Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
Introduced by: 
HONORABLE KHYMER ADAN T. OLASO 
Representative, 1st District, Zamboanga City 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, PROVIDING THE 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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 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  Young, A., 2003 
2 https://www.lamudi.com.ph/journal/proposed-national-land-use-act/ 
July 25, 2022
8:00 am
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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 
 
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 
 
 
                                                          
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 
 
4 Ibid. 
 
5 Ibid. 
 
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 
 
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 
 
8 Southwestern NC Planning and Economic Development Commission, Community Foundation of WNC, & the Lawrence 
Group Architects of NC, Inc., 2009 
 
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 
10 Ibid. 


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. 
 
Immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
 
KHYMER ADAN T. OLASO 
Representative 
1st District, Zamboanga City 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
Introduced by: 
HONORABLE KHYMER ADAN T. OLASO 
Representative, 1st District, Zamboanga City 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, PROVIDING THE 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
CHAPTER I 
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1.  Tide. -This Act shall be known and cited as the “National Land Use Act of 
2019”. 
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, fora and fauna, and other natural resources are owned by the state. With the 
exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be alienated. 
Pursuant to the constitutional provision or mandate, it is the policy of the State to provide  
for  a  rational,  holistic,  and  just  allocation,  utilization,  management,  and development of the 
country's land to ensure their optimum  use, consistent with the principle of sustainable 
development. 
The State shall recognize the need for rational, optimal and sustainable settlements 
development, consistent with the principles of environmental management and equitable access to 
land and security. 
Toward this end, the State shall institutionalize land use and physical planning as 
mechanisms for identifying, determining, and evaluating appropriate land use and allocation 
patterns that promote and ensure: 
a.) 
Sustainable management and utilization of natural resources; 
b.) 
Maintenance and preservation of environmental integrity and stability specifically 
the perpetual protection of permanent forests and watershed 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; 
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e.) 
Water security through sustainable development and management of water 
resources towards water security; 
 
f.) 
Settlements, transportation and infrastructure development in support of urban, 
rural and regional development and inclusive growth; 
 
g.) 
Harmony between the rights and the varied interests of every Filipino within the 
framework of people empowerment, decentralization, social justice, and equity; 
 
h.) 
 Respect for and protection of the sustainable traditional resource rights of the 
Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) to their ancestral domains to 
ensure their economic, social, and cultural 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 Filipino historical, cultural and 
built cultural heritage and resources for the deeper understanding of our history and culture as a 
people; 
 
k.) 
Attainment of energy security and self-sufficiency; and 
 
l.) 
Market orientation where the interplay of market forces and fair trade within the 
framework of ecological development and equity consideration is encouraged and adopted as the 
basic parameter in achieving efficiency in land use and allocation. 
 
 
It is also the policy of the State to ensure that local government units (LCDs) share with 
the national government the responsibility of managing and maintaining ecological balance within 
their territorial jurisdiction as stated in the 1987 Constitution and the 1991Local Government Code 
(LGC) or Republic Act 7160. 
 
 
Guided by the principle that the use of land bears a social function and that all economic 
agents shall contribute to the common good, landowners, land tenure holders, in the case of 
forestlands, be it an individual, communal, corporate or group shall be held responsible  for  
developing  and  conserving  their  lands  thereby  making  their  lands productive and supportive 
of environmental stability. 
 
SEC. 3.  Scope. -  This Act shall apply to all lands whether public, private, government-
owned, and/or in the possession of individuals, communities, indigenous people,  or groups  of 
people,  to  provide  for a  rational,  holistic,  and just  allocation, development and management 
of land including such activities that bear impact on said resources. 
 
CHAPTER II 
DEFINITIONS 
 
SEC. 4.  Definition of Terms. -  As used in and for purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall mean: 
 
a.) 
“Agricultural land” shall refer to land of public domain which have been devoted 
to agricultural activity as defined in Republic Act No. 6657, as amended and not further classified 
for residential, commercial or industrial use and such other uses as may be provided by law; 
 
b.) 
“Agricultural land use conversion” shall refer to the undertaking of any 
development activity which modifies or alters the physical characteristics of agricultural lands to 
render them suitable for non-agricultural purposes with an approved order of conversion issued 
exclusively by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR); 


 
c.) 
“Alienable and disposable (A&D) lands” shall refer to lands of the public domain 
which have been delineated, classified, and certified as open and available for disposition under 
the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 141, otherwise known as the "Public Land Act," as 
amended; 
 
d.) 
“Ancestral domains” shall refer to all areas generally belonging to ICCs/IPs as 
defined in Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as the “Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) 
of 1998”; 
 
e.) 
“Basic Sector” shall refer to a group of people not referring to any organized groups 
such as but not limited to women, youth, elderly, differently-abled, peasants and fisher folk; 
 
f.) 
“Basic  Shelter"  shall  refer  to  any  subdivision  unit,  housing  unit  or 
condominium satisfying the barest minimum shelter requirements under the minimum design 
standards of Batas Pambansa Big. 220; 
 
g.) 
“Comprehensive  Land  Use  Plan  (CLUP)” shall  refer  to  a  document 
embodying a set of policies and guidelines, accompanied by official maps and similar illustrations, 
that serves as principal basis for determining the future land use of lands and  natural resources  
for  production  and  protection  purpose  within  the  territorial jurisdiction of the city or 
municipality. It represents the community-desired pattern of population distribution and proposes 
future allocation of land resources to various land- using activities.  It identifies the allocation, 
character, and extent of the areas of land resources to be used for different purposes and includes 
the processes and the criteria employed in the determination of the land use.   It has a long-term 
perspective, encompassing a minimum of ten (10) years; 
 
h.) 
“Comprehensive land use planning” shall refer to the act of defining the allocation, 
utilization, development and management of all lands within a given territory or jurisdiction 
according to the inherent characteristic of the land itself and supportive of sustainable, economic, 
demographic, socio-cultural and environmental objectives as an aid to decision-making and 
legislation; 
 
i.) 
“Coastal area/zone” shall refer to a band of dry land and the adjacent ocean space 
(water and submerged land) in which terrestrial processes and uses directly affect oceanic 
processes and uses, and vice versa. Its geographic extent may include areas within a landmark limit 
of one (1) 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 200 
meters isobath to include coral reefs, algal flats, seagrass beds, and other soft-bottom areas.  For 
purposes of initiating and implementing sustainable coastal resources protection and management, 
it shall include foreshore lands; 
 
j.) 
“Critical habitats” shall refer to areas outside protected areas as defined in 
Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the "National Integrated Protected Areas System Act 
of 1992", that are known habitats of threatened species and designated as such based on scientific 
data taking into consideration species endemicity and/or richness, presence of human-made 
pressures/threats to the survival of wildlife living in the area, among others; 
 
k.) 
“Critical  watershed” shall  refer  to  a  drainage  area  of  a  river  system supporting 
existing and proposed hydro-electric power, domestic water consumption, irrigation works  or  
existing  water  facilities  needing  immediate  protection  and rehabilitation to minimize erosion 
and improve water yield. It shall be closed for logging until it is fully rehabilitated; 
 
l.) 
“Cultural heritage” shall refer to the totality of cultural properties preserved and 
developed through time and passed on for posterity; 
 


m.) 
“Customary laws” shall refer to a body of written and/ or unwritten rules, usages, 
customs and practices traditionally and continually recognized, accepted, and observed by 
respective ICCs/IPs,  consistent with the IPRA; 
 
n.) 
“Development plan” shall refer to a document that defines the activities or 4 
measures that the national government or local government units (LGU's) intend to implement in 
order to achieve a defined set of development goals.  It integrates the socio-economic and sectoral 
plans of the national government or its instrumentality or a particular LGU with land use or 
physical framework plans.  It may include an analysis of problems and resources, definition of 
goals and objectives, policy guidelines, project and target achievements, and an implementation 
mechanism which defines the roles and contributions expected from the government and the 
private sector. Development plans include the national-level Medium-Term Philippine 
Development Plan (MTPDP) and its counterpart plans at the regional, provincial and local levels 
called the Medium-Term Regional Development Plan (MTRDP), the Provincial Physical 
Framework and Development Plan (PPFDP) and the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP). 
These plans are translated into medium-term investment programs, also prepared at the national, 
regional and local levels, where programs, projects and activities derived from the development 
plans are ranked, prioritized, and matched with investment financing capacities; 
 
o.) 
“Ecologically-fragile lands” refer to lands within the critical watershed, 20 
brackish and freshwater wetlands, pasture lands, and croplands which require rehabilitation  and  
whose  continued  unsustainable  use  would  adversely  affect  the productivity of lowland 
agricultural areas and the stability of the upland ecosystem; 
 
p.) 
“Ecotourism” shall refer to sustainable tourism or travel to a given natural area 
with exotic or threatened ecosystems or a heritage area to observe wildlife or to help preserve 
nature, in the process providing for community participation, protection and management of 
natural resources, culture and indigenous knowledge systems and practices, environmental 
education and ethics, as well as economic benefits fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host 
communities and the satisfaction of visitors; 
 
q.) 
“Energy resource lands” shall refer to lands where naturally occurring or 
indigenous energy resources exist in sufficient quantity or quality as to be economically viable for 
exploration, development, production, utilization, and distribution process; 
 
