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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC} 
u?'ih~1' o! 1\11 ~::"\"-u>br~ 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
} 
Second Regular Session 
} 
'11 
DEC 19 
IUO :35 
SENATE 
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. _-=-9-=.4_ 
Submitted jointly by the Committees on Environment and Natural Resources; Urban 
Planning, Housing and Resettlement; and Finance on 
DEC 1 9 2011 
. 
Re 
Senate Bill No. 3091 
Recommending its approval in substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 109, 141, 647, 1369 and 
2673. 
Sponsors 
Senators Escudero, Marcos Jr., Drilon, Honasan 11, Cayetano (P.), Ejercito 
Estrada, Legarda and the Committee on Rules. 
MR. PRESIDENT: 
The Committees on Environment and Natural Resources; Urban Planning, 
Housing and Resettlement; and Finance to which were referred Senate Bill No. 109, 
introduced by Senator Honasan II, entitled: 
"AN ACT 
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, PROVIDING THE 
IMPLEMENTING 
MECHANISMS 
THEREFOR, 
AND 
FOR 
OTHER 
PURPOSES" 
Senate Bill No. 141, introduced by Senator Cayetano (P.), entitled: 
"AN ACT 
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, PROVIDING THE 
IMPLEMENTING 
MECHANISMS 
THEREFOR, 
ANO 
FOR 
OTHER 
PURPOSES" 
Senate Bill No. 647, introduced by Senator Ejercito Estrada, entitled: 
"AN ACT 
INSTITUTING 
A 
NATIONAL 
LAND 
USE 
POLICY, 
PROVIDING 
THE 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" 


. 
• 
• 
COMMITTEE REPORT ON THE NATIONAL LAND USE ACT 
2 
Senate Bill No. 1369, introduced by Senator Legarda, entitled: 
"AN ACT 
INSTITUTING 
A 
NATIONAL 
LAND 
USE 
POLICY, 
PROVIDING 
THE 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" 
and Senate Bill No. 2673, introduced by the Committee on Rules, entitled: 
"AN ACT 
INSTITUTING 
A 
NATIONAL 
LAND 
USE 
POLICY, 
PROVIDING 
THE 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" 
have considered the same and have the honor to report these bills back to the Senate 
with the recommendation that the attached bill, Senate Bill No. 3iCl91 , prepared 
jointly by the Committees, entitled: 
"AN ACT 
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, PROVIDING THE 
IMPLEMENTING 
MECHANISMS 
THEREFOR, 
AND 
FOR 
OTHER 
PURPOSES" 
be approved in substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 109, 141, 647, 1369 and 2673 with 
Senators Honasan II, Cayetano (P.), Ejercito Estrada, Legarda, the Committee on Rules, 
Escudero, Marcos Jr., and Drilon as authors . 


.' 
• 
• 
I 
COMMITTEE REPORT ON THE NATIONAL LAND USE Acr 
Respectfully submitted: 
Chairmen: 
~-
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 
Member, Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement 
Member, Committee on Finance 
R. MARCOS JR. 
3 
Committee n Urban Planning, Housing 
and Reset ement 
Member, Committee on Environment and 
Natural Resources 
er, Committee on Environment and 
al Resources 
Member, Committee on Finance 
Vice-Chairpersons: 
---- ----::=:-----.=.,--::::._--=--:;.,. 
----- ~ 
----'-
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~.::::"~~-.. --.. -.---::::::::::::..----,----------
I 
LDREN_BrJ:JfG'ARDA 
P(/:CEf:P 
Committee o~1,an Planning, Housing 
and Resettlement 
Committee on Environment and Natural 
Resources 
Member, Committee on Urban Planning, 
Housing and Resettlement 
Member, Committee on Finance 
Member, Committee on Environment and 
Natural Resources 
Member, Committee on Finance 


i 
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COMMITIEE REPORT ON THE NATIONAL LAND USE ACT 
4 
Members: 
Committee on Environment and Natural 
Resources 
Committee on Finance 
~A(\ 
MANU' B. VILLAR\ 
Committee on Environment and Natural 
, 
Resources 
Committee on Urban Planning, Housing 
and Resettlement 
Co mittee on Environment and Natural 
R sources 
Committee on Urban Planning, Housing 
and Resettlement 
Committee on Finance 
Resources 
Committee on Urban Planning, Housing 
and Resettlement 
Committee on Finance 
~~ 
MANUEL "LITO" M. LAP~ 
Committee on Environm nt and Natural 
Resources 
Committee on Finance 
~ 
~~~,,£ 
4')., 
FRA 
. PANGILINAN 
~.~""--" 
Committ eo Environmen 
d~tural~ 
17 
Resources 
~~~ 
Committee on Finance 


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COMMITTEE REPORT ON THE NATIONAL LAND USE AU 
Natural 
TEO 
5 
SEL r:::::. v;: 
Committee on Environment and Natural 
Resources 
Committee on Finance 
'71*~~ 
A~ 
I.~~ 
I(OKER P. ARROYO ........." """""'L 
n Environment and Natural 
Committee on Environment and Natural 
Resources 
~ 
4JA!V>v )Jc1; 
MIRIAM DI\sENSOR SAlfTiAGO 
Committee on Urban Planring. Housing 
and Resettlement 
Committee on Finance 
Com ni tee on Urban Planning. Housing 
and Resettlement 
Committee on Finance 
Committee on Urban Planning. Housing 
and Resettlement 
Committee on Finance 
(h 
ANTONIO "SONNY" F. TRILLANES IV 
Committee on Urban Planning. Housing 
and Resettlement 
~)l~rJvc c~~,~",Q~.~ 
AQ6~ ~~~~L{~\~'EL III 
Committee on Urban Planning, Housing 
and Resettlement 
Committee on Finance 


.' 
• 
! • 
COMMIITEE REPORT ON THE NATIONAL LAND USE Ar::r 
EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Presiden Pro-Tempore 
Ex-Officio Members: 
~d 
CENTE c. SOT 
Majority Leader 
dm~ 
ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO 
Minority Leader 
Hon. JUAN PONCE ENRILE 
President 
Senate of the Philippines 
Pasay City 
6 


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• 
1 
2 
3 
6 
'7 
! 8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC} 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
} 
Second Regular Session 
} 
SENATE 
SENATE BILL NO. 3091 
(In substitution o/SBN 109,141, 647, 1369 and 2673) 
'11 
.~ 
-, k\} 
~i£t\:t< .. 
1J)\h~r dllj.: :~'nl?br~ 
DEC 19 i\lC :35 
Prepared jointly by the Committees on Environment and Natural Resources; Urban 
Planning, Housing and Resettlement; and Finance with Senators Honasan II, Cayetano 
(P.), Ejercito Estrada, Legarda, the Committee on Rules, Escudero, Marcos Jr., and Drilon 
as authors 
ANACT 
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, PROVIDING THE IMPLEMENTING 
MECHANISMS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
CHAPTER I 
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the "National Land Use 
Act of the Philippines of 2011". 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies and Principles. - All lands of the public domain, 
waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, 
fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, fora and fauna, and other natural resources are 
owned by the state. With the exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources 
shall not be alienated. 
Pursuant to the constitutional provision or mandate, it is the policy of the State 
to provide for a rational, holistic, and just allocation, utilization, management, and 
development of the country's land to ensure their optimum use, consistent with the 
principle of sustainable development. 


- 2 -
1 
The State shall recognize the need for rational, optimal and sustainable 
2 
settlements development, consistent with the principles of environmental management 
3 
and equitable access to land and security. 
'4 
Toward this end, the State shall institutionalize land use and physical planning as 
is 
mechanisms for identifying, determining, and evaluating appropriate land use and 
6 
allocation patterns that promote and ensure: 
7 
a) Sustainable management and utilization of natural resources; 
• 
8 
9 
b) Maintenance and preservation of environmental integrity and stability 
specifically the perpetual protection of permanent forests and watershed for the 
10 
attainment of food, water and energy sufficiency; 
11 
c) Disaster risk-reduction and climate change resiliency; 
12 
d) Protection of prime agricultural lands for food security in basic commodities 
13 
with emphasis on self sufficiency in rice and corn; 
14 
e) Water security through sustainable development and management of water 
resources towards water security; 
f) Settlements, transportation and infrastructure development in support of 
17 
urban, rural and regional development and inclusive growth; 
18 
g) Harmony between the rights and the varied interests of every Filipino within 
19 
the framework of people empowerment, decentralization, social justice, and equity; 
20 
h) Respect for and protection of the sustainable traditional resource rights of 
21 
the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) to their ancestral 
22 
domains to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being as well as recognition 
of the applicability of customary laws and sustainable traditional resource use and 
~4 
management, knowledge, and practices in ancestral domains in compliance with free 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 ·'9 
i 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
17 
18 
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and prior informed consent of ICC/IPs; 
i) Protection of the rights of basic sectors to equitable access to the country's 
land; 
j) Protection, preservation, and development of the Filipino historical, cultural 
and built cultural heritage and resources for the deeper understanding of our history 
and culture as a people; 
k) Attainment of energy security and self-sufficiency; and 
I) 
Market orientation where the interplay of market forces and fair trade within 
the framework of ecological development and equity consideration is encouraged and 
adopted as the basic parameter in achieving efficiency in land use and allocation. 
It is also the policy of the State to ensure that local government units (LGUs) 
share with the national government the responsibility of managing and maintaining 
ecological balance within their territorial jurisdiction as stated in the 1987 Constitution 
and the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC) or Republic Act 7160. 
Guided by the principle that the use of land bears a social function and that all 
economic agents shall contribute to the common good, landowners, land tenure holders, 
in the case of forestlands, be it an individual, communal, corporate or group shall be 
held responsible for developing and conserving their lands thereby making their lands 
, 
19 
productive and supportive of environmental stability. 
20 
SEC. 3. Scope. - This Act shall apply to all lands whether public, private, 
21 
government-owned, and/or in the possession of individuals, communities, indigenous 
22 
people, or groups of people, to provide for a rational, holistic, and just allocation, 
23 
development and management of land including such activities that bear impact on said 
24 
resources. 


