guide the formulation of city/municipal zoning ordinances. The 
policies prescribed in the NPFP shall be integrated into the Medium-Term Philippine 
Development Plan and Medium-Term Philippine Investment Program.  
 
In the formulation of the respective National, Regional Provincial or City/Municipal 


Land Use Plans, the respective SUC Land Use Plans approved by the CHED prior to the 
approval of this Act shall be taken into consideration in the approval of the plans. As such, the 
President of the SUCs shall be consulted prior to the approval of the said plans. 
  
SEC. 10. Land Use Plans for Ancestral Domains. – Land use plans for ancestral 
domains shall be formulated by the ICCs/IPs themselves in accordance with their 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 
City/Municipal, Provincial, Regional and National Physical Framework Plans.   
 
Physical Framework Plans made prior to the delineation of ancestral domains included in 
such plans shall, without prejudice to the rights of the ICCs/IPs concerned, adopt different land 
use categories in accordance with their particular needs and traditional resources and 
management systems. In cases where there are no ancestral domains sustainable development 
and protection plans (ADSDPPs), the LGUs and ICCs/IPs shall jointly formulate the land use 
within the ancestral domains until such time that the ICCS/IPS shall have formulated their 
ADSDPPs.  
 
SEC. 11. Revision of Existing Planning Guidelines. – The existing planning guidelines 
on the NPFP, RPFP and PPFDP shall be reviewed and  revised pursuant to Sections 5, 6, 7, and 9 
of this Act.  
 
CHAPTER III 
FRAMEWORK FOR LAND USE PLANNING 
 
SEC. 12. Basic Objective of Land Use or Physical Framework Planning. – The primary 
objective of a physical framework plan is to describe existing land uses and to identify an 
integrated physical framework, including an overall vision, policies on social and economic 
development and environmental protection and supporting transportation and other infrastructure 
facilities, that shall define future development. Its output includes the identification of programs, 
projects and activities needed to achieve the desired development, without compromising 
environmental and ecological stability, and which shall serve as inputs to the investment 
program. In the case of the CLUP, it is also intended to provide specific development and 
building guidelines and parameters that be implemented through a zoning ordinance.  
 
SEC. 13. Priorities in Land Use Allocation and Planning. – Using the  10 R2R/WEM 
approach in projecting spatial allocation for different land uses, the LGUs shall first exclude 
areas under protection land use in Section 17 (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 indigenous energy resources, shall also be excluded. All land use 
activities inside the excluded areas that are not consistent with the general purposes of the 
excluded areas shall be assessed, regulated,  and/or modified to ensure that these activities do not 
compromise the general  purposes of the excluded areas. Spatial allocation and planning shall 
then proceed in accordance with Sections 16 and 17 hereof with priorities given to integrated 
watershed management areas, socialized housing sites, fisherfolk settlement in coastal areas, and 
waste disposal sites. 
 
SEC. 14. Approach to Land Use and Physical Framework Planning. – The R2R/WEM 
approach shall be used in land use and physical framework planning to promote a holistic, 
integrated, equitable and inclusive development, and a flourishing environment, watersheds and 
ecosystems. It shall include a description of existing land uses and land use trends, as well as the 
physical, demographic, economic, social, political, environmental, and ecological conditions that 
have shaped and are likely to shape future land use and physical developments. It shall then 


derive a land use plan or physical framework by matching, reconciling or integrating the demand 
for land with the supply of land in a holistic manner to optimize socioeconomic development and 
minimize the total impacts of the land use plan on watersheds and ecosystems. The resulting land 
use plan or physical framework shall be the basis for identifying necessary policies, programs, 
projects and activities, and development controls to guide future development. The land use plan 
or physical framework shall be holistic in nature and not emanate from specific individual or 
corporation which, in essence, constitutes as spot zoning.  
 
SEC. 15. Adoption of Multiple Uses of Land Resources. – The primary and alternative 
uses of a specific unit of land resource based on its capability to support certain uses sustainably 
shall be determined and evaluated prior to any decision for the assignment of its use. Areas 
feasible for sustainable land resource use 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 by concerned  agencies: Provided, 
That multiple uses of land resources shall be excluded in  areas identified as protection land use: 
Provided, further, That such land uses shall maximize the socioeconomic benefits without 
compromising the desired levels of ecosystem services within a ridge to reef unit: Provided, 
finally, That such land uses shall be in accordance with priorities in land use allocation and 
planning and that no reclassification shall be allowed.  
 
SEC. 16. Basic Land Use Planning Considerations. – In determining the various land 
uses, the people and their productive activities and the need for functional open spaces and 
preservation areas as well as the various interrelationships of the physical characteristics of the 
land and other elements therein shall be considered, among others, including the following:  
 
(a) ​
Availability of natural resources including indigenous energy resources for energy 
security and self-sufficiency;  
 
(b) ​
Geology, geomorphology, current and emerging geologic climate related hazards 
and risks, soil, vegetative cover, demography and slope;  
 
(c) ​
Economic, environmental, cultural, social and related development activities;  
 
(d) ​
Existing government policies on land and natural resources allocation, utilization, 
management and disposition;  
 
(e) ​
Technological changes or advancement; 
 
(f) ​
Existing customary rights for the protection of indigenous peoples and vulnerable 
groups including women, rural and urban poor;   
 
(g) ​
Desired levels of ecosystem services like water quality and quantity, soil stability, 
biodiversity, agricultural and fishery productivity, among others; and   
 
(h) ​
Inventory of prior and existing rights, to harmonize determination of land use.  
 
SEC. 17. 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 which include the use of land primarily for food, water and 
energy security, rehabilitation, conservation, and protection purposes to promote 
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 resource 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 all other land uses, 
disposition, intrusion, utilization and development that is not consistent with its 
existing uses. Areas under this category also include those covered by RA 7586, 
as amended by RA 11038 or the “Extended National Integrated Protected Areas 
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 significance, and biological diversity, and 
those areas prone to natural hazards, such as but not limited to the following:  
 
(1) ​
Natural forests and mossy areas with more than 50% in slope gradient;  
 
(2) ​
Mangrove and fish sanctuaries, pursuant to RA 8435, and RA 8550, or 
“The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998”;  
 
(3) ​
Buffer zones or strips/easements, pursuant to Presidential Decree (PD) 
389, otherwise known as the “Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines”, 
as amended by PD 705, or the “Revised Forestry Reform Code of the 
Philippines” and PD 1067, or the “Water Code of the Philippines”;  
 
(4) ​
Salvage zones along foreshore areas, freshwater swamps and marshes, 
plazas, archaeological, and heritage or historic sites, pursuant to 
Presidential Proclamation No. (PP) 2146, series of 1981 entitled 
“Proclaiming Certain Areas and Types of Projects Environmentally 
Critical and within the Scope of Environmental Impact Statement System 
Established under Presidential Decree No. 1586”; 
 
(5) ​
Watersheds supporting bulk or domestic water supply;  
 
(6) ​
Utility easement like power lines of electric power generators, 
transmission and distributors, oil and gas facilities, cell sites, and 
bulk/domestic water lines;  
 
(7) ​
Amenity areas or those with high aesthetic values, pursuant to PP 2146;  
 
(8) ​
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;  
 
(9) ​
Critical habitats as provided in RA 9147, otherwise known as the “Wildlife 
Resources Conservation and Protection Act”;  
 
(10) ​
Significant caves under RA 9072, otherwise known as the “National 
Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act”; or  
 
(11) ​
Key biodiversity areas under Executive Order No. 578, series of 2006, 
entitled “Establishing the National Policy on Biodiversity, Prescribing its 
Implementation Throughout the Country, Particularly in the Sulu Sulawesi 
Marine Ecosystem and the Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor”.  
 


