NINETEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Honorable Rufus B, Rodrigue

House Bill ne,_3007_
EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was filed during the 17" Congress and was approved by the House of
Representatives, It was re-filed in the 18" Congress but remained pending in the Committee.

Land is the most tangible and limited resource of any country. It is similarly the most
valuable commodity prized by its citizenry and most controversial because not every person
can have access to land. In the Philippines, the country's 30 milion hectares of land is
shared by the country’s more than 80 milion Filipinos. However, not all Filipinos have
access to these lands much more own any land. Thus, it is imperative that our country's land
resources are effectively and equitably managed not only by the State and its agencies but
atso by its people for the sake of generations to come.

Because land is a major resource of a country and its people, the utilization of our
land resources for national and local development is crucial to maximize the benefits derived
from utilization, management and ownership of land. The responsibility of ensuring that the
benefits accruing to the country’s land resources rests with the national and local
governments. In the case of the national government, it is the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) that is mandated to administer, conserve, protect and
Manage almost 15.88 million hectares of forestlands or 52.9% of the country’s total land
area.

Likewise, the DENR, through the Land Management Bureau (LMB), is further
mandated to dispose and issue tittles to another 6 million hectares of untitied lands that have
been released and classified as alienable and disposable (A&D) lands. On the other hand,
the Land Registration Authority (LRA) is responsible for the registration of issued titles
released by the DENR or judicially decreed lands totaling another 6 million hectares.
However, both agencies operate on totaily different ‘system of records, information and
document management systems and are guided by outdated legal mandates (e.g, Public
Land Act of 1936, Land Registration Act of 1902 and Property Registration Decree of 1978)
‘that are not anymore attuned to present day conditions of land administration in the
Philippines.

On the other hand, local government units (LGUs) are the key field managers of land
resources for both public and private lands. Whilst the DENR and LRA have specific
mandates on the over-all administration of public and private lands, LGUs exercise direct
administration, preservation, utlization and allocation of land uses and resources at the local
levels, In this regard, LGUs have a big stake in the effective and efficient management of
fand resources in their localities because a large part of the local revenues generated by
LGUs in their localities come from income from real property taxes and land related
transactions such as transfer taxes

A Joint study by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) and the National
Tax Research Center (NTRC) of the Department of Finance, reported that for the period


2000-2005, LGUs lost some PhP 9.5 billion yearly due to poor collection efficiency of local
property taxes. Among key reasons cited for the poor collection of RPT among LGUs are
inefficient collection systems, understated values of assessed real properties compared to
real market values and local economic development. It is no wonder that many LGUs are
dependent on national revenue transfers, particularly the yearly internal revenue allotments
(IRA), because RPT collection which should be the main source of local revenues is a mere
12.5% of the total revenues generated by LGUs.

It is fervently prayed and admonished that the proposed National Land Use and
Management Act be urgently and readily passed into law so that our future generations of
Filipinos will not have to suffer the negligence and distress suffered by our parents and
ancestors. We can remedy this malady

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested.

}. ROD! EZ

phy
nun ley,


NINETEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Reguler Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez a
House Bill No.3007
AN ACT

INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE AND MANAGEMENT POLICY, PROVIDING THE
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

CHAPTER |
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Title. ~ This Act shall be known and cited as the “National Land Use and
Management Act of the Philippines”

‘SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies and Principles. ~ It is the policy of the State to:

a. Provide for a rational, holistic and just allocation, utilization, management, and
development of the country's land and water resources so that their use is consistent with
the principles of equity, social justice, environmental integrity and sustainable development
for the common good:

b. Hold owners and users of land responsible for developing and conserving their
lands thereby making these productive and supportive of sustainable development and
environmental stability in accordance with the principle that the use of land bears a social
function and that ali economic agents shall contribute to the common good;

¢. Treat groups of islands, including parts of islands, interconnecting waters and other
natural features which are so closely interrelated, as forming an intrinsic geographical,
economic and polttical entity, or which historically have been regarded as such entity:

4. Strengthen the capacity of the focal government units (LGUs) to manage and
maintain ecological balance within their territorial jurisdiction, in partnership with the national
government, in accordance with the Philippine Constitution and Republic Act No. 7160 or the
Local Government Code of 1991.

Towards this end, the State shall institutionalize land use and physical planning as @
mechanism for identifying, determining, and evaluating appropriate land use and allocation
patterns that promote and ensure:

1) Maintenance and preservation of environmental integrity and stability;

2) Sustainable and just management and utilization of natural resources;

3) Disaster risk reduction and climate risk-based planning;

4) Protection of prime agricultural lands for food security, with emphasis on self-
‘sufficiency through efficient and sustainable use of land resources consistent with the

finciples of sound agricultural development, natural resources development, and agrarian
reform;

5) Protection and conservation of the country's natural heritage, permanent forest
lands, natural forests, critical watersheds and key biodiversity areas to ensure adequate
forest cover to maintain ecological processes in the country;

6) Sustainable development and management of water resources;

7) Settlements, transportation and other infrastructure development in support of
inclusive growth and rural, urban and regional development;


8) Improved access to affordable housing by increasing the supply thereof through
direct allocation, better access to unutilized lands, and increased production of multiple use
and higher density projects, where appropriate;

9) Respect for and protection of the traditional resource right of the indigenous
‘Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) to their ancestral domains; compliance
with free and prior informed consent of ICCs/IPs: and recognition of customary laws and
traditional resource use and management, knowledge, and practices in ancestral domains;

10) Equitable access to land through State intervention that guarantees its affordability
to the basic disadvantaged sectors defined under Republic Act No. 8425 or the Social
Reform and Poverty Alieviation Act:

11) Energy security or energy self-sufficiency;

12) Preservation and conservation of parks and protected areas to keep the scenery,
the natural and historic objects, and the biodiversity therein in their natural state and prevent
them from being damaged for purposes of public recreational use and enjoyment; and

13) Meaningful participation of the basic sectors,

SEC. 3. Scope. ~ This Act shall apply to all lands and all resources therein, whether public,
private, government-owned, and/or in the possession of any person, whether natural or
Juridical, and shall guide the rational, holistic and just allocation, utilization, development and
management of the country's land and water resources including such activities that bear
impact on said resources.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act

a. Agricultural land refers to the subclass of classified agricultural lands devoted to or
suitable for the cultivation of the soil, planting of crops, growing of trees, raising of livestock,
poultry, fish or aquaculture production, including the harvesting of such farm products, and
other farm activities and practices performed in conjunction with such farming operations, by
persons whether natural or juridical, and not classified as residential land, commercial land
or industrial land;

b. Agricultural land use conversion refers to the undertaking of any development
activity which modifies or alters the physical characteristics of agricultural lands to render
them suitable for nonagricultural purposes under an approved order of conversion issued by
the appropriate government agency;

©. Alienable and disposable lands of the public domain refer to lands of the public
domain which have been delineated, classified, and certified as such and available for
Sisposition under Commonwealth Act No. 141, otherwise known as the Public Land Act, as
amended;

d. Ancestral domains 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
1997;

©. Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP) refers
to a plan formulated and pursued in accordance with the rights of ICCs/IPs to manage and
develop the land as well as natural and human resources within their ancestral domains
based on their indigenous knowledge systems and practices on the principle of self-
determination;

{Classified agricultural land refers to one of the four (4) classifications of land under
the Constitution not classified by law as mineral land, forest land or national park and the
only land classification subject to alienation:

9. Coastal area/Zone refers to a band of dryland 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
landward limit of one (1) kilometer from the shoreline at high tide to include mangrove
‘swamps, brackish water ponds, nipa swamps, estuarine rivers, sandy beaches and other
areas within a seaward limit of two hundred (200) meters isobath to include coral reefs, algal
fats, seagrass beds, and other soft-bottom areas;


h. Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) refers to a document embodying a set of
Policies, accompanied by maps and similar illustrations that seve as a policy guide for
determining the future use of lands and natural resources within the territorial jurisdiction of
the LGUs. It represents the community-desired pattern of population distribution and
proposes future allocation of land and resources to various activities. It includes the
Processes and criteria employed in such determination of allocation of land and resources. It
's @ plan for the long-term management of the local territory covering a period of a minimum.
of ten (10) years, reviewable not earlier than every five (5) years based on the four (4)
categories of land use planning provided in Section 6 of this Act:

i. Comprehensive land use planning refers to the act of defining the allocation,
utilization, development, and management of all lands within a given territory or jurisdiction
‘according to the inherent characteristics of the land itself and supportive of sustainable,
economic, demographic, sociocultural and environmental objectives as an aid to decision-
making and legislation;

j. Critical watershed refers to watersheds or forest lands that have been identified
and evaluated to provide critica! and vital natural, ecological, environmental and physical
beneficial services such as water, biodiversity, energy, irrigation, social and cultural, among
others. to a specific area or community and whose biophysical condition demands
immediate rehabilitation, protection and management to prevent its further denudation,
deterioration and exploitation;

k. Cultural heritage refers to the totality of cultural properties, whether natural or
human-made, preserved and developed through time, and passed on for posterity:

|. Customary laws refer to a body of written and/or unwritten rules, usages, customs
and practices traditionally and continualiy recognized, accepted, and observed by respective
ICCs/IPs consistent with the IPRA;

m. Danger zones refer to areas with high level of threat to the lives and well-being of
People that cannot be addressed through scientific, physical and engineering methods, and
are therefore not suitable for settlement and permanent structures. Areas can only be
declared as danger zones after proper technical studies and public consultations with
affected families are conducted;

n. Development plan refers to a document that defines the activities and measures
that the national government or LGUs intend to implement over a specified periad of time in
order to achieve the defined set of development goals identified in the national or local
physical framework plans. It integrates socioeconomic, financial, fiscal, legal and legislative,
institutional and sectoral plans of the national government or any of its instrumentalities or a
particular LGU, consistent with the objectives identified in spatial plans such as land use
plans or physical framework plans. 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;

0. Disaster-prone areas or Geo-hazard areas refer to areas frequented by and/or
vulnerable to experience weather, climatic, hydrologic, geologic, and other natural
disturbances or calamities;

p. Disaster risk reduction refers to the concept and practice of reducing disaster risks
through systematic efforts to analyze and manage the causal factors of disasters, including
reduced exposure to hazards, lessened vulnerability of people and property, wise
‘management of land and the environment, and improved preparedness for adverse events:

q. Ecologically fragite Jands refer to lands within critical watersheds, brackish and
freshwater wetlands, pastureiands, inland rivers and waterways, coastal and settlement
areas, and croplands which require rehabilitation, protection and whose continued

inable use would result in physical risks and threats to life and property, public health
and safety, as well as adversely affect the productivity of fowland agricultural areas and
stability of the upland system;

f. Ecotourism refers to a form of sustainable tourism within a natural and/or cultural
heritage area where community participation, protection and management of natural

5



Fesources, culture and indigenous knowledge and practices, environmental education and
ethics, as well as economic benefits are fostered and pursued for the enrichment of the host
community and satisfaction of visitors;

s. Energy resources 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 nonconventional sources
including ocean waves, solar, wind, biomass, and other similar resources which serve the
‘same purpose;

‘. Energy resource lands refer to lands where naturally occurring or indigenous

resources exist in sufficient quantity and/or quality as to be economically viable for
exploration, development, production, utilization, and distribution purposes;

u. Environmentally critical areas refer to areas declared by law as: (1) areas for
natural parks, watershed reserves, wildlife preserves, and sanctuaries; (2) areas set aside
for aesthetic and visual value; (3) areas that constitute the habitat for any endangered or
threatened species of indigenous Philippine wildlife both flora and fauna; (4) areas of unique
historic, archaeological, or scientific interests; (5) areas that are traditionally occupied by
ICCsiIPs; (6) areas with critical slopes; (7) areas frequented and/or hard hit by natural
calamities such as, but not limited to, geologic hazards, floods. typhoons and volcanic
activities, (8) recharge areas of aquifers; (9) mangrove areas; (10) coral reefs; (11) mossy
and virgin forests; (12) rivers and riverbanks; (13) swamp forests and marshlands; (14)
foreshore lands; (15) protected areas pursuant to Republic Act No, 7586 or the NIPAS Act of
1992; and (16) areas set aside as aesthetic potential tourist spots. 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 stakeholders;

v. Exhausted mineral resources 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;

w. Flood plain refers to the portion of a river valley adjacent to a river channel which
is covered with water when the river overflows its banks at flood stages, and which usually
consists of silt deposited by the stream;

x. Fiood-prone areas refer to low-lying areas usually adjacent to large or active water
bodies and which therefore experience regular or seasonal inundation as a result of changes
in the mean water level of these bodies or because of iand reclamation and other artificiat
interference with the natural processes;

y. Food security refers to the policy objective of meeting the requirements for food
availability, secessibility, and affordability of the present and future generations of Filipinos in
@ Sustainable manner, through local production or importation in cases of shortage based on
a micro level situation, or both, and taking into account the country's existing and potential
fesource endowments and related production advantages, and consistent with the overall
national development objectives and policies:

2 Food self-sufficiency refers 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 resources and related production advantages;

aa. Foreshore land refers to @ string of land margining a body of water, the part of a
seashore between the low-water line usually at the seaward margin of a low tide terrace and
the upper limit of wave wash at high tide often marked by a beach scarp or berm:

bb. Forest refers to an ecosystem or an assemblage of ecosystems dominated by
trees and other woody vegetation; a community of plants and animals interacting with one
another and its physical environment:

cc. Forest fands refer to one of the four (4) classifications of land under the
Constitution under the public domain classified and/or determined as suitable for forest
Purposes not classified as mineral land, national park and classified agricultural land These


include all permanent forest, forest reserves, forest reservations, and all the remaining
unclassified lands of the public domain;

dd. Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP) refers to the allocation of forest lands into their
@ppropriate uses consistent with existing biophysical conditions such as topography, soil
type, land use, climate, water sources and socioeconomic, cultural and political realities,
Forest land use planning should be able to delineate protection and production forests;

ee. Forest land subclassification refers to the process of determining the most
appropriate end sustainable use of forest lands primarily as protection forest and production
forest. They may be further subclassified as grazing/pasture land, recreational areas and
other uses taking into account ecological, social and economic considerations;

ff. Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) refers to the consensus of all members
of the ICCs/IPs to be determined in accordance with their respective customary laws and
practices, free from any extemal manipulation, interference and coercion, and obtained after
fully disclosing the intent and scope of the activity, in a language and process
understandable to the community;

gg. Geo-hazards refer to nature and human-induced geological processes that have
potential to cause destruction and which pose a threat or risk to a person's life and property,
These may include, but are not limited to, ground, water and weather-related conditions,
volcanic and earthquake induced hazards such as ground shaking, ground rupture,
earthquake-induced landslides, liquefaction and tsunami;

bh. Indigenous Cultural Communities/indigenous Peoples (ICCs/Ps) refer to groups
of people or homogenous societies identified by se’f-ascription and ascription by others, who
have continuously lived as organized community on communally bounded and defined
territory, and who have, under claims of ownership since time immemorial, occupied,
Possessed and utilized such territories, sharing common bonds of language, customs,
traditions and other distinctive cultural traits, or who have, through resistance to political,
Social and cultural inroads of colonization, nonindigenous religions and cultures, became
historically differentiated from the majority of Filipinos. ICCs/IPs shall likewise include
Peoples who are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent from the populations
which inhabited the country at the time of conquest or colonization, or at the time of inroads
of nonindigenous religions and cultures, or the establishment of present State boundanes,
who retain some or all of their own social, economic, cultural and political institutions, but
who may have been displaced from their traditional domains, or who may have resettied
Outside their ancestral domains;

ji Inland waters refer to waters, which are not coastal and marine waters, and not
‘subject to acquisitive prescription consistent with the provisions of Presidential Decree No.
1067 or the Water Code of the Philippines:

Jj. Integrated watershed management refers 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;

kk. Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) refer to the present most important sites for
biodiversity conservation worldwide. These are places of international importance for the
Conservation of biodiversity through protected areas and other governance mechanisms,
They are identified nationally using simple, standard criteria, based on their importance in
maintaining species populations;

li. Land refers to resources, both artificial and natural, found on the surface, below,
and above the ground including inland waters and the air therein;

mm. Land subclassification refers to the act of determining and assigning specific uses
of classified lands such as forest lands, classified agricultural lands, mineral lands and
national parks in accordance with existing laws and this Act;

nn. Land use refers to the manner of allocation, utilization, management and
development of land:



90, Land use classification refers to the act of delineating or allocating lands according
to protection land use, production land use, settlements development and infrastructure
development as defined and provided for in this Act;

pp. Mandatory public hearings/Consuttations refer to the mechanism to ensure the
involvement of concerned stakeholders and communities in land use planning, from the
‘barangay to the national level, to ensure the social acceptability of the plans. it should
invoive giving notice of hearing/consultation to concemed stakeholders through publication
‘or posting in conspicuous places, conduct of a reasonable number of hearings, and
‘solicitation of positions to arrive at @ consensus. Public presentation and validation of the
planning results shall also be undertaken before the final adoption of the pians;

qq. Marine Protected Area (MPA) refers to a defined area of the sea established and
‘set aside by law, administrative regulation or any other effective means in order to conserve
and protect a part of or the entire enclosed environment, through the establishment of
management guidelines It includes all declared areas governed by specific rules or
guidelines in order to protect and manage activities within the enclosed area,

tt, Mineral exploration refers to the systematic searching or prospecting for mineral
resources including energy resources;

88. Mineral lands refer to lands of the public domain, excluding those in permanent
forestlands and protection lands, where mineral resources are found in sufficient quantity
and quality for extraction, development and utilization:

tt Multiple use of land resources refer to the utilization or management strategy for
any land, which allows any activity, involving one or more of its resources, depending on the
result of prior evaluation on its numerous beneficial use, that will produce the optimum
benefits to the development and progress of the country and the public welfare without
impairment or with the least injury to its other resources;

uu. Municipal waters refers to not only streams, lakes, iniand bodies of water and tidal
waters within the municipality which are not included within the protected areas as defined
under Republic Act No. 7586 of the National Integrated Protected Areas System or the
NIPAS Act of 1992, public forest, timber lands, forest reserves or fishery reserves, but also
marine waters included between two (2) lines drawn perpendicular to the general coastline
from points where the boundary lines of the municipality touch the sea at low tide and a third
line parallel with the general coastline including offshore islands and fifteen (15) kilometers
from such coastline. Where the territory of a municipality includes several islands, the
outermost points ich islands shail be used as base points and connected by archipelagic
baselines, irrespective of the lengths of such baselines from the main coastlines. Where two
(2) municipalities are situated on opposite shores that there is less than thirty (30) kilometers
of marine waters between them, the third line shall be equally distant from opposite shore of
the respective municipalities;

wy, National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) refers to the classification
and administration of all designated protected areas to maintain essential ecological
processes and life-support systems, to preserve genetic diversity, to ensure sustainable use
of resources found therein, and to maintain their natural conditions to the greatest extent
possible;

ww. National Land Use Policy Council (NLUPC) refers to the administrative, policy-
making, and regulatory body created under this Act;

xx, National park refers to forest reservation essentially of natural wilderness
character which has been withdrawn from settlement, occupancy or any form of exploitation
‘except in conformity with approved management plan and set aside as such exclusively to
conserve the area or preserve the scenery, natural and historic objects, wild animals and
plants therein and to provide enjoyment of these features in such areas. It shall also refer to
lands and waters of the public domain classified as such in the 1987 Constitution which
include all areas under the NIPAS, pursuant to Republic Act No. 7586 or the NIPAS Act of
1992, primarily designated for the conservation of native plants and animals and associated
habitats and cultural diversity;



yy. Network of Protected Areas for Agriculture and Agro-industrial Development
(NPAAAD) refers to agricultural areas identified by the Department of Agriculture (DA)
through the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (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 to promote
sustainable growth. The NPAAAD covers all irrigated areas; alll irrigable lands already
covered by irrigation projects; all alluvial plains; lands highly suitable for agriculture whether
irrigated or not; agro-industrial cropiands 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; ail agricultural lands that are ecologically
fragile the conversion of which will result in serious environmental degradation; and all
mangrove areas and fish sanctuaries;

zz. Permanent forests or Forest reserves refer to lands of the private or public domain
which have been identified and determined to be needed for protection, conservation,
preservation and management as forests and shall be reserved, conserved and protected
into perpetuity for such purpose;

aaa. Permanent forestiands refer to forestiands, within public lands, that have been
identified, determined and demarcated on the ground by the State to serve such purpose
and shall be protected, conserved, preserved, maintained and managed as forestlands free
from any form of utilization, exploitation or development, and reserved permanently as such
for the benefit and use of future generations:

bbb. Physical framework plans refer to the national, regional or provincial indicative
plans that outline the overall and macro-level physical development objectives, priorities,
directions and strategies in its respective levels as prepared, reviewed, integrated and
finalized by the national, regional and provincial land use councils/boards, respectively,
based on the Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) of the LGUs and the national policy
guidelines 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,

ccc. Premature or illegal conversion refers to any activity that modifies or alters the
physical characteristics of agricultural lands to render them suitable for nonagricultural
purposes without an approved order of conversion from the Department of Agrarian Reform
(DAR) Secretary;

ddd. Prime agricultural lands refer to all contiguous irrigated areas and irrigable lands
already covered by irrigation projects; all alluvial plain lands highly suitable for agriculture
whether irrigated or not that have been identified to satisfy the country’s needs for food self-
sufficiency and security; agro-industrial croplands or lands presently planted and suitable to
industrial and high value crops; highlands, or areas located at an elevation of five hundred
(500) meters or above and have the potential for growing semi-temperature and high value
crops outside of declared permanent forestlands and protection forests, and are not located
in ecologically fragile and environmentally critical areas:

eee. Production forest refers to forestland located in production lands managed
primarily for the production of timber and other tree i

fff. Production lend use refers to the direct and indirect utilization of land to generate
outputs resulting from the following activities: agricultural, fish farming or aquaculture, timber
or agro-forestry, grazing and pasture, mining, indigenous energy resource development,
industry, and tourism;

999. Protected areas refer to portions of land and water set aside by reason of their
unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological diversity, and
Protected against human exploitation. For purposes of this Act, these shall also include all
natural forests and agricultural lands identified and delineated under this Act:

hhh. Protection forests refer to forests and forestlands, in both public and private
lands, that have been identified and determined by the State for the beneficial use of present



and future generations and shall be preserved, conserved, protected and maintained as
‘such free from any form of utilization, exploitation or development;

li, _ Protection land use refers to the use of land primarily reserved for rehabilitation,
conservation, and protection purposes and the promotion of the country's ecological and life-
support systems;

ji. Public domain refers to lands belonging to the State which may be classified as
agricultural, forest or timber, mineral, or national park as provided for in the Constitution;

kkic. Reclassification of agricultural lands refer to the act of specifying how agricultural
lands shall be utilized for nonagricultural uses such as for residential, industrial, or
‘commercial purposes, through the local planning and zoning processes pursuant to the
Local Government Code of 1991, and subject to the requirements and procedure for
conversion,

Wi. Resettlement sites refer to areas identified by the appropriate national agency or
by the LGU, with respect to areas within its jurisdiction, which shall be used for the relocation
of the underpriviteged and homeless, as defined under Republic Act No. 7279 or the Urban
Development and Housing Act (UDHA) of 1992;

mmm. Restoration refers to returning forestiand to its original forested state in terms of
‘species’ composition, structure, function and hi

nnn. Restoration zones refer to forest areas where activities are conducted to restore
its forested state,

000, River basin refers to the horizontal projection of area from which a river and its
tributaries receive surface water originating from precipitation;

PPP. Settlements refer to communities or built-up environment areas where people
prefer to live in;

qq. Settlements development refers to any improvement on existing settlements or
any proposed development of certain areas for 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 settlement areas or growth centers;

tr. Shoreline refers to a strip of land covering at least one (1) kilometer from the
point where seawater reaches during the highest high tide:

‘888. Spatial data infrastructure refers to a system consisting of spatial data,
technology, policies, practices, relationships, people and resources necessary to acquire,
Process, store and distribute spatial information to improve sharing and use throughout ail
levels of the government and private sector, among others, which shall be operationalized
through electronic system that provides access to a network of spatial data sources and
users and shail serve as the official linkage of the government to intemationai and regional
‘spatial date infrastructure,

ttt. Socialized housing refers to housing programs and projects covering homelots,
houses and lots, or low-rise to medium-rise buildings, or high-density housing 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, direct
Subsidy programs, liberalized terms on interest payments, and such other benefits in
accordance with the UDHA and Batas Pambansa Big. 220;

uuu. Socialized housing sites refer to lands identified and designated by LGUs as sites
for socialized housing pursuant to Article IV of the UDHA and its implementing guidelines;

vw. Strategic Agriculture and Fishenies Development Zones (SAFDZs) refer to areas
within the NPAAAD identified for production, agro-processing and marketing activities to help
develop and modernize, with the support of government, the agriculture and fisheries sectors
in an environmentally and socioculturally sound manner,

www, Subclassification or Reclassification of Agricultural Lands refers to the process
undertaken by the LGUs of allocating declared agricuitura! lands in their respective territorial
jurisdictions to specific uses such as residential, industrial or commercial purposes and may
be used as a basis for application for land conversion by the owners thereof,

10


xxx. Sustainable development refers to the development objective of meeting the
needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs, consistent with the principles of social equity, efficiency, and
environmental integrity;

yyy. Sustainable traditional resource rights refer to the rights of ICCs/IPs to
sustainably use, manage, protect and conserve: (1) land, air, water, and minerals: (2) plants,
animals and other organisms; (3) collecting, fishing and hunting grounds; (4) sacred sites:
and (5) other areas of economic, ceremonial and aesthetic value in accordance with their
indigenous knowledge, beliefs, systems and practices;