r.) 
“Energy resources” shall refer to surface or subsurface substances that serve as 
energy sources. These are traditionally mineral fuel deposits such as coal, petroleum, natural gas 
or renewable resources from geothermal, hydro reservoirs, or non-conventional sources such as 
ocean waves, solar, wind, biomass, and other similar resources which serve the same purpose; 
 
s.) 
“Environmentally critical areas” shall refer to areas declared by law as: (a) 
protected areas pursuant to Republic Act No. 7586 or the “NIPAS Act of 1992”; (b) areas for 
natural parks, watershed reserves, wildlife preserves, and sanctuaries; (c) areas set aside as 
aesthetic potential tourist spots; (d) areas which constitute the habitat of any endangered or 
threatened species or indigenous Philippine wildlife (flora and fauna); (e) areas  of  unique  historic,  
archaeological,  or  scientific  interests;  (f)  areas  which  are traditionally occupied by ICCs/IPs; 
(g) areas with critical slopes; (h) areas exposed to geologic and hydro-meteorologic hazards; (i) 
prime agricultural lands; (j) recharge areas of aquifers; (k) water bodies; (l) mangrove areas; (m) 
coral reefs; (n) mossy and old-growth forests; (o) rivers and river banks; (p) swamp forest and 
marshlands; and (q) foreshore lands.  This term shall also include other terrestrial, aquatic and 
marine areas that need special protection and conservation measures because they are ecologically 
fragile or they are needed for food security and food self-sufficiency as determined by concerned 
agencies and LGUs in consultation with the concerned sectors; 
 
t.) 
“Estuary” shall refer to a wetland type where the river mouth widens into a marine 
ecosystem, the salinity of which is intermediate between salt and freshwater where tidal action is 
an important biophysical regulator; 


 
u.) 
“Exhausted energy resource lands” shall refer to specific energy resource sites 
whose energy reserves of the desired type(s) are no longer in sufficient quantity or quality to justify 
additional expenditure for their extraction and utilization as certified by the Department of Energy; 
v.) 
“Exhausted mineral lands” shall refer to specific sites whose mineral deposits are 
no longer in sufficient quantity or quality to justify additional expenditure for their extraction and 
utilization as may be determined by the latest technology available; 
 
w.) 
“Exhausted mineral resources” shall refer to a situation where the mineral 
resources in specific sites are no longer in sufficient quantity or quality to justify additional 
expenditure for extraction or utilization as determined by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and 
approved by the DENR; 
 
x.) 
“Flood plain” shall refer to the portion of a river valley adjacent to a river channel 
which is covered with water when river overflows its banks at flood stages. The plain usually 
consists of silt deposited by the stream; 
 
y.) 
“Flood-prone areas” shall refer to low lying areas usually adjacent to large or 
active water bodies and therefore experience regular or seasonal inundation as a result of changes 
in the mean water level of these bodies or because of land reclamation and other artificial 
interference with the natural processes; 
 
z.) 
“Food security” shall refer to the policy objective of meeting the food availability, 
accessibility, quality and affordability requirements of the present and future generations of 
Filipinos in a sustainable manner, through local production or importation, only when there is 
shortage established based on a micro level situation, or both, based on the country's existing and  
potential  resource endowments and  related  production advantages, and consistent with the overall 
national development objectives and policies; 
 
aa.) 
“Food self-sufficiency” shall refer to the policy objective of meeting the food 
requirements through intensive local food production in a sustainable manner based on the 
country's existing and potential  resource endowments and  related  production advantages; 
 
bb.) 
“Forestlands” shall refer to lands of the public domain classified and/or determined 
as needed. They include all permanent forests or forest reserves, forest reservations and all 
remaining unclassified lands of the public domain; 
 
cc.) 
“Foreshore land” shall refer to the part of the shore which is alternately covered 
and uncovered by the ebb and flow of the tide; 
 
dd.) 
“Free and Prior Informed Consent” refers to consensus of all members of the 
ICCs/IPs to be determined in accordance with their respective customary laws and practices, free 
from any external manipulation, interference and coercion, and obtained after fully disclosing the 
intent and scope of the activity, in a language and process understandable to the community; 
 
ee.) 
“Geo-hazards” shall  refer  to  natural  and  human-induced  geological processes 
that have potential to cause destruction and pose a threat or risk to human life and property; 
 
ff.) 
“Geo-hazard prone areas” shall refer to areas frequently visited and/or vulnerable  
or  prone  to  experience  weather/climatic,  hydrologic,  geologic,  and  other natural calamities; 
 
gg.) 
“Heritage Zone” refer to historical, anthropological, archaeological and artistic 
geographical areas and settings that are culturally significant to the country as declared  by  the  
National  Museum  and/or  National  Historical  Commission  of  the Philippines, pursuant to R.A. 
No. 10066 or the “National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009”; 
 


hh.) 
“Illegal agricultural land conversion” shall refer to any activity that modifies or 
alters the physical characteristics of agricultural lands to render them suitable for non-agricultural 
purposes without an approved order of conversion from the DAR Secretary; 
 
ii.) 
“Improvements” shall refer to all types of buildings and residential units, walls, 
fences, structures or construction of all kinds of fixed character or are adhered to the soil but shall 
not include trees, plants, growing fruits, and other fixtures that are mere super impositions on the 
land, and the value of improvements shall not be less than fifty percent (50%) of the assessed value 
of the property; 
 
jj.) 
“Inclusive growth” refers to ensuring that the economic opportunities created by 
growth are available to all, particularly the poor, to the maximum possible extent; 
 
kk.) 
“Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs)” shall refer 
to groups of people or homogenous societies identified under Republic Act No. 8371 or the 
“Indigenous People's Rights Act (IPRA)”; 
 
ll.) 
“Indigenous energy resources” shall refer to energy resources, which originate or 
occur naturally in the Philippines; 
 
mm.) “Inland waters” shall refer to waters, which are not coastal and marine waters not 
subject to acquisitive prescription consistent with the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1067, 
otherwise known as the "Water Code of the Philippines"; 
 
nn.) 
“Inter-tidal sand flat” shall refer to a juvenile fish-feeding area and habitat for 
crustaceans. The littoral gravel and sand biotopes are also used by important wintering ground and 
roosting/feeding grounds of indigenous migratory birds; 
 
oo.) 
“Integrated watershed  management”  shall  refer  to  a  planning strategy or 
program for watershed areas that complement environmentally-sound soil and water management 
practices with mechanisms for ensuring greater responsibility, involvement, or participation of 
individuals, groups, communities and other stakeholders benefiting from these areas and water-
related infrastructure; 
 
pp.) 
“Key biodiversity areas” shall refer to sites that are nationally and globally 
significant for biodiversity conservation primarily containing species that require site-scale 
conservation to prevent extinction in the short-term and medium-term. Such species may be 
nationally and globally threatened, restricted-range and/or nationally and globally significant 
congregations of species; 
 
qq.) 
“Lagoon” shall  refer  to  a  semi-enclosed  coastal  basin  with  limited freshwater 
input,  high salinity and restricted circulation which often  lies behind sand dunes. It is often highly 
productive and habitat for variety of plants and animal, serves as nurseries of prawns and shrimps 
and also site for harbor, aquaculture, industry and recreation; 
 
rr.) 
“Land” shall refer to resources, both natural and man-made, found on the surface, 
below, and above the ground including inland waters and the air therein; 
 
ss.) 
“Land use” shall refer to the manner of utilization of land, including its allocation, 
development, and management; 
 
tt.) 
“Land use classification” shall refer to the act of delineating or allocating lands 
according to protection land use, production land use, settlements development, and infrastructure 
development as defined and provided for in this Act; 
 
uu.) 
“Land sub-classification” shall  refer  to  the  act  of  determining  and assigning 
specific uses of classified lands of the public domain, such as forest or timber lands, alienable or 


disposable agricultural lands,  national parks, and mineral lands in accordance with existing laws 
and this Act; 
 
vv.) 
“Mandatory public hearings/consultations” shall refer to the mechanism to ensure 
the active participation of concerned sectors in all affected areas in land use planning from the 
local to the national level. It involves giving effective notice of hearing/consultation to concerned 
sectors within an affected area through direct written invitations, using regular mail or electronic 
means, and publication/posting in conspicuous places, conduct of a reasonable number of hearings 
in or proximate to the specific area affected, and solicitation of positions and the public 
presentation and public confirmation of the planning results in the specific area affected before the 
final adoption of the plans; 
 
ww.) “Minerals” shall refer to all naturally occurring inorganic substance in solid, gas, 
liquid or intermediate state excluding energy materials such as coal, petroleum, natural gas, 
radioactive materials and geothermal energy; 
 
xx.) 
“Mineral exploration” shall refer to the systematic searching or prospecting for 
mineral resources; 
 
yy.) 
“Mineral lands” shall refer to lands where mineral resources are found; 
 
zz.) 
“Mineral resources” shall refer to any concentration of minerals/rocks with 
potential economic value; 
 
aaa.) 
“Mud flat” shall refer to a wetland type that is usually an unvegetated area, 
dominated by muddy substrate which provides rich feeding grounds for vertebrates such as fish 
and water birds and also important in preventing soil erosion; 
 
bbb.) “National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS)” shall refer 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; 
 
ccc.) 
“National Land Use Commission (NLUC)” shall refer to the highest land use 
policy making body created under Section 14 of this Act; 
 