Existing property and private rights shall be recognized and respected on the 
condition that these rights are harmonized with the intent of the identified 
protected land use. 
 
(b) ​
Production Land Use wherein there is a direct and indirect utilization of land 
resources for crop, fishery, livestock and poultry production, forestry, 
agroforestry, 
mining, 
industry, 
energy development, indigenous energy 
exploration and development, and tourism. Planning for production land 
determines the most efficient, sustainable, and equitable manner of utilizing, 
developing and managing land for productive purposes. Areas included in this 
category are agricultural lands, fishing grounds, coastal and marine zones, 
production forest, which can be made available for timber and agroforestry 
production, rangelands for grazing, forest lands for special uses including for  
energy and reforestation projects, mineral lands or mining areas and reservations, 
energy resource lands, industrial development areas, and tourism development 
areas where productive activities may be undertaken to meet the country's 
requirements for food security, economic growth and development.  
 
(c) ​
Settlements development wherein any improvement on existing settlements in 
urban and rural areas or any proposed development of certain areas for settlement 
purposes 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 to such 
settlement. The settlements development plan ensures for the present and future 
generation the following:  
 
(1) ​
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;  
 
(2) ​
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; and  
 
(3)  ​
security against risks associated with climate change and other natural 
hazards.  
 
(d) ​
Infrastructure development includes 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, 
safe and ecologically friendly built environment. It covers sub-sectors of 
transportation, communications, energy, 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 IV 
IMPLEMENTING STRUCTURE AND MECHANISM 
 
SEC. 18. Creation of the National Land Use Commission. – The National Land Use 
Commission (NLUC) is hereby created as a Commission under the Office of the President. It 
shall exercise the powers and responsibilities of the current National Land Use Committee, 


which is hereby abolished. The NLUC shall be chaired by a Commissioner to be appointed by 
the President. The Commissioner will have the rank of a Cabinet Secretary. The Commissioner 
shall be a qualified professional in any of the fields of land use, physical planning, environmental 
management, engineering, public governance or law.  
 
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. It shall 
coordinate efforts towards the development of integrated land use plans at the national, regional, 
provincial, and municipal/city levels, and monitor the implementation of all land use plans 
including relevant policies.  
 
SEC. 19. Composition of the NLUC. – The NLUC will be composed of the following:  
 
(a) ​
Commissioner of NLUC as Chairperson;  
 
(b) ​
Secretary of NEDA as Vice-Chairperson;  
 
As Ex-Officio Members:   
 
(c) ​
Secretary of DENR;  
 
(d) ​
Secretary of DHSUD;  
 
(e) ​
Secretary of DA;  
 
(f) ​
Secretary of DAR;  
 
(g) ​
Secretary of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); 
 
(h) ​
Secretary of DILG;   
 
(i) ​
A Representative from the LGUs;  
 
(j) ​
Chairperson of National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); and  
 
(k) ​
Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.  
 
The Department Secretaries may designate a representative with a rank not lower than 
Assistant Secretary: Provided, That the designated representative shall be on a permanent 
basis. The representative from the LGUs shall come from the Leagues of Provinces, 
Cities and Municipalities.  
 
SEC. 20. Powers and Functions. – The NLUC shall have the following powers and 
functions:  
 
(a) ​
Advise the President of the Philippines 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 rational, cohesive, and comprehensive 
national land use framework;   
 
(c) ​
Formulate policies and endorse land use and physical planning related policies 
that may be formulated by the RLUPC, created under Section 23 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 endorse all land use and 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 of identified land uses and 
such other studies not undertaken by other government agencies;  
 
(g) ​
Recommend to the President of the Philippines 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 land use 
plans, policies and regulations relating to land use and resource management and 
development;  
 
(j) ​
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 RLUPC;  
 
(n) ​
Adopt rules of procedures for the orderly and expeditious conduct of meetings 
and other business of the Council; and  
 
(o) ​
Perform such other acts and functions and exercise such other powers as may be 
necessarily implied, inherent, incident, or related to the foregoing.  
 
SEC. 21. National Land Use Office (NLUO). – The National Land Use Office (NLUO) 
is hereby created under the Office of the President, which will serve as technical secretariat to the 


NLUC. The NLUO shall be headed by the NLUC Commissioner with two (2) Deputy 
Commissioners with the rank of Undersecretary.  
 
The DHSUD – Environmental, Land Use and Urban Planning and Development Bureau 
(DHSUD-ELUPDB) shall be converted into a line bureau that shall serve as the NLUO.  
 
Further, the DHSUD-ELUPDB shall have service units for the planning and policy 
formulation, operations, monitoring and information systems management, technical assistance, 
legal, and special land use concerns. The staffing pattern of the NLUO shall be approved by the 
Department of Budget and Management.  
 
SEC. 22. Regional Land Use Office. – A Regional Land Use Office (RLUO) is hereby 
created in each Region.   
 
CHAPTER V 
REGIONAL AND LOCAL LAND USE POLICY BODIES 
 
SEC. 23. Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC). – At the regional level, the 
RLUPC shall be institutionalized, replicating the NLUC structure and composition with DHSUD 
representative as Chairperson, NEDA representative as Vice-Chairperson and with a duly 
authorized representative from the DENR, DA, DAR, DPWH, DILG, NCCA, and LGU as 
members. The RLUPC shall have the following functions:  
 
(a) ​
Formulate and adopt regional policies on land use and physical planning; 
 
(b) ​
Prepare and periodically update an RPFP taking into consideration national 
polices 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 with the regional plans;  
 
(d) ​
Review, prior to adoption by respective Sanggunians, the PPFDP, and CLUPs of 
highly urbanized and independent component cities, to ensure consistency with 
the RPFP and national policies set forth by the NLUC and compliance with limits 
prescribed under RA 7160, as amended, 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 
cities or 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;  
 
(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 NLUC. 
 