2zz. Tourism development areas refer to specific sites for tourism development
located in areas identified as priorities in the national and regional tourism master plans as
well as those designated through legislative and executive issuances as tourist spots and
tourist zones which can be developed into tourism estates or integrated resort, leisure,
fecreation complexes, and other tourism-related facilities;

aaa. Tourism ecozone refers to tourism development areas, outside protection lands,
which have been granted Special Economic Zone status, through the Philippine Export Zone
Authority (PEZA) registration and issuance of the required Presidential Proclamation, with its
metes and bounds delineated by said Proclamation, pursuant to Republic Act No. 7916 or
The Special Economic Zone Act (SEZA) of 1995, as amended;

bbb. Tourism estates refer to large tracts of land with well-defined boundaries in any
area, excluding those in protection lands, identified in the Philippine tourism master plan and
regional tourism master pian, by proclamation of the President and/or by acts of Congress
and/or by local legislation and deciared suited for the development of an integrated tourism
and resort complex with prescribed carrying capacities and limits for its facilities and
activities;

cece, Tourist spot refers to a particular area/site/spot, human-made or natural, known
for its unique touristivisitor-drawing attributes and activities and which may be classified
according to its social, cultural, natural, historical, aesthetic, visual, scientific, religious, and
recreational significance,

dddd. Tourist zone refers to a geographic area with well-defined boundaries
Prociaimed 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 pian 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;

eece. Urban areas refer to all cities regardless of their population density and to
municipalities with a population density of at least five hundred (500) persons per square
kilometer,

fff. Urbanizable areas 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;

9999. Urban forestry or Green space refers to the establishment or setting-up of areas
for mini-forest, eco-parks or small nature parks, in both public and private lands: wetlands,
human-made lagoons and lakes systems, riverbanks and shores, grasslands, roof and rock
gardens: lining roads and highways with trees, shrubs, or omamental plants, and ground
landscaping of schools, hospitals, and other government agencies in order to improve the
environment in urban areas;

hhh. Water security refers to the sufficient access throughout the year to the
‘minimum daily requirement of clean water to maintain a healthy life;

iii, Water use refers to the appropriation of water for domestic, municipal, irrigation,
Power generation, intand fisheries, poultry and livestock, industrial and commercial,
environmental, and recreational use;

1


ill. Watershed refers to a topographically delineated area of land from which
rainwater can drain as surface run-off vis-a-vis a specific stream or river system to a
common outlet point which may be @ dam, irrigation system or urban water supply take-off
point, or where the stream discharges into a river, lake, or the sea;

kkkk. Zoning refers to the regulatory tool for delineating the specific land uses in
accordance with the approved CLUP within the territorial jurisdiction of a city/municipality
and specifying the conditions for their regulation; subject to the limitations imposed by law
‘and competent authority; and

WM. Zoning ordinance (ZO) refers to a local law passed by the Sangguniang Bayan
‘or Panlungsod approving the development control/zoning plan in accordance with an
approved or adopted CLUP of the city/municipality, providing for the regulations and other
Conditions on the land uses including the limitation on the infrastructure that may be placed
within the city's/municipality’s territorial jurisdiction. It incorporates the protected areas,
protected agricultural lands and ancestral lands as provided for in this Act.

(CHAPTER It
FRAMEWORK FOR LAND USE PLANNING

SEC. 5. Basic Land Use Considerations, - Various land uses as categorized in the
succeeding section shail be determined in a manner that promotes the policies and
Principles defined in Section 2 of this Act and shail consider the following elements of the
framework therefor, among others:

@. Protection land use category as defined in Section 6 shall prevail over existing
production tand use category. The State shall undertake the necessary action in changing
the classification of these production areas,

b. Preservation, conservation, rehabilitation and protection to perpetuity of permanent
forestlands, critical watersheds, key biodiversity areas, environmentally critical and
ecologically fragile areas and prime agricultural lands from any other land use, conversion,
disposition, intrusion, utilization and development aside from their determined use and limits;

c. Protection of natural forests and natural resources ensures environmental ‘stability,
conserve biological diversity, improve ecosystem functions and provide long-term ecological
and economic benefits. Designated restoration areas are designed to revive the ecosystem
functions and services of forests as well as improve the economic and ecological benefits of
local communities;

d. Protection of forest and wetlands from infrastructure development to preserve the
ecological services they provide which are essential to economic Gevelopment. These
activities inctude, but not limited to, river channelization and dredging, Jarge-scale imgation
and river diversions which reduce riverine habitat and alter flood pattems and natural flow
regimes, reduce downstream water availability for agriculture and contribute to salinization
through saltwater intrusion in coastal areas;

@. Resolution of land use conflicts which are life-threatening or threatening to public
safety, sustainability of key production resources or employment activities and the delivery of
basic services which are harmful or destructive to protected areas, flora, fauna, and other
Protected natural resources. Greater consideration shail be given to the human and tenurial
rights of vulnerable groups in resolving land use conflicts;

f. Identification of geo-hazard prone areas and high-risk/danger zones and
corresponding risk reduction measures fo ensure the prioritization of life and safety:
Provided, That specifically identified and assessed as extremely hazardous and high-
‘isk/danger zones shall be similarly protected and cleared from all forms of human-made
obstacles, obstructions and instructions to ensure and secure public health and safety;

g. Respect for existing customary rights and traditional land uses of ICCs/iPs;

h. Identification of settlement areas to check the demand for land and establish the
location of employment-generating industries and basic services; and

12


i. The availability of natural resources including indigenous energy resources for
energy security and self-sufficiency. However, infrastructure energy projects such as dams
with large reservoirs in natural ecosystems shall not be allowed if it would interrupt the
connectivity of river systems, disrupt fish spawning and migration, and alter seasonal flood
regimes.

SEC. 6. Categories of Land Uses for Planning Purpose. — In determining and defining the
national, regional and provincial framework plans, and CLUPs, land uses shall be grouped
into four (4) major functional uses as follows:

@. Protection Land Use refers to the use of land primarity reserved for rehabilitation,
Conservation, and protection purposes and the promotion of the country's ecological and life-
‘support systems. Planning for protection land use intends to achieve environmental stability
and ecological integrity, ensure a balance between resource use and the preservation of
‘some areas with environmental, aesthetic, educational, cultural and historical significance,
aid and protect people and human-made structures from the ill-effects of natural hazards.

Areas under this category are those covered by the NIPAS Act of 1992 and other
coastal and marine protected areas; areas outside NIPAS, which include, but ere not limited
to:

1) Natura! and restored forests, which consist of:

(i) All existing areas within forestland containing primary and secondary forests of
whatever types or species;

(ii) All existing areas within forestland containing secondary-growth or residual forests
of whatever type or specie;

(iii) Areas identified as key biodiversity areas (KBAs);

(iv) Restoration areas;

(v) All mangrove forests;

(vi) All easement areas as defined under Presidential Decree No. 1067, otherwise
known as the Water Code of the Philippines; and

(vii) All other areas that would be deemed appropriate for protection, as designated by
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), subject to the approval of
the NLUPC created pursuant to Section 55 hereof.

2) Rehabilitated and/or reforested degraded mining areas;

3) Critical ecosystems for protection, such as:

a) Coral reefs;

b) Marshes and wetlands;

c) Lakes and rivers;

d) Caves; and

©) Waterfalis.

4) Disaster-prone areas that include areas subject to, or may be subject to:

a) Recurrent flooding:

b) Liquefaction;

c) Tsunamis;

d) Storm surges;

e) Polar vortex;

f) Mass wasting;

g) Volcanic eruption:

h) Direct impact of seismic activity;

i) Other disasters caused by climatic conditions; and

j) Other areas that pose a high degree of hazard to human occupation and activity

5) Critical watershed areas;

6) Marine protected areas;

7) All prime agricultural lands as defined under this Act;

8) Ecologically fragile and environmentally critical areas whose conversion will result
to serious environmental! problems and threats to public health and safety;

9) Natural and human-made areas/sites of cultural, historical and anthropological

13


significance, which are declared as such by internationally recognized institutions; and

10) All other areas not included and declared as production areas shall become
protected areas.

b, Production Land Use refers to the most efficient, sustainable, and equitable
utilization, development and management of land for productive purposes which are not
classified for protection land use as defined in this section. Areas included in this category
are agricultural lands, coastal and marine zones, production forest, mineral lands, energy
fesource lands, industnal, and tourism development areas where productive activities could
be undertaken to meet the country’s requirements for economic growth and development.
Production land use shall comprise of, but shail not be limited to:

1) Other agricultural lands not identified as prime agricuttural lands. They shall consist
‘of, but shall not be limited to:

a) Lands whose soils are suitable for agricultural development,

b) All alluvial plain lands that are suitable for agricuttural production and/or can be
devoted to food production;

¢) All lands that are traditional sources of staple food;

d) All cropiands required to attain a certain scale of production to sustain the
‘economic viability of existing agro-based industries in the municipality, city or province: and

e) All lands in areas not highly prone to natural hazards that are suitable for the
production of tree crops and other cash crops.

2) Coastal, inland water and marine zones, such as fishponds;

3) Production forests, such as:

a) All areas within forestiand not classified as protection forests under Section 6(a)
and shall be devoted to the production of timber and/or non-forest products or the
establishment of industrial tree plantations, tree farms, woodiots, agro-forestry, or as
multipie-use forests;

'b) All areas within forestlands considered as rangelands for grazing purposes: and

¢) All areas within forestlands managed under the community-based forest
management in areas not classified as protection forests,

4) Rangelands for grazing;

5) Industrial development areas; and

6) Tourism development areas, including potential small istands for similar purposes,

c. Settlements and institutional Land Use refers to the use of urban and rural lands for
settlements development purposes and/or improvements on existing settlements 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 settlements.

It shall also include lands identified for institutional uses such as educational,
administrative, government, law enforcement, health care and social services, Settlements
and institutional land uses aim to ensure for the present and future generation the:

(1) Effective integration of activities within and among settlements, allowing efficient
movement of people and production of commodities through the provision of appropriate
land, infrastructure, and facilities; and

(2) Access of the population to housing, education, health care, recreation,
transportation and communication, sanitation, and basic utilities such as water, power, waste
disposal, and other services;

(d) Infrastructure Land Use refers to the use of land dedicated to the provision of basic
Services that foster economic and other forms of integration necessary for producing or
obtaining the material requirements of Filipinos, in an efficient, responsive, safe and
ecologically frendly built environment. It includes, among others, subsectors like: road
Networks, transportation and communication facilities, social services, environmental service
facilities, and utilities

Provided, That the determination of the functional uses of lands within ancestral
domains should be consistent with the land use categories provided for in this Act: Provided,
further, That other subcategories of land uses in delineated ancestral domains may be

14


formulated by the concerned ICCs/iPs themselves in accordance with their particular needs
and traditional resource and management systems.

SEC. 7. Land Use Plans for Ancestral Domains. ~ Land use plans for ancestral domains
shall be formulated by the [CCs/IPs themselves in accordance with their particular needs
and traditional resource and management systems with the assistance of the National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the LGUs and civil society organizations
(CSOs) concemed. Such plans shall be recognized and adopted in the barangay,
city/municipal, provincial, regional and national physical framework plans.

Physical framework plans made prior to the delineation of ancestral domains included
in such plans or ordinances shall, without prejudice to the rights of the ICCs/IPs concemed,
adopt different and use categories in accordance with their particular needs and traditional
fesource and management systems,

In cases where there are no ADSDPPs, the LGUs and the ICCs/IPs shall jointly
formulate the land use plan within the ancestral domain until such time that the ICCs/IPs
have formulated their ADSDPPs.

SEC. 8. Adoption of Multiple Uses of Land. - The primary and alternative uses of a specific
land resource shall be determined and evaluated by the respective local land use boards
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, agro-forestry and extraction activities and other income-generating, or livelihood
activities may be allowed, except areas under protection land use: Provided, That multiple
uses of land resources shall be in accordance with priorities in land use allocation identified
in the approved physical framework and land use plans wherein such multiple uses aro
compatible with the original land use and planning, and that no reclassification shall be
allowed: Provided, further, That, where there are vested rights, titles, and claims prior to the
enactment of this Act over the areas feasible for sustainable land resource use, the same
shall be respected.
CHAPTER III
SPECIAL AREAS OF CONCERN
ARTICLE ONE. LAND USE CLASSIFICATION

SEC. 9. Raview of Land Use Classification. - The NLUPC shall review and assess the
current land use classification system and definitions used in the country to ensure that it
reflects the actual use of lands in the country.

The Land Management Bureau (LMB) shall provide the necessary technical
information, conduct the needed assessment of the status of the existing land use
classification and shall submit an assessment report to the NLUPC not later than ninety (90)
days from the establishment of the latter.

SEC. 10, Consideration of Assessment Report. — Upon validation and affirmation by local
land use boards, the land use classification assessment report submitted by the LMB shail
bbe taken into consideration by the NLUPC in the formulation of its planning guidelines.