ddd.) “National Parks” shall refer to a forest reservation essentially of natural wilderness 
character which has been withdrawn from settlement, occupancy or any form of exploitation 
except in conformity with approved management plan and set aside as such exclusively to conserve 
the area or preserve the scenery, the natural and historic objects, wild animals and plants therein 
and to provide enjoyment of these features in such areas; 
 
eee.) 
“National physical framework plan” shall refer to an indicative plan containing 
the policy areas promoting the most appropriate and rational use of land and other physical 
resources such as but not limited to protection, production, settlement and infrastructure land use.  
It provides policy guidelines for all decisions relating to land use and  environmental  management,  
to  prevent  and  mitigate  the  adverse  effects  of inappropriate resource utilization on the country's 
food security and food self-sufficiency on rice and corn, the people's welfare and their 
environment. It embodies both policies and strategies necessary to carry out goals and objectives 
of this Act; 
 
fff.) 
“Network of Protected Areas for Agriculture  and Agro-industrial Development 
(NPAAAD)” shall refer to agricultural areas identified by the Department of  Agriculture  through  
the  Bureau  of  Soils  and  Water  Management  (BSWM)  in coordination with the National 
Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) in order  to  ensure  the  efficient  
utilization  of  land  for  agriculture  and  agro-industrial development and promote sustainable 


growth.  The NPAAAD covers all irrigated areas, all irrigable lands already covered by irrigation 
projects with firm funding commitments, all alluvial plains, land highly suitable for agriculture 
whether irrigated or not, agro-industrial croplands or lands planted to industrial crops that support 
the validity of existing agricultural infrastructure and agro-based enterprises, highlands or areas 
located at an elevation of five hundred (500) meters or above and have the potential for growing 
semi-temperate and high value crops, all agricultural lands that are ecologically fragile the 
conversion of which will result in serious environmental degradation, and all mangrove areas and 
fish sanctuaries; 
 
ggg.) “Non-agricultural land use conversion” shall refer to the act of changing the 
current use of a piece of non-agricultural land into some other uses; 
 
hhh.) “Non-government organization” shall refer to a private and non-profit voluntary  
organization  which  is committed  to  the  task  of  political,  socio-economic, physical, cultural 
and environmental development and established primarily to provide service to marginalized 
sectors in these areas; 
 
iii.) 
“Patrimonial properties” refer to all the properties belonging to the State that are 
not intended for public use or for public service for the development of national wealth; 
 
jjj.) 
“People's organization” shall refer to a private, non-profit, voluntary and 
community-based organization with  membership constituency established primarily to provide 
service to its members and the community in general; 
 
kkk.) “Physical framework plans”  shall  refer to  indicative  plans  based on 
comprehensive land use plans (CLUPs) and national policies whether national, regional, or 
provincial which provide policy guidelines for all decisions relating to land use and environmental 
management to prevent or mitigate the adverse effects of inappropriate resource utilization  on  
food  security, the  people's welfare  and their environment,  it embodies both policies and strategies 
necessary to carry out development goals and objectives; 
 
lll.) 
“Premature or illegal conversion of agricultural lands” shall refer to any activity 
that modifies or alters the physical characteristics of agricultural lands to render  them  suitable  
for  non-agricultural  purposes  without  an  approved  order  of conversion from the DAR 
Secretary; 
 
mmm.) “Prime agricultural lands” shall refer to all irrigated areas; all irrigable lands 
already covered by irrigation projects with firm funding commitments; all rain-fed areas planted 
to rice and other crops; all alluvial plain lands highly suitable for agriculture whether irrigated or 
not, agro-industrial croplands or lands presently planted to industrial crops that support the 
viability of existing agricultural infrastructure and agro-based enterprises, highlands, or areas 
located at elevation of 500 meters or above and have the potential for growing semi-temperate and 
high value crops; all agricultural lands that are ecologically fragile, the conversion of which will 
result in serious environmental degradation, and mangrove areas and fish sanctuaries; 
 
nnn.) “Production land use” shall refer to the direct and indirect utilization of land to  generate  
outputs  resulting  from  the  following  activities,  but  not  limited  to: agricultural, fish, farming or 
aquaculture, timber production, agro-forestry, grazing and pasture, mining, indigenous energy 
resource development, industry, and tourism; 
 
ooo.) “Protected areas” shall refer to portions of land set aside by reason of their unique 
physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological diversity, and protected 
against destructive human exploitation. For purposes of this Act, it shall include agricultural lands 
identified and delineated under Section 29 hereof; 
 


ppp.) “Protection   land use”  shall   refer  to   the   utilization   of   land primarily for 
food, water and energy security, rehabilitation, conservation, and protection purposes for the 
promotion of the country's ecological and life-support systems; 
 
qqq.) “Public domain” shall refer to lands that belong to the State which may be any of 
the  following:  agricultural,  forest or timber,  mineral,  or  national  park as provided for in the 
Constitution; 
 
rrr.) 
“Public lands” shall refer to lands which have not been subject to private property 
rights or subject to sale or other modes of acquisition or concession under the general laws, and 
are devoted to public use; 
 
sss.) 
“Reclassification of agricultural  lands” shall  refer  to  the  act  of specifying  how  
agricultural  lands  shall  be  utilized  for  non-agricultural  uses such  as residential, industrial, or 
commercial  purposes through the local planning and zoning processes pursuant to Republic Act 
No. 7160 or the “Local Government Code of 1991” and subject to the requirements and procedure 
for conversion.  It is equivalent to land sub-classification, as defined in this Act  for classified lands 
of the public domain and also includes the reversion of non-agricultural lands to agricultural use; 
 
ttt.) 
“Resettlement sites” shall refer to areas identified by the appropriate national  
agency  or  by  the  local  government  unit,  with  respect  to  areas  within  its jurisdiction which 
shall be used for the relocation of the underprivileged and homeless, as defined under Republic 
Act No. 7279 or the “Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA)”; 
 
uuu.) “River basin” shall refer to the portion of land drained by a river and its tributaries.  
It encompasses the entire land surface dissected and drained by many streams and creeks that flow 
downhill into one another, and eventually into one river. The final destination is an estuary or an 
ocean; 
 
vvv.) “Settlements” shall refer to formal and informal communities or built-up residential 
areas where people prefer to live in land areas classified, zoned, or converted for current or future 
residential or housing development purposes, including socialized housing zones for the homeless 
and underprivileged citizens; 
 
www.) “Settlements development” shall refer to any improvement on existing formal or 
informal residential or housing settlements or any proposed development of certain areas for 
residential or mass housing settlement purposes. It also involves the spatial distribution of 
population, identification of the roles and functions of key urban centers, determination of 
relationships among settlement areas, and the provision of basic services and facilities of identified 
major residential or housing settlement areas or growth centers. It is also concerned with the 
interrelationship of settlements as they develop and establish functional linkages based on their 
respective resource endowments and comparative advantages; 
 
xxx.) “Shoreline” shall refer to the line where shore and water meet; 
 
yyy.) “Significant caves” shall  refer  to  caves  which  contain  materials  or possess 
features that have archaeological, cultural, ecological, historical or scientific value as determined  
by the  Department of Environment and  Natural  Resources (DENR) in coordination with the 
scientific community and the academe; 
 
zzz.) 
“Socialized housing” shall  refer  to  housing  programs  and  projects undertaken 
by the government or the private sector for the underprivileged and homeless citizens  which  shall  
include  sites  and  services  development,  long-term  financing,  liberalized terms on interest 
payments, and such other benefits in accordance with the UDHA; 
 
aaaa.) “Socialized housing zones” shall refer to lands identified and designated by local 
government units as sites for socialized housing, pursuant to Article IV of Republic Act No. 7279 


or the UDHA, and its implementing guidelines. It shall include areas that are presently occupied 
by the urban poor, as well as those identified as resettlement areas as defined herein; 
 
bbbb.) “Sustainable development” shall refer to the development objective of meeting the 
needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet 
their own needs consistent with the principles of social equity, efficiency, and environmental 
integrity; 
 
cccc.) “Stakeholder” shall refer to an individual, social group or organization that has a 
direct or indirect interest in an activity, project, resources, or decision; 
 
dddd.) “Tourism development areas” shall refer to specific sites for tourism development 
located in areas identified as priorities in the national, regional, and inter-regional area specific 
tourism master plans and other sector plans such as eco-tourism and  agri-tourism  sites,  including  
those  designated  through  legislative  and  executive issuances such as  tourist spots, tourist zones 
and tourism  ecozones which can  be  developed into tourism estates or integrated resort, leisure, 
and recreation complexes, and other tourism related facilities; 
 
eeee.) “Tourism Enterprise Zone” refers to an area designated as tourism enterprise zone 
by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority pursuant to the provisions of RA 
9593 otherwise known as the Tourism Act of 2009; 
 
ffff.) 
“Tourism” shall refer to large tracts of land with well-defined boundaries in any 
area identified in the Philippine tourism master plan and regional tourism master plan, by 
proclamation of the President and/or by an act of Congress including local legislation. Such land 
shall be suitable for the development of an integrated tourism and resort complex including but 
not limited to accommodation facilities, food and beverage outlets, convention and meeting areas, 
sports, recreational and leisure centers and commercial outlets among others. It shall be provided 
with roads, water supply facilities, power and utilities like potable water, drainage sewerage 
disposal, solid waste disposal system and other necessary infrastructure. The estate shall be under 
one unified and continuous management; 
 