- 4-
1 
CHAPTER II 
2 
DEFINITIONS 
3 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in and for purposes of this Act, the 
4 
following terms shall mean: 
5 
a) 
"Agricultural land" shall refer to land of public domain which have been 
6 
devoted to agricultural activity as defined in Republic Act No. 6657, as amended and not 
7 
further classified for residential, commercial or industrial use and such other uses as 
.8 may be provided by law; 
9 
b) "Agricultural land use conversion" shall refer to the undertaking of any 
10 
development activity which modifies or alters the physical characteristics of 
11 
agricultural lands to render them suitable for non-agricultural purposes with an 
12 
approved order of conversion issued exclusively by the Department of Agrarian Reform 
(DAR); 
c) "Alienable and disposable (A&D) lands" shall refer to lands of the public 
domain which have been delineated, classified, and certified as open and available for 
disposition under the provisions of Commonwealth Act No.141, otherwise known as the 
17 
"Public Land Act," as amended; 
18 
d) "Ancestral domains" shall refer to all areas generally belonging to ICCs/IPs as 
19 
defined in Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as the "Indigenous Peoples Rights 
20 
Act (JPRA) of1998;" 
21 
e) "Basic Sector" shall refer to a group of people not referring to any organized 
22 
groups such as but not limited to women, youth, elderly, differently-abled, peasants and 
23 
fisher folk; 
24 
f) "Basic Shelter" shall refer to any subdivision unit, housing unit or 


i 
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1 
condominium satisfying the barest minimum shelter requirements under the minimum 
2 
design standards of Batas Pambansa Big. 220; 
3 
g) "Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP)" shall refer to a document embodying a 
4 
set of policies and guidelines, accompanied by official maps and similar illustrations, 
5 
that serves as principal basis for determining the future land use of lands and natural 
6 
resources for production and protection purpose within the territorial jurisdiction of 
7 
the city or municipality. It represents the community-desired pattern of population 
distribution and proposes future allocation of land resources to various land-using 
activities. It identifies the allocation, character, and extent ofthe areas ofland resources 
10 
to be used for different purposes and includes the processes and the criteria employed 
11 
in the determination of the land use. It has a long-term perspective, encompassing a 
12 
minimum often (10) years; 
13 
h) "Comprehensive land use planning" shall refer to the act of defining the 
14 
allocation, utilization, development and management of all lands within a given 
territory or jurisdiction according to the inherent characteristic of the land itself and 
supportive of sustainable, economic, demographic, socio-cultural and environmental 
17 
objectives as an aid to decision-making and legislation; 
18 
i) 
"Coastal area/zone" shall refer to a band of dry land and the adjacent ocean 
lLg 
space (water and submerged land) in which terrestrial processes and uses directly 
20 
affect oceanic processes and uses, and vice versa. Its geographic extent may include 
21 
areas within a landmark limit of one (1) kilometer from the shoreline at high tide to 
22 
include mangrove swamps, brackish water ponds, nipa swamps, estuarine rivers, sandy 
23 
beaches and other areas within a seaward limit of 200 meters isobath to include coral 
24 
reefs, algal flats, seagrass beds, and other soft-bottom areas. For purposes of initiating 


- 6 -
1 
and implementing sustainable coastal resources protection and management, it shall 
2 
include foreshore lands; 
3 
j) "Critical habitats" shall refer to areas outside protected areas as defined in 
, 
4 
Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the "National Integrated Protected Areas 
15 
System Act of 1992", that are known habitats of threatened species and designated as 
6 
such based on scientific data taking into consideration species endemicity and/or 
7 
richness, presence of human-made pressures/threats to the survival of wildlife living in 
8 • 
9 
the area, among others; 
k) "Critical watershed" shall refer to a drainage area of a river system supporting 
10 
existing and proposed hydro-electric power, domestic water consumption, irrigation 
11 
works or existing water facilities needing immediate protection and rehabilitation to 
12 
minimize erosion and improve water yield. It shall be closed for logging until it is fully 
13 
rehabilitated; 
14 
I) 
"Cultural heritage" shall refer to the totality of cultural properties preserved 
and developed through time and passed on for posterity; 
m) "Customary laws" shall refer to a body of written and/ or unwritten rules, 
17 
usages, customs and practices traditionally and continually recognized, accepted, and 
18 
observed by respective ICCs/IPs, consistent with the IPRA; 
., 
19 
n) "Development plan" shall refer to a document that defines the activities or 
20 
measures that the national government or local government units (LGU's) intend to 
21 
implement in order to achieve a defined set of development goals. It integrates the 
22 
socio-economic and sectoral plans of the national government or its instrumentality or 
23 
a particular LGU with land use or physical framework plans. It may include an analysis 
i 24 
of problems and resources, 'definition of goals and objectives, policy guidelines, project 


" 
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1 
and target achievements, and an implementation mechanism which defines the roles 
2 
and contributions expected from the government and the private sector. Development 
3 
plans include the national-level Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) 
4 
and its counterpart plans at the regional, provincial and local levels called the Medium-
5 
Term Regional Development Plan (MTRDP), the Provincial Physical Framework and 
6 
Development Plan (PPFDP) and the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP). These 
7 
plans are translated into medium-term investment programs, also prepared at the 
8 .' 
9 
I 
national, regional and local levels, where programs, projects and activities derived from 
the development plans are ranked, prioritized, and matched with investment financing 
10 
capacities; 
11 
0) "Ecologically-fragile lands" shall refer to lands within the critical watershed, 
12 
brackish and freshwater wetlands, pasture lands, and croplands which require 
13 
rehabilitation and whose continued unsustainable use would adversely affect the 
14 
productivity oflowland agricultural areas and the stability of the upland ecosystem; 
p) "Ecotourism" shall refer to sustainable tourism or travel to a given natural 
area with exotic or threatened ecosystems or a heritage area to observe wildlife or to 
17 
help preserve nature, in the process providing for community participation, protection 
18 
and management of natural resources, culture and indigenous knowledge systems and 
19 
practices, environmental education and ethics, as well as economic benefits fostered 
20 
and pursued for the enrichment of host communities and the satisfaction of visitors; 
21 
q) "Energy resource lands" shall refer to lands where naturally occurring or 
22 
indigenous energy resources exist in sufficient quantity or quality as to be economically 
23 
viable for exploration, development, production, utilization, and distribution process; 
24 
r) "Energy resources" shall refer to surface or subsurface substances that serve 


. , 
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1 
as energy sources. These are traditionally mineral fuel deposits such as coal, petroleum, 
2 
natural gas or renewable resources from geothermal, hydro reservoirs, or non-
3 
conventional sources such as ocean waves, solar, wind, biomass, and other similar 
4 
resources which serve the same purpose; 
5 
s) "Environmentally critical areas" shall refer to areas declared by law as: (a) 
6 
protected areas pursuant to Republic Act No. 7586 or the NIPAS Act of 1992; (b) areas 
7 
for natural parks, watershed reserves, wildlife preserves, and sanctuaries; (c) areas set 
8 • 
9 
aside as aesthetic potential tourist spots; (d) areas which constitute the habitat of any 
endangered or threatened species or indigenous Philippine wildlife (flora and fauna); 
10 
(e) areas of unique historic, archaeological, or scientific interests; (f) areas which are 
11 
traditionally occupied by ICCs/IPs; (g) areas with critical slopes; (h) areas exposed to 
12 
geologic and hydro-meteorlogic hazards; (i) prime agricultural lands; (j) recharge areas 
P 
of aquifers; (k) water bodies; (I) mangrove areas; (m) coral reefs; (n) mossy and old-
f4 
growth forests; (0) rivers and river banks; (p) swamp forest and marshlands; and (q) 
15 
-16 
foreshore lands. This term shall also include other terrestrial, aquatic and marine areas 
that need special protection and conservation measures because they are ecologically 
17 
fragile or they are needed for food security and food self sufficiency as determined by 
18 
concerned agencies and LGUs in consultation with the concerned sectors; 
19 
t) "Estuary" shall refer to a wetland type where the river mouth widens into a 
20 
marine ecosystem, the salinity of which is intermediate between salt and freshwater 
21 
where tidal action is an important biophysical regulator; 
22 
u) "Exhausted energy resource lands" shall refer to specific energy resource sites 
23 
whose energy reserves of the desired type(s) are no longer in sufficient quantity or 
24 
quality to justify additional expenditure for their extraction and utilization as certified 


• 
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i 
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1 
by the Department of Energy; 
2 
v) "Exhausted mineral lands" shall refer to specific sites whose mineral deposits 
3 
are no longer in sufficient quantity or quality to justify additional expenditure for their 
4 
extraction a.nd utilization as may be determined by the latest technology available; 
5 
w) "Exhausted mineral resources" shall refer to a situation where the mineral 
6 
resources in specific sites are no longer in sufficient quantity or quality to justify 
7 
additional expenditure for extraction or utilization as determined by the Mines and 
8 • 
9 
Geosciences Bureau and approved by the DENR; 
x) "Flood plain" shall refer to the portion of a river valley adjacent to a river 
10 
channel which is covered with water when river overflows its banks at flood stages. The 
11 
plain usually consists of silt deposited by the stream; 
12 
y) "Flood-prone areas" shall refer to low lying areas usually adjacent to large or 
13 
active water bodies and therefore experience regular or seasonal inundation as a result 
14 
of changes in the mean water level of these bodies or because of land reclamation and 
15 
-16 
other artificial interference with the natural processes; 
z) "Food security" shall refer to the policy objective of meeting the food 
17 
availability, accessibility, quality and affordability requirements of the present and 
i8 
future generations of Filipinos in a sustainable manner, through local production or 
19 
importation, only when there is shortage established based on a micro level situation, 
20 
or both, based on the country's existing and potential resource endowments and related 
21 
production advantages, and consistent with the overall national development objectives 
22 
and policies; 
23 
aa) 
"Food self-sufficiency" shall refer to the policy objective of meeting the 
24 
food requirements through intensive local food production in a sustainable manner 


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1 
based on the country's existing and potential resource endowments and related 
2 
production advantages; 
3 
bb) 
"Forestlands" shall refer to lands of the public domain classified and/or 
4 
determined as needed. They include all permanent forests or forest reserves, forest 
! 
5 
reservations and all remaining unclassified lands of the public domain; 
6 
cc) 
"Foreshore land" shall refer to the part of the shore which is alternately 
7 
covered and uncovered by the ebb and flow of the tide; 
dd) 
"Free and Prior Informed Consent" shall refer to consensus of all members 
of the ICCs/IPs to be determined in accordance with their respective customary laws 
10 
and practices, free from any external manipulation, interference and coercion, and 
11 
obtained after fully disclosing the intent and scope of the activity, in a language and 
12 
process understandable to the community; 
13 
ee) 
"Ceo-hazards" shall refer to natural and human-induced geological 
14 
processes that have potential to cause destruction and pose a threat or risk to human 
life and property; 
ff) 
"Ceo-hazard prone areas" shall refer to areas frequently visited and/or 
17 
vulnerable or prone to experience weather/climatic, hydrologic, geologic, and other 
18 
natural calamities; 
19 
gg) 
"Heritage Zones" shall refer to historical, anthropological, archaeological 
20 
and artistic geographical areas and settings that are culturally significant to the country 
21 
as declared by the National Museum and/or National Historical Commission of the 
22 
Philippines, pursuant to R.A. No. 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009; 
23 
hh) 
"Illegal agricultural land conversion" shall refer to any activity that 
! 
24 
modifies or alters the physical characteristics of agricultural lands to render them 