ARTICLE TWO. NIPAS AREAS.
SEC. 11. Integrated Management Strategy. ~ For more effective planning, management, and
protection of protected areas at the provincial and city/municipal levels, the Protected Area
Management Plan (PAMP) referred to in the NIPAS Law shall be incorporated in the
Provincial Physical Framework Plan (PPFP) and CLUPs if applicable, wherein protected
area zoning shalt be reflected.
ARTICLE THREE. AGRICULTURAL LANDS

15


SEC. 12. Priority Areas for Agricultural Development. - The priority areas for agricultural
development are the areas distributed under agrarian reform, areas that can be covered by
the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), and those identified as part of the
NPAAAD. The mapping of the NPAAAD under the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization
Act (AFMA) shail be completed not later than one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act

SEC. 13. Conversion of Agricultural Lands. - Ali lands considered and identified as prime
agricultural lands shall be maintained, managed and protected for agricultural use and shall
Not be subjected to any form of conversion or reciassification.

All other agricultural lands not identified as prime agricultural lands can only be
converted to nonagricultural uses upon issuance of a DAR conversion order: Provided, That
‘such conversion shall not drastically change the nature of the overall land uses in the
‘surrounding and adjacent areas from its existing land use

Provided, That consistent with the State policy on giving priority to the completion of
the CARP, those lands covered under compulsory acquisition/voluntary offer to sell,
Production or profit-sharing subject to CARP shall also be protected from conversion
Pending the distribution and/or installation of the farmer beneficiaries.

Provided, further, That pending the completion of mapping activities of the specific
areas under the NPAAAD and the SAFDZs under the AFMA and their incorporation in the
National Physical Framework Pian (NPFP), the application for conversion of these areas
‘shall not be given due course by the appropriate government agency.

ARTICLE FOUR. ANCESTRAL DOMAIN

‘SEC. 14. Priority Areas for Agricultural Development Within Ancestral Domain. — Agricultural
lands within ancestral domain shall be developed in accordance with their ADSDPP.

SEC. 15. Respect for Ancestral Domains, — The Ancestral Domain Management Pian
(ADMP) or ADSDPP shall be adopted and integrated into the CLUP and/or other plans that
the LGU Is mandated to produce. The extent of ancestral domains shall be reflected in the
land use pian, and shall be zoned as such in the zoning ordinance. it shall be comanaged by
the LGU and ICC/P community. Additionally, the ADMP/ADSDPP shall be included in the
investment plans of the LGU.

SEC. 16. Ancestral Domain Policy Adoption. - Ancestral domain policies shail be adopted in
the LGU's land use policy framework. However, in the event that the ADMP/ADSDPP is still
in the formulation stage or remains to be formulated, the right to self-determination, and the
observance of traditional resource and management systems and processes shall be upheld
at all times, as provided for under Republic Act No. 3871

ARTICLE FIVE. FOREST LANDS AND RESERVATION OF WATERSHED

‘SEC. 17. Permanent Forestlands. — Alt forestiands are classified as forest or timberlands.
Titles, settlements, permits, leases, and/or agreements within critical habitats, critical
watershed areas, protected areas and KBAs shall be reviewed, and their legality affirmed. All
erroneous titles, settlements, permits, leases and/or agreements within permanent
forestlands shalt be cancelled or revoked in due course. Noncompliance with and violations
of these instruments shall be grounds for their cancellation or revocation: Provided, That the
applicable provisions of Republic Act No. 3871 shall be respected.

Upon recommendation by the LGU, or the Forest Board, the DENR Secretary shall
revoke the abovementioned instruments.
SEC. 18. Additional Areas to be Included as Permanent Forestiands. -The following lands
are needed for environmental protection and forestry purposes and shall not be reclassified
as agricultural lands or for any other land use:

16


a. Isolated patches of forest, regardless of size and/or area, with rocky terrain or
which protect @ spring/water source for communal use;

b. All mangroves and swamplands including twenty (20)-meter wide strips facing
oceans, iakes and other bodies of water not yet classified as alienable and disposable lands;

c.Ridge tops and plateaus regardless of size found within or surrounded wholly or
partially by forestlands where headwaters emanate;

d. Twenty (20)-meter wide strips of land from the edge of the normal high waterline of
rivers and streams with channels of at least five (5) meters width which are not yet classified
as alienable and disposable;

@. Areas needed for public interest such as research or experimental purposes; and

f. Areas considered as environmentally critical because of their vulnerability to damage
from landstides, volcanic eruptions, and other natural causes.

SEC. 19. Reversion of Alienable and Disposable Lands to Forestiands, ~ Upon the
recommendation of the DENR Secretary, duly reviewed and endorsed by the NLUPC, and
after due consultations with the concerned LGUs and the affected parties, Congress may
authorize the reversion of alienable and disposable lands of the public domain or portion
thereof to forestiands,

SEC. 20. Critical Watershed Areas. ~ The DENR. in coordination with the DA, the LGUs
concerned, and other government agencies, including govemment-owned and -controlled
corporations, and after mandatory public hearings/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. 21. Formulation and implementation of Integrated Watershed Management Plans. ~
With the assistance of the DENR and upon mandatory consultations with the concerned
‘sectors and communities, the LGUs, through their local land use boards, shall prepare their
watershed management plans which shail be integrated into their respective CLUPs. The
formulation and integration of the plan shall be guided, among others, by the principle of the
management and development of inland water resources at the watershed level and shall be
consistent with the National Forestry Master Plan (NFMP).

The DENR and the concerned LGUs shail jointly implement the watershed
management pian subject to regular consultations with and involvement of the community
and other stakeholders in the implementation of the plan.

SEC. 22 Establishment and Man of National Parks. — All areas proclaimed by the
President and Congress to be under the NIPAS, unless disestablished, including those
identified initial components of the NIPAS as KBAs shall comprise the National Parks
Classification of the public domain. The DENR and concerned LGUs shall ensure that such
areas are integrated in the CLUP and physical framework plans: Provided, however, That
the preparation of management plans of protected areas and national parks shall be in
accordance with the provisions of the NIPAS Act and other laws establishing or declaring
Specific areas as protected areas.

SEC. 23, Establishment of Restoration Zones. - Restoration areas shall be designated in the
management plan as such. Designation of restoration zones is compulsory in all forest
management plans and for all LGUs.

ARTICLE SIX. COASTAL ZONES:

v7


SEC. 24. Criteria for the Allocation and Utilization of Lands Within the Coastal Zones. ~ The
allocation and utilization of lands within the coastal zones shall be subject to the following
guidelines:

a. Areas vegetated with mangrove species shall be protected, preserved and
Managed as mangrove forestland and shall not be converted to other uses;

b. Areas that 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 as long as a 4:1 ratio for mangroves and
fishponds is maintained to support ecological processes in mangrove ecosystems,

c.Areas subclassified as mangrove and still suitable for use as such, or due to
environmental conditions need to be preserved as mangroves but are devoid of mangrove
stands, shall not be converted to other uses. The DENR shail 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 but
are not part of or are not within any protected land use areas shail be allocated to traditional
fisherfolk who are inhabitants of the coastal communities, members of registered fisherfolk
organizations, 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 Housing and Urban Development
Coordinating Council (HUDCC); Provided, That the government shall issue marine tenurial
rights to organizations concerned based on a criteria to be established by the NLUPC;

e. Areas that are neither subciassified 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 smalt fisherfolk;

f Areas which are considered as traditional fishing grounds shall be used primarily for
‘such purpose;

g. Areas shall be allocated for small infrastructure needed by municipal fisherfolk and
for fishing gear, boats, and post-harvest facilities; and

h ‘Areas which form part of foreshore lands as defined in this Act, including those
under lease agreements or arrangements shall undergo zoning and evaluation so their
‘boundaries, actual sizes and corresponding uses can be determined while ensuring that
mangrove protection or restoration zones are considered to keep the required 4:1 ratio
between mangroves and fishponds.

SEC. 25. Coastal Land Zone Subclessification. — All public lands in the coastal zones shall
be subciassified into any of the following: fishponds, mangroves, protection from tidal surge
for preservation of biodiversity, habitats and sanctuaries for endangered wildlife, fisherfolk
settiement, or recreationaltouriem areas. No subslassification of coastal zones to different
uses shall be done without the following:

a, Conduct of a comprehensive inventory and resource and environmental
assessment by the DENR with respective LGUs and accredited Nongovernment
organizations/peopies organizations (NGOs! POs) within their jurisdiction. The result of such
assessment along with a list of ail existing applications and expired Foreshore Lease
Agreements shall be posted in three (3) conspicuous places in the affected localities, and

b._ Prior consuttation with local Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils
(FARMCs) formed pursuant to Republic Act No. 8550 or The Philippine Fisheries Code of
1998

SEC. 26. Zoning of Coastal Areas. - The LGUs, in coordination with the DENR, the
FARNCs, local fisherfoik organizations and other concerned stakeholders such as women
and the youth, shall prepare the Coastal Zoning Resource Management Plan (CZRMP)
which shall be incorporated in the CLUP. Management zones defined in the CZRMP should
be reflected in the CLUP and the subsequent ZO.

18



SEC. 27. Tourism and Recreation Zone. - The designation of areas for tourism and resorts
near or over fishery areas or ports thereof shail be with the consent of the concerned LGUs
and FARMCs, and shail comply with the policies and guidelines set forth in this Act.

SEC. 28. Protection of Waterways, Easements and Flood Plains. Structures of any kind
shall not be built in waterways and easements. Pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1067 or
the Water Code of the Philippines, 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 ficod 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 the lives of occupants are not put at risk and that disruptions during floods
are minimized. The identification and characterization of flood-prone areas and flood plains
shall be an integral part of the CLUP preparation. The LGUs shall establish land use
regulations to mitigate flood risks through the CLUPs and ZOs.

To promote the best interest and the coordinated protection of flood plains, the
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPVWH), in coordination with the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) and the DENR, shall declare flood contro! areas, as
necessary, and shall 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 the Water Code of the Philippines.

SEC. 29, Disposition of Public Lands for Fishponds. ~ Upon the effectivity of this Act, but
Subject to existing rights and the preceding section, no fishpond lease agreement (FLA) shall
be issued for tidal swamps, mangroves and oilier swamps, marshes, ponds, foreshore iands,
and coastal areas within public lands, including those presently declared available for
fishpond development. The NLUPC, in coordination with the DENR, the DA, the FARMCs
and the LGUs shall set aside @ portion of available public lands for fish propagation, fish
sanctuary, conservation, ecological purposes and fisherfolk settlement areas. Fishponds
covered by existing FLAs, but are abandoned or are not operating efficiently and are found
Suitable for mangroves shall be reforested with mangroves.

SEC. 30. Immediate Restoration of Converted Mangrove Areas. - The DENR. in
coordination with the FARMCs and other concemed agencies, shall immediately take steps
in the restoration of all abandoned, undeveloped and underutilized fiehponds to their onginal
state as mangrove forests.

ARTICLE SEVEN. MINERAL LANDS.

SEC. 31. Policies on Mineral Lands. - Land use policies for mineral lands shall be geared
towards the rational, ecologically sound, and sustainable use of mineral resources which
shall promote economic growth for the local economy and uphold the human rights of
indigenous peoples and local communities in the affected areas.

SEC. 32. Criteria for the Allocation and Utilization of Lands for Mining Purposes. ~ The
allocation and utilization of lands for mining purposes shail be guided by the following:

@, The principles of sustainable development shall be observed at all times;

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 nonoperational for more than ten (10)
years as determined by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) shall be placed under

19


appropriate surface management by the DENR; and
d. Ancestral domains declared as protected by virtue of their ADSDPP as well as all
watershed areas shall be closed to mining

SEC. 33. Reversion of Mineral Lands. — Ail mineral lands with exhausted mineral resources,
a8 determined by the MGB, shall automatically revert to their original land classification, that
is, as forest land or agricultural land. The concerned mining companies shall bear the full
cost of rehabiltation of these areas.

ARTICLE EIGHT. ENERGY RESOURCES

SEC. 34, Guidelines for the Allocation and Utilization 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 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
creating a National Energy Resource Inventory and Database as well as an 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 shail be subject to the appropriate requirements and processes of the Philippine
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) system. Each project shail secure an Environmental
Compliance Certificate (ECC) prior to project implementation to ensure that adequate and
appropriate environmental management measures and optimum methods for resource
access and recovery are used;

¢. Protected areas as defined in Section 4 hereof shall be closed to any kind of
‘energy resource development:

d. Energy reservations or portions thereof which have become or have been
established to be non-economically viable to operate or are no longer used for energy
purposes shall be reclassified to other land uses, subject to existing laws covering energy
reservations; and

e. Renewable energy shall be preferred over other energy resource.

SEC. 35. Reversion of Energy Resource Lands. — All exhausted indigenous energy resource
lands as determined by the Department of Energy (DOE), which are not covered by
Proclamations shall automatically revert to the category of forestlands or agricultural lands
‘open to disposition, whichever is appropriate, uniess the DENR shall classify such areas for
other purposes. 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.

ARTICLE NINE. SETTLEMENTS DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 36. Municipalities, Cities, and Settlements Development. - The development of
municipalities, cities, and settlements through CLUP and implemented by the ZOs of cities
and municipalities shail be guided by urban zoning standards designed to maximize existing
urban spaces taking into account studies of pertinent government agencies on climate
change.