SEC. 24. Provincial Land Use Policy Council. – The Provincial Development Council, 
created under Section 106 of RA 7160, shall act as the PLUPC that will tackle land use concerns 
whenever necessary. A duly authorized representative from the DENR, DHSUD, DAR, DA, 


DILG, and DPWH shall be included in the composition of the PLUPC. In addition to the 
functions enumerated in Section 109 of RA 7160, the PLUPC shall:  
 
(a) ​
Advise the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on all matters pertaining to land use and 
physical planning;  
 
(b) ​
Review and endorse to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for adoption, the 
provincial physical framework plans, prepared and periodically updated by the 
PPDO and other land use and physical planning-related policies;  
 
(c) ​
Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, and 
allocation that may arise between or among cities or municipalities and any 
unresolved land use conflicts at the city or municipal level. The PLUPC may call 
upon any local official concerned such as provincial planning and development 
coordinator, provincial agriculturist, provincial environment and natural resources 
officer, provincial engineer, provincial assessor, or any official of national 
agencies and other relevant agencies during discussions on land use and physical 
planning concerns; and 
 
(d) ​
Assist the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in reviewing the CLUPs of component 
cities or municipalities to ensure consistency with the provincial physical 
framework plans and compliance with the limits prescribed under RA 7160, as 
amended, for reclassifying agricultural lands.  
 
SEC. 25. City/Municipal Land Use Policy Council – The City/Municipal Development 
Council (C/MDC), created under Section 106 of RA 7160, shall act as the C/MLUPC that will 
tackle land use concerns whenever necessary. A duly authorized representative from the 
DHSUD, DAR, DA, DENR, DPWH and DILG shall be included in the composition of the 
C/MLUPC. In addition to the functions enumerated in Section 109 of RA 7160, the C/MLUP 
shall:  
 
(a) ​
Advise the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod on all matters 
pertaining to land use and physical planning;  
 
(b) ​
Review and endorse to the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod for 
adoption, the CLUP prepared and periodically updated by the City/Municipal 
Planning and Development Office and other land use and physical 
planning-related policies;   
 
(c) ​
Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, and 
allocation that may arise between and among barangays and any unresolved land 
use conflict at the barangay level regarding the violation of zoning ordinances 
including opposition to applications for locational clearances, permits or 
certificates; and  
 
(d) ​
Advise the local zoning board of appeals and adjustments on all issues and 
conflicts relating to zoning. 
 
For purposes of this Act, the City/Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator 
(C/MPDC) shall: (a) act on all applications for locational clearances for all projects except those 
of vital and national economic or environmental significance; and (b) monitor on-going/existing 
projects within their respective jurisdictions and issue notices of violation to owners, developers, 
or managers of projects that are violative of zoning ordinances.   
 


The C/MLUPC may call upon any local official concerned such as C/MPDC, 
city/municipal agriculturist, city/municipal environment and natural resources officer, 
city/municipal engineer, city/municipal assessor, or any official of national agencies during 
discussions on land use and physical planning concerns. LGUs without operational C/MPDC as 
mandated by RA 7160, as amended, shall activate their respective councils within six (6) months 
from the effectivity of this Act.  
 
 
 
CHAPTER VI 
ADOPTION, APPROVAL AND REVIEW OF LOCAL LAND USE 
AND PHYSICAL FRAMEWORK PLANS 
 
SEC. 26. Approval and Review of PPFDP and CLUPs. – The PPFDP, CLUPs and 
zoning ordinances (Zos) of the respective LGUs, including provinces, highly urbanized cities and 
independent component cities, shall be submitted by the local land use committees to the local 
development councils for transmission to their respective local Sanggunian for approval.  
 
SEC. 27. Provinces and Independent and Highly Urbanized Cities. – Provinces and 
independent and highly urbanized cities shall have the power and authority to adopt and approve 
their respective CLUPs, zoning ordinances or  provincial physical framework plan, as the case 
may be, through their  respective Sanggunian but subject to the review of the RLUPC as 
provided in Section 23 (d).  
 
CHAPTER VII 
MAPPING AND DATA MANAGEMENT FOR LAND USE PLANNING 
 
SEC. 28. National 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, BSWM, the Forest 
Management Bureau (FMB), the Land  
Management Bureau (LMB), the Biodiversity 
Management Bureau (BMB), the  Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the Philippine 
Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), DAR, the National Water Resources 
Board (NWRB), Department of Energy (DOE), NEDA, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) , 
University of the Philippines Resilience Institute (UPRI), NCIP, and  
other concerned 
government agencies/bureaus. The ITC shall be constituted, and the mapping program shall be 
initiated, within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act. The agencies mentioned in this 
Section shall finish their base mapping program within one (1) year upon the effectivity of this 
Act.  
 
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 the NPFP pursuant to Section 5 of this Act.  
 
SEC. 29. National Geospatial Information Program. – Within one (1) year upon the 
effectivity of this Act, the NAMRIA, in coordination with BSWM, FMB, LMB, BMB, MGB, 
PHIVOLCS, DAR, NWRB, NCIP, DOE, NEDA, PSA, UPRI, and other concerned government 
agencies or bureaus shall complete the updating of base maps including national disaster risk 
maps. These base maps and corresponding geospatial data shall be shared and disseminated to all 
agencies and LGUs to serve as reference in plan preparation and other planning activities.  
 
SEC. 30. National Hazard Mapping Program. – Within thirty (30) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, a nationwide hazard mapping and probabilistic hazard risk assessment 


program shall be initiated jointly through the NLUC by the PHIVOLCS, the Philippine 
Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), NAMRIA, 
MGB, BSWM, DOE, and UPRI, in coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and  
Management Council (NDRRMC), the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
Council (RDRRMC), NCIP, NCCA, and other concerned government agencies. The program 
shall include the generation of indicative hazard zoning maps that will outline areas in the 
Philippines which are prone to liquefaction, landslides, severe flooding, lahar, 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 hazard zoning 
maps in their respective CLUPs. Said hazard maps shall serve as guide for all the LGUs in the 
preparation of their own hazards constrained development plans. The NPFP, pursuant to Section 
hereof, shall incorporate these hazard maps.  
 
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. Basic and Applied Research for Science and Technology Development. – 
Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Science and Technology 
(DOST), in coordination with concerned agencies, academe, and research organizations, shall 
formulate a research agenda that will support physical framework and land use planning.  
 
SEC. 32. Scope and Nature of Responsibilities of Other National Government 
Agencies. – All concerned national government agencies shall periodically report to the NLUC 
on the various activities and accomplishments on land use, including their respective sectoral or 
development plans. The  NLUC may call upon the agencies for technical and administrative 
support. 
 
SEC. 33. Monitoring of CLUP Implementation. – The DHSUD shall design and install 
an information system for monitoring the actual use of land resources, the reclassification of 
agricultural lands authorized by cities and municipalities, and the implementation of CLUPs of 
LGUs with a view to ensuring the compliance with national policies, standards and guidelines: 
Provided, That the system shall be developed in coordination with DA, DAR, DILG, DENR, 
DPWH, NEDA, league of provinces, league of cities, league of municipalities, other concerned 
national government agencies, academe, and research organizations .  
 