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1 
suitable for non-agricultural purposes without an approved order of conversion from 
2 
the DAR Secretary; 
3 
ii) 
"Improvements" shall refer to all types of buildings and residential units, 
4 
walls, fences, structures or construction of all kinds of fixed character or are adhered to 
5 
the soil but shall not include trees, plants, growing fruits, and other fixtures that are 
6 
mere super impositions on the land, and the value of improvements shall not be less 
7 
than fifty percent (50%) of the assessed value of the property; 
jj) 
"Inclusive growth" shall refer to ensuring that the economic opportunities 
created by growth are available to all, particularly the poor, to the maximum possible 
extent; 
11 
kk) 
"Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (lCCs/IPs)" shall 
12 
refer to groups of people or homogenous societies identified under Republic Act No. 
13 
8371 or the "Indigenous People's Rights Act (lPRA),,; 
14 
II) 
"Indigenous energy resources" shall refer to energy resources, which 
originate or occur naturally in the Philippines; 
mm) 
"Inland waters" shall refer to waters, which are not coastal and marine 
17 
waters not subject to acquisitive prescription consistent with the provisions of 
18 
Presidential Decree No. 1067, otherwise known as the "Water Code ofthe Philippines"; 
19 
nn) 
"Inter-tidal sand flat" shall refer to a juvenile fish-feeding area and habitat 
20 
for crustaceans. The littoral gravel and sand biotopes are also used by important 
21 
wintering ground and roosting/feeding grounds of indigenous migratory birds; 
22 
00) 
"Integrated watershed management" shall refer to a planning strategy or 
23 
program for watershed areas that complement environmentally-sound soil and water 
24 
management practices with mechanisms for 
ensuring greater responsibility, 


, " i. 
-12 -
1 
involvement, or participation of individuals, groups, communities and other 
2 
stakeholders benefiting from these areas and water-related infrastructure; 
3 
pp) 
"Key biodiversity areas" shall refer to sites that are nationally and globally 
4 
significant for biodiversity conservation primarily containing species that require site-
5 
scale conservation to prevent extinction in the short-term and medium-term. Such 
6 
species may be nationally and globally threatened, restricted-range and/or nationally 
7 
and globally significant congregations of species; 
8 • 
9 
qq) 
"Lagoon" shall refer to a semi-enclosed coastal basin with limited 
freshwater input, high salinity and restricted circulation which often lies behind sand 
10 
dunes. It is often highly productive and habitat for variety of plants and animal, serves 
11 
as nurseries of prawns and shrimps and also site for harbor, aquaculture, industry and 
12 
recreation; 
13 
rr) 
"Land" shall refer to resources, both natural and man-made, found on the 
t4 
surface, below, and above the ground including inland waters and the air therein; 
15 
-16 
ss) 
"Land use" shall refer to the manner of utilization of land, including its 
allocation, development, and management; 
17 
tt) 
"Land use classification" shall refer to the act of delineating or allocating 
18 
lands according to protection land use, production land use, settlements development, 
19 
and infrastructure development as defined and provided for in this Act; 
20 
uu) "Land sub-classification" shall refer to the act of determining and assigning 
21 
specific uses of classified lands of the public domain, such as forest or timber lands, 
22 
alienable or disposable agricultural lands, national parks, and mineral lands in 
23 
accordance with eXisting laws and this Act; 
24 
vv) 
"Mandatory public hearings/consu/tations" shall refer to the mechanism to 


i 
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1 
ensure the active participation of concerned sectors in all affected areas in land use 
2 
planning from the local to the national level. It involves giving effective notice of 
3 
hearing/consultation to concerned sectors within an affected area through direct 
4 
written invitations, using regular mail or electronic means, and publication/posting in 
5 
conspicuous places, conduct of a reasonable number of hearings in or proximate to the 
6 
specific area affected, and solicitation of positions and the public presentation and 
7 
public confirmation of the planning results in the specific area affected before the final 
8 • 
9 
adoption of the plans; 
ww) "Minerals" shall refer to all naturally occurring inorganic substance in solid, 
10 
gas, liquid or intermediate state excluding energy materials such as coal, petroleum, 
11 
natural gas, radioactive materials and geothermal energy; 
12 
xx) 
"Mineral exploration" shall refer to the systematic searching or prospecting 
13 
for mineral resources; 
14 
yy) "Mineral lands" shall refer to lands where mineral resources are found; 
zz) 
"Mineral resources" shall refer to any concentration of minerals/rocks with 
potential economic value; 
17 
aaa) "Mudflat" shall refer to a wetland type that is usually an unvegetated area, 
18 
dominated by muddy substrate which provides rich feeding grounds for vertebrates 
i 19 
such as fish and water birds and also important in preventing soil erosion; 
20 
bbb) "National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS)" shall refer to the 
21 
classification and administration of all designated protected areas to maintain essential 
22 
ecological processes and life-support systems, to preserves genetics diversity, to ensure 
23 
sustainable use of resources found therein, and to maintain their natural conditions to 
24 
the greatest extent possible; 


-14 -
1 
ccc) "National Land Use Commission (NLUC)" shall refer to the highest land use 
2 
policy making body created under Section 14 of this Act; 
3 
ddd) "National Parks" shall refer to a forest reservation essentially of natural 
4 
i 
wilderness character which has been withdrawn from settlement, occupancy or any 
5 
form of exploitation except in conformity with approved management plan and set 
6 
aside as such exclusively to conserve the area or preserve the scenery, the natural and 
7 
historic objects, wild animals and plants therein and to provide enjoyment of these 
features in such areas; 
eee) "National physical framework plan" shall refer to an indicative plan 
10 
containing the policy areas promoting the most appropriate and rational use of land and 
11 
other physical resources such as but not limited to protection, production, settlement 
12 
and infrastructure land use. It provides policy guidelines for all decisions relating to 
13 
land use and environmental management, to prevent and mitigate the adverse effects of 
14 
inappropriate resource utilization on the country's food security and food self-
sufficiency on rice and corn, the people's welfare and their environment. It embodies 
both policies and strategies necessary to carry out goals and objectives of this Act; 
17 
fff) 
"Network of Protected Areas for 
Agriculture 
and Agro-industrial 
18 
Development (NPAAAD)" shall refer to agricultural areas identified by the Department of 
19 
Agriculture through the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) in 
20 
coordination with the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) 
21 
in order to ensure the efficient utilization of land for agriculture and agro-industrial 
22 
development and promote sustainable growth. The NPAAAD covers all irrigated areas, 
23 
all irrigable lands already covered by irrigation projects with firm funding 
i 
24 
commitments, all alluvial plains, land highly suitable for agriculture whether irrigated 


• 
- 15-
1 
or not, agro-industrial croplands or lands planted to industrial crops that support the 
2 
validity of existing agricultural infrastructure and agro-based enterprises, highlands or 
3 
areas located at an elevation of five hundred (SaO) meters or above and have the 
4 
potential for growing semi-temperate and high value crops, all agricultural lands that 
5 
are ecologically fragile the conversion of which will result in serious environmental 
6 
degradation, and all mangrove areas and fish sanctuaries; 
7 
ggg) "Non-agricultural land use conversion" shall refer to the act of changing the 
current use of a piece of non-agricultural land into some other uses; 
hhh) "Non-government organization" shall refer to a private and non-profit 
10 
voluntary organization which is committed to the task of political, socio-economic, 
11 
physical, cultural and environmental development and established primarily to provide 
12 
service to marginalized sectors in these areas; 
13 
iii) 
"Patrimonial properties" refer to all the properties belonging to the State 
14 
that are not intended for public use or for public service for the development of national 
wealth; 
jjj) 
"People's organization" shall refer to a private, non-profit, voluntary and 
17 
community-based organization with membership constituency established primarily to 
18 
provide service to its members and the community in general; 
19 
kkk) "PhYSical framework plans" 
shall refer to indicative plans based on 
20 
comprehensive land use plans (CLUPs) and national policies whether national, regional, 
21 
or provincial which provide policy guidelines for all decisions relating to land use and 
22 
environmental management to prevent or mitigate the adverse effects of inappropriate 
23 
resource utilization on food security, the people's welfare and their environment. it 
24 
embodies both policies and strategies necessary to carry out development goals and 


-16 -
1 
objectives; 
2 
lll) 
"Premature or illegal conversion of agricultural lands" shall refer to any 
3 
activity that modifies or alters the physical characteristics of agricultural lands to 
4 
render them suitable for non-agricultural purposes without an approved order of 
5 
conversion from the DAR Secretary; 
6 
mmm) "Prime agricultural lands" shall refer to all irrigated areas; all irrigable 
7 
lands already covered by irrigation projects with firm funding commitments; all rain-
8 • 
9 
fed areas planted to rice and other crops; all alluvial plain lands highly suitable for 
agriculture whether irrigated or not, agro-industrial croplands or lands presently 
10 
planted to industrial crops that support the viability of existing agricultural 
11 
infrastructure and agro-based enterprises, highlands, or areas located at elevation of 
12 
500 meters or above and have the potential for growing semi-temperate and high value 
13 
crops; all agricultural lands that are ecologically fragile, the conversion of which will 
t4 
result in serious environmental degradation, and mangrove areas and fish sanctuaries; 
15 
-16 
nnn) 
"Production land use" shall refer to the direct and indirect utilization of 
land to generate outputs resulting from the following activities, but not limited to: 
17 
agricultural, fish, farming or aquaculture, timber production, agro-forestry, grazing and 
18 
pasture, mining, indigenous energy resource development, industry, and tourism; 
19 
000) 
"Protected areas" shall refer to portions of land set aside by reason of 
20 
their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological 
21 
diversity, and protected against destructive human exploitation. For purposes of this 
22 
Act, it shall include agricultural lands identified and delineated under Section 29 hereof; 
23 
ppp) "Protection 
land 
use" 
shall 
refer 
to 
the 
utilization 
of land 
24 
primarily for food, water and energy security, rehabilitation, conservation, and 


j 
-17 -
1 
protection purposes for the promotion of the country's ecological and life-support 
2 
systems; 
3 
qqq) "Public domain" shall refer to lands that belong to the State which may be 
4 
any of the following: agricultural, forest or timber, mineral, or national park as provided 
5 
for in the Constitution; 
6 
rrr) 
"Public lands" shall refer to lands which have not been subject to private 
7 
property rights or subject to sale or other modes of acquisition or concession under the 
• 
8 
9 
general laws, and are devoted to public use; 
sss) 
"Reclassification of agricultural lands" shall refer to the act of specifying 
10 
how agricultural lands shall be utilized for non-agricultural uses such as residential, 
11 
industrial, or commercial purposes through the local planning and zoning processes 
12 
pursuant to Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 and subject to 
13 
the requirements and procedure for conversion. 
It is equivalent to land sub-
14 
classification, as defined in this Act for classified lands of the public domain and also 
.15 
16 
includes the reversion of non-agricultural lands to agricultural use; 
ttt) 
"Resettlement sites" shall refer to areas identified by the appropriate 
17 
national agency or by the local government unit, with respect to areas within its 
18 
jurisdiction which shall be used for the relocation of the underprivileged and homeless, 
I 
19 
as defined under Republic Act No. 7279 or the "Urban Development and Housing Act 
20 
(UDHA)"; 
21 
uuu) 
"River basin" shall refer to the portion of land drained by a river and its 
22 
tributaries. It encompasses the entire land surface dissected and drained by many 
23 
streams and creeks that flow downhill into one another, and eventually into one river. 
24 
The final destination is an estuary or an ocean; 