SEC. 37. Settlements Within Geo-hazard Areas and/or High Risk/Danger Zones. -
‘Settlements within geo-hazard areas and/or high risk/danger zones shall not be allowed. In
cases where there are existing settlements within geo-hazard areas andlor high risk/danger
zones, the concerned government agencies shall provide assistance to concerned LGUs

20


and settlers in instituting safety and corrective measures to address the potential danger or
tisk,

SEC. 38, Designation of Waste and Environment Management Site. - Each city or
municipality shall identify and designate an area to serve as waste and environment
management, waste disposal, and facilities 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 the Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) study and to facilitate the Processing of the ECC. The site or area shall be identified in
the city's or municipality's CLUP. For this purpose, cities and municipalities shall establish
their solid waste management program, pursuant to Republic Act No. 9003, otherwise
known as the "Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000". Likewise, as provided
under Section 33 of the Local Government Code of 1991, 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
concemed agencies, shall promulgate the necessary guidelines and standards for the
formulation and estabishment of solid waste management programs by cities and
municipalities, and shall submit the same to the NLUPC for review and approval

SEC. 39. Designation and Zoning of Socialized Housing Sites. ~ Each city or municipality in
urban, urbanizable and rural areas shall designate, through the CLUP, adequate lands for
housing or residential purposes, including socialized housing and resettlement areas for the
immediate and future needs of the local population as well as the underprivileged and
homeless in their territory, pursuant to existing laws and regulations. In order to ensure
adequate availability of land for the housing needs of the local population, the CLUP may be
revised af the minimum of ten (10) years, and reviewable not earlier than every five (5)
years,

The designated sites for socialized housing shall be located in residential zones, and
shail be zoned as socialized housing zones that are integrated in the city's or municipality's
20, duly approved by the NLUPC, pursuant to existing laws and regulations, Preference
shall be given to lands proximate to public transportation facilities which may include inter
alia railways and public terminals.

The location of resettiement areas may either be on-site or off-site and may be within
the city or municipality: Provided, That designated settlement and socialized housing areas
shall consider the proximity and accessibility of the affected community to employment,
‘economic activities and social services.

Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the NLUPC, in coordination with
concemed agencies, pursuant to HUDCC Resolution No. 521, Series of 1992; Executive
Order No. 124, Series of 1993; and other pertinent guidelines on the matter, shall
promulgate the necessary guidelines for the identification and designation of socialized
housing sites. All cities and municipalities in urban and urbanizing areas shall identify and
designate their socialized housing sites within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act and
‘must submit the list of these sites and their respective areas to the HUDCC. These sites
shall be used exclusively for socialized housing as defined in the UDHA.

SEC. 40. Zoning of identified Sites for Socialized Housing. - The identified sites for
Socialized housing shall be located in residential zones identified by the city's or
‘municipality's CLUP and ZO duly approved by the NLUPC. However, for cities and
‘municipalities where the identified sites are not within the said residential zones, the location
shall be within the priority sites and conform with the suitability criteria as defined in Sections
6.3 and 6.4 of the Guidelines in HUDCC Resolution No. 521, Series of 1992, or as may be
defined in subsequent issuances. The identified sites shall be zoned as sociakzed housing
Zones as defined herein.

2


The current ZO of LGUs shall be reviewed and revised such that the socialized
housing component shall be integrated thereto.

SEC. 41. Valuation of Lands for Socialized Housing. ~ Equitable land valuation guidelines for
socialized housing shail be set by the Department of Finance (DOF) on the basis of the
market value reflected in the zonal valuation, or in its absence, on the latest real property tax
declaration, For sites already occupied by qualified beneficiaries under the UDHA, and sites
identified as socialized housing zones as defined in this Act, the DOF shall factor into the
valuation, the blighted status of the land as certified by the LGU or the National Housing
Authority (NHA).

SEC. 42. Guidotines for Identification of Settlement Sites. — in identifying settlement areas,
prospective sites should be

a, Within alienable and disposable lands but not in environmentally critical, ge0-
hazard or other protection areas;

b. Along established urban growth directions:

¢. With provisions for or can be provided with basic services and ulilties;

d. Within the 0 to 8% slope range; and

€. Accessible from existing built-up areas and other employment centers through
existing or proposed roads and other transportation facilities

SEC. 43. 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 NLUPC.

SEC. 44. Protection of Ecological Harmony. — To ensure the ecological harmony of towns,
cities and settiements, certain projects that can alter the present use of a zoned area shall
not be issued a building permit, business permit, and/or development permit. The
identification of these projects shall be done in coordination with the LGU concerned. All
LGUs shall be required to designate restoration areas in their forest land use plans.

ARTICLE TEN. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS/SITES

SEC. 45. Criteria for Designating industrial Development Areas. ~ The identification and
establishment of industrial development areas shall conform to the provisions of Republic
Act No. 7916 or the SEZA of 1995 as amended by Republic Act No. 8748, Republic Act No.
8857 or the Comprehensive Agrerian Reform Law (CARL) as amended by Republic Act No.
9700 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER),
Republic Act No. 8371 or the IPRA, Republic Act No. 7279 or the UDHA, Republic Act No.
8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code as amended by Republic Act No. 10654, and Republic
Act No. 8435 or the AFMA, taking into consideration the followii

a. Identified network of areas for agricultural development and protected agricultural
areas pursuant to Republic Act No. 8435;

b. National policies on the regional dispersal of industries and agn-based industrial
development;

c.|dentified growth areas and corridors in the National Development Plan;

d. NIPAS and non-NIPAS areas such as, but not limited to, KBAs and restored areas
that require protection;

€. 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 be located only in production land
use areas and shall become an integral part of the land use plan and ZO of the city or

22


municipality where these areas are located, Republic Act No. 9700, Republic Act No. 8371,
Republic Act No. 7279, Republic Act No. 8550, Republic Act No. 8435, and Republic Act No.
7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 shall apply to all Special Economic Zones and
Free Ports.

ARTICLE ELEVEN. TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREAS

SEC. 46. Designating Tourism Development Areas. ~ The identification, selection, and
development of tourism development areas, and tourism enterprise zones (TEZs) shall be
done in consultation and coordination with the concerned LGUs, the TIEZA, the DOT, and
‘other concerned national government agencies, the private sector and the affected
communities, subject to the provisions of Republic Act No. No. 9593 or the Tourism Act of
2008. Tourism development areas shall likewise include those covered by legislative and
‘executive issuances such as tourist spots, tourist zones and tourism ecozones which can be
developed into tourism estates or integrated resort, leisure and recreation complexes and
other tourism-related facilities as well as those identified in the national, regional, and area-
‘specific tourism master plans and other sector plans, such as ecotourism and agritourism
sites: Provided, That such sites designated for tourism development are outside of areas
identified for protection land use. As much as practicable, community-based tourism shall be
the principal made of tourist spot operation. Republic Act No. 9700, Repubiic Act No. 8371,
Republic Act No. 7279, Republic Act No. 8550, Republic Act No. 8435, and Republic Act No.
7160 shail apply and Executive Order No. 111, Series of 1999 that provided for the National
Ecotourism Strategy shail likewise apply to all tourist zones and tourist development areas.

Designated areas for tourism development shail become part of the CLUPs and ZOs of
the cities or municipalities where these are located.

‘SEC. 47, Identification and Preservation of Cultural Heritage. - In accordance with Republic
Act No. 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, the National Historical
Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the National Museum (NM), and the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in coordination with other concerned agencies,
local communities, and the private sector, shall identify and declare areas and structures
which shall be protected and preserved as part of Philippine cultural heritage.

The NHCP and the NM, in consultation with the NCCA and the HLUR8, shall designate
heritage zones to protect the historical and cultural integrity of a geographical area that is
significant to national history.

‘The LGUs, in consultation with the NHCP, the NM, and the NCCA, shall designate
heritage zones to protect the historical and cultural integrity of geographical areas and
cultural spaces of intangible cultural properties, which are significant to a city or municipality
and the community.

ARTICLE TWELVE. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 48, 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 National Economic and Development
Authority (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 under an overall national strategic infrastructure development
plan subject to the provisions of this Act, Republic Act No. 8435 and Republic Act No. 8371
Provided, That such national strategic infrastructure development plan shail be consistent
‘and integrated in the objectives and directions of the NPFP.

in determining ang evaluating the list of priority infrastructure projects, consideration
‘shall be given to those that:

1. Respond to immediate and vital requirements of the national and regional economy
with priority to improving production-market integration, inter-modal transport, conveyance

23



and logistics linkages, rural infrastructure and the development of the agriculture and
fisheries sectors;

2. Upgrade existing facilities to international public safety standards;

3. Address the need for sustainable settiements development; and

4. Mitigate the destructive effects of natural disaster-causing phenomena or those that
‘Shall serve as altematives to existing infrastructure 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 shail be held prior to the conduct of all infrastructure projects
that will necessarily involve dislocation or displacement of peapie 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 Republic Act No. 7279 as a
last resort, notwithstanding the provisions of Republic Act No. 6975, prohibiting lower courts
from issuing temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, or preliminary mandatory
injunctions, and that the proponent shall follow provisions of Republic Act No. 8371,
Particularly those pertaining to the rights of ICCs/IPs in case of displacement,

Provided, finaily, That national government infrastructure projects shail Provide
budgetary allocations for the adequate relocation of displaced communities.

SEC. 49. _ 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 and implemented to address the potential adverse
economic, sociocultural, and environmental impacts that will emanate from these
infrastructure projects, subject to the findings and recommendations of a feasibility study/EIA
in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 1586 (EIS System) and Republic Act No. 4846
or the Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act.

Existing projects that were undertaken without the required EIA and which pose a
threat to the environment, or to the integrity of historic, archaeological, or ‘scientifically
Significant areas. or impinge on critical ecosystems, may be terminated immediately, or
gradually phased-out and relocated, or maintained within their life span subject, however, to
mitigating measures: Provided, That the rules on mandatory public hearings/consultations
and just and humane eviction or demolition shall also be observed prior to the termination,
gradual phase-out, or relocation of projects that will necessarily involve dislocation or
Gisplacement of people in the

CHAPTER IV
PHYSICAL FRAMEWORK AND LAND USE PLAN

SEC. 50. National Land Use Planning Process. - The physical framework and land use
planning process shall be participatory, following @ combined bottom-up and top-down
‘@pproach, with mandatory public hearings/consultations conducted at all levels, and shall
Consider available and updated muitidisciplinary scientific information of land uses.

A set of national policy guidelines and standards for physical planning shalt be
formulated by the NLUPC. These shall guide the preparation and formulation of the NPFP.
Regional and Provincial Physical Framework Pians (RPPFPs).

These standards shall give due consideration to conflicting uses and areas being used,
deciared or designated for agrarian reform, protected areas, coastal resource management
andor ancestral domains.

The NPFP shall define the national strategy and objectives of the country’s urban, rural
and regional development: It shall guide the rational distribution of population, access to
economic opportunities and social services, sustainable utilization of resources, and
maintenance of environmental integrity,

Furthermore, it shall consider the existing Regional Physical Framework Plans
(RPFPs) and the Provincial Physical Framework Plans (PPFPs).

24


The RPFPs, the PPFPs and the CLUPs, which cover the physical development of their
respective terrtories, shail be consistent with the NPFP: Provided, That the integration and
harmonization of physical framework plans at all tevels shail be iterative to ensure that the
concerns of both top and bottom levels of government are considered in the NPFP, the
RPFPs, the PPFPs and the CLUPs.

‘The physical framework and land use plans prepared at all levels shall be consistent
‘with each other, specifically on the linkages of the major land use categories to ensure their
complementation in the utilization, development and management of resources.

The period of coverage of the national, regional and provincial framework plans shalt
be thirty (30) years with regular review and updating every ten (10) years.

SEC. 51, National Physical Framework Plan. ~ The NPFP shall guide the planning and
management of the country's land and other physical resources at the national and sub-
national levels, and indicate broad spatial directions and policy guidelines on protection land
use, production land use, settlement development and infrastructure development, The
NPFP shall be the basis for adopting the land use and physical planning-related guidelines,
including zoning and other land use contol standards that will guide the formulation of
cityimunicipal 20s,

The NLUPG, in consultation with concemed sectors and communities shall update the
NNPFP after such period that objectives and goals set by the NPFP have been substantially
‘achieved. It shall also formulate and issue the appropriate planning guidelines and standards
through which all physical planning, land use and management of resources shall be
reviewed, prepared, formulated and monitored.

‘The resu'ting land use plan/physical framework shall be the basis for the identification,
formulation and development of national and local development plans, programs, projects
and activities of government at all levels.

‘SEC. 52. Regional Physical Framework Plan (RPFP). ~ The RPFP shall provide broad
spatial directions and policy guidelines on protection land use, production land use,
‘settlement development, and infrastructure development at the regional level and guide the
formulation of the PPFPs. The RPFP shall consider the existing PPFPs and the CLUPs of
LGUs within the territorial jurisdiction of the region.