SEC. 34. Submission of Annual Report on the Implementation of CLUPs. – The 
C/MLUPC shall submit an annual report on the implementation of their land use plans to the 
PLUPC, which shall integrate the same for submission to the RLUPC, which shall in turn 
integrate the provincial reports for submission to the NLUC.  
 
CHAPTER VIII 
SPECIAL AREAS OF CONCERN 
Article 1 
Forest Lands and Reservation of Watershed 
 
SEC. 35. Reversion of Alienable and Disposable Lands to Forestlands. – Upon the 
recommendation 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, unless they are covered by existing titles, or actually occupied openly, continuously, 


adversely, and publicly for a period required by law: Provided, That, when public interest so 
requires, steps shall be taken to expropriate such lands, cancel defective titles, or eject occupants 
thereof. Thereafter, said lands shall be included in the preparation of land use plans within 
forestlands.  
 
SEC. 36. Critical Watershed Areas. – The DENR, in coordination with the DA, LGUs 
and other government agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporation, and 
after mandatory public hearings or consultations, shall identify and delineate critical watershed 
areas that need to be protected, rehabilitated, enhanced or withdrawn from uses that contribute to 
their further degradation.   
 
SEC. 37. Formulation and Implementation of Integrated Watershed Management 
Plans. – A Watershed Management Council (WMC), which is a multi-agency, inter-LGU, and 
multi-sectoral consortium, chaired by the DENR and co-chaired by the duly designated 
representative of the LGUs, shall be created at the provincial level to ensure effective and 
sustainable resource management of a particular watershed and provide the development needs 
of local communities. in cases where a watershed transcends more than one province, a WMC at 
the regional level shall be created. 
 
The WMC shall prepare the Integrated Watershed Management Plans (IWMP) consistent 
with the existing DENR laws, guidelines, and rules and regulations. The said IWMPS shall be 
integrated into the CLUPs of the LGUs. 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.   
 
SEC. 38. Establishment and Management of National Parks. – All areas proclaimed by 
the President of the Philippines and Congress of the Philippines to be under the NIPAS, unless 
disestablished, including those identified as initial components of the NIPAS as KBAs, shall 
comprise the national parks classification of the public domain. The DENR and concerned LGUs 
shall ensure that such areas are integrated in the CLUP and physical framework plans. The 
preparation of management plans of protected areas and national parks shall be in accordance 
with the provisions of RA 7586, as amended, and other laws establishing or declaring specific 
areas as protected areas.   
 
Article 2 
Coastal Zones 
 
SEC. 39. Criteria on the Allocation and Utilization of Lands within the Coastal Zones. 
– The allocation and utilization of lands within the coastal zones shall be guided by the 
following: 
 
(a) ​
Areas vegetated with mangrove species shall be preserved for mangrove 
protection 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 protection areas, shall be utilized for aquaculture purposes;  
 
(c) ​
Areas sub-classified 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 usual census procedures of the DHSUD. 
 
(e) ​
Areas which does not fall under (a) to (d) above 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;  
 
(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: 
Provided, That vested rights under the lease agreements or arrangements shall be 
respected. Evaluation of the said lands shall also consider the natural, geologic 
and geomorphic conditions of the coast; and  
 
(i) ​
The free and prior informed consent of the concerned ICCs/IPs and the necessary 
certification from the NCIP shall be secured before any allocation and utilization 
of lands within the coastal zones that are found to be within ancestral domains.  
 
SEC. 40. Coastal Land Zone Sub-classification. – All public lands in the coastal zones 
are sub-classified into any of the following: fishponds, mangroves for protection from tidal surge 
and for preservation of biodiversity, habitats and sanctuaries for endangered wildlife, fisherfolk 
settlement, or recreational or tourism areas. No sub-classification of coastal zones to different 
uses may be done without the following:   
 
(a) ​
Conduct of a comprehensive inventory and resource and environmental 
assessment by the DENR with the respective LGUs and accredited 
non-government organizations (NGOs) or peoples organizations (POs) within 
their territorial jurisdiction. The result of the assessment along with a list of all 
existing applications and expired foreshore lease agreements must be posted in 
three (3) conspicuous places in the affected localities; and  
 
(b) ​
Prior consultation with the local Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management 
Councils pursuant to RA 8550 as amended.  
 
SEC. 41. Zoning of Foreshore Areas. – LGUs, in coordination with the DENR, shall 
conduct zoning of their respective foreshore areas to assist government and community fishers 
identify priority areas for conservation and development, and to enable them to set targets for 
mangrove reforestation and rehabilitation.  
 
SEC. 42. Protection of Waterways, Easements and Flood Plains. – Structures of any 
kind may not be built in waterways and easements. Pursuant to PD 1067, 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 easement of public use only in the interest of 
recreation, navigation, floatage, fishing and salvage.   


 
The protection of flood plains shall use the watershed management plan as the reference 
framework in formulating flood mitigation plan. Development within flood plains and other 
flood-prone areas must be controlled or, if allowed, must be so sited, constructed and serviced 
that the lives of occupants are not put at risk and that disruptions during floods are minimized. 
The identification and characterization of flood-prone areas and flood plains must be an integral 
part of Watershed Management Plan that shall guide the preparation of CLUPs, local climate 
change action plans local disaster risk reduction and management plans and other prescribed 
thematic plans. The LGUs shall establish land use regulations to mitigate flood risks through the 
CLUPs and zoning ordinances.  
 
To promote the best interest and coordinated protection of flood plains, the DPWH, in 
coordination with the DOST and DENR shall declare flood control areas as necessary and shall 
prohibit or control activities that may 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 PD 1067.  
 
Article 3 
Settlements Development 
 
SEC. 43. Municipalities, Cities, and Settlements Development. – The development of 
municipalities, cities and settlements through CLUP and implemented by the zoning ordinances 
of cities and municipalities are guided by the urban zoning standards designed to maximize 
existing urban spaces, taking into account the studies of pertinent government agencies on 
climate  change. The new and existing government buildings within the cities and municipalities 
shall comply with the government energy management program and the Inter-Agency Energy 
Efficiency and Conservation Committee resolutions.  
 
SEC. 44. Settlements within Hazard Areas. – Settlements, in particular, housing or 
residential developments, within hazard areas may be allowed: Provided, That mitigating or 
protective measures are adopted to address the potential danger or risk to lives and property 
within such settlements. In coordination with the concerned agencies of the government such as 
the PHIVOLCS, PAGASA, and MGB, the NLUC shall provide assistance to concerned LGUs 
and settlers in instituting safety and corrective measures to address the potential danger or risk. 
Residential zones as designated in the CLUP shall not be considered as outside the hazard areas. 
However, for this purpose, housing projects within such areas with less than or equal to one (1)  
hectare of project area shall be exempt from the ECC as well as the EGGAR and may be 
implemented without the need for any further certificate of exemption from the DENR or any 
other government regulatory agency.  
 