- 18-
1 
vvv) 
"Settlements" shall refer to formal and informal communities or built-up 
2 
residential areas where people prefer to live in land areas classified, zoned, or 
3 
converted for current or future residential or housing development purposes, including 
j4 
socialized housing zones for the homeless and underprivileged citizens; 
5 
www) "Settlements development" shall refer to any improvement on existing 
6 
formal or informal residential or housing settlements or any proposed development of 
7 
certain areas for residential or mass housing settlement purposes. It also involves the 
8 
spatial distribution of population, identification of the roles and functions of key urban 
• 
9 
centers, determination of relationships among settlement areas, and the provision of 
10 
basic services and facilities of identified major residential or housing settlement areas 
11 
or growth centers. It is also concerned with the interrelationship of settlements as they 
12 
develop and establish functional linkages based on their respective resource 
13 
endowments and comparative advantages; 
14 
xxx) 
"Shoreline" shall refer to the line where shore and water meet; 
15 
-16 
yyy) 
"Significant caves" shall refer to caves which contain materials or possess 
features that have archaeological, cultural, ecological, historical or scientific value as 
17 
determined by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in 
18 
coordination with the scientific community and the academe; 
19 
zzz) 
"Socialized housing" shall refer to housing programs and projects 
20 
undertaken by the government or the private sector for the underprivileged and 
21 
homeless citizens which shall include sites and services development, long-term 
22 
financing, liberalized terms on interest payments, and such other benefits in accordance 
, 
f3 
with the UDHA; 
24 
aaaa) "Socialized housing zones" shall refer to lands identified and designated by 


· . 
-19-
1 
local government units as sites for socialized housing, pursuant to Article IV of Republic 
2 
Act No. 7279 or the UDHA, and its implementing guidelines. It shall include areas that 
3 
are presently occupied by the urban poor, as well as those identified as resettlement 
4 
areas as defined herein; 
5 
bbbb) "Sustainable development" shall refer to the development objective of 
6 
meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future 
7 
generations to meet their own needs consistent with the prinCiples of social equity, 
efficiency, and environmental integrity; 
cccc) "Stakeholder" shall refer to an individual, social group or organization that 
10 
has a direct or indirect interest in an activity, project, resources, or decision; 
11 
dddd) "Tourism development areas" shall refer to specific sites for tourism 
12 
development located in areas identified as priorities in the national, regional, and inter-
13 
regional area specific tourism master plans and other sector plans such as eco-tourism 
14 
and agri-tourism sites, including those designated through legislative and executive 
issuances such as tourist spots, tourist zones and tourism ecozones which can be 
developed into tourism estates or integrated resort, leisure, and recreation complexes, 
17 
and other tourism related facilities; 
18 
eeee) "Tourism Enterprise Zone" shall refer to an area designated as tourism 
19 
enterprise zone by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) 
20 
pursuant to the provisions ofRA 9593 otherwise known as the Tourism Act of2009; 
21 
ffff) 
"Tourism estates" shall refer to large tracts of land with well-defined 
22 
boundaries in any area identified in the Philippine tourism master plan and regional 
23 
tourism master plan, by proclamation of the President and/or by an act of Congress 
24 
including local legislation. 
Such land shall be suitable for the development of an 


, , 
-20-
1 
integrated tourism and resort complex including but not limited to accommodation 
2 
facilities, food and beverage outlets, convention and meeting areas, sports, recreational 
3 
and leisure centers and commercial outlets among others. It shall be provided with 
4 
roads, water supply facilities, power and utilities like potable water, drainage sewerage 
5 
disposal, solid waste disposal system and other necessary infrastructure. The estate 
6 
shall be under one unified and continuous management; 
7 
gggg) "Tourist spot" shall refer to a particular area/site/spot, human-made or 
natural, known for its unique tourist/visitor-drawing attributes and activities. It may 
be classified according to its social, cultural, natural, historical, scientific, religious, and 
10 
recreational significance; 
11 
hhhh) "Tourist zone" shall refer to a geographic area with well-defined 
12 
boundaries proclaimed as such by the President of the Philippines and/or by acts of 
13 
Congress. No development projects for any purpose shall be initiated and introduced 
i 14 
within the zone prior to the formulation of a tourism master development plan which 
shall be undertaken in coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and TlEZA. 
A tourist zone is established for the enhancement and/or the conservation of cultural 
17 
and historical heritage and for the appreciation and enjoyment of the local population 
18 
and its visitors; 
19 
iii i) 
"Urban areas" shall refer to all cities regardless of their population density 
20 
and to municipalities with population density of at least Five hundred (500) persons 
21 
per square kilometer; 
22 
jjjiJ 
"Urbanizable areas" shall refer to sites and lands which, conSidering 
23 
present characteristics and prevailing conditions, display marked and great potential of 
24 
becoming urban areas within a period of five (5) years; 


. , 
-21-
1 
kkkk) "Urban forestry" or "Green Space" shall refer to the establishment and 
2 
management of forest in urban environment for the physiological and psychological 
3 
well being of the people; 
4 
III I) 
"Water security" shall refer to the sufficient access throughout the year to 
5 
the minimum daily requirement of clean water to maintain a healthy life; 
6 
mmmm) 
"Water use" shall refer to the appropriation of water for domestic, 
7 
municipal, irrigation, power generation, inland fisheries, poultry and livestock raising, 
8 • 
9 
industrial and commercial, environmental, and recreational use and other purposes; 
nnnn) "Watershed" shall refer to a land area drained by a stream or fixed body of 
10 
water and its tributaries having a common outlet for surface runoff; 
11 
0000) "Zoning" shall refer to the process of delineating the specific uses of lands 
12 
in accordance with the approved Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) within the 
13 
territorial jurisdiction of a city/municipality and specifying the conditions for their 
14 
regulation; subject to the limitations imposed by law and competent authority; and, 
15 
-16 
pppp) "Zoning ordinance" or "ZO" shall refer to a local law passed by the 
Sangguniang Sayan or Panglunsod approving the development control/zoning plan in 
17 
accordance with an approved or adopted CLUP for the city/municipality, and providing 
18 
I 
for the regulations and other conditions on the uses of land including the limitation on 
19 
the infrastructure that may be placed thereon within the territorial jurisdiction of a city 
20 
or municipality. It incorporates the protected areas under Section 13(a) and the 
21 
protected agricultural lands under Section 29 of this Act. 
22 


-22-
1 
CHAPTER III 
2 
PHYSICAL FRAMEWORK AND LAND USE PLANS 
,3 
SEC. 5. National Land Use Planning Process. - The land use and physical planning 
14 
process shall be formulated following a combined bottom-up and top-down approach. 
5 
The National Land Use Commission (NLUC) shall draft the National Physical Framework 
6 
Plan (NPFP) which shall have a timeframe of thirty (30) years, with regular review and 
7 
updating every ten (10) years. The NPFP, which guides the planning and management of 
8 • 
9 
the country's land and other physical resources at the national and sub-national levels, 
shall indicate broad spatial directions and policy guidelines on settlements 
10 
development, production land use, protection land use, social services and utilities, and 
11 
transportation and communication. The Regional Physical Framework Plans (RPFPs), 
12 
Provincial Physical Framework and Development Plans (PPFDPs), and Comprehensive 
13 
Land Use Plans (CLUPs), which shall also have a 30-year timeframe and cover the 
14 
physical development of their respective territories, shall be consistent with the 
.15 
16 
national physical framework plan: Provided, That the integration and harmonization of 
the physical framework plans at all levels shall be iterative to ensure that the concerns 
17 
of both top and bottom levels of government are considered. The physical and land use 
18 
plans prepared at all levels shall have internal consistency specifically on, but not 
19 
limited to, the development, management and conservation of forestlands found within 
20 
a given territory and the linkages of the major land use categories to ensure their 
21 
complementation in the utilization, development and management of resources. 
12 
The NLUC shall issue procedural guidelines which shall guide the formulation 
123 
and integration/harmonization process: 
Provided, That the National Economic and 
24 
Development Authority (NEDA), the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), 


· , 
-23-
1 
the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other agencies will 
2 
continue to issue guidelines on the content of the plans consistent with their respective 
3 
agency mandates. 
4 
SEC. 6. City and Municipal Land Use Plans. - The City/Municipal Planning and 
5 
Development Office (C/MPDO), in consultation with concerned sectors through conduct 
6 
of mandatory public hearings/consultations, shall prepare the CLUP to determine the 
7 
specific uses of land and other physical resources therein including areas co-managed 
with the national government and, as appropriate, the ancestral domain areas. The 
CLUP shall be consistent with the PPFDP and shall define the city/municipal 
10 
development vision, appropriate economic, environmental and social development 
11 
policies, densities and transportation system. 
12 
The CLUP may be formulated as a component of a Comprehensive Land Use and 
13 
Development Plan (CLUDP), which merges the traditionally separate CLUP and 
14 
comprehensive development plan to address the disconnect between spatial and 
sectoral factors and to ensure the complementation between the medium- and long-
term concerns. 
17 
The CLUP shall be translated into a zoning ordinance by the concerned 
18 
sanggunian to regulate the uses of land, including the limitations on height, density and 
19 
bulk of buildings and other infrastructure that may be placed thereon. 
20 
SEC. 7. Provincial Physical Framework and Development Plans (PPFDP). - In 
21 
consultation with concerned sectors, the Provincial Planning and Development Office 
22 
(PPDO) shall prepare a Provincial Physical Framework and Development Plan (PPFDP) 
23 
which shall define the province's development vision, economic and social development 
24 
policies, general land uses, and inter-city/municipal transportation system. The PPFDP 
, . 