The Regional Land Use Policy Councit (RLUPC), created under Section 59 of this Act.
shall formulate and periodically update the RPFP based on the guidelines issued by the
NLUPC, in a manner consistent with and following the objective of the NPFP. Likewise, the
Medium-Term Regional Development Plan (MTROP) and the Medium-Term Regional
Development investment Program (MTRDIP) shall be guided by and made consistent with
the objectives identified in the RPFP_

SEC, 53. Provincial Physical Framework Plan (PPFP). ~ The PPFP shall determine the
physical development of the entire provincial territory, consolidate and harmonize the

comprehensive land use plans of component cities and municipalities, consistent with the
RFP. it shall refiect the indicative land use management and physical development
direction of the province,

Further, the PPFP shall serve as basis for other sectoral and development plans
related to land, natural resources, and infrastructure facilities, including the development
plan of the province; the reconciliation and rationalization of land use proposals among
component cities and municipalities with the higher level framework plan; guiding
development agencies and private developers, particularly those that undertake large-scale
projects; and providing a basis for resolving conflicts arising from the implementation of land
use plans and development projects involving two (2) or more municipalities,

The PPFP shall serve as the basis for the preparation of the Provincial Development
Pian (PDP) and the Provincial Development Investment Program (PDIP). The PPFP, the
POP, the PDIP andlor the Provincial Physical Framework and Development Plan (PPFOP)
shall serve as the basis for the formulation of sectoral action plans of national government

25


agencies in the province and ali LGUs within its jurisdiction. The province may opt to prepare
their PDP alongside the preparation of PPFP and consolidate them into a PPFDP: Provided,
That PPFDP shall remain consistent with the PPFP: Provided, further, That any review or
changes in the PPFP shall coincide with the overall review process of the NPFP.

The Provincial Land Use Planning and Management Board (PLUPMB) created under
this Act shall ensure that the PPFP is consistent with the national and regional planning
framework and guidelines issued by the NLUPC/RLUPC. The PPFP shail be presented to
the Provincial Development Council (PDC) for endorsement to the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan, which shall formally adopt and approve the PPFP. The approved PPFP shall
be submitted to the RLUPC for consolidation and integration into the RPFP.

Under the general supervision of the PLUPMB, the Provincial Planning and
Development Coordinator/Office (PPDC/PPDO) shall provide technical, secretariat and
administrative support in the preparation, consultation, Integration and formulation process of
the PPFP.

‘SEC. 54. City and Municipal Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs). — All barangays shall
provide their sectoral, temporal and spatial data for the CLUP which shall serve as the
foundation for the formulation of the cityimunicipal CLUPs. The data shalll be provided by the
‘Sangguniang Pambarangay through stakeholder consultations. The CLUP shall determine
the specific uses of land and other physical and natural resources, both private and public,
within their territorial jurisdiction including areas comanaged with the national government
and, as appropriate, management pians for ancestral domains, critical watersheds, river
basins, and protected areas.

The CLUP shall delineate actual boundaries on the ground within the territorial
jurisdiction, embody the desired land use patterns of the barangay, city or municipality,
translate and integrate sectoral plans, and provide appropriate policies for each of the four
(4) land use planning categories. The spatial directions prescribed in the CLUP shall serve
‘as the basis for the preparation and formulation of the Comprehensive Development Pian
(CDP) and Local Development Investment Program (LDIP) of the LGUs.

Consistent with the national standards and guidelines prescribed in Section 50 of this
Act, the cities and municipalities shall, in consultation with the concerned sectors, prepare
their respective CLUPs. The City/Municipal Land Use Planning and Management Board
(C/MLUPMB) created under this Act shall be responsible for the preparation and formulation
of the CLUP and ensure its consistency with national and regional physical planning
guidelines and standards, Under the general supervision of the respective C/MLUPMB, the
City/Municipal Planning and Development Office/Coordinator (C/MPDO/C) shall provide
technical, secretariat and administrative support in the preparation, consultation, integration
and formulation process of the respective CLUPs of each city or municipality.

The CLUPs shall be submitted by the city/municipal local development councils (LDCs)
for adoption and approval of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB). The approved CLUPs shall be
‘submitted to the province for integration into the PPFP.

CHAPTER V
IMPLEMENTING STRUCTURE AND MECHANISM

SEC. 55, Creation of the National Land Use Policy Council (NLUPC). ~ The National Land
Use Committee (NLUC) under the NEDA Board (NB) is hereby abolished and in its stead,
the NLUPC shail be created. It shall exercise the powers and responsibilities identified
under this Act and assume the functions of the NEDA Board-National Land Use Committee
(NB-NLUC). It shall further exercise the powers and functions pertaining to land use
planning vested by law on the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), except
the following which shall remain as official functions of the HLURB:

(a) Formulate land use planning guidelines in the preparation of the CLUPs and ZOs of
LGUs to ensure compliance with the national policies, objectives, priorities and directions sat
by the NLUPC;

26


(b} Provide technical and other forms of planning assistance to, including capacity-
building for, LGUs and zoning boards; and

(c) Act as the appellate body on decisions of local zoning bodies on locational
clearance applications and/or oppositions thereto and other zoning issues involving private
rights.

‘The NLUPC shail act as the highest policy-making body on tand use and shall rescive
land use policy conflicts between or among agencies, branches, or levels of the government.
It shall integrate efforts, and monitor developments relating to land use and the evolution of
policies.

SEC. 56. Composition of the NLUPC. ~ The NLUPC shall be headed by the Director General
of the NEDA as Chairperson. It shall choose a Vice Chairperson from among the members
of the Council, who shall assume the functions of the Chairperson in case of absence. The
NLUPC shall meet at least once every quarter.
‘The members of the Council shall be the following
‘The Secretary of the DAR;
‘The Secretary of the DA;
The Secretary of the DENR:
The Secretary of the Department of the interior and Local Government (DILG);
‘The Chairperson of the NCIP-
‘The Chairperson of the HUDCC:
The Chief Executive Officer of the HLURB;
‘The Administrator of the NAMRIA;
The President of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP);
The President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP);
. Two (2) representatives each from four (4) basic sectors directly involved in land
use, namely: urban poor, peasants, fisherfolk, and indigenous peoples who shall be
‘appointed by the respective National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) sectoral councils. OF
the eight (8) sectoral representatives, at ‘east four (4) shall be women, provided that one of
whom shall be from the Moro sector,
|. Four (4) representatives from the developers’ associations, the accredited
associations of professionals dealing with land use such as, but not limited to, urban and
regional planners, environmental planners, architects, geologists and geodetic engineers,
the business or private sectors, and
m, The Head of the NLUPC Secretariat who shall be a nonvoting ex officio member.
The members of the Council who are Cabinet Secretaries may designate their duly
authorized and permanent representatives whose ranks shall in no case be lower than
Undersecretary.

SEC. 57. Powers and Functions of the NLUPC, — The NLUPC shall have the following
powers and functions.

a, Guide the determination and identification of the country’s strategic land use
development and physical planning objectives, priorities and direction, as well as
recommend the adoption, passage, or amendment of laws to ensure that plans, programs,
Projects, and activities, including local government initiatives affecting land use are
Consistent with national development objectives;

b, Formulate the necessary national policy guidelines in the preparation of the
‘country's physical framework plans, including the setting of
limits/target key land uses needed for protection, production, settlements and infrastructure
for present and future nee:

¢. Ensure that policies, guidelines and standards on land use and physical planning,
including zoning, shall be followed by the RLUPC, local land use boards and concerned
national agencies, and that the RPFP, the PPFP and the CLUPs shall be consistent with the
NPFP;

{d) Ensure the consistency of other national development and sectoral plans and

aro sasea9cw

27


Programs, including the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) and Public
Investment Program (PIP), with the NPFP:

(e) Integrate and harmonize all laws and policies relevant to land use in order to come
up with @ rational, cohesive, and comprehensive national land use framework, and if
warranted, recommend to Congress the adoption, passage or amendment of laws to ensure
that sectoral plans, projects and activities, including local goverment initiatives affecting
land use are consistent with national development objectives;

(f) Resolve policy conflicts on land uses between or among agencies, branches, or
levels of government and unresolved land use policy conflicts at the regional level;

(g) Issue locationa! clearances for projects of national significance;

(h) Call on any department, bureau, office, cna or instrumentality of the
government and or private entities and Sronneatone BF cooperation, support, and

G) Advise the President of the Philippi
concerning land use and physical planning:

(k) Adopt rules of procedures for the orderly and expeditious conduct of meetings and
other business of the Council; and

(l) Perform such other acts and functions and exercise such other powers as may be
necessarily implied, inherent, incidental, or related to the foregoing.

ines and the NEDA Board on all matters

SEC. 58, NLUPC Secretariat. - The existing unit of the NEDA in charge of Land Use and
Physical Planning Division shall act as the NLUPC Secretariat which shat! perform functions
‘such as, but not limited to, managing information, gathering of data, coordinate the
monitoring of government agencies and LGUs, ensuring multistakeholder participation
towards formation of local land use policy boards, sharing of database and mapping
systems, and reinforcing relevant assessment tools and capability-building programs.

CHAPTER VI
REGIONAL AND LOCAL LAND USE POLICY BODIES

SEC. 59. Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC). — At the regional level, the Regional
Land Use Committee (RLUC) is hereby abolished and in its stead, the RLUPC shall be
created, The RLUPC shall be institutionalized, replicating the NLUPC structure and
composition, It shall be chaired by the NEDA Regional Director and shall exercise the
following functions:

@. Formulate regional policies and guidelines which are consistent with the national
planning guidelines issued by the NLUPC in the preparation and formulation of the
respective provinciat physical planning and CLUPs of LGUs within its jurisdiction:

b. Prepare and periodically update the RPFP, taking into consideration national
policies and lower-level plans;

¢. Review, prior to adoption by respective Sanggunians, the PPFPs and the CLUPs of
highly urbanized and independent component cities to ensure consistency with the RPFP
and national policies set forth by the NLUPC;

@. 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;

€. Monitor changes in land use and other physical resources in the region;

f, Coordinate and monitor the land use activities of regional line agencies and LGUs;

g. Evaluate consistency of major programs and projects of regional agencies and
entities with the RPFP and their impact on land use and the environment; and

h. Perform other related functions as may be directed by the NLUPC.

In forest land use management, where the watershed area/continuum covers several
municipalities across different provinces, an inter-LGU task force composed of
Tepresentatives from the RLUPC and the concemed municipal LGUs where the watershed

28


area is located shall be formed. With the assistance of the DENR and upon mandatory
consultations with the concemed sectors, the inter-LGU task force shail formulate the
Watershed Management Plan for the said watershed erea.

SEC. 60. Provincial Land Use Planning and Management Board (PLUPMB). - The
Provincial Land Use Committee (PLUC) is hereby abolished. The Provincial Land Use
Planning and Management Board or PLUPMB is created in all provinces under this Act to
oversee the preparation, integration, adoption and approval of the PPFP and shall ensure its
consistency with approved national and regional planning guidelines. The PLUPMB shall
also be directly responsible for the effective management and implementation of the
approved PPFP and ensure that any existing and future development initiatives, programs
and projects introduced within its jurisdiction are consistent with and supportive of the land
use resource management and physical planning objectives, directions and character
identified in the approved PPFP.

SEC. 61. Powers and Responsibilities of the Provincial Land Use Planning and Management
Board, — The following are the powers and responsibilities of the PLUPMB:

a. Formulate necessary provincial planning guidelines and/or implementing policies
for the preparation and formulation of the respective CLUPs within its jurisdiction consistent
with approved national and regional planning policies and guidelines;

b. Submit to the PDC the draft CLUP for its transmission to the Sangguniang
Panialawigan and for the PDC to use it as reference for consistency and complementation
with other development plans,

¢.Review, monitor and assess the implementation and operationalization of the
approved CLUP and its consistency with physical planning and land use management
objectives and goals identified in the CLUP,

d. After an appropriate period of time or upon instruction and advice by the NLUPC,
conduct and initiate a progress review of the PPFP and the achievement of its stated
objectives and goals and update the PPFP;

e. Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, and
aliocation that may arise between or among cities/municipalities and facilitate the resolution
of any unresolved land use conflict, including political boundary conflicts, at the
city/municipality level;

f, Advise the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on all matters pertaining to land use and

Physical planning;

9. Promote cooperation and sharing of resources between and among component
LGUs of the province or with neighboring LGUs to address common land use and
development issues including those related to geo-physical hazards, watershed and river
basin management. coastal and marine waters. climate change impact and disaster risks;
and

h. Assist the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in reviewing the submitted CLUPs of
component cities/municipalities to ensure consistency with the PPFP.

In cases where the watershed areas transcend the boundaries of a particular
municipality, an inter-LGU task force composed of representatives from the PLUPMB of the
municipal LGUs where the watershed area is located shail be formed.