SEC. 45. Designation of Waste and Environment Management Site. – Each city or 
municipality shall identify, designate and allocate a suitable area as indicated in the watershed 
management plan within their territorial jurisdiction  to serve as sanitary landfill or solid waste 
disposal site as established in its solid waste management plan pursuant to RA 9003 or the 
“Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000” within one (1) year from the effectivity of 
this Act. 
 
SEC. 46. Network of Settlements. – The framework and policies for the development of 
network of settlements shall be provided by the National Physical Framework Plan formulated 
by the NLUC. Individual settlements shall be planned as part of a national network of 
settlements. The network shall be based on existing and potential settlements; production 
activities, particularly those that involve highly competitive industries and services and generate 
local employment; environmental constraints and sustainability considerations. Individual cities 
and municipalities shall be integrated through transportation and other infrastructure support 


facilities.  
 
SEC. 47. Criteria for Settlement Sites. – The following shall be the criteria for 
identifying settlement areas:   
(a) Within A&D lands but not in environmentally-critical, hazard prone or other protection areas 
as assessed, identified and indicated in the Watershed Management Plans;   
 
(b) Along established urban growth directions;   
 
(c) Are already or can be provided with basic services and utilities;  
 
(d) Ideally within the 0-8% slope range, but with mitigating measures from slope 9-17%;   
 
(e) Reasonably accessible from existing built up areas and other employment centers through 
existing or proposed roads and other transportation facilities; and 
 
(f) Identified ICCs/IPs settlement areas shall be located within ancestral domains.  
 
Hazard-prone areas shall be defined, delineated and mapped by the DENR and other the 
mandated government agencies, together with LGUs during the preparation of management 
plans of the watersheds that are partially or wholly inside the jurisdiction of municipality or city. 
As such, new settlements within high-risk areas shall not be allowed. In cases where there are 
existing settlements within geo-hazard areas or high-risk areas, mitigating or protective measures 
shall be adopted to address the potential danger or risk to lives and property within such 
settlements. In coordination with the concerned agencies of the government, the NLUC, through 
the RLUPC and PLUPC, shall provide assistance to concerned LGUs and settlers in instituting 
safety and corrective measures to address the potential danger or risk. New developments within 
geo-hazard areas shall be required to submit an ECC and EGGAR consistent with the Revised 
Procedural Manual for DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2003-30 otherwise known as the 
“Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) System” and DAO No. 2000-28 otherwise known as the “Implementing Guidelines on 
Engineering Geological and Geohazard Assessment as Additional Requirement for ECC 
Applications covering Subdivision, Housing and other Land Development and Infrastructure 
Projects”. 
 
SEC. 48. Sustainable Communities. – Each city or municipality or cluster of cities or 
municipalities, as appropriate, shall seek to follow the basic features of sustainable communities, 
as guided by the National Urban Development and Housing Framework: transit-oriented, 
pedestrian-biased, and multiple use, with systems and practices that promote water use 
efficiency, energy efficiency, waste segregation, recycling, and adequate community facilities. 
Cities and municipalities or clusters thereof shall identify, designate and allocate areas within 
their territorial jurisdiction to serve as waste disposal site following the provisions of RA 9003.   
 
For energy efficiency, cities and municipalities or clusters thereof shall utilize energy 
consuming products which comply with the DOE’s efficiency rating and energy labeling system 
pursuant to the provision of RA 11285 or the “Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act”.  
 
SEC. 49. Designation and Zoning of Socialized Housing Zones. – Each city or 
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 regulations. In order to ensure adequate 
availability of lands for the housing needs of the local population, the CLUP shall be updated, at 
maximum, every twelve (12) years for provinces, cities and municipalities. 


 
The designated sites for socialized housing shall be located in residential zones, and shall 
be zoned as socialized housing zones that are integrated in the city or municipality’s zoning 
ordinance, pursuant to existing laws and regulations.  
 
Fisherfolk settlements and housing in coastal municipalities shall be zoned near the sea 
for easy access to their livelihood as provided under Section 39 (d) of this Act.  
 
The housing or residential lands designated in the CLUPs and zoning ordinances of cities 
and municipalities shall, on one hand, not be subject to further land reclassification by the LGU 
or land conversion procedure under DAR. On the other hand, agricultural lands as designated in 
the CLUP which  12 are no longer economically feasible for agricultural use may be subject to 
land reclassification or land use conversion to housing or residential purposes and such land use 
conversion, as the case may be, shall be exempt from the coverage of any moratorium on land 
use conversion, provided such conversion shall not conflict with the prescriptions of watershed 
management plans and shall not result in serious environmental and ecological problems.  
 
SEC. 50. Urban Forest or Green Space. – Each city or highly urbanizing municipality 
shall identify, designate, and allocate lands owned by the city or municipality as urban forest or 
green space based on the guidelines and standards to be issued by the DENR and approved by 
the NLUC. 
 
Article 
NIPAS Areas 
 
SEC. 51. Integrated Management Strategy. – For a more effective planning, 
management, and protection of protected areas at the provincial, city or municipal levels, the 
Protected Area Management Plan referred to in RA 7586, as amended, must be incorporated in 
the provincial physical framework plan and CLUPs, if applicable, wherein the protected area 
zoning must be reflected.   
 
Article 
Agricultural Lands 
 
SEC. 52. Priority Areas for Agricultural Development. – Priority areas for agricultural 
development shall be those agricultural areas covered under RA 6657 and those covered under 
NPAAAD and SAFDZ, defined in Section 4 of this Act and in RA 8435 or the “Agriculture and 
Fisheries Modernization Act”.  
 
SEC. 53. Conversion of Agricultural Lands. – Prime agricultural lands and specific 
types of lands to the extent necessary for attaining food self-sufficiency in rice and food security 
in other basic commodities, as determined by the DA, subject to mandatory consultation with the 
LGUs, the private sector,  the NGOs, and POs, shall be protected from conversion, which shall 
include but not limited to areas under the NPAAAD and SAFDZ: Provided, That all 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 result in 
serious environmental problems  shall be given full protection from conversion, the areas under 
which are subject to review every six (6) years by the DA, with the mandatory public 
consultations: Provided, further, That consistent with the State policy on giving priority to the 
completion of the comprehensive agrarian reform program, all lands subject to the 
comprehensive agrarian reform program including those lands covered under notice of 
compulsory acquisition or voluntary offer to sell, production or profit-sharing, or commercial 
farm deferment shall also be protected from conversion pending the distribution and installation 
of the farmer beneficiaries, but thereafter, Section 22 of RA 9700 shall apply: Provided,  


furthermore, That the conversion of prime agricultural lands for use in priority government 
projects for basic services such as, but not limited to, irrigation and power shall be allowed only 
upon the recommendation of the Secretaries of the DA and the DAR: Provided, finally, That the 
mapping of the NPAAAD under the RA 8435 shall be completed within one (1) year from the 
effectivity of this Act. Lands defined under Section 10 of RA 6657 shall remain exempted and 
excluded from the coverage of the comprehensive agrarian reform program. With due 
consideration of the above-mentioned conditions that provides for the full protection of prime 
agricultural land, only then, upon approval by the DAR of the application for conversion, 
agricultural lands are deemed converted to non-agricultural uses. 
 