-24-
1 
shall harmonize the land use plans of component cities and municipalities, taking into 
2 
consideration shared resources and planning concerns, and define the uses of land and 
3 
other resources within the province consistent with the policies in the regional physical 
4 
framework plan. The programs, projects and activities prescribed in the PPFDP shall be 
5 
integrated into the provincial development investment program. 
The PPDO shall 
6 
submit the PPFDP to the Provincial Land Use Policy Council (PLUPC), created under 
7 
Section 21 of this Act, for review and endorsement to Sangguniang Panlalawigan, which 
8 -9 
shall adopt the same pursuant to Section 468 (2) (vii) of RA 7160 or the Local 
Government Code. 
10 
SEC. 8. Regional Physical Framework Plans. - In consultation with concerned 
11 
sectors, the Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC) shall define the desired spatial 
12 
arrangement of land-using activities in the entire region, consolidating and harmonizing 
13 
I 
the provincial physical framework plans of provinces and independent cities within the 
14 
territorial jurisdiction of the region. The regional physical framework plan, which 
depicts an end-state scenario toward which efforts and activities are directed, shall 
consist of spatially-based and area-focused policies, consistent with those in the 
17 
national framework for physical planning, to guide detailed physical, socio-economic, 
18 
sectoral and investment planning. 
19 
SEC. 9. National Physical Framework Plan. - The National Land Use Commission 
20 
(NLUC) created in Section 14 herein, in consultation with the concerned sectors through 
21 
the conduct of mandatory public hearings/consultations, shall formulate, periodically 
22 
update and ensure the implementation of a national physical framework plan that shall 
23 
prescribe and influence the country's land use and physical development. The NPFP 
24 
shall operationalize the policies provided in this Act and will be the basis for adopting 


j 
- 25-
1 
land use and physical planning-related guidelines and standards, including zoning and 
2 
other land use control standards that will guide the formulation of city/municipal 
3 
zoning ordinances. 
4 
The policies prescribed in the NPFP shall be integrated into the MTPDP and 
5 
Medium-Term Philippine Investment Program. 
6 
CHAPTER IV 
7 
FRAMEWORK FOR LAND USE PLANNING 
• 
8 
SEC. 10. Priorities in Land Use Allocation and Planning. - In projecting spatial 
9 
allocation for different land uses, the LGUs shall first exclude areas under protection 
10 
land use of Section 13(a) hereof, national parks, energy resource lands, and prime 
11 
agricultural lands to ensure ecological integrity, energy supply, and promote food 
12 
security. Areas with prior rights and those with site-specific resources for basic 
13 
services, such as but not limited to, water and indigenous energy resources, shall also be 
14 
excluded. 
Spatial allocation and planning shall then proceed in accordance with 
Sections 12 and 13 hereof with priorities given to integrated watershed management 
areas, socialized housing sites, fisherfolk settlement in coastal areas, and waste disposal 
17 
sites. 
I 
SEC. 11. Adoption of Multiple Uses of Land Resources. - The primary and 
19 
alternative uses of a specific land resource shall be determined and evaluated prior to 
20 
any decision for the assignment of its use. Areas feasible for sustainable land resource 
21 
use may be considered multiple-use zones wherein settlements, tourism, agriculture, 
22 
forestry, agro-forestry and extraction activities and other income-generating or 
23 
livelihood activities may be allowed: Provided, That multiple uses of land resources shall 
24 
be excluded in areas identified as protection land use: Provided, further, That such land 


< 
, 
- 26-
1 
resources shall be in accordance with priorities in land use allocation and planning and 
2 
that no reclassification shall be allowed. 
'3 
SEC. 12. Basic Land Use Planning Considerations. - In determining the various 
14 
land uses, the people and their productive activities and the need for functional open 
5 
spaces and preservation areas as well as the various interrelationships of the physical 
6 
characteristics of the land and other elements therein shall be considered, among 
7 
others, the following: 
.8 
(a) 
Availability of natural resources including indigenous energy resources 
9 
for energy security and self-sufficiency; 
10 
(b) 
Geology, geomorphology, geologic hazard, climate, soil, vegetative cover, 
11 
demography and slope; 
12 
( c) 
Economic, environmental, cultural, social and related development 
13 
activities; 
14 
(d) 
Existing government policies on land and natural resources allocation, 
utilization, management and disposition; 
(e) 
Technological changes/advancement; 
17 
(f) 
Existing customary rights for the protection of indigenous peoples and 
18 
vulnerable groups including women and urban poor; and 
19 
(g) 
Inventory of prior and existing rights, to harmonize determination of land 
20 
use. 
21 
SEC. 13. Categories of Land Uses for Planning Purposes. - In determining and 
22 
defining the national, regional and provincial framework plans, and CLUPs, land uses 
bi 
shall be grouped into four major functional uses as follows: 
24 
(a) 
Protection Land Use shall refer to the use of land primarily for food, 


· . 
-27-
1 
water and energy security, rehabilitation, conservation, and protection purposes for the 
2 
promotion of the country's ecological and life-support systems. Planning for protection 
3 
land use intends to achieve food self-sufficiency in rice and corn, water and energy 
4 
security, environmental stability and ecological integrity, ensure a balance between 
5 
resource use and the preservation of some areas with environmental, aesthetic, 
6 
educational, cultural, heritage and historical significance, and protect people and 
7 
human-made structures from the ill-effects of natural hazards. All lands, either public 
or private, under protection land use shall be permanently conserved, preserved, 
rehabilitated and protected from all other land uses, disposition, intrusion, utilization 
10 
and development that is not consistent from its existing uses. Areas under this category 
11 
also include those covered by Republic Act No. 7586 or the NIPAS Law and other coastal 
12 
and marine protected areas, those areas outside NIPAS but nonetheless require 
13 
protection because of their outstanding physical and aesthetic features, anthropological 
14 
significance, and biological diversity, and those areas prone to natural hazards. Areas 
outside the coverage of the NIPAS law include, but are not limited to the following: 
a.l. Old-growth forests and mossy; 
17 
a.2. Areas with more than 50% in slope gradient; 
18 
a.3. Mangrove and fish sanctuaries, pursuant to Republic Act No. 8435 or the 
19 
"Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997" and Republic Act No. 8550 or 
20 
"The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998"; 
21 
a.4. Buffer zones or strips/easements, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 705, 
22 
amending Presidential Decree No. 389, otherwise known as the "Forestry Reform Code 
23 
of the Philippines" and Presidential Decree No. 1067 or the "Water Code of the 
24 
Philippines"; 


-28-
1 
a.5. Salvage zones along foreshore areas, freshwater swamps and marshes, 
2 
plazas and heritage/historic sites, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 2146; 
3 
a.6. Watersheds supporting domestic water supply; 
4 
a.7. Utility easement like transmission lines of power companies, oil and gas 
5 
facilities, cell sites, and domestic water lines; 
6 
a.8. Amenity areas or those with high aesthetic values, pursuant to Presidential 
7 
Decree No. 2146; 
8 • 
9 
a.9. Natural 
and 
human-made 
areas/sites 
of cultural, 
historical 
and 
anthropological significance, which are declared as such by internationally recognized 
10 
organizations and concerned national agencies; 
11 
a.l0. Critical habitats as provided in Republic Act No. 9147 or the "Wildlife 
12 
Resources Conservation and Protection Act"; 
13 
j 
a.l1. Significant caves under Republic Act 9072 or the "National Caves and Cave 
14 
Resources Management and Protection Act"; or 
15 
-16 
a.12. Key biodiversity areas under Executive Order 578, Series of 2006, or the 
"National Biodiversity Policy". 
17 
(b) 
Production Land Use shall refer to the direct and indirect utilization of 
18 
land resources for crop, fishery, livestock and poultry production, forestry, agro-
19 
forestry, mining, industry, energy development, indigenous energy exploration and 
20 
development, and tourism. Planning for production land shall determine the most 
21 
efficient, sustainable, and equitable manner of utilizing, developing and managing land 
22 
for productive purposes. Areas included in this category are agricultural lands, fishing 
23 
grounds, coastal and marine zones, production forest which comprise lands 18% to 
24 
50% in slope gradient such as: residual dipterocarps, rangelands for grazing purposes, 


- 29 -
1 
industrial 
tree 
plantation/Integrated 
Forest Management Agreement 
(IFMA), 
2 
community based forest management areas and other reforestation projects, mineral 
3 
lands or mining areas and reservations, energy resource lands, industrial development 
4 
areas, and tourism development areas where productive activities could be undertaken 
5 
to meet the country's requirements for food security, economic growth and 
6 
development. 
7 
8 • 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
.:: 
(c) 
Settlements Development shall refer to any improvement on existing 
settlements in urban and rural areas or any proposed development of certain areas for 
settlement purposes involving the spatial distribution of population, identification of 
the roles and functions of key urban centers, determination of relationships among 
settlement areas, and the provision of basic services and facilities to such settlement. 
The settlements development plan ensures for the present and future generation the 
following: (i) effective integration of activities within and among settlements, allowing 
efficient movement of people and production of commodities through the provision of 
appropriate land, infrastructure, and facilities; and (ii) access of the population to 
housing, education, health care, recreation, transportation and communication, 
sanitation, and basic utilities such as water, power, waste disposal, and other services. 
17 
~8 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
(d) 
Infrastructure Development shall refer to the availability or supply of 
basic services and fostering of economic and other forms of integration necessary for 
producing or obtaining the material requirements of Filipinos, in an efficient, 
responsive, safe and ecologically friendly built environment. It covers sub-sectors of 
transportation, communications, water resources, and social infrastructure: Provided, 
That the determination of functional uses of lands within ancestral domains shall 
consider traditional resource and management systems that do not endanger the lives 
•


.. 
-30-
1 
of the people and property of the local community and neighboring areas or increase 
2 
the vulnerability of the natural environment to the effects of natural and human-
'3 
induced geological processes. 
14 
CHAPTER V 
5 
IMPLEMENTING STRUCTURE AND MECHANISMS 
6 
Article I 
7 
NATIONAL LAND USE COMMISSION 
8 • 
9 
SEC. 14. Creation of the National Land Use Commission (NLUC). - The National 
Land Use Commission, hereinafter referred to as NLUC, is hereby created as a 
10 
Commission under the Office of the President. It shall exercise the powers and 
11 
responsibilities of the current NEDA Board-National Land Use Committee which is 
12 
hereby abolished. The NLUC shall act as the highest policy making body on land use and 
13 
resolve land use policy conflicts between or among agencies, branches, or levels of the 
14 
government. It shall integrate efforts, monitor developments relating to land use and 
• 
15 
the evolution of policies. It may also establish Regional Offices . 
16 
SEC. 15. Composition of the NLUC. - The NLUC shall be composed of the 
17 
following: 
18 
a) The President of the Republic of the Philippines as Chairperson; 
19 
b) The Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority 
20 
(NEDA) and Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
21 
(DENR) as Vice-Chairpersons; 
22 
The President may designate from among the two Vice-Chairpersons a Chief 
~3 
Executive Officer who shall supervise the day-to-day affairs of the NLUC. 
24 
The members shall be: 


• 
• 
- 31-
1 
c) The Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating 
2 
Council (HUDCC), the Secretaries of 
the Department of Agriculture (DA), the 
3 
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), 
4 
the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of 
5 
Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the Department of Tourism (DOT), the 
6 
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Justice (DO)), 
7 
the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Finance (DO F), 
the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Chairperson of the National Commission on 
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); 
10 
The Department Secretaries and the Chairperson of the NCrp may designate a 
11 
representative with a rank not lower than Assistant Secretary and Commissioner, 
12 
respectively: Provided, That the designated representative shall be on a permanent 
13 
basis. 
14 
d) A representative each from the Leagues of Provinces, Cities and 
Municipalities; 
e) A representative each from four (4) basic sectors directly involved in land 
17 
use, namely: urban poor, farmer-peasants, fisherfolk, and indigenous peoples who shall 
18 
be appointed by the President of the Philippines based on the nomination and 
19 
recommendation of the respective sectoral councils of the National Anti-Poverty 
20 
Commission (NAP C). At least two (2) sectoral representatives shall be women; 
21 
fJ 
Two (2) representatives from private subdivisions, and housing developers; 
22 
and 
23 
g) Two (2) representatives from the accredited association of professionals 
24 
dealing on land use such as but not limited to urban and regional planners, 