gggg.) “Tourist spot” shall refer to a particular area/site/spot, human-made or natural, 
known for its unique tourist/visitor-drawing attributes and activities. It may be classified according 
to its social, cultural, natural, historical, scientific, religious, and recreational significance; 
 
hhhh.) “Tourist zone” shall refer to a geographic area with well-defined boundaries 
proclaimed as such by the President of the Philippines and/or by acts of Congress. No development 
projects for any purpose shall be initiated and introduced within the zone prior to the formulation 
of a tourism master development plan which shall be undertaken in coordination with the 
Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority 
(TIEZA).  A tourist zone is established for the enhancement and/or the conservation of cultural 
and historical heritage and for the appreciation and enjoyment of the local population and its 
visitors; 
 
iiii.) 
“Urban areas” shall refer to all cities regardless of their population density and to 
municipalities with population density of at least Five hundred (500) persons per square kilometer; 
 
jjjj.) 
“Urbanizable areas” shall  refer to sites and  lands which, considering present 
characteristics and prevailing conditions, display marked and great potential of becoming urban 
areas within a period of five (5) years; 
 
kkkk.) “Urban forestry or Green space” shall refer to the establishment and management 
of forest in urban environment for the physiological and psychological well-being of the people; 
 
llll.) 
“Water security” shall refer to the sufficient access throughout the year to the 
minimum daily requirement of clean water to maintain a healthy life; 


 
mmmm.) 
“Water use” shall refer to the appropriation of water for domestic, 
municipal, irrigation,  power generation, inland fisheries, poultry and livestock raising, industrial 
and commercial, environmental, and recreational use and other purposes; 
 
nnnn.) “Watershed” shall refer to a land area drained by a stream or fixed body of water 
and its tributaries having a common outlet for surface runoff; 
 
oooo.) “Zoning” shall refer to the process of delineating the specific uses of lands in  
accordance  with  the  approved  Comprehensive  Land  Use  Plan  (CLUP) within  the territorial  
jurisdiction  of  a  city/municipality  and  specifying  the  conditions  for  their regulation; subject 
to the limitations imposed by law and competent authority; and, 
 
pppp.) “Zoning ordinance or ZO” shall refer to a local law passed by the Sangguniang 
Bayan or Pangtunsod approving the development control/zoning plan in accordance with an 
approved or adopted CLUP for the city/municipality, and providing for the regulations and other 
conditions on the uses of land including the limitation on the infrastructure that may be placed 
thereon within the territorial jurisdiction of a city or municipality. It incorporates the protected 
areas under Section 13(a) and the protected agricultural lands under Section 29 of this Act. 
 
CHAPTER III 
PHYSICAL FRAMEWORK AND LAND USE PLANS 
 
SEC. 5.   National Land Use Planning Process. - The land use and physical planning 
process shall be formulated following a combined bottom-up and top-down approach. The 
National Land Use Commission (NLUC) shall draft the National Physical Framework Plan 
(NPFP) 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, and transportation and communication. The Regional Physical 
Framework Plans (RPFPs), Provincial Physical Framework and Development Plans (PPFDPs), 
and Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs), which shall also have a 30-year timeframe and 
cover the physical development of their respective territories, shall be consistent with the national 
physical framework plan: Provided, That the integration and harmonization of the physical 
framework plans at all levels shall be iterative to ensure that the concerns of both top and  bottom  
levels of government are  considered.  The physical and land use plans prepared at all levels shall 
have internal consistency specifically on, but not limited to, the development,  management and 
conservation of forestlands found within a given territory  and  the  linkages  of  the  major  land  
use  categories  to  ensure  their complementation in the utilization, development and management 
of resources. 
 
 
The NLUC shall issue procedural guidelines which shall guide the formulation and 
integration/harmonization process: Provided, That, National Economic and Development 
Authority (NEDA), Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), Department of Interior 
and Local Government (DILG) and other agencies will continue to issue guidelines on the content 
of the plans consistent with their respective agency mandates. 
 
 
SEC. 6.  City and Municipal Land Use Plans. —The City/Municipal Planning and 
Development Office (C/MPDO), in consultation with concerned sectors through mandatory 
conduct of public hearings, shall prepare the 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.  The CLUP shall be consistent with the PPFDP and shall 
define the city/municipal development vision, appropriate economic, environmental and social 
development policies, densities and transportation system. 
 


The CLUP may be formulated as a component of a Comprehensive Land Use and 
Development Plan (CLUDP), which merges the traditionally separate CLUP and comprehensive 
development plan to address the disconnect between spatial and sectoral factors  and  to  ensure  
the  complementation  between  the  medium-  and  long-term concerns. 
 
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. 7. Provincial Physical Framework and Development Plans (PPFDP). - In 
consultation with concerned sectors, the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) 
shall prepare a Provincial Physical Framework and Development Plan (PPFDP) which shall define 
the province's development vision, economic and social development policies, general land uses, 
and inter-city/municipal transportation system.  The PPFDP shall harmonize the land use plans of 
component cities and municipalities, taking into consideration shared 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 20 of this Act, for review and endorsement to Sangguniang Panlalawigan, which shall 
adopt the same pursuant to Section 468 (2) (vii) of RA 7160 or the Local Government Code. 
 
 
SEC.  8.   Regional Physical Framework Plans.  -  In consultation with concerned sectors, 
the Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC) shall define the desired spatial  arrangement  of  
land-using  activities  in  the  entire  region,  consolidating  and harmonizing the provincial physical 
framework plans of provinces and independent cities within the territorial jurisdiction of the 
region. The regional physical framework plan, which depicts 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. 
 
 
SEC.  9.  National Physical Framework Plan (NPFP).  -The National Land Use 
Commission (NLUC) created in Section 14 herein, in consultation with the concerned sectors 
through the mandatory conduct of public hearings, shall formulate, periodically update and ensure 
the implementation of a national physical framework plan that shall prescribe and influence the 
country's land use and physical development. The NPFP shall operationalize the policies provided 
in this act and will be the basis for adopting land use and physical planning-related guidelines and 
standards, including zoning and other land use control standards that will guide the formulation of 
city/municipal zoning ordinances. 
 
The policies prescribed in the NPFP shall be integrated into the MTPDP and Medium-
Term Philippine Investment Program. 
 
CHAPTER IV 
FRAMEWORK FOR LAND USE PLANNING 
 
 
SEC. 10. Priorities in Land Use Allocation and Planning. -  In projecting spatial  
allocation  for  different  land  uses,  the  LGUs  shall  first  exclude  areas  under protection land 
use of Section 13(a) hereof, national parks, energy resource lands, and prime agricultural lands to 
ensure ecological integrity, energy supply, and promote food security. Areas with prior rights and 
those with site-specific resources for basic services, such as but not limited to, water and 
indigenous energy resources, shall also be excluded. 
 
Spatial allocation and planning shall then proceed in accordance with Sections 12 and 13 
hereof with priorities given to integrated watershed management areas, socialized housing sites, 
fisherfolk settlement in coastal areas, and waste disposal sites. 
 


 
SEC. 11.  Adoption of Multiple Uses of Land Resources. -  The primary and alternative 
uses of a specific land resource shall be determined and evaluated prior to any decision for the 
assignment of its use.  Areas feasible for sustainable land resource 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: Provided, That multiple uses 
of land resources shall be excluded in areas identified as protection land use: Provided, further, 
That such land resources shall be in accordance with priorities in land use allocation and planning 
and that no reclassification shall be allowed. 
 
SEC. 12. 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, the following: 
 
(a) Availability of natural resources including indigenous energy resources for energy 
security and self-sufficiency; 
 
 
(b) Geology, geomorphology, geologic hazard, climate, 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/advancement; 
 
(f) Existing customary rights for the protection of indigenous peoples and vulnerable 
groups including women and urban poor; and 
 
(g) Inventory of prior and existing rights, to harmonize determination of land use. 
 
SEC. 13.  Categories of Land Uses for Planning Purposes.  In determining and defining 
the national, regional and provincial framework plans, and CLUPs, land uses shall be grouped into 
four major functional uses as follows: 
 
(a)    Protection Land Use shall refer to the use of land primarily for food, water and energy 
security, rehabilitation, conservation, and protection purposes for the promotion of the country's 
ecological and life-support systems.  Planning for protection land use intends to achieve food  self-
sufficiency in rice and corn, water and energy security,  environmental  stability  and  ecological  
integrity,  ensure  a  balance  between 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 from  its existing  uses. Areas under this category also include those covered by Republic 
Act No.  7586 or the NIPAS Law 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. Areas outside the coverage of the NIPAS law include, but are not limited to the following: 
 
a .l. Old-growth forests and mossy; 
 
a.2. Areas with more than 50% in slope gradient; 
 


a.3. Mangrove and fish sanctuaries, pursuant to  Republic Act No. 8435 or the 
“Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997” and Republic Act No. 8550 
or “The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998”; 
 
a.4. Buffer zones or strips/easements, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 705, 
amending Presidential Decree No. 389, otherwise known as the “Forestry Reform 
Code of the Philippines” and Presidential Decree No. 1067 or the “Water Code of 
the Philippines”; 
 
a.5. Salvage zones along foreshore areas, freshwater swamps and marshes, plazas 
and heritage/historic sites, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 2146; 
 
a.6. Watersheds supporting domestic water supply; 
 
a.7. Utility easement like transmission lines of power companies, oil and gas 
facilities, cell sites, and domestic water lines; 
 
a.8. Amenity areas or those with high aesthetic values, pursuant to Presidential 
Decree No. 2146; 
 
a.9. Natural and human-made areas/sites of cultural, historical and anthropological 
significance, which are declared as such by internationally recognized 
organizations and concerned national agencies; 
 
a. 10. Critical habitats as provided in Republic Act No. 9147 or the “Wildlife 
Resources Conservation and Protection Act”; 
 
 a.11. Significant caves under Republic Act 9072 or the “National Caves and Cave 
Resources Management and Protection Act”; or 
 
a. 12. Key biodiversity areas under Executive Order 578 Series of 2006 or the 
“National Biodiversity Policy”. 
 