SEC. 54. Sub-classification or Re- classification of Agricultural Lands by LGUs. – 
Sub-classification or re-classification of agricultural lands to other uses under Section 20 of RA 
7160 shall exclude the protected agricultural lands as stated in the preceding section. Moreover, 
such sub-classification or reclassification is not synonymous to conversion. Further, such 
sub-classification or re-classification shall not result to land uses that are in conflict with the 
prescriptions of the watershed management plans. The DA and DAR shall provide the LGUs 
with complete list and maps of protected agricultural lands within their territorial jurisdictions.  
SEC. 55. Criteria for the Utilization and Allocation of Land for Mining Purposes. – 
Consistent with this Act and the provisions of RA 7942, otherwise known as the “Philippine 
Mining Act of 1995”, and to ensure that the objectives of maintaining ecological balance and 
maximizing economic returns to mining operations are realized, the allocation and utilization of 
lands for mining purposes shall be guided by the following:   
 
(a) ​
The principles of sustainable development and responsible mining;  
 
(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-operational as determined by the 
MGB shall be placed under appropriate surface management by the DENR after 
conducting scientific, geological, and environmental studies in accordance with 
relevant laws on mineral reservation establishment and de-establishment;   
 
(d) ​
Natural forests, proclaimed watershed forest reserves, mangrove forests, and 
mossy forests are closed to mining operations pursuant to RA 7942, and other 
pertinent laws;   
 
(e) ​
Consistent with RA 7942, areas closed to mining operations like natural forests, 
proclaimed watershed forest reserves, mangrove forests, and mossy forests 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 with the prescriptions of watershed 
management plans and, if warranted, recommend their reclassification as mineral 
lands; and   
 
(f) ​
Protection forestlands and agricultural lands shall be exempt from mining 
activities to minimize the effect of natural calamities and to protect food security 
respectively. The small to large scale mining operations shall yield from and 
recognize the tenurial instrument given by the government such as original 
certificate of title, transfer certificate of title, certificate of ancestral domain title, 
emancipation patent-certificate of land ownership award and other instruments. If 
these be present, mining activity shall be allowed subject to clearances and 
consent, and: Provided, That mining activity shall not conflict with the 


prescriptions of watershed management plans and shall not have serious 
environmental and ecological problems.  
 
SEC. 56. 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, that is, as forestland or agricultural land. In the case of forestlands, 
the DENR may classify such areas for other purposes in consultation with concerned LGUs, 
DOT, and other national government agencies, and consistent with the prescriptions of the 
watershed management plans.  
 
Article 
Energy Resources 
 
SEC. 57. 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 economical and environmentally-acceptable means are 
realized, the allocation and utilization of lands are be guided by the following, consistent with the 
existing laws, rules and regulations on energy resources:   
 
(a) ​
Indigenous energy resource exploration and development for the purpose of 
creating a national energy resource inventory and data base as well as an energy 
resource block map are allowed, subject to the prescriptions of watershed 
management plans and other land management plans;  
 
(b) ​
Indigenous energy resource exploration, development, production, utilization, and 
distribution are subject to the appropriate requirements and processes of the 
Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) system. Each project must secure an ECC 
prior to project implementation to ensure that adequate and appropriate 
environmental management measures and optimum methods for resource access 
and recovery are used;  
 
(c) ​
Protected areas defined in Section 17 of this Act are closed to any kind of energy 
resource development except for installation or erection of power lines therein 
Provided, That vested rights granted through the Special Use Agreements in 
Protected Areas as granted by the DENR are respected;  
 
(d) ​
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 must be reclassified to other land uses, subject to existing laws 
covering energy reservations and to prescriptions of watershed management 
plans; and  
 
(e) ​
Renewable energy is preferred over other energy resource.   
 
SEC. 58. Reversion of Energy Resource Lands. – All exhausted indigenous energy 
resource lands, as determined by the DOE, which are not covered by proclamations must 
automatically revert to the category of forestlands or agricultural lands, open to disposition, 
whichever is appropriate, unless the DENR classifies such areas for other purposes consistent 
with the prescriptions of watershed management plans. Exhausted energy resource lands are 
specific energy resource sites that the energy reserves of the desired type or types are no longer 
in sufficient quantity or quality to justify additional expenditure for its extraction and utilization. 
 
Article 7 


Industrial Development Areas or Sites 
 
SEC. 59. Criteria for Designating Industrial Development Areas. – The identification 
and establishment of industrial development areas shall conform to the provisions of RAs 7916, 
6657, 8371, 7279, 8550, and 8435, taking into consideration the following:   
 
(a) ​
Identified network of areas for agricultural development and protected agricultural 
areas pursuant to the RA 8435;  
 
(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) ​
NIPAS and non-NIPAS areas such as KBAs and restored areas that require 
protection;  
 
(e) ​
National and Urban Development and Housing Framework;  
 
(f) ​
Identified socialized housing zones;   
 
(g) ​
National framework for physical planning and other existing national programs 
and policies; and  
 
(h) ​
Prescriptions of watershed management plans. 
 
The designated industrial development areas must be located only in production land uses 
areas and shall form an integral part of the land use plan and zoning ordinance of the city or 
municipality where these areas are located pursuant to RAs 6657, 8371, 7279, 855, 8435, and 
7160, as amended.  
 
Article 8 
Tourism Development Areas 
 
SEC. 60. Designating Tourism Development Areas. – The identification, selection, and 
development of tourism development areas, and Tourism Enterprise Zones shall be done in 
consultation and coordination with the LGUs, TIEZA, DOT and other national government 
agencies, the private sector and the affected communities subject to the provisions of RA 9593, 
otherwise known as “The Tourism Act of 2009.” Tourism development areas include those 
covered by legislative and executive issuances such as tourist spots, tourist zones and tourism 
ecozones which can be developed into tourism estates or integrated resort, or integrated resort 
leisure and recreation complexes. Other tourism-related facilities and those identified in the 
national, regional and area-specific tourism master plans and other sector plans, such as 
ecotourism and agri-tourism sites are also considered as tourism development areas. The sites 
designated for tourism development must be outside of the areas identified for protection land 
use. As much as practicable, community based tourism shall be the principal mode of tourist spot 
operation. RAs 6657, 8371, 7279, 8435, 7160, and EO 111, series of 1999, which provided for 
the national ecotourism strategy, shall apply to all tourist zones and tourist development areas.   
 
Designated areas for tourism development form part of the CLUPs and zoning ordinances 
of the cities or municipalities where these areas are located.  
 