- 32 -
1 
environmental planners, architects, geologists and geodetic engineers; 
2 
A consultative body shall likewise be convened by the NLUC at least once a year 
3 
or as often as may be necessary. It shall be composed of representatives from the 
4 
Leagues of Municipalities, Cities, and Provinces, other government agencies not 
5 
represented in the NLUC, and from non-government sectors such as the private sector, 
6 
non-government organizations (NGOs) and people's organizations (POs), and the 
7 
academic community. 
SEC. 16. Powers and Functions. - The NLUC shall have the following powers and 
functions: 
10 
a) Advise the President of the Philippines and the NEDA Board on all matters 
11 
concerning land use and physical planning; 
b) Integrate and harmonize all laws, guidelines and policies relevant to land use 
and physical planning to come up with a rational, cohesive, and comprehensive national 
14 
land use framework; 
c) Formulate policies and endorse land use and physical planning-related 
policies that may be formulated by the Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC), 
17 
created under Section 22 of this Act, and concerned agencies as well as promulgate 
18 
zoning and other land use control standards and guidelines which shall guide the 
19 
formulation ofland use plans and zoning ordinances by local governments; 
20 
d) Prepare, periodically review and if necessary, update the national framework 
21 
for physical planning to provide the general framework for the spatial development 
22 
directions for the entire country and sub-national levels; 
23 
e) Review and endorse all land use and physical planning related guidelines; 
24 
f) Monitor and coordinate the gathering of data, the conduct of studies 


I, 
-33-
1 
pertaining to land use planning including studies on the management of identified land 
2 
uses and such other studies not undertaken by other government agencies; 
3 
g) Recommend to the President of the Philippines the adoption, passage, or 
4 
amendment of laws to ensure that sectoral programs, plans, projects, and activities, 
5 
including local government initiatives affecting land use are consistent with national 
6 
development objectives; 
7 
h) Coordinate with and assist other government agencies and LGUs in planning, 
developing, and implementing their land use classification programs, and provide, to 
the extent possible, technical assistance and guidance; 
10 
i) Monitor and coordinate the activities of concerned agencies and entities of 
11 
the government, as well as LGUs, in the enforcement and implementation of policies and 
12 
regulations relating to land use and resource management and development; 
13 
j) Monitor and coordinate activities in the establishment of a national land 
14 
resource information and management system of concerned agencies that shall 
integrate and process information on land use and allocation generated by the various 
national government agencies; define information requirements at various levels; and 
17 
standardize information inputs and outputs including scales and symbols used in 
i:t8 
territorial and sectoral maps; 
19 
k) Be the repository of all RPFPs, PPFDPs and CLUPs and all data and 
20 
information pertaining to land and land use; 
21 
I) 
Call on any department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality of the 
22 
government, and or private entities and organization for cooperation, support, and 
23 
assistance in the performance of its functions; 
24 
m) Decide and resolve policy conflicts and territorial jurisdiction on land use 


, . 
1 
2 
3 
I 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 -9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
I 
23 
24 
-34-
between or among agencies, branches, or levels of the government and act on 
unresolved land use policy conflicts at the regional level elevated by the Regional Land 
Use Policy Council (RLUPC); 
n) Adopt rules of procedures for the orderly and expeditious conduct of 
meetings and other business of the Council; and 
0) Perform such other acts and functions and exercise such other powers as 
may be necessarily implied, inherent, incident, or related to the foregoing, 
SEC. 17. NLUC Technical Secretariat (NLUC-TS), - A Technical Secretariat shall 
be created to provide technical support to the NLUC. It shall be headed by an Executive 
Director and composed of: 
a. Representatives of the member agencies/institutions of the NLUC, who shall 
have a rank not lower than Director level; and 
b. The representatives of NLUC members as enumerated in Section 16 (d), (e) 
and (g) of this Act. 
SEC. 18. The NLUC Technical Secretariat Executive Director. - The Executive 
Director shall supervise the operations of the NLUC Technical Secretariat and assist the 
NLUC Chairperson or his/her designated Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 
In the absence of the CEO, he shall preside over the meetings of the NLUC-TS. 
He shall also perform such other functions as may be tasked by the Chairperson 
or CEO-Vice Chairperson. 
SEC. 19. Offices, Units and Staff Support. - The Policy and Planning Unit of the 
HLURB shall be the core secretariat of the NLUC. The staff in the HLURB Policy and 
Planning Unit and NEDA Regional Development Office who opted to transfer to the 
NLUC shall be given priority without diminution in rank and remuneration. The staffing 
\ 


-35-
1 
pattern shall be drafted by the NLUC in coordination with the DBM and Civil Service 
2 
Commission. Other government agencies may also be called upon for staff support. 
3 
Article 2 
4 
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS AS LOCAL LAND USE POLICY COUNCILS 
5 
SEC. 20. City/Municipal Land Use Policy Council (C/MLUPC). - The City/Municipal 
6 
Development Council (C/MDC). created under Section 106 of the Local Government 
7 
Code, shall act as the City/Municipal Land Use Policy Council (C/MLUPC) that will tackle 
land use concerns whenever necessary. A duly authorized representative from the DAR, 
the DENR and the DA shall be included in the composition of the C/MLUPC. 
10 
In addition to the functions enumerated in Section 109 of the LGC, the C/MLUP 
11 
shall: 
12 
a. Advise the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod on all matters 
13 
pertaining to land use and physical planning; 
14 
b. Review and endorse to the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod 
for adoption, the CLUP prepared and periodically updated by the City/Municipal 
Planning and Development Office and other land use and physical planning-related 
17 
policies; 
18 
c. Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, and 
19 
allocation that may arise between and among barangays and any unresolved land use 
20 
conflict at the barangay level regarding the violation of zoning ordinances including 
21 
opposition to applications for locational clearances, permits or certificates; and 
22 
d. The C/MLUPC may call upon any local official concerned such as C/MPDC. 
23 
City/Municipal Agriculturist, City/Municipal Environment and Natural Resources 
24 
Officer, City/Municipal Engineer, City/Municipal Assessor, or any official of national 


-36-
1 
agencies during discussions on land use and physical planning concerns. 
2 
For purposes of this Act, the City/Municipal Planning and Development 
3 
Coordinator (C/MPDC) shall: 
4 
(a) 
act on all applications for locational clearances for all projects except those 
5 
of vital and national economic or environmental significance; 
6 
(b) 
automate, modernize and integrate all spatial and non-spatial data related 
7 
to land within the LGU for a more effective and efficient use of land information for land 
8 -9 
use and physical planning and such other public and private uses; 
(c) 
monitor on-going/existing projects within their respective jurisdictions and 
10 
issue notices of violation to owners, developers, or managers of projects that are 
11 
violative of zoning ordinances; and 
l2 
(d) 
convene a Technical Working Group composed of City/Municipal 
p.3 
Agriculturist, 
City/Municipal 
Environment 
and 
Natural 
Resources 
Officer, 
14 
City/Municipal Engineer, City/Municipal Assessor and such other LGU officials with 
land related functions in the preparation of the CLUP. The TWG may request any field 
officials of National Government Agencies with land administration function to assist for 
17 
the same purpose. 
18 
Local government units without operational C/MDC as mandated by the 1991 
19 
LGC shall activate their respective Councils within six (6) months from the effectivity of 
20 
this Act. 
21 
SEC. 21. 
Provincial Land Use Policy Council (PLUPC). -
The Provincial 
22 
Development Council (PDC), created under Section 106 of the LGC, shall act as the 
23 
Provincial Land Use Policy Council that will tackle land use concerns whenever 
24 
necessary. A duly authorized representative from the DENR, DAR and the DA shall be 


- 37 -
1 
included in the composition of the PLUPe. 
2 
In addition to the functions enumerated in Section 109 of the LGC, the PLUPC 
3 
shall: 
4 
a. Advise the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on all matters pertaining to land use 
5 
and physical planning; 
6 
b. Review and endorse to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for adoption, the 
7 
provincial physical framework plans, 
prepared and periodically updated by the 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
i7 
~8 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
Provincial Planning and Development Office and other land use and physical planning-
related policies; 
c. Assist the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in reviewing the CLUPs of component 
cities/municipalities to ensure consistency with the provincial physical framework 
plans and compliance with the limits prescribed under the 1991 LGC for reclassifying 
agricultural lands; and 
d. Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, and, 
allocation that may arise between or among cities/municipalities and any unresolved 
land use conflicts at the city /municipallevel. 
The PLUPC may call upon any local official concerned such as Provincial Planning 
and Development Coordinator, Provincial Agriculturist, Provincial Environment and 
Natural Resources Officer, Provincial Engineer, Provincial Assessor, or any official of 
national agencies and other relevant agencies during discussions on land use and 
physical planning concerns. 
SEC. 22. Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC). - At the regional level, the 
Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC) shall be institutionalized, replicating the 
NLUC structure and composition which shall include a duly authorized representative 


-38-
1 
from the NEDA, the DENR, the DA and the DAR. 
The RLUPC shall have the following 
2 
functions: 
3 
a. Formulate and adopt regional policies on land use and physical planning; 
! 
4 
b. Prepare and periodically update a regional physical framework plan, taking 
5 
into consideration national polices and lower level plans; 
6 
c. Assist the provinces in preparing and periodically updating its physical 
7 
framework plans to ensure consistency with the regional and national plans and 
8 • 
9 
policies and to facilitate its integration to the regional plans; 
d. Review, prior to adoption by respective sanggunians, the provincial physical 
10 
framework plan and CLUPs of highly urbanized and independent component cities to 
11 
ensure consistency with the regional physical framework plan and national policies set 
12 
forth by LUPC <;lnd compliance with limits prescribed under the 1991 LGC for 
13 
reclassifying agricultural lands; 
14 
e. Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, and 
allocation that may arise between or among regional line agencies, provinces and 
cities/municipalities; 
17 
f. 
Monitor changes in land use and other physical resources in the region; 
18 
g. Evaluate consistency of major programs and projects with the regional 
19 
physical framework plans and their impact on land use and the environment; 
20 
h. Undertake the gathering of regional data for the Land Resource Information 
21 
and Management System; and 
22 
i. 
Perform other related functions as may be directed by the LUPC. 
i 
23 
Article 3 
24 
ADOPTION, ApPROVAL AND REVIEW OF LAND USE PLANS 


-39-
1 
SEC. 23. Component Cities and Municipalities. -
Component cities and 
2 
municipalities shall have the power and authority to adopt and approve their respective 
3 
CLUPs and ZOs through their respective sanggunians subject to the power of review of 
4 
their respective provinces only with respect to the consistency of the CLUPs and ZOs 
5 
with Section 8 hereof on the preparation of the provincial physical framework plan. 
6 
Upon adoption and approval of the CLUP and ZO by the Sanggunian, all land areas 
7 
zoned for residential purposes or for settlements development shall cease to be covered 
by the CARP and therefore, shall not be required to secure further order of land 
conversion or exemption certificates from the DAR, except for the payment of 
10 
disturbance compensation if applicable, as well as the requirements pertaining to the 
11 
issuance of environmental compliance certificate (ECC) by the DENR. 
12 
SEC. 24. Provinces and Independent and Highly Urbanized Cities. - Provinces and 
13 
independent and highly urbanized cities shall have the power and authority to adopt 
14 
and approve their respective CLUPs, ZOs or provincial physical framework plan, as the 
case may be, through their respective sanggunian but subject to the review of the 
RLUPC as provided in Section 22 of this Act. 
17 
Article 4 
18 
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND LGUS 
19 
SEC. 25. National Base Mapping Program. - A national mapping program shall be 
20 
implemented, coordinated, and monitored through the creation of an Inter-agency 
21 
Technical Committee (ITC) composed of the NAMRIA, as the lead agency, the Bureau of 
22 
Soils and Water Management (BSWM), the Forest Management Bureau (FMB), the Land 
23 
Management Bureau (LMB), the Land Registration Authority (LRA), the Protected Areas 
24 
and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the Philippine 