SEC. 62. Composition of the PLUPMB. — The PLUPMB shail be composed of the following
fifteen (15) members to be selected based on the rules to be formulated by the NLUPC as
provided in this Act:

3. The Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC);

b. The Chairperson of Sangguniang Pantalawigan Committee on Environment and
Natural Resources:

c. The Provincial Chapter President-League of Municipalities and/or League of Cities;

d. The Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO);

. The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO);


{The Provincial Agricultural Officer (PAO);

g. The NCIP Provincial Officer:

h. The HLURB Regional Officer;

(i) Three (3) representatives from the local business or private sector; the developers’
association and accredited associations of professionals dealing with land use such as, but
not limited to, urban and regional planners, environmental planners, architects, geologists,
geodetic engineers, and chamber of commerce, who shall be appointed from among the
accredited organizations within their respective development councils;

() Four (4) representatives from the basic sector groups (urban poor, fisherfolk,
farmers, indigenous peoples): Provided, That at least two (2) representatives shall be
women: Provided, further, That the representatives shall be appointed from among the
accredited organizations within their respective development councils: Provided, finally, That
in predominantly Muslim areas, one shall be from the Moro sector, and

(k) The designated Board Chairperson to be chosen among the members.

Except for ex officio members, the members of the PLUPMB shall be appointed for a
term of three (3) years, subject however to the elected office held, government employment
andior official designation of the LGU, national agency and/or joca! business/private sector
association or basic sector group representation in the Board. The NLUPC, within ninety (90)
days from its establishment, shall formulate the rules for the selection of the Chairperson
and the members of the PLUPMB. The Provincial Planning and Development
Coordinator/Office (PPDC/PPDO) shall provide technical secretariat and administrative
‘support and resources for the effective operation of the PLUPMB.

Aside from the PPDO, the PLUPMB may call upon other local and national government
offices and agencies such as the local Engineer, Assessor, and local field representatives of
the DA, the DPWH, the DOTr, the DOT, the DENR, the DAR, the DepED, the NCIP and
other concerned national agencies to assist the PLUPMB in the performance of its roles and
mandates.

The appropriations for the regular operation and activities of the PLUPMB shall be
included in the annual budget proposal of the PPDO: Provided, That other funds and
resources, including grants, applicable service fees and charges collected, contributions,
donations, and other funds to support its operations and activities may be accepted and
received by the PLUPMB subject to existing auditing and reporting procedures

‘SEC. 63. City/Municipal Land Use Planning and Management Board (C/MLUPMB). - A
City/Municipal Land Use Pianning and Management Board or C/MLUPMB is hereby created
under this Act in all municipalities and cities, including highly urbanized and component
cities, to oversee the preparation, integration, adoption and approval of their

CLUPs. It shall issue a Certificate of Compliance prior to the submission of the CLUP to the
Sanggunian to ensure the consistency of such plans with approved national, regional and
provincial planning guidelines. The C/MLUPMB shail also be directly responsible for the
effective management and implementetion of the approved CLUP and for ensuring that
existing and future local policies, including ZOs, development initiatives, programs and
Projects introduced within its jurisdiction are consistent with and supportive of the land use
fesource management and physical planning objectives, directions and character identified
by the approved CLUP.

SEC, 64. Powers and Responsibilities of the City/Municipal Land Use Planning and
Management Board. ~ The C/MLUPMB shail exercise the following powers and functions:

3. Ensure the inclusion of the input of the barangays within the jurisdiction of the
respective city/municipality on sectoral, temporal and spatial dimensions of the plan and its
consistency with approved national, regional and provincial planning guidelines;

b. Review, monitor and assess the implementation and operationalization of the
approved CLUP and its consistency with physical planning and land use management
objectives and goals identified in the CLUP;


©. Issue a Certificate of Compliance to the Sanggunian as proof that the CLUP is
‘compliant with national land use policies, guidelines and standards;

{d) Submit to the LDC the draft CLUP for its transmission to the Sanggunian and for
the LDC to use it as basis for consistency and complementation with other development
plans;

{e) Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, and
allocation that may arise between or among barangays and facilitate the resolution of any
unresolved land use conflict, including boundary conflicts, involving barangays;

(f) Based on the CLUP, review and endorse for approval/disapproval applications for
locational clearances, building and zoning permits and/or other planning-related requirement
for any project, both private and public, that is submitted to the LGU for issuance;

(g) Advise the Sangguniang Bayan on all matters pertaining to land use and physica
planning; and

(h) Promote cooperation and sharing of resources between and among its barangays
and neighboring LGUs to address common land use and development issues including
those related to geo-physical hazards, watershed and river basins, coastal and marine
waters, climate change impact and disaster risks.

SEC. 65. Composition of the C/MLUPMB. - The C/MLUPMB shall be composed of the
following thirteen (13) members and shall be headed by a Chairperson:

1. The City/Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator (C/MPDC);

2. The Chairperson, Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Environment and Natural
Resources;

3. The President of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC);

4. The Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer (MARO),

5. The LGU Environment and Natural Resources Officer (City/Municipal ENRO);

6. The Municipal Agriculture Officer (MAO);

7. Three (3) representatives from the jocal business/private sector, the developers’
associations, and the accredited associations of professionals dealing with land use such as,
but net limited to, urban and regional planners, environmental planners, architects,
geologists and geodetic engineers, and chamber of commerce, who shall be appointed from
among the accredited organizations within their respective development councils;

8, Four (4) representatives from the basic sector groups (urban poor, fisherfolk,
farmers and indigenous peoples): Provided, That at least two (2) representatives shall be
women: Provided, further, That the representatives shall be appointed from among the
accredited organizations within their respective development councils: Provided, finally, That
in predominantly Muslim areas, one shall be from the Moro sector; and

9. The designated Board Chairperson to be chosen among the members.

Except for ex officio members, the members of the C/MLUPMB shall be appointed to a
term of three (3) years, subject however to the electad office held, government employment
and/or official designation in the LGU, national agency and/or local business/private sector
association or basic sector group representation in the Board. The NLUPC, within ninety (90)
days from its establishment, shall formulate the rules for the selection of the Chairperson
and members of the C/MLUPMB. The City/Municipal Planning and Development
Office/Coordinator (C/MPDOIC) shall provide technical secretariat and administrative
‘support and resources for the effective operation of the C/MLUPMB.

Aside from the C/MPDO/C, the C/MLUPMB may call upon other local and national
government offices and agencies such as the local Engineer, Assessor, and local field
representatives of the DA, the DPWH, the DOTr, the DOT, the DENR, the DAR, the DepED
and other concerned national agencies to assist the C/MLUPMB in the performance of its
roles and mandates.

‘The annual appropriations for the operation and activities of the C/MLUPMB shall be
included in the annual budget proposal of the C/MPDOIC: Provided, That other funds and
resources, including grants, applicable service fees and charges collected, contributions,

1


donations, and other funds to support its operations and activities may be accepted and
received by the PLUPMB subject to existing auditing and reporting procedures.

LGUs shall create and/or activate their respective C/MLUPMB upon guidelines issued
by the NLUPC for such purposes, not later than six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act,

CHAPTER Vii
ADOPTION, APPROVAL AND REVIEW OF LOCAL LAND USE
AND PHYSICAL FRAMEWORK PLANS

SEC. 66, Approval and Review of PPFP and CLUPs, - The PPFP and CLUPs of the
respective city/municipal LGUs, including highly urbanized cities and independent
component cities shall be submitted by the local land use boards to the LOCs for
transmission to the local Sanggunian for approval.

SEC. 67. Approval of RPFP and NPFP.— The RPFP and NPFP shall be submitted for
review and approval of the RLUPC and NLUPC, respectively. upon the conduct of
appropriate stakeholder and agency consultations: Provided, That such processes and
guidelines shall be prepared and issued by the NLUPC within six (6) months from the
effectivity of this Act.

CHAPTER Vill
MAPPING AND DATA MANAGEMENT FOR LAND USE PLANNING

SEC. 68. National Mapping and Spatial Data Infrastructure Program (NMSDIP). ~ A national
mapping program shall be implemented, coordinates and monitored by the Interagency
Technical Committee (ITC) which is hereby created. It shall be composed of the NAMRIA as.
the lead agency, the BSWM, the Forest Management Bureau (FMB), the LMB, the Land
Registration Authority (LRA), the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), the MGB,
the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the DAR, the DA, the
NCIP, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), the DOE, the National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the NEDA, and other concerned
government agencies. The ITC shall be constituted, and the mapping and spatial data
infrastructure program shail be initiated within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act.
The program shall be responsible for the production of base and decision maps and
associated spatial databases for all planning levels based on the guidelines of the NLUPC.

Under the program, all government stakeholders concemed in the production of maps
of various themes shall collaboratively formulate the government's spatial data infrastructure
master plan and respective government agency/stakeholders’ spatial data infrastructure
plans which shall be the basis for subsequent funding and eventual project implementation
andlor operation.

All pertinent and updated thematic maps/data from supporting agencies of the program
shall be submitted to the NAMRIA for compilation and integration Into a national geospatial
database established under the program

The NAMRIA shall finish its base mapping program within two (2) years upon the
effectivity of this Act and provide updates thereof to support the implementation of the spatial
data infrastructure program.

‘The spatial and nonspatial data generated by these activities shall be transmitted to
the LGU as soon as practicable. Existing land information data available to the national
government agencies as of the effectivity of this Act shall be immediately transmitted to the
LGus.

For purposes of uniformity and standardization, the LGUs, assisted by the appropriate
agencies of the national government, shall likewise prepare their respective maps using
scales, symbols, and other indicators to be prescribed in accordance with this Act. The
completed maps shalt be integrated in the NPFP pursuant to Section 51 of this Act.

32


SEC. 69. Maps for Planning. ~ Within one (1) year after the NLUPC's approval of the
Guidelines and Standards for planning at all levels, available NAMRIA maps and all maps
made available to NAMRIA by supporting agencies shall be submitted to the NLUPC for
national, provincial, cities and municipalities planning. The NLUPC shalll forward these maps
to the respective PLUPMBs and C/MLUPMBs after it has reviewed and approved them.
Pertinent maps to be produced through the NMSDIP shall include, among others:

a. Topographic Maps;

». Geologic Maps;

¢. Hydrologic Maps;

4. Climate Maps;

e. Soils Maps;

f. Slope Maps;

g. Mineral Resource Maps:
h. Existing Land Use Maps;
i. Land Suitability Maps for.
1) Settiements;

2) Agriculture;

1) Network of Protected Areas for Agricultural and Agro-industrial Development;
2) Commodity Specific Development Guide Maps;
3) Land Limitation Maps;

4) Cropping System Zones Maps;

5) Hydro-ecological Conditions Map; and

6) Irrigation Systems Maps,

k. Land Classification Maps;

|. Municipal Waters Delineation Maps and MPAs,
m. Geo-Hazard Maps:

1) Flood-Prone Areas:

2) Hazard Zonation Maps for Volcanoes;

3) Map of Fault Systems;

4) Tsunami-Prone Areas; and

5) Erosion Prone Areas.

n. Tourism Maps;

0. Transportation Maps;

P. Traffic Flow;

Maps Designating Areas Served by:

Power.

2) Telecommunications; and

3) Water.

Maps indicating the following facilities:
Health:

2) Education; and

3) Power.

Domestic Water Supply:
Industrial Areas;

Population Distribution Map;
Ancestral Domain Map;
NIPAS Areas;

Areas Suitable for Urban Expansion;
Watershed Areas; and
Forest Lands:

Protection Areas;
Production Areas; and

NoN<xKe<er8


3) Restoration Areas:
@) Key Biodiversity Areas; and
b) Marine Protected Areas.

‘SEC. 70. Ground Delineation of the Country's Permanent Forest Line. — Pursuant to the
Constitution and as provided under this Act, the final determination and ground delineation of
the country's permanent forest line shail be completed within one (1) year from the effectivity
of this Act: Provided, That appropriations for the fulfillment of this provision shall be included
in the annual appropriations of the DENR: Provided, further, That the complete report on the
delineation of the country’s permanent forest line shall be submitted to the NLUPC for
appropriate integration in the country’s strategic land use development plan and policies.

SEC. 71. Completion and Updating of Existing Cadastral Surveys. ~ The completion of
incomplete cadastral surveys of LGUs and the updating of existing surveys shall be given
priority consideration and allocation of resources in the implementation of this Act. The
DENR shall include in its annual appropriations the completion and updating of all
incomplete and existing cadastral surveys of all LGUs in the country: Provided, That such
surveys and maps shall be integrated into the National Spatial Database Information and
Mapping System.

In cases of ancestral domains, self-delineation by CCs/IPs of their ancestral lands
shall be employed to determine boundaries as provided for under Republic Act No. 6371

SEC. 72. Ground Delineation of Land Use. ~ For effective planning to take place at the local
fevel and for easy enforcement of the ZO of each city/municipality, land uses must be
identifiable both on the map and on the ground. A Joint Committee comprised of the LGU, as
represented by its C/MLUPMB, and of the national government agency concerned, to be
assisted by the C/MPDC, shall identify and delineate on the ground the land uses within their
Jurisdiction. The following shall be given priorty:
a. Forest Lands:
4) Protection; and
Production.

b. Ancestral Domains:

c. NIPAS Areas:

1) Strict Protection Zone; and

2) Multiple Use Zone.

d. Watershed Areas:

1) Critical; and

2) Multiple Use.

. Network of Protected Areas for Agricultural and Agro-industrial Development
(NPAAAD),

f. Socialized Housing Sites and Settlement Expansion Areas;

g. Extents of Environmentally Constrained Areas;

h. Easement Areas;

i. Critical coastal areas:

1) Mangroves; and

2) Sea grass.