SEC. 61. Identification and Declaration of Areas for Protection, Conservation and 
Preservation of Cultural Heritage. – Pursuant to RA 10066 7 or the “National Cultural 


Heritage Act of 2009”, the NHCP or the National Museum, the NCCA, in coordination with 
NCIP, DHSUD and other concerned agencies, local communities, and the private sector, shall 
identify declared areas and structures which shall be protected and preserved as part of the 
Philippine cultural heritage.  
 
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.  
 
Declared and known archaeological sites shall likewise be protected by the NCCA, the 
DHSUD, NCIP, other concerned government agencies, and LGUs against modification, 
alteration, or destruction.  
 
Article 
Infrastructure Development 
  
SEC. 62. Strategic Transport Network. – The national government, through the 
Department of Transportation, shall establish a strategic and sustainable multimodal transport 
network that provides connectivity within the national network of settlements. Such connectivity 
shall include linkages among existing and proposed priority urban centers, rural areas, 
production hubs and tourism zones, distribution centers and markets, and key international points 
of entry. It shall be developed to promote network efficiency and social service delivery, to 
catalyze areas identified critical for economic growth, while minimizing negative impacts to 
environmentally-critical and protected areas as identified in the watershed management plans.  
 
The national network of settlements, as defined in the NPFP, shall guide the development 
of a multi-modal transportation network. The network shall be designed and implemented to 
provide seamless connectivity among the various modes of transportation. The RPFPs, PPFDPs 
and city or municipal CLUPs shall focus on the transportation network that corresponds to their 
respective jurisdictions while maintaining consistency with the overall national networks.   
 
SEC. 63. Allocation and Use of Land for Infrastructure Development.  – 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 
national government agencies, LGUs and the private sector, shall identify and periodically 
review, update or  revise the list of priority infrastructure projects under an over-all national 
strategic infrastructure development plan subject to the provisions of this Act, RA 8435 and RA 
8371. The national strategic infrastructure development plan must be consistent and integrated in 
the objectives and directions of the NPFP. In determining and evaluating the list of priority 
infrastructure projects, consideration shall be given to those that:   
 
(a) ​
Respond to immediate and vital requirements of the national and regional 
economy with priority to improving production-market integration, inter-modal 
transport, conveyance and logistics linkages, rural infrastructure and the 
development of the agriculture and fisheries sectors;  
 
(b) ​
Upgrade existing facilities to international public safety standards;  
 
(c) ​
Address the need for sustainable settlement development; and  
 
(d) ​
Mitigate the destructive effects of natural disaster-causing phenomena or serve as 
alternatives to existing infrastructure found in natural hazard-prone areas.  
 
The provision and implementation of infrastructure support must be made compatible 


with existing environmental conditions and the physical, whether natural or human-made, and 
cultural character of the area. Mandatory public consultations pursuant to existing laws and 
regulations must be held prior to the conduct of all infrastructure projects that necessarily involve 
dislocation or displacement of people in the area.   
 
The proponent of the infrastructure project shall follow the rules on just and humane 
eviction or demolition under Section 28 of RA 7279 as a last resort, notwithstanding the 
provisions of RA 8975, prohibiting lower courts from issuing temporary restraining orders, 
preliminary injunctions or preliminary mandatory injunctions. The proponent shall also follow 
the provisions of RA 8371, particularly those pertaining to the rights of IPs or ICCs in case of 
displacement. The national government infrastructure projects shall, after determining that 
displacement is unavoidable, include the budgetary requirements for the adequate relocation of 
displaced communities.   
 
SEC. 64. Infrastructure Projects within Geo-hazard Areas. – Construction of priority 
infrastructure projects within hazard-prone areas are allowed. However, mitigating or preventive 
measures must be adopted and implemented to address the potential adverse economic, 
socio-cultural and environmental impacts that emanate from these infrastructure projects, subject 
to the findings and recommendations of a feasibility study or environment impact assessment in 
accordance with PD 1586 and RA 4846, otherwise known as the “Cultural Properties 
Preservation and Protection Act.”   
 
Existing projects that were undertaken without the required environmental impact 
assessment and which pose a threat to the environment, or to the integrity of historic, 
archeological or scientifically significant areas, or impinge on critical ecosystems, and other 
areas identified in the watershed management plans may be terminated immediately or gradually 
phased-out and relocated. If the existing project is to be maintained within their life span, 
mitigating measures must be adopted and implemented. The rules on mandatory public hearings 
or consultations and just and humane eviction or demolition shall also be observed prior to the 
termination, gradual phase-out, or relocation of projects that necessarily involve dislocations or 
displacement of the people in the area.   
 
Article 10 
Agro-Industrial Development 
 
SEC. 65. Land Consolidation for Agro-industrial Development. - The consolidation of 
small-scale agricultural landholdings shall be promoted to take advantage of economies of scale 
in agricultural production, to promote value chain development, and to increase farm incomes 
and improve the quality of life of farmers. A Land Consolidation and Utilization Program under 
the DA shall be established. The program shall implement the following: 
 
(a) ​
Consolidation of small contiguous landholdings into bigger agricultural estates for 
farm operations and agro-industries;  
 
(b) ​
Crafting of a comprehensive plan and study of the optimum utilization and 
long-term productivity of bigger landholdings;  
 
(c) ​
Private sector participation in agricultural production and management through 
adequate security, incentives and reasonable return on investments, within limits 
set by existing laws;  
 
(d) ​
Development and adoption of cooperative systems that will increase the 
participation and protection of small farmers; and 
 


(e) ​
Provision of support to consolidated farms in such forms as farm-to-market roads, 
irrigation, utilities, logistics, processing facilities, upgrading of basic social 
amenities, and marketing assistance to farmers.  
 
CHAPTER IX 
TRAINING, EDUCATION AND VALUES FORMATION 
 
SEC. 66. Values Formation. – In order to develop a well-informed, responsible and 
committed citizenry, who value the protection, conservation and development of the limited land 
and other physical resources of the country, the CHED, with prior consultation with concerned 
stakeholders, may include a subject or topic on sustainable land use in the general education 
curriculum of higher education institutions.  
 
SEC. 67. Information or Education Campaign and Capacity Building. – The NLUC 
shall spearhead a nationwide information or education campaign on land use and physical 
planning together with the local and national government agencies. The DHSUD, in coordination 
with DILG, CHED and other concerned agencies shall formulate and implement a land use 
management capability building program for national and local government officials, community 
leaders, representatives of NGOs, POs, the religious sector and the general public.  
 
CHAPTER X 
INCENTIVES, SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES 
 
Article 1 
INCENTIVES 
 
SEC. 68. Formulation of a System of Incentives and Awards. – The NLUC shall come 
out with a system of incentives and awards to LGUs that regularly update their CLUPs within the 
prescribed period, as follows:  
 
(a) ​
Provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities once every 
twelve (12) years; and  
 
(b) ​
Component cities and municipalities once every twelve (12) years.  
 