• 
- 40-
1 
Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), DAR, the National Water 
2 
Resources 
Board 
(NWRB), 
DOE, 
NEDA 
and 
other 
concerned 
government 
3 
agencies/bureaus. The ITC shall be constituted, and the mapping program shall be 
4 
initiated, within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act. The agencies mentioned 
5 
in this Section shall endeavor to finish their base mapping program within two (2) years 
6 
upon the effectivity of this Act. 
7 
The spatial and non-spatial data generated by these activities shall be 
8 • 
9 
downloaded to the LGU as soon as practicable. On the other hand, existing land 
information data available to the national government agencies as of the effectivity of 
10 
this Act shall be immediately downloaded to the LGU. 
11 
For purposes of uniformity and standardization, the LGUs, to be assisted by the 
12 
appropriate agencies of the national government, shall likewise prepare their respective 
U3 
territorial maps using scales, symbols, and other indicators to be prescribed in 
14 
accordance with this Act. 
The completed maps shall be integrated in the national 
15 
-16 
physical framework plan pursuant to Section 5 of this Act. 
SEC. 26. National Ceo-hazard Mapping Program. - Within thirty (30) days from 
17 
the effectivity of this Act, a nationwide geo-hazard mapping program shall be initiated 
18 
jointly thru the NLUC by the PHIVOLCS, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and 
19 
Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the NAMRIA, the MGB, the BSWM, and 
20 
the DOE, in coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
21 
Council (NDRRMC), the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 
22 
(RDRRMC), and other concerned government agencies. The program shall include the 
23 
generation of indicative geo-hazard zoning maps that will outline areas in the 
24 
Philippines which are prone to liquefaction, landslides, severe flooding, lahar, ground 


, . 
j . 
-41-
1 
rupturing, tsunami, river erosion, coastal erosion, sinkhole collapse, earthquake, lava 
2 
flow, pyroclastic flow, base surge, and other natural hazards. 
3 
For purposes of uniformity and standardization and in order to develop a safe-
4 
built environment, the LGUs shall subsequently incorporate and integrate the generated 
5 
geo-hazard zoning maps in their respective CLUPs. Said geo-hazard maps shall serve as 
6 
guide for all the LGUs in the preparation of their own hazards-constrained development 
7 
plans. The national physical framework planning, pursuant to Section 5 hereof, shall 
8 
incorporate these geo-hazard maps. 
• 
9 
All infrastructure activities including real estates and subdivision projects and 
10 
the development of tourist spots requiring an Environmental Compliance Certificate 
11 
(ECC) shall be required to submit an Engineering Geological and Geo-hazard 
12 
Assessment Report (EGGAR). 
13 
SEC. 27. Scope and Nature of Responsibilities of Other National Government 
14 
Agencies. - All concerned national government agencies/bodies shall periodically report 
15 
-16 
to the NLUC on the various activities and accomplishments relative to land use. 
LikeWise, they shall provide their respective sectoraljdevelopment plans and render 
17 
technical and administrative support if called upon by the NLUC relative to the 
i 18 
implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
19 
SEC. 28. Submission of Annual Report on the Implementation of CLUPs. - The 
20 
C/MLUPC shall submit an annual report on the implementation of their land use plans 
21 
to the PlOPC, which shall integrate the same for submission to the RLUPC, which shall 
22 
in turn integrate the provincial reports for submission to the NLUC. 
23 
CHAPTER VI 
24 
SPECIAL AREAS OF CONCERN 


- 42-
1 
Article I 
2 
AGRICULTURAL LANDS 
j 
3 
SEC. 29. Priority Areas for Agricultural Development. - Priority areas for 
4 
agricultural development shall be those agricultural areas covered under Republic Act 
5 
No. 6657 or the CARP, as amended, and those covered under Network of Protected 
6 
Areas for Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Development (NPAAAD), defined in Section 4 
7 
of this Act and in R.A. No. 8435 or the "Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act". 
• 
8 
SEC 30. Conversion of Agricultural Lands. - Agricultural lands are deemed 
9 
converted to non-agricultural uses upon approval by the DAR of the application for 
10 
conversion. Prime agricultural lands and specific types of lands to the extent necessary 
11 
for attaining food self-sufficiency in rice and corn and food security in other basic 
12 
commodities, 
as 
determined 
by 
the 
DA, 
subject 
to 
mandatory 
public 
13 
hearings/consultations with the LGUs, the private sector, the NGOs, and POs, shall be 
14 
protected from conversion, which shall include but not limited to areas under the 
NPAAAD: Provided, That all irrigated and irrigable lands, all lands developed or 
possessing the potential for development of high value crops, and all agricultural lands 
17 
that are ecologically fragile and whose conversion will result in serious environmental 
18 
problems shall be given full protection from conversion, the areas under which are 
19 
subject to review every seven (7) years by the DA, with the mandatory public 
20 
hearings/consultations: ProvidedJurther, That consistent with the State policy on giving 
21 , 
priority to the completion of the CARP, all lands subject to CARP including those lands 
covered under the notice of compulsory acquisition/voluntary offer to sell, production 
23 
or profit-sharing, or commercial farm deferment shall also be protected from 
24 
conversion pending the distribution and installation of the farmer beneficiaries, but 


- 43-
1 
thereafter, Section 22 of R.A. No. 9700 or CARP Extension law shall apply subject to the 
2 
applicable provisions of this Act, specifically on the exclusive approval by the DAR of the 
3 
application for conversion: Provided, furthermore, That the conversion of agricultural 
4 
lands for use of priority government projects for basic services such as, but not limited 
5 
to, irrigation and power shall be allowed only upon the recommendation of the 
6 
Secretaries of the DA and the DAR: Provided, finally, That the mapping of the NPAAAD 
,7 
under the AFMA shall be completed within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act. 
Lands defined under Section 10 of R.A. No. 6657 shall remain exempted and 
excluded from the coverage of CARP. 
10 
SEC. 31. Sub-classification or Re-classification of Agricultural Lands by LGUs. -
11 
Sub-classification or re-classification of agricultural lands to other uses under Section 
12 
20 of the LGC of 1991 shall exclude the protected agricultural lands as stated in the 
13 
preceding section. Moreover, such sub-classification/reclassification is not synonymous 
14 
to conversion. The DA and DAR shall provide the LGUs with complete list and maps of 
protected agricultural lands within their territorial jurisdictions. 
Article 2 
17 
FOREST LANDS AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT 
18 
SEC. 32. Reversion of Alienable and Disposable Lands to Forestlands. - Upon the 
19 
recommendation of the Secretary of the DENR, duly reviewed and endorsed by the 
20 
NLUC, and after due consultations with the concerned LGUs and affected parties, 
21 
Congress may authorize the reversion of alienable and disposable lands of the public 
22 
domain or portion thereof to forestlands. Thereafter, said lands shall be included in the 
23 
preparation ofland use plans within forestlands. 
24 
SEC. 33. Critical Watershed Areas. - The DENR, in coordination with the DA, 


-44-
1 
LGUs, and other government agencies, including government-owned and-controlled 
2 
corporations, and with mandatory public hearings/consultations, shall identify and 
3 
delineate critical watershed areas that need to be protected, rehabilitated, enhanced, 
4 
and/or withdrawn from uses that contribute to their further degradation. 
5 
SEC. 34. Formulation and Implementation oj Integrated Watershed Management 
6 
Plans. - In the absence of a law on the protection and sustainable management of our 
7 
forests, the LGUs through their local land use committees and upon mandatory public 
• 
8 
9 
hearings/consultations with the concerned sectors, and with the assistance of DENR, 
shall prepare their watershed management plans which shall be integrated with their 
10 
respective CLUPs. The formulation and integration of the plan shall be guided, among 
11 
others, by the principle that the management and development of inland water 
12 
resources shall be at the watershed level. A nationwide mapping of watersheds in the 
I 
13 
country shall be implemented. 
14 
In cases where the watershed areas transcend the boundaries of a particular 
.15 
municipality, an inter-LGU committee composed of representatives from local land use 
16 
committees of the LGUs where the watershed area is located shall be formed. With the 
17 
assistance of the DENR and upon mandatory public hearings/consultations with the 
18 
concerned sectors, the inter-LGU committee shall formulate the watershed management 
19 
plan for the said watershed area. 
20 
The DENR and the concerned LGUs shall jointly implement the watershed 
21 
management plan subject to regular consultations with and involvement of the 
22 
community and other stakeholders in the implementation of the plan. 
23 
The preparation of forest land use plans shall make use of the watershed as the 
24 
basic planning unit. 


- 45-
1 
Article 3 
2 
COASTAL ZONE 
3 
SEC. 35. Criteria on the Allocation and Utilization of Lands within the Coastal 
4 
Zones. - The allocation and utilization of lands within the coastal zones shall be guided 
5 
by the following: 
6 
a) Areas vegetated with mangrove species shall be preserved for mangrove 
7 
production and shall not be converted to other uses; 
8 - 9 
b) Areas which meet all accepted criteria on elevation, soil type, soil depth, 
topography, supply for successful fishpond development, and are not identified as 
10 
mangrove protected areas, shall be utilized for aquaculture purposes; 
11 
c) Areas sub-classified as mangrove and still suitable for use as such, or due to 
12 
environmental conditions need to be preserved as mangrove, but is devoid of mangrove 
13 
stands shall not be converted to other uses. The DENR shall ensure that these lands 
14 
shall be reforested within a given period of time; 
15 
-16 
d) Areas accessible to the sea and identified for fisherfolk settlement and 
housing shall be allocated to traditional fisherfolk who are inhabitants of the coastal 
17 
I 
communities and members of legitimate fisherfolk organizations and/or holders of 
18 
stewardship lease contracts or titles to ancestral domains or any form of property right 
19 
arrangements who participate in coastal resource management initiatives, subject to 
20 
the usual census procedures of the HUDec. 
21 
e) Areas which are neither sub-classified as mangrove, fisherfolk settlement nor 
22 
fishpond may be devoted to recreational or tourism purposes: ProVided, That such 
23 
undertaking will not result in environmental degradation and displacement of small 
24 
fishers; 