(b)  Production Land Use shall refer to the 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 shall determine 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 comprise 
lands 18% to 50% in slope gradient such as: residual dipterocarps, rangelands for grazing purposes, 
industrial tree plantation/Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA), community based 
forest management areas and other reforestation projects, mineral lands or mining areas and 
reservations, energy resource lands, industrial development areas, and tourism development areas 
where productive activities could be undertaken to meet the country's requirements for food 
security, economic growth and development. 
 
(c) Settlements Development shall refer to any improvement on existing settlements in 
urban and rural areas or any proposed development of certain areas for settlement purposes 
involving the spatial distribution of population, identification of the roles and functions of key 
urban centers, determination of relationships among settlement areas, and the provision of basic 
services and facilities to such settlement. The settlements development plan ensures for the present 
and future generation the following: i) effective integration of activities within and among 
settlements, allowing  efficient movement of people and production of commodities through the 
provision of appropriate land, infrastructure, and facilities; and ii) access of the population to 
housing, education, health care, recreation, transportation and communication, sanitation, and 
basic utilities such as water, power, waste disposal, and other services. 
 


 
(d)  Infrastructure Development shall refer to the availability or supply of basic services 
and fostering of economic and other forms of integration necessary for producing or obtaining the 
material requirements of Filipinos, in an efficient, responsive, safe and ecologically friendly built 
environment. It covers sub-sectors of transportation, communications,  water  resources,  and  
social  infrastructure:  Provided,  That  the determination  of  functional  uses  of  lands  within  
ancestral  domains  shall  consider traditional  resource and management systems that do not 
endanger the lives of the  people and property  of the  local  community and  neighboring  areas or 
increase the vulnerability of the natural environment to the effects of natural and human-induced 
geological processes. 
 
CHAPTER V 
IMPLEMENTING STRUCTURE AND MECHANISMS 
 
Article 1 
National Land Use Commission 
 
 
SEC. 14.  Creation of the National Land Use Commission (NLUC). -  The National Land 
Use Commission, hereinafter referred to as NLUC, is hereby created as a Commission under the 
Office of the President.  It shall exercise the powers and responsibilities of the current National 
Land Use Committee which is hereby abolished. 
 
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 
integrate efforts, monitor developments relating to land use and the evolution of policies. It may 
also establish Regional Offices. 
 
SEC. 15.  Composition of the NLUC. -  The NLUC shall be composed of the following. 
 
 
a)  The President of the Republic of the Philippines as Chairperson; 
 
b)  The Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority 
(NEDA) and Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
as Vice-Chairpersons; 
 
The President may designate from among the two Vice-Chairpersons a Chief 
Executive Officer who shall supervise the day-to-day affairs of the NLUC. 
 
The members shall be; 
 
c)  The Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council 
(HUDCC), the Secretaries of  the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department 
of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the 
Department of Public Works and  Highways (DPWH), the  Department of 
Transportation  (DOTr), the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Department of 
Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the 
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Finance 
(DOF), the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Chairperson of the National 
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); 
 
The Department Secretaries and the Chairperson of the NCIP may designate a 
representative  with  a  rank  not  lower  than  Assistant  Secretary  and  
Commissioner, respectively: Provided, That the designated representative shall be 
on a permanent basis. 
 
d)  A representative each from the Leagues of Provinces, Cities and 
Municipalities; 
 


e)  A representative each from four (4) basic sectors directly involved in land use, 
namely: urban poor, farmer-peasants, fisherfolk, and indigenous peoples who shall 
be appointed  by  the  President  of  the  Philippines  based  on  the  nomination  and 
recommendation  of  the  respective  sectoral  councils  of  the  National  Anti-
Poverty Commission (NAPC).  At least two (2) sectoral representatives shall be 
women; 
 
f)  Two (2) representatives from  private subdivisions, and housing developers; 
and 
 
g)  Two  (2)  representatives  from  the  accredited  association  of  professionals 
dealing on land use such as but not limited to urban and regional planners, 
environmental planners, architects, geologists and geodetic engineers; 
 
A consultative body shall likewise be convened by the NLUC at least once a year 
or as often as may be necessary.  It shall be composed of representatives from the 
Leagues of Municipalities, Cities, and Provinces, other government agencies not 
represented in the NLUC, and from non-government sectors such as the private 
sector, non-government organizations (NGOs) and people's organizations (POs) 
and the academic community. 
 
SEC. 16.  Powers and Functions. -  The NLUC shall have the following powers and 
functions: 
 
a)  Advise the President of the Philippines and the NEDA Board on all matters concerning 
land use and physical planning; 
 
 
b) Integrate and harmonize all laws, guidelines and policies relevant to land use and 
physical planning to come up with a 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 Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC), created under Section 21 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 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 Regional Land Use Policy Council (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.  17.   NLUC TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT (NLUC-TS).  -  A Technical Secretariat 
shall be created to provide technical support to the NLUC. It shall be headed by an Executive 
Director and composed of: 
 
 
a. Representatives of the member agencies/institutions of the NLUC, who shall have a 
rank not lower than Director level; and 
 
 
b. The representatives of NLUC members as enumerated in Section 15 (d), (e) and (g) of 
this Act. 
 
SEC.  18.  The NLUC Technical Secretariat Executive Director.  — The Executive 
Director shall supervise the operations of the NLUC Technical Secretariat and assist the NLUC 
Chairperson or his/her designated CEO. 
 
In the absence of the CEO, he shall preside over the meetings of the NLUC-TS. He shall 
also perform such other functions as may be tasked by the Chairperson or CEO-Vice Chairperson. 
 
SEC. 19.  Offices, Units and Staff Support. -  The Policy And Planning Unit of the HLURB 
shall be the core secretariat of the NLUC.  The Staff in the HLURB Policy and Planning Unit and 
NEDA Regional Development Office who opted to transfer to the NLUC shall be given priority 
without diminution in rank and remuneration.  The staffing pattern shall be drafted by the NLUC 
in coordination with the DBM and Civil Service Commission. 
 
Other government agencies may also be called upon for staff support. 
 
Article 2 
Local Development Councils as Local Land Use Policy Councils 
 
SEC.  20.   City/Municipal Land Use Policy Council (C/MLUPC).  -   The City/Municipal 
Development Council (C/MDC), created under Section 106 of the Local Government Code, shall 


act as the City/Municipal Land use Policy Council (C/MLUPC) that will tackle land use concerns 
whenever necessary.  A duly authorized representative from the DAR, the DENR and the DA shall 
be included in the composition of the C/MLUPC. 
 
In addition to the functions enumerated in Section 109 of the LGC, 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; and 
 
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. 
 
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. 
 
Local government units without operational C/MDC as mandated by the 1991 LGC shall 
activate their respective Councils within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act. 
 
SEC. 21. Provincial Land Use Policy Council (PLUPC). - The Provincial Development 
Council (PDC), created under Section 106 of the LGC, shall act as the Provincial Land Use Policy 
Council that will tackle land use concerns whenever necessary. A duly authorized representative 
from the DENR, DAR and the DA shall be included in the composition of the PLUPC. 
 
In addition to the functions enumerated in Section 109 of the LGC, 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 Provincial Planning and 
Development Office and other land use and physical planning-related policies; 
 
c. Assist the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in reviewing the CLUPs of component 
cities/municipalities to ensure consistency with the provincial physical framework plans and 
compliance with the limits prescribed under the 1991 LGC for reclassifying agricultural lands; and 
 
d. Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, and allocation 
that may arise between or among cities/municipalities and any unresolved land use conflicts at the 
city/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. 


 
SEC. 22. Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC). - At the regional level, the 
Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC) shall be institutionalized, replicating the NLUC 
structure and composition which shall include a duly authorized representative from the NEDA, 
the DENR, DA and the DAR.  The RLUPC shall have the following functions: 
 
a. Formulate and adopt regional policies on land use and physical planning; 
 
b. Prepare and periodically update a regional physical framework plan, taking into 
consideration national 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 to the regional plans; 
 
d. Review, prior to adoption by respective Sanggunians, the provincial physical framework 
plan and CLUPs of highly urbanized and independent component cities to ensure consistency with 
the regional physical framework plan and national policies set forth by LUPC and compliance with 
limits prescribed under the 1991 LGC for reclassifying agricultural lands; 
 
e. Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, and allocation  
that  may  arise  between  or  among  regional  line  agencies,  provinces  and cities/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 LUPC. 
 