SEC. 69. 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 approved CLUPs. The same assistance and support shall also be provided to 
the fifth (5th) and sixth (6th) class municipalities: Provided, That the lack of technical assistance 
shall not exempt said municipalities from the provisions of Section 70. 
 
Article 2 
SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES 
 
SEC. 70. Failure to Formulate, Enforce, or Implement the CLUPs. – Within three (3) 
years from the effectivity of this Act, all LGUs shall complete the formulation of their CLUPs.   
 
Failure to formulate, enforce or implement the CLUPs shall be subject to the penalties 
and sanctions to be imposed by DHSUD pursuant to RA 11201, otherwise known as the 
“Department of Human Settlement and Development Act” and its Implementing Rules and 
Regulations. The DILG, consistent with due process, 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 and undergo review and approval process of 
the CLUP despite the availability of funds, resources, and support by the 
Sanggunian concerned.  
 
SEC. 71. Causing Irrigated Agricultural Lands to be Idle. – Any person or juridical 
entity who shall cause any irrigated lands whether contiguous or not, within the protected areas 
for agricultural development, to lie idle and unproductive for a period exceeding one (1) year, 
unless due to force majeure, shall be subject to an idle land tax equivalent to five percent (5%) of 
the value of the agricultural land as appearing in its real property tax declaration. In addition, the 
violator shall be required to put back such lands to productive agricultural use. Should the 
continued agricultural inactivity, unless due to force majeure, exceed period of two (2) years, the 
land shall be subject to escheat proceedings.  
 
SEC. 72. Person Abetting Illegal Conversion. – Any person initiating, causing, inducing, 
or abetting illegal conversion as defined in Section 73(c) of 11 RA 6657, as amended, and 
Section 4(cc) of this Act shall, upon conviction, be  12 imprisoned from seven (7) to twelve (12) 
years and imposed a fine of not less than One hundred thousand (Pl00,000.00) pesos, 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 all benefits and entitlements accruing to 
the public position and perpetual disqualification to run  or apply for any elective or appointive 
public office: Provided, 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 all 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 judgment whichever is higher, plus forfeiture of the land in favor of the 
State for sale though public auction, the proceeds of which shall automatically accrue to the 
Agrarian Reform Fund as provided for in Section 79 of this Act.  
 
SEC. 73. Fine for Non-Completion and Non-Commencement of Development of 
Agricultural Lands with Approved Order of Conversion. – A landowner and designated 
developer or duly authorized representative who, without justifiable cause, fails to commence 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 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 automatically and the land shall revert to its original agricultural 


use and covered automatically and the land shall revert to its original 
agricultural use and covered.  
 
(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. 74. Change of Use from the Previously Authorized Conversion Order. – The 
landowner and future landowners of the property approved for conversion shall not change its 
use to another use not authorized under the Conversion Order without prior consent from the 
DAR. This prohibition extends to changes in housing standards, changes in selling schemes, 
changes from social housing to open market housing or vice-versa, and all other similar changes. 
Violation of which shall be penalized with revocation of Conversion Order and forfeiture of cash 
bond.  
 
SEC. 75. Payment of Disturbance Compensation. – Following the order of priority as 
enumerated in Section 22 of RA 6657, 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 the payment of disturbance compensation equivalent to five (5) 
times the average of the gross harvests on the landholding during the last five (5) preceding 
calendar years or a certain percentage of the converted land, whichever is higher, as determined 
by the DAR.   
 
SEC. 76. Authority to Impose Fine. – The DAR shall impose the penalty provided for 
under the preceding section.  
 
SEC. 77. Withdrawal of Local Development Permits or Licenses. – Upon receipt of 
notice from the DAR of illegal conversion, the concerned agencies, city or municipality shall 
withdraw or revoke any development permit or license issued to illegally converted agricultural 
lands.   
 
SEC. 78. Penalty for Reclassification of Protected Agricultural Lands and Exceeding 
the Limit of Areas Allowed for Reclassification. – Any person initiating, causing, inducing or 
abetting the reclassification to non-agricultural uses of protected agricultural areas as defined in 
this Act shall be punished with imprisonment of twelve (12) years or a fine of not less than One 
hundred thousand Pesos (P100,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court.   
 
If the offender is a public official or employee, whether elected or appointed, the penalty 
includes dismissal from the service, forfeiture of entitlements accruing to the public position, and 
perpetual disqualification to run or apply for any elective or appointive position.   
 
If the offender is a juridical person, the president, chief executive officer, manager, 
chairperson, members of the board and other officers who directly participated in the violation of 
this Section shall be held liable. 
 
SEC. 79.  Utilization of Fines. – The fines collected under Sections 72, 73 and 78 of this 
Act shall accrue to the Agrarian Reform Fund and shall be used for the purpose for which the 
fund is established.  
 
CHAPTER XI  


TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS  
 
SEC. 80. Convening of the NLUC. – Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this 
Act, the chairperson shall convene the NLUC.  
 
SEC. 81. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within six (6) months from the 
effectivity of this Act, the NLUC shall promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the 
provisions of this Act.   
 
SEC. 82.  Congressional Oversight Committee on the Land Use Act. – There is hereby 
created a joint congressional oversight committee to monitor the implementation of this Act. The 
committee shall be composed of seven (7) senators and seven (7) representatives to be appointed 
by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively.  The 
members from the Senate shall be appointed based on proportional representation of the parties 
or coalitions therein, with at least two (2) senators representing the minority.  Likewise, the 
representatives from the House of Representatives shall be appointed based on proportional 
representation of the parties or coalitions therein with at least two (2) Members representing the 
minority.  The mandate given to the joint congressional oversight committee under this Act shall 
be without prejudice to the performance of the duties and functions by the respective existing 
oversight committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives.  The secretariat of the 
committee shall be drawn from the existing secretariat personnel of the committees comprising 
the oversight.  
 
SEC. 83. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this 
Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the departments and agencies 
concerned.  Thereafter, such amount shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.   
 
SEC. 84.  Review of the Existing Land Use Plans. – Provinces, cities, and municipalities 
with existing land use plans shall review, revise, reconcile, and harmonize their respective land 
use plans in accordance with the guidelines and standards issued by the National Land Use 
Commission (NLUC) within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. All other laws, orders 
issuances, rules, and regulations inconsistent herewith are repealed or modified accordingly.  
 
SEC. 85.  Non-impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to 
diminish or impair the rights recognized granted, or available to marginalized or the basic sectors 
under existing laws or to diminish or impair vested rights generally, including the rights of 
indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples as provided under RA 8371.  
 
SEC. 86.  Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, 
the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and 
effect.  
 
SEC. 87.  Repealing Clause. – Sections 10 and 11 of RA 8435, Sections 447 (a2vii) and 
458 (a2viii) of RA 7160, the pertinent provisions of EO 648, series of 1991, EO 72, series of 
1993, EO 770, series of 2008, Letter of Instruction No. 1350, series of 1983, PP 2282, series of 
1983 are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.  
 
SEC. 88.  Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
Approved,