- 46-
1 
f) Areas which are considered as traditional fishing grounds shall be used 
,2 
primarily for such purpose; 
g) Areas which have been allocated for small infrastructure needed by 
4 
fisherfolk shall be allowed; and 
5 
h) Areas which form part of foreshore lands as defined in this Act including 
6 
those which are under lease agreements or arrangements shall undergo zoning and 
7 
evaluation to determine their boundaries and actual sizes and corresponding uses. 
• 
9 
8 
SEC. 36. Coastal Land Zone Sub-classification. - All public lands in the coastal 
zones shall be sub-classified into any of the following: estuaries, lagoons, inter-tidal 
10 
flats, mudflats, fishponds, mangroves, protection from tidal surge, for preservation of 
11 
biodiversity, habitats and sanctuaries for endangered wildlife, fisherfolk settlement, or 
12 
recreational/tourism areas. No sub-classification of coastal zones to different uses shall 
13 
be done without the following: 
14 
a) Conduct of a comprehensive resource and environmental assessment by the 
DENR and respective LGUs and accredited NGOs and POs within their jurisdiction; and 
b) Prior consultation with the Local Fisheries and Aquatic Resource 
17 
Management Councils (FARMCs) formed under Republic Act No. 8550 or the Philippine 
18 
Fisheries Code. 
19 
SEC. 37. Zoning of Foreshore Areas. - Local government units, in coordination 
20 
with the DENR, shall conduct zoning of their respective foreshore areas to assist 
government and community fishers identify priority areas for conservation and 
f.2 
development, and to enable them' to set targets for mangrove reforestation and 
23 
rehabili tation. 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
'7 
I 8 -9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
- 47-
SEC. 38. Protection of Waterways Easements and Flood Plains. - Structures of any 
kind shall not be built in waterways easements. Pursuant to PD 1067 or the Water Code, 
the banks of rivers and streams and the shores of the seas and lakes throughout their 
entire length and within a zone of three (3) meters in urban areas, twenty (20) meters 
in agricultural areas and forty (40) meters in forest areas, along their margins, are 
subject to the easement of public use only in the interest of recreation, navigation, 
floatage, fishing and salvage. 
The protection of flood plains shall adopt a river basin management approach in 
order to come up with integrated flood mitigation interventions. Development within 
flood plains and other flood-prone areas must be controlled or, if allowed, must be so 
sited, constructed and serviced that life of occupants are not put at risk and that 
disruptions during floods are minimal. The identification and characterization of f1ood-
prone areas and flood plains shall be an integral part of CLUP preparation. Through the 
CLUPs and zoning ordinances, LGUs shall establish land use regulations to mitigate 
flood risks. 
The DPWH, in coordination with DOST and DENR, shall declare flood control 
areas, as necessary, and prohibit or control activities that could damage or cause 
deterioration of lakes and dikes, obstruct the flow of water, change the natural flow of 
rivers, increase flood losses or aggravate flood problems pursuant to PD 1067. 
Article 4 
MINERAL LANDS 
SEC. 39. Criteria for the Utilization and Allocation of Land for Mining Purposes. -
Consistent with Section 6 of this Act and the provisions of Republic Act No. 7942 or the 
Mining Act of 1995, and to ensure that the objectives of maintaining ecological balance 


- 48-
1 
and maximizing economic returns to mining operations are realized, the allocation and 
2 
utilization of lands for mining purposes shall be guided by the following: 
3 
a) The principles of sustainable development and responsible mining; 
4 
b) In case of small-scale mining, adequate and acceptable safeguards shall be 
5 
instituted by the holders of mining rights or permits to prevent environmental 
6 
degradation of the mining sites and adjacent areas; 
7 
c) Mineral reservations which have become non-operational for more than five 
(5) years as determined by the MGB shall be placed under appropriate surface 
management by the DENR; and 
10 
d) Consistent with the Mining Act of 1995, areas closed to mining operations 
11 
shall be periodically reviewed through mineral exploration to be undertaken by the 
12 
D ENR for the purpose of determining whether or not their continued closure is 
I 
13 
consistent with the national interest and, if warranted, recommend their 
14 
reclassification as mineral lands. 
e) Protection forestlands and agricultural lands shall be exempt from mining 
activities to minimize the effect of natural calamities and to protect food security 
17 
respectively. The small to large scale mining operations shall yield from and recognize 
18 
the tenurial instrument given by the government such as Original Certificate of Title 
19 
(OCT), Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT), Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT), 
20 
Emancipation Patent - Certificate of Land Ownership Award (EP-CLOA) and other 
21 
instruments. If these be present, no mining activity shall be conducted. 
22 
SEC. 40. Reversion of Mineral Lands. - All mineral lands with exhausted mineral 
23 
resources, as determined by the MGB upon the recommendation of the DENR, shall 
24 
revert to its original land classification, that is, as forestland or agricultural land. In the 


i 
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1 
case of forestlands, the DENR may classify such areas for other purposes in consultation 
2 
with concerned LCU's, the Department of Tourism (DOT), and other national 
3 
government agenCies. 
4 
Article 5 
5 
ENERGY RESOURCE LANDS 
6 
SEC. 41. Guidelines for the Utilization and Allocation of Lands for Energy Resource 
7 
Exploration, Development, Production, Utilization, and Distribution Purposes. - To ensure 
8 -9 
that the objectives of maintaining ecological balance and maximizing the power 
potential 
from 
indigenous 
energy resources 
in 
the most economical and 
10 
environmentally-acceptable means are realized, the allocation and utilization of lands 
11 
for said purposes shall be guided by the following, consistent with existing regulations 
12 
and laws on energy resources: 
13 
a) Indigenous energy resource exploration and development for the purpose of 
14 
a National Energy Resource Inventory and Data Base as well as Energy Resource Block 
Map shall be allowed subject to the implementation of complementary watershed and 
other land management plans; 
b) Indigenous 
energy 
resource 
exploration, 
development, 
production, 
18 
utilization, and distribution shall be subject to the appropriate requirements and 
19 
processes of the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System. Each project 
20 
shall secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) prior to project 
21 
implementation to ensure adequate and appropriate environmental management 
22 
measures and optimum methods for resource access and recovery are utilized; and 
23 
c) Energy reservations or portions thereof which have become or have been 
24 
established to be non-economically viable to operate or are no longer used for energy 


- 50-
1 
purposes shall be released to give way to other land uses, subject to existing laws 
12 
covering energy reservations. 
j3 
SEC. 42. Reversion of Energy Resource Lands. - All exhausted indigenous energy 
4 
resource lands not covered by proclamations shall automatically revert to the category 
5 
of forestlands or agricultural lands open to disposition, whichever is appropriate. 
6 
Exhausted energy resource lands shall refer to specific energy resource sites whose 
7 
energy reserves of the desired type/s are no longer in sufficient quantity or quality to 
8 • 
9 
justify additional expenditure for their extraction and utilization. 
CHAPTER VII 
10 
SETTLEMENTS DEVELOPMENT 
11 
SEC. 43. Town, City, and Settlements Development. - The development of town, 
12 
city, and settlements through the zoning ordinances of cities and municipalities shall be 
13 
guided by CLUPs and urban zoning standards designed to maximize existing urban 
14 
spaces. Socialized housing and settlement areas shall be established only on alienable 
• 
15 
16 
and disposable lands in order to avoid further degradation of forestlands . 
SEC. 44. Settlements Within Geo-hazard Areas. - Settlements, in particular 
17 
housing or residential developments, within geo-hazard areas may be allowed provided 
18 
that mitigating and/or protective measures are adopted to address the potential danger 
19 
or risk to lives and property within such settlements. 
In coordination with the 
20 
concerned agencies of the government, the LUPC shall provide assistance to concerned 
21 
LGUs and settlers in instituting safety and corrective measures to address the potential 
b 
danger or risk. 
23 
ReSidential zones as designated in the CLUP shall be considered as outside the 
24 
geo-hazard areas. For this purpose, housing projects within such areas shall be 


- 51-
1 
exempted from the ECC as well as the Engineering Geological and Geo-hazard 
2 
Assessment Report (EGGAR) and maybe implemented without the need for any further 
3 
certificate of exemption from the DENR or any other government regulatory agency. 
4 
SEC. 45. Designation of Sanitary Landfill. - Each city or municipality shall 
5 
identify, designate and allocate an area within their territorial jurisdiction to serve as 
6 
sanitary landfill within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. The LGUs, in 
coordination with the DENR or any other competent authority, shall identify sanitary 
landfill in order to fast-track the conduct of environmental impact assessment study 
and to facilitate processing of the environmental compliance certificate. The site or 
10 
area shall be identified in the city or municipality's CLUP. For this purpose, cities and 
11 
municipalities shall establish their solid waste management program, pursuant to RA. 
12 
No. 9003, otherwise known as the "Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000". 
13 
Likewise, as provided under Section 33 of the LGC, cities and municipalities may, 
14 
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 
17 
with concerned agencies, shall promulgate the necessary guidelines and standards for 
18 
the formulation and establishment of solid waste management programs by cities and 
19 
municipalities, and shall submit the same to the LUPC for review and approval. 
20 
SEC. 46. Designation and Zoning of Socialized Housing Zones. - Each city or 
21 
municipality in urban, urbanizable and rural areas shall designate through the CLUP 
22 
adequate lands for housing or residential purposes, including socialized housing and 
23 
resettlement areas for the immediate and future needs of the local population as well as 
24 
the underprivileged and homeless in their territory, pursuant to existing laws and 


·52· 
1 
regulations. In order to ensure adequate availability of land for the housing needs of the 
2 
local population, the CLUP shall be updated, at maximum, every ten (10) years for 
3 
provinces, cities and municipalities. 
4 
The designated sites for socialized housing shall be located in residential zones, 
5 
and shall be zoned as socialized housing zones that are integrated in the city or 
6 
municipality's zoning ordinance, pursuant to existing laws and regulations. 
7 
Fisherfolk settlements and housing in coastal municipalities shall be zoned near 
8 
the sea for easy access to their livelihood as provided under Section 36 (b) of this Act. 
-9 
The housing or residential lands designated in the CLUPS and ZOs of cities and 
10 
municipalities shall, on one hand, not be subject to further land reclassification by the 
11 
LGU or land conversion procedure under DAR. On the other hand, agricultural lands as 
designated in the CLUP which are no longer economically feasible for agricultural use 
13 
may be subject to land reclassification or conversion to housing/residential purposes 
14 
and such conversion, as the case may be, shall be exempt from the coverage of any 
moratorium on land conversion. 
SEC. 47. Urban Forest or Green Space. -
Each city or highly urbanizing 
17 
municipality shall identify, designate, and allocate lands owned by the city or 
18 
municipality as urban forest or green space based on the guidelines and standards to be 
19 
issued by the DENR and approved by the NLUC. 
20 
CHAPTER VIII 
21 
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS 
22 
SEC. 48. Criteria for Designating Industrial Development Areas. -
The 
23 
identification and establishment of industrial development areas shall conform with the 
24 
provisions of R. A. No. 7916, or the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Act, R.A. 


j 
- 53 -
1 
No. 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, (CARP) Act, as amended by 
2 
R.A. No. 9700 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Extension and 
3 
Reforms Act (CARPER), R.A. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (rPRA), R.A. No. 
4 
7279 or the Urban Development Housing Act (UDHA), and R.A. No. 8435 or the 
5 
Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA), taking into