Article 3 
Adoption, Approval and Review of Land Use Plans 
 
SEC.  23.  Component Cities and Municipalities. - Component cities and municipalities 
shall have the power and authority to adopt and approve their respective CLUPs and ZOs through 
their respective Sanggunians subject to the power of review of their respective provinces only with 
respect to the consistency of the CLUPs and ZOs with Section 8 hereof on the preparation of the 
provincial physical framework plan. Upon adoption and approval of the CLUP and ZO by the 
Sanggunian, all land areas zoned for residential purposes or for settlements development shall 
cease to be covered by the CARP and therefore, shall not be required to secure further order of 
land conversion or exemption  certificates  from  the  DAR,  except  for  the  payment  of  
disturbance compensation if applicable, as well as the requirements pertaining to the issuance of 
environmental compliance certificate (ECC) by the DENR. 
 
SEC.  24.   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, ZOs 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 22 of 
this Act. 
 
Article 4 
Responsibilities of the National Government Agencies and LGUs 
 


SEC. 25.  National Base Mapping Program. -  A national mapping program shall be 
implemented, coordinated, and monitored through the creation of an Inter- agency Technical 
Committee (UC) composed of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority 
(NAMRIA), as the lead agency, the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), the Forest 
Management Bureau (FMB), the Land Management Bureau  (LMB),  the  Protected  Areas  and  
Wildlife  Bureau  (PAWB),  the  Mines  and Geosciences  Bureau  (MGB),  the  Philippine  Institute  
of Volcanology  and  Seismology (PHIVOLCS), DAR, the National Water Resources Board 
(NWRB), DOE, NEDA and other concerned government agencies/bureaus. The UC 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 endeavor to finish their base mapping 
program within two (2) years 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 
national physical framework plan pursuant to Section 5 of this Act. 
 
SEC. 26.  National Geo-hazard Mapping Program. -  Within thirty (30) days from the 
effectivity of this  Act, a nationwide geo-hazard  mapping  program shall  be  initiated jointly thru 
the NLUC by the PHIVOLCS, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and  Astronomical  
Services  Administration  (PAGASA),  the  NAMRIA,  the  Mines  and Geosciences Bureau 
(MGB), BSWM, and DOE, in coordination with the National Disaster Risk  Reduction  and  
Management  Council  (NDRRMC),  the  Regional  Disaster  Risk Reduction  and  Management  
Council  (RDRRMC),  and  other  concerned  government agencies. The program shall include the 
generation of indicative geo-hazard zoning maps that will outline areas in the Philippines which 
are prone to liquefaction, landslides, severe flooding,  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 geo-hazard 
zoning maps in their respective CLUPs.  Said geo-hazard maps shall serve as guide for all the 
LGUs in the preparation of their own hazards-constrained development plans. The national 
framework physical planning, pursuant to Section 5 hereof, shall incorporate these geo-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.  27.   Scope and Nature of Responsibilities of Other National Government 
Agencies. -  All concerned national government agencies/bodies shall periodically report to the 
NLUC on the various activities and accomplishments relative to land use.  Likewise, they shall 
provide their respective sectoral/development plans and render technical and administrative 
support if called upon by the NLUC relative to the implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
 
SEC. 28.  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 VI 
SPECIAL AREAS OF CONCERN 
 
Article I 
Agricultural Lands 
 


SEC. 29.  Priority Areas for Agricultural Development. - Priority areas for agricultural 
development shall be those agricultural areas covered under Republic Act No. 6657 or the CARP, 
as amended, and those covered under Network of Protected Areas for Agricultural and Agro-
Industrial Development (NPAAAD), defined in Section 4 of this Act and in R.A. No. 8435 or the 
“Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act”. 
 
SEC. 30. Conversion of Agricultural Lands. - Agricultural lands are deemed converted to 
non-agricultural uses upon approval by the DAR of the application for conversion. Prime 
agricultural lands and specific types of lands to the extent necessary for attaining  food  self-
sufficiency  in  rice  and  corn  and  food  security  in  other  basic commodities, as determined by 
the DA, subject to mandatory consultation with the LCDs, the private sector, the NGOs, and POs, 
shall be protected from  conversion, which shall include but not limited to  areas under the  
NPAAAD:  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 seven (7) 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 CARP, all lands subject to CARP including 
those lands covered under the notice of compulsory acquisition/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 R.A.  
No.  9700 or “CARP Extension” shall apply: Provided, furthermore, That the conversion of 
agricultural lands for use of 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 AFMA shall 
be completed within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act. 
 
Lands defined under Section 10 of R.A.  No. 6657 shall remain exempted and excluded from the 
coverage of CARP. 
 
SEC. 31.  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 the LGC 
of 1991 shall exclude the protected agricultural lands as stated in the preceding section. Moreover,   
such sub-classification/reclassification is not synonymous to conversion.  The DA and DAR shall 
provide the LGUs with complete list and maps of protected agricultural lands within their 
territorial jurisdictions. 
 
Article 2 
Forest Lands and Watershed Management 
 
SEC. 32. 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. 
Thereafter, said lands shall be included in the preparation of land use plans within forestlands. 
 
 
SEC. 33.  Critical Watershed Areas. - The DENR, in coordination with the DA, LGUs, 
and other government agencies, including government-owned and-controlled corporations, and 
with mandatory public consultations, shall identify and delineate critical watershed areas that need 
to be protected, rehabilitated, enhanced, and/or withdrawn from uses that contribute to their further 
degradation. 
 
 
SEC. 34.   Formulation and Implementation of Integrated Watershed Management 
Plans. -   In the absence of a law on the protection and sustainable management of our forests, the 
LGUs through their local land use committees and upon mandatory consultations with the 
concerned sectors, and with the assistance of DENR, shall prepare their watershed management 
plans which shall be integrated with their respective CLUPs. The formulation and integration of 


the plan shall be guided, among others, by the principle that the management and development of 
inland water resources shall be at the watershed level. A nationwide mapping of watersheds in the 
country shall be implemented. 
 
In cases where the watershed areas transcend the boundaries of a particular municipality, 
an inter-LGU committee composed of representatives from local land use committees of the LGUs 
where the watershed area is located shall be formed. With the assistance of the DENR and upon 
mandatory consultations with the concerned sectors, the inter-LGU committee shall formulate the 
watershed management plan for the said watershed area. 
 
 
The  DENR  and  the  concerned  LGUs  shall  jointly  implement  the  watershed 
management  plan  subject  to  regular  consultations  with  and  involvement  of  the community 
and other stakeholders in the implementation of the plan. 
 
The preparation of forest land use plans shall make use of the watershed as the basic 
planning unit. 
 
Article 3 
Coastal Zone 
 
SEC. 35.  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 production 
and shall not be converted to other uses; 
 
b) 
Areas which meet all accepted criteria on elevation, soil type, soil depth, 
topography,  supply  for  successful  fishpond  development,  and  are  not  identified  as mangrove 
protected areas, shall be utilized for aquaculture purposes; 
 
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 HUDCC. 
 
e) 
Areas which are neither sub-classified as mangrove, fisherfolk settlement nor 
fishpond  may  be devoted  to  recreational  or tourism  purposes:  Provided, That such undertaking  
will  not  result  in environmental  degradation  and  displacement of small fishers; 
 
f) 
Areas  which  are  considered  as  traditional  fishing  grounds  shall  be  used 
primarily for such purpose; 
 
g) 
Areas which have been allocated for small infrastructure needed by fisherfolk shall 
be allowed; and 
 
h) 
Areas which form part of foreshore lands as defined in this Act including those 
which are under lease agreements or arrangements shall undergo zoning and evaluation to 
determine their boundaries and actual sizes and corresponding uses. 
 
SEC. 36.  Coastal Land Zone Sub-classification.  -  All public lands in the coastal zones 
shall be sub-classified into any of the following: estuaries, lagoons, inter- tidal flats, mudflats, 


fishponds, mangroves, protection from tidal surge, for preservation of biodiversity, habitats and 
sanctuaries for endangered wildlife, fisherfolk settlement, or recreational/tourism areas.  No sub-
classification of coastal zones to different uses shall be done without the following: 
 
a) 
Conduct of a comprehensive resource and environmental assessment by the DENR 
and respective LCDs and accredited NGOs and POs within their jurisdiction; and 
b) 
Prior consultation with the Local Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management 
Councils (FARMCs) formed under Republic Act No. 8550 or the “Philippine Fisheries Code”. 
 
SEC.  37. Zoning of Foreshore Areas.  – Local government units, 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.  38.  Protection of Waterways Easements and Flood Plains. - Structures of any kind 
shall not be built in waterways easements. Pursuant to PD 1067 or the “Water Code”, the banks of 
rivers and streams and the shores of the seas and lakes throughout their entire length and within a 
zone of three (3) meters in urban areas, twenty (20) meters in agricultural areas and forty (40) 
meters in forest areas, along their margins, are subject to the easement of public use only in the 
interest of recreation, navigation, floatage, fishing and salvage. 
 
The protection of flood plains shall adopt a river basin management approach in order to 
come up with integrated flood mitigation interventions. Development within flood plains and other 
flood-prone areas must be controlled or, if allowed, must be so sited, constructed and serviced that 
life of occupants are not put at risk and that disruptions during floods are minimal. The 
identification and characterization of flood-prone areas and flood plains shall be an integral part 
of CLUP preparation. Through the CLUPs and zoning ordinances, LGUs shall establish land use 
regulations to mitigate flood risks. 
 
The DPWH, in coordination with DOST and DENR, shall declare flood control areas, as 
necessary, and prohibit or control activities that could damage or cause deterioration of lakes and 
dikes, obstruct the flow of water, change the natural flow of rivers, increase  flood losses or 
aggravate flood problems pursuant to PD 1067. 
 