Critical marine resources shall also be delineated both on the map and in the waters.
Perimeters of critical offshore areas, such as coral reefs, shall be marked in accordance with
the coastal resource management pians concerned.

All maps shall be updated as new important information and data become available or
as determined by urgent need. Updating of maps shall be undertaken not more often than
every ten (10) years,

SEC. 73. National Geo-hazerd Mapping Program. - Within thirty (30) days from the
effectivity of this Act, a nationwide geo-hazard mapping program shall be initiated jointly

34


through the NLUPC by the PHIVOLCS, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). the NAMRIA, the MGB, and the DOE, in
coordination with the NDRRMC, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Councils, and other concerned goverment 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, 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 into their respective CLUPs and ZOs. Said geo-hazard maps shall
serve as guide for all the LGUs in the preparation of their own hazards-constrained
development pians. The NPFP shall incorporate these geo-hazard maps.

All entities conducting infrastructure activities including real estate and subdivision
projects and the development of tourist spots requiring an ECC shall submit an Engineering
Geological and Geo-hazard Assessment Report (EGGAR).

SEC. 74. Scope and Nature of Responsibilities of Other National Goverment Agencies. —
All concerned national government agencies/bodies shail periodically report to the NLUPC
‘on the various activities and accomplishments on land use. Likewise, they shall provide their
respective: sectoral/development plans and provide technical and administrative support if
called upon by the NLUPC for the implementation of the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 75. Submission of Annual Report on the implementation of CLUPs and ZOs, - The
locai land use boards shall submit their annual report on the implementation of their land use
plans to their respective Sanggunian which shall submit the same to the RLUPCs for
consolidation. The RLUPC shalt thereafter transmit the consolidated reports to the NLUPC
for monitoring and evaluation

CHAPTER IX
TRAINING, EDUCATION AND VALUES FORMATION

SEC. 76. Values Formation. — In order to develop a well-informed, responsible and
committed citizenry who value 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. 77. Information/Education Campaign and Capacity-Building. - The NLUPC shail
undertake:a nationwide information/education campaign on land use and physical planning
to be implemented by local and national government agencies. The DILG and concerned
agencies shail formulate and implement a land use management capability-building program
for national and local government officials, community leaders, representatives of NGOs,
POs, the religious sector, and the general public.

CHAPTER X
INCENTIVES, SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES.
ARTICLE ONE. INCENTIVES AND AWARDS

‘SEC. 78, Formulation of a System of incentives and Awards. - The NLUPC shall come up
with a system of incentives and awards to LGUs that regularly update their CLUPs/ZOs once
every eight (8) years.

‘SEC. 79. Priority in Giving Technical Assistance to LGUs. — In providing technical assistance
and other forms of support related to land use management and implementation of

as


development plans, national government agencies shall give priority to cities and
municipalities with approved CLUPs and ZOs.

ARTICLE TWO. SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES

SEC. 80. Fine for Failure to Commence or Complete the Development of Agricultural Lands
With Approved Conversion Order. ~ For agricultural lands with approved conversion orders,
the provisions of Republic Act No. 6657 (CARL), as amended by Republic Act No, $700,
shall apply. A landowner and/or the designated developer or duly authorized representative
who fall to commence and/or complete the development pian defined in the conversion order
shall be jointly and severally penalized. The following fines based on the zonal value or the
fair market value of the land, whichever is higher, at the time the fine shall be imposed

a. Failure to commence within three (3) years from the date of the conversion order-

1) Three percent (3%) for the first three (3) hectares;

2) Ten percent (10%) for the next three (3) hectares; and

3) Fifteen percent (15%) for the remaining area

In such case, the order of conversion shall be revoked by operation of law. The land
shall revert to its original use as agricultural land and may be covered by the DAR through
compulsory acquisition for distribution to qualified beneficiaries.

b. Failure to complete sixty percent (60%) of the approved conversion plan within a
specified time frame shall result to the automatic revocation by the DAR of the conversion
plan on the undeveloped portion. The land shall be reverted to its original use as agricultural
land and may be covered under the CARP for land distribution

SEC. 81. Persons Abetting illegal Conversion. — Any person initiating, causing, inducing, or
abetting illegal conversion with intent shall be punished with imprisonment or a fine in
accordance with Act No. 3815 or Republic Act No. 3019, or both, at the discretion of the
court.

If the offender is a public official or employee, whether elected or appointed, the
penalty shall also inclide dismissal from service, forfeiture of all benefits and entitiements
accruing to the public position, and perpetual disqualification to run or apply for any elective
oF appointive public office.

If the offender is 2 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, The imposable fine shall be equivalent to the
zonal value of the land or forty percent (40%) of the shareholders’ equity, whichever is
higher. Furthermore. the land shall be forfeited in favor of the State and sold through public
auction. The proceeds of the sale shall automatically accrue to the Agrarian Reform Fund

SEC. 82. Penalty for Reclassification of Protected Agriculture! Lands and Exceeding the
Limit of Areas Allowed for Reclassification, - Any person initiating, causing, inducing. or
abetting the reclassification to nonagricultural uses of protected agricultural areas as defined
in Section 13 hereof shall be penalized with imprisonment of twelve (12) years or a fine of
Not less than one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the
court.

If the offender is @ public official or employee, whether elected or appointed, the
penalty shall also include dismissal from service, forfeiture of entitiements accruing to the
public position, and perpetual disqualification to run or apply for any elective or appointive
Public position.

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.

The same penalty shall be applicable to persons who will be responsible for exceeding
the limits set forth under Section 20 of the Local Government Code pertaining to
reclassification of lands.

36


SEC. 83. Payment of Disturbance Compensation. — Following the order of priority stated in
Section 22 of Republic Act No. 6857, as amended by Republic Act No. 9700, agricultural
lessees and share tenants, regular farmworkers, seasonal farmworkers, other farmworkers,
actual tillers or occupants of public lands, collective, or cooperative of the above
beneficiaries, and others directly working on the land affected by agricultura! 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 preceding five (5)
calendar years or a certain percentage of the converted land, whichever is higher. as
determined by the DAR.

SEC. 84. Authority to Impose Fine. - The DAR shall have the authority to impose the fines
provided under Sections 60, 81, 82 and 83 of this Act.

SEC. 85. Withdrawal of Local Development Permits and/or Licenses. ~ Upon receipt of
notice from the DAR, the concemed agencies, cities or municipalities shall withdraw and/or
revoke any development permit and/or other licenses that may be necessary to develop the
agricultural land subject of conversion,

SEC. 86. Utilization of Fines. — The fines collected under Section 84 hereof shall
automatically accrue to the Agrarian Reform Fund consistent with the provision of the
‘Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law.

SEC. 87. Failure to Formulate, Implement and/or Enforce the CLUPs and Zoning
Ordinances (ZOs). — Consistent with due process, the NLUPC, in coordination with the
DILG, shall evaluate, review, and recommend the filing of charges against local chief
executives and other local officials and employees responsible for the formulation,
implementation and/or enforcement of the CLUPS for the following acts

a. Failure of the CLUPs/ZOs to conform to the guidelines provided in the NPFP:

b. Failure to complete the preparation of the CLUP despite the availability of funds,
fesources, and support by the Sanggunian concerned;

¢. Failure to provide appropriate budgetary allocation to effect its implementation; and

4. Failure to implement and enforce the CLUP/ZO due to negligence of duty.

Any public official or employee, whether elected, appointed or holding
office/employment in a casual, temporary, holdover, permanent, or regular capacity, found to
be responsible for any of the foregoing acts, shall be punished with forfeiture of salaries and
allowances, and suspension from:

Three (3) to six (6) months, in case of noncompletion of the CLUP; or

b. Three (3) to six (6) months, in case of nonconformity with the NPFP; or

©. Six (6) to nine (9) months, in case of nonimplementation of the CLUP.

Failure to comply with the provisions of Republic Act No. 8371 on the formulation of
CLUP shail be penalized according to Section 72 of Republic Act No. 8371

SEC. 88. illegal Conversion of City or Municipal Parks, Communal Forests, and Tree Parks
in Subdivisions. - Penalties in the amount of one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) to
five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), or imprisonment of six (6) years and one (1)
day to twelve (12) years, or both, at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed for each of
the following offenses:

a. Illegally converting or causing the conversion of a city/municipal park, communal
forest, or tree parks within subdivisions established pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 953,
requiring the planting of trees in certain places, into other uses including the construction of
permanent buildings;

b. Destroying or causing damage to the timberlands and other forest products found
in the abovementioned forest and parks;

37


¢. Setting the abovementioned forest and parks on fire, or negligently permitting a fire
to be set therein; and

d. Assisting, aiding or abetting another person to commit the offenses stated in this
section.

The offender shall likewise be imposed a fine equivalent to eight (8) times the
commercial vaiue of the forest products destroyed without prejudice to payment of the full
cost of rehabilitation of the areas as determined by the DENR.

The maximum penalty prescribed shail be imposed upon the offender who repeats the
same offense, and double the maximum penalty upon the offender who commits the same
offense for the third time or more.

All improvements made therein, as well as all vehicles, domestic animals, and
equipment of any kind used in the commission of the offense shall be forfeited in favor of the
government.

If not suitable for use by the DENR, said improvements, vehicles, domestic animals
and equipment shail be sold at public auction, the proceeds from which shall accrue to the
Forest Conservation and Development Fund (FCDF).

CHAPTER XI
TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 89. Mandatory Review Every Ten (10) Years. - The Congress shall undertake a
mandatory review of this Act at least once every ten (10) years from its effectivity or as often
as it may be deemed necessary to ensure that land use policies and guidelines remain
responsive to changing circumstances.

For this purpose, the Congress may call upon the NLUPC to undertake the necessary
researches and consultations.

SEC. 90. Convaning of the NLUPC. ~ Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act,
the Chairperson shall convene the NLUPC and the Head of the NLUPC Secretariat shall
immediately assume office

SEC. 91. Implementing Rules and Regulations, ~ Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity
of this Act, the NLUPC shall promulgate its implementing rules and regulations (IRR)
including the rules on the selection of the members of the C/MLUPMB and the PLUPMB. It
shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at
Jeast two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

SEC. 92. Transfer of Powers and Functions. ~ The functions of the HLURB on land use
planning as provided for under Sections 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, and 5f of Executive Order No
648, Series of 1991; and Executive Order No. 72, Series of 1993, shall be immediately
transferred to the NLUPC and its appropriate subnational LGU structures, except as
provided in Section 55 hereof. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to transfer or limit
functions embraced within the said provisions that pertain to or relate to HLURB non-
planning functions.

SEC. 93. 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 issued by the NLUPC within one (1) year from the effectivity of this
Act.

SEC, 84. Access to Information, - Access to records and documents pertaining to official
acts, transactions, or decisions as well as to data used as basis for policy development by
the NLUPC shall be made available to the public.

SEC. 95. Appropriations. ~ The amount needed for the initial implementation of this Act shall
38


be charged against the current year's appropriations of the NEDA Board-National Land Use
Committee (NB-NLUC). Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued
implementation of this Act shalt be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 96. Congressional Oversight Committee on the Land Use Act. — A Congressionat
‘Oversight Committee on the Land Use Act shail be created. It shall be composed of seven
(7) members from the Senate and seven (7) members from the House of Representatives.
‘The Members from the Senate shall be appointed by the Senate President based on
Proportional representation of the parties or coalitions therein, with at least two (2) Senators
fepresenting the minority. The Members from the House of Representatives shall be
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, also based on proportional
representation of the parties or coalitions therein, with at least two (2) Members representing
the minority.

‘The Oversight Committee shail function for a period of not more than three (3) years to
‘oversee the implementation of this Act. The secretariat of the Oversight Committee shall be
drawn from the existing secretariat personnel of the committees comprising the ‘oversight

SEC. 97. Non-impairment Clause. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to diminish or,
impair rights recognized, granted, or available to marginalized or the basic sectors under
existing laws including, but not limited to, Republic Acts Numbered 7279 and 6657, as
amended by Republic Acts Numbered 7942, 8371, 8550 and 9700.

SEC. 98. Repealing Clause, — Section 10 of Republic Act No. 8435 and Sections 447
{a2vil) and 458 (a2viil) of Republic Act No. 7160 and related laws and administrative
issuances are hereby modified by Section 13 hereof. The pertinent provisions of Executive
Order No, 648; Executive Order No. 72, Series of 1993; and Executive Order No. 770,
Series of 2008, amending Letter of instruction (LO!) No. 1350, are also modified accordingly.
Section 11 of Republic Act No. 8435 as to the penalty for agricultural inactivity and
premature conversion is also modified by Section 83 hereof. LOI No. 1350, Series of 1983;
Presidential Proclamation No. 2282, Series of 1983; and all other general and special laws,
acts, decrees, executive orders, prociamations and administrative regulations, or any part
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

A\l republic acts, executive orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
amended accordingly

SEC. 99. Separability Clause. ~ If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or Provisions not affected thereby
shall remain in {ull force and effect.

SEC. 100. Effectivity. - 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,