Article 4 
Mineral Lands 
 
SEC. 39.  Criteria for the Utilization and Allocation of Land for Mining Purposes. - 
Consistent with Section 6 of this Act and the provisions of Republic Act No. 7942 or the “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 for more than five (5) 
years as determined by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) shall be placed under 
appropriate surface management by the DENR; and 
 
d) 
Consistent with the Mining Act of 1995, areas closed to mining operations shall 
be periodically reviewed through mineral exploration to be undertaken by the DENR for the 
purpose of determining whether or not their continued closure is consistent with the national 
interest and, if warranted, recommend their reclassification as mineral lands. 


 
e) 
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 (OCT), transfer certificate of title 
(TCT), certificate of ancestral domain title (CADT), emancipation patent-certificate of land 
ownership award (EP-CLOA) and other instruments. If these be present, no mining activity shall 
be conducted. 
 
SEC. 40. 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 LGU's, 
the Department of Tourism (DOT), and other national government agencies. 
 
Article 5 
Energy Resource Lands 
 
SEC. 41. 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 for said purposes shall be guided by the following, 
consistent with existing regulations and laws on energy resources: 
 
a) 
Indigenous energy resource exploration and development for the purpose of a 
National Energy Resource Inventory and Data Base as well as Energy Resource Block Map shall 
be allowed subject to the implementation of complementary watershed and other land management 
plans; 
 
b) 
Indigenous energy resource exploration, development, production, utilization, and 
distribution shall be subject to the appropriate requirements and processes of the Philippine 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) system. Each project shall secure an Environmental 
Compliance Certificate (ECC) prior to project implementation to ensure adequate and appropriate 
environmental management measures and optimum methods for resource access and recovery are 
utilized; and 
 
c) 
Energy reservations or portions thereof which have become or have been 
established to be non-economically viable to operate or are no longer used for energy purposes 
shall be released to give way to other land uses, subject to existing laws covering energy 
reservations. 
 
SEC. 42. Reversion of Energy Resource Lands. - All exhausted indigenous energy 
resource lands not covered by proclamations shall automatically revert to the category of 
forestlands or agricultural lands open to disposition, whichever is appropriate. Exhausted energy 
resource lands shall refer to specific energy resource sites whose energy reserves of the desired 
type/s are no longer in sufficient quantity or quality to justify additional expenditure for their 
extraction and utilization. 
 
CHAPTER VII 
SETTLEMENTS DEVELOPMENT 
 
SEC. 43.  Town, City, and Settlements Development. -  The development of town, city, 
and settlements through the zoning ordinances of cities and municipalities shall be guided by 
CLUPs and urban zoning standards designed to maximize existing urban spaces.  Socialized 
housing and settlement areas shall be established only on alienable and disposable lands in order 
to avoid further degradation of forestlands. 


 
SEC. 44. Settlements with in Geo-hazard Areas. - Settlements, in particular housing or 
residential developments, within geo-hazard areas may be allowed. Provided, That mitigating 
and/or protective measures are adopted to address the potential danger or risk to lives and property 
within such settlements.  In coordination with the concerned agencies of the government, the 
LUPC 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 be considered as outside the geo-hazard 
areas. For this purpose, housing projects within such areas shall be exempt from the ECC as well 
as the Engineering Geological and Geohazard Assessment Report (EGGAR)  and  maybe  
implemented  without  the  need  for  any  further  certificate  of  exemption from the DENR or 
any other government regulatory agency. 
 
 
SEC. 45.  Designation of Sanitary Landfill. -  Each city or municipality shall identify, 
designate and allocate an area within their territorial jurisdiction to serve as sanitary  landfill  within  
one  (1)  year  from  the  effectivity  of this  Act.  The LGUs, in coordination with the DENR or 
any other competent authority, shall identify sanitary landfill in order to fast-track the conduct of 
environmental impact assessment study and to facilitate processing of the environmental 
compliance certificate.  The site or area shall be identified in the city or municipality's CLUP.  For 
this purpose, cities and municipalities shall establish their solid waste management program, 
pursuant to R.A.  No.  9003, otherwise known as the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 
2000”. Likewise, as provided under Section 33 of the LGC, cities and municipalities may, through 
appropriate ordinances, bind themselves towards the establishment of a common solid waste 
management program.  
 
 
Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DENR, in coordination with 
concerned agencies, shall promulgate the necessary guidelines and standards for the formulation 
and establishment of solid waste management programs by cities and municipalities, and shall 
submit the same to the LUPC for review and approval. 
 
SEC. 46. Designation and Zoning of Socialized Housing Zones. - Each 4 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 land for the housing needs of the local population, the CLUP shall be updated, at maximum, 
every ten (10) 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 36 (b) of this Act. 
 
The housing or residential lands designated in the CLUPS and ZOs 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 are no longer economically feasible for agricultural use may be subject to land 
reclassification or conversion to housing/residential purposes and such conversion, as the case may 
be, shall be exempt from the coverage of any moratorium on land conversion. 
 
SEC. 47.  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. 
 


CHAPTER VIII 
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS 
 
SEC. 48.  Criteria for Designating Industrial Development Areas. -  The identification 
and establishment of industrial development areas shall conform with the provisions of R. A. 
No.7916, or the “Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Act”, R.A. No. 6657 or the 
“Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, (CARP) Act”, as amended by R.A.  No. 9700 or the 
“Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Extension and Reforms Act (CARPER)”, R.A. 
8371 or the “Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA)”, R.A. No. 7279 or the “Urban Development 
Housing Act (UDHA)”, and R.A.  No.  8435 or the “Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act 
(AFMA)”, taking into consideration the following: 
 
a) 
Identified network of areas for agricultural development and protected agricultural 
areas pursuant to the AFMA; 
 
b) 
National policies on the regional dispersal of industries and agri-based industrial 
development; 
 
c) 
Identified growth areas and corridors in the National Development Plan; 
 
d) 
National Protected Areas System (NIPAS) and non-NIPAS areas that require 
protection; 
 
e) 
National and Urban Development and Housing Framework; 
 
f) 
Identified Socialized Housing Zones; and 
 
g) 
National framework for physical planning and other existing national programs and 
policies. 
 
The designated industrial development areas shall become an integral part of the land use 
plan and zoning ordinance of the city or municipality where these areas are located. 
 
CHAPTER IX 
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND HERITAGE AREAS 
 
SEC. 49.  Designating Tourism Development Areas. -  The identification, selection, and 
development of tourism development areas, tourism estates and tourism enterprise zones (TEZs) 
shall be done in consultation and coordination with the concerned LGUs, the Tourism 
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and concerned national government 
agencies, the private sector, and the affected communities, subject to the provisions of R.A. No. 
9593 or “Tourism Act of 2009”. Tourism development areas shall likewise include those covered 
by legislative and executive issuances as tourist spots, tourist zones and tourism ecozones which 
can be developed into tourism estates or integrated resort, leisure and recreation complexes and 
other tourism-related facilities as well as those identified in the national, regional and inter-
regional tourism, and area specific tourism master plans and other sector plans such as ecotourism 
and agri-tourism sites. Designated areas for tourism development shall become part of the CLUPs 
of the cities or municipalities where these are located. 
 
Lands identified as part of a TEZ shall qualify for exemption from the coverage of RAs 
7279 and 6657 subject to rules and regulations to be crafted by the TIEZA, HUDCC and DAR: 
Provided, That a certificate shall be obtained from the DA that said lands are no longer 
economically feasible and sound for agricultural purposes, consistent with Section 46(c) of this 
Act. 
 
SEC.  50.   Identification and Declaration of Areas for Protection, Conservation and 
Preservation of Cultural Heritage. - Pursuant to R. A.  No. 10066, the “National Historical 


Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Act” and/or the National Museum in coordination with 
National Commission for Culture and the Arts, HLURB and other  concerned  agencies,  local  
communities,  and  the  private  sector,  shall  identify declared areas and structures which shall be 
protected and/or preserved as part of the Philippine cultural heritage. 
 
The LCDs in coordination with the NHCP, the National Commission for Culture and Arts 
(NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) shall designate historical zones to 
protect the historical integrity of said geographical areas and cultural space of intangible cultural 
properties. 
 
CHAPTER X 
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT 
 
SEC. 51. 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 
concerned national government agencies, LGUs, and the private sector shall  identify and  
periodically review,  update and/or revise the  list of priority infrastructure projects subject to 
Sections 6 and 30 of this Act, and Section 47 of R. A. No.  8435 or AFMA.   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 economy with priority 
on improving rural infrastructure and the development of the agriculture and fisheries sectors; 
 
(b) 
Upgrade existing facilities to international standards; 
 
(c) 
Address the need for sustainable settlements development; and, 
 
(d) 
Help mitigate the destructive effects of natural disaster-causing phenomena or those 
that shall serve as alternatives to existing infrastructures found in natural hazard- prone areas: 
Provided, That the provision and implementation of infrastructure support shall  be  made  
compatible  with  existing  environmental  conditions  and  the  physical, whether natural or human-
made, and cultural character of the area.  Mandatory public consultations pursuant to existing laws 
and regulations shall be held prior to the conduct of all infrastructure projects that will necessarily 
involve dislocation or displacement of people in the area: Provided, further, That the proponent of 
the infrastructure project shall follow the rules on just and humane eviction or demolition under 
Section 28 of R.A.  No.  7279 or  the  “Urban  Development  Housing  Act  (UDHA)”,  
notwithstanding  the provisions of Republic Act No. 8975, prohibiting  lower courts from  issuing 
temporary restraining orders,  preliminary injunctions, or preliminary mandatory injunctions, and 
proponent shall follow IPRA: Provided, finally, That national government infrastructure projects 
shall allocate budget for the adequate relocation of displaced communities. 
 
SEC. 52.  Infrastructure Projects Within Geo-hazard Areas.-  Construction of priority 
infrastructure projects within hazard-prone areas shall be allowed: Provided, That  mitigating  
and/or  preventive  measures  are  adopted  to  address  the  potential adverse economic, socio-
cultural, and environmental impacts that will emanate from these infrastructure projects, subject 
to the findings and recommendations of a feasibility study/environmental  impact assessment in 
accordance with  Presidential  Decree  No. 1586,  “Establishing  An  Environmental  Impact  
Statement  System,  Including  Other Environmental Management Related Measures”,  and  R. A.  
No. 4846 or the “Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act”, as amended by Presidential 
Decree 374. 
 
Existing projects that did not go through the process of an environmental impact 
assessment and pose threats to the environment, integrity of historic, archeological, or 
scientifically significant areas;  or are  impinging  on  critical  ecosystems,  may be:  (a) terminated 
immediately, (b) required to implement an Environmental Management Plan; (c) gradually 
phased-out and relocated, or (d) maintained up to their life span, subject, however,  to  mitigating  


measures:  Provided, That  the  rules  on  mandatory  public consultations and just and humane 
eviction or demolition shall also be observed prior to the termination, gradual phase-out, or 
relocation of projects that will necessarily involve dislocation or displacement of people in the 
area. 
 
CHAPTER XI 
TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND VALUES FORMATION 
 
SEC. 53. Values Formation. - In order to create a well-informed, responsible and 
committed citizenry who values the protection, conservation and development of the country's 
limited land, and other physical resources, the State shall mandate the inclusion of sustainable  land  
use education  or any subject related  thereto  in the curricula  of primary, secondary and tertiary 
education. 
 
SEC. 54. Information and Education Campaign. - The NLUC shall undertake a 
nationwide education information campaign in land use and physical planning to be implemented 
by local and national government agencies.  The DILG and concerned agencies shall formulate 
and implement a land use management capability-building program for national and local 
government officials, community leaders, NGOs, POs, religious sector, and the general public: 
Provided, That it shall be mandatory for local government officials involved in the preparation of 
CLUPS and PPFDP, including the municipal, city and provincial development officer to attend 
the Land Use Management Capability-Building Program. 
 
CHAPTER X II 
INCENTIVES, SANCTIONS, AND PENALTIES 
 
Article 1 
Incentives and Awards 
 
SEC. 55.  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 nine (9) years; and 
 
(b) 
Component cities and municipalities once every nine (9) years. 
 
SEC. 56.  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. 
 
Article 2 
Sanctions and Penalties 
 
SEC.  57. Fine for Non-Completion and Non-Commencement of Development of 
Agricultural Lands with Approved Order of Conversion. -  A landowner and his/her designated 
developer or duly authorized representative who fails to commence and/or complete the 
development of agricultural lands with approved order of conversion shall be penalized, jointly or 
severally, with any of the following fines based on the zonal value of the land at the time the fine 
is imposed: 
 
a. 
On failure to commence within one 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 by the DAR 
through compulsory acquisition for distribution to qualified beneficiaries. 
 
b. 
On failure to complete fifty percent (50%) of the approved conversion plan within 
a specified time frame.  Fifty percent (50%) of the zonal value of the subject land and  the  
revocation  of the  conversion  plan  on  the  undeveloped  portion which  shall automatically revert 
to its original use as agricultural land. The same shall be covered under the CARP and processed 
for land distribution as soon as possible. 
 
 
SEC. 58. Authority to Impose Fine. - The DAR shall impose the penalty provided for 
under the preceding section. 
 
SEC. 59.  Withdrawal of Local Development Permits or Licenses. -  Upon receipt of 
notice from the DAR, the concerned agencies and the city or municipality shall withdraw or revoke 
any development permit and other licenses that may be necessary to develop the agricultural land 
subject of conversion. 
 
SEC. 60. Utilization of Fines. - The fines collected under Sections 57, 62 and 63 hereof 
shall automatically accrue to the Agrarian Reform Fund consistent with the provisions of the 
CARP, as amended. 
 
SEC. 61.  Failure to Formulate, Enforce, and /or Implement the CLUPs. - Consistent 
with due process, the DILG shall investigate, review, and impose appropriate action regarding 
local chief executives and other local officials and employees responsible for the formulation, 
enforcement, and/or implementation of the CLUPs in case of any of the following: 
 
(a) 
Failure to implement and enforce the CLUP due to negligence of duty; 
 
(b) 
Failure to   provide appropriate budgetary allocation  to  effect  its implementation; 
and, 
 
(c) 
Failure to complete the preparation of the CLUP despite the availability of funds, 
resources, and support by the Sanggunian concerned. 
 
Any public official or employee, regardless of whether elected or appointed or holding 
office or employment in a casual, temporary, holdover, permanent, or regular capacity, found to 
be responsible for any of the foregoing acts, after due notice and hearing by the appropriate body 
or agency, shall be punished with forfeiture of salaries and allowances and suspension from: 
 
1.   Six (6) to nine (9) months, in case of non-implementation of CLUP; or 
 
2.   Three (3) to six (6) months, in case of non-completion of the CLUP. 
 
SEC. 62.  Person(s) A betting Illegal Conversion. - Any person initiating, causing, 
inducing, or abetting illegal conversion shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned from seven (7) to 
twelve (12) years and imposed a fine of not less than One hundred thousand (P100,000,00) 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 58 of this Act. 
 
SEC. 63.  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 of protected agricultural areas into non- agricultural uses and 
exceeding the limits set forth under Section 20 of the LGC of 1991, shall be penalized with 
imprisonment of twelve (12) years and a fine of not less than One hundred thousand (P100,000.00) 
pesos, or both at the discretion of the Court: Provided, That if the offender is a public official or 
employee, the penalty shall, in addition thereto, include dismissal through permanent separation 
from the service, whether elected or appointed, and forfeiture of entitlements accruing to the public 
position, and perpetual disqualification to run or apply for any elective or appointive public 
position: Provided, further, That if the offender is a juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed 
on the president, chief executive officer, manager, chairperson  and all the members of the board, 
and other responsible officers thereof 
 
SEC. 64.  Payment of Disturbance Compensation. - Following the order of priority as 
enumerated in Section 22 of the CARP, as amended, qualified beneficiaries such as agricultural  
lessees and share tenants,  regular farm  workers,  seasonal farm workers, other farm workers, 
actual tillers or occupants of public lands, collective, or cooperative of the above-mentioned 
beneficiaries, and others directly working on the land affected  by agricultural land use conversion 
shall be entitled to 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. 
 
CHAPTER X III 
TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS 
 
SEC. 65.  Convening of the NLUC. -  Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this 
Act, the President shall convene the NLUC. 
 
SEC. 66.  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.  Said rules and regulations shall be submitted to the Congressional 
Oversight Committee for approval. 
 
SEC. 67. Congressional Oversight Committee on the Land Use Act. - There is hereby 
created a Congressional Oversight Committee which shall monitor the implementation of this Act. 
It shall be composed of seven (7) members from the Senate Committee on Environment and 
Natural Resources and seven (7) members from the House of Representatives Committees on 
Natural Resources.  The Chairpersons of the Senate  Committee  on  Environment  and  Natural  
Resources  and  the  House  of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources shall be the Chair 
and Co-Chair of the Congressional Oversight Committee, respectively.  The other members from 
the Senate shall be appointed by the Senate President based on proportional representation of the 
parties or coalitions therein with at least one (1) senator representing the minority. The other 
members from the House of Representatives shall be appointed by the Speaker also based on 
proportional representation of the parties or coalitions therein with at least one (1) member 
representing the minority. 
 
 
The secretariat of the Oversight Committee shall be drawn from the existing secretariat 
personnel of the committees comprising the oversight and the funding shall be taken from the 
appropriations of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. 


 
SEC. 68.  Appropriations.  -The appropriations for the National Land Use Commission 
shall be taken from the budget of the Office of the President in the General Appropriations Act in 
the year following the effectivity of this Act and shall be used to carry out the initial operation of 
the National Land Use Commission.   Thereafter, additional sums as may be necessary for the full 
implementation of NLUC's functions shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
 
SEC. 69. Review of Existing Land Use Plans.  - Provinces, cities, and municipalities with 
existing land use plans shall review, revise, reconcile, and harmonize the same with the guidelines 
and standards set forth under this Act within three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act. 
 
 
SEC. 70.  Repealing Clause.  - All republic acts, executive orders, rules and regulations,  
and  other  issuances,  or  parts  thereof,  that  are  inconsistent  with the provisions of this Republic 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
 
SEC. 71.  Non-impairment Clause. -  Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to diminish, 
impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or available to marginalized or basic sectors under 
existing laws including but not limited to Republic Act Nos. 7279, 6657, 8371, and 8550. 
 
SEC. 72.  Separability Clause. -  If for any reason or reasons, any part or provision of this 
Act shall be declared or held to be unconstitutional or invalid other parts or provisions hereof, 
which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 73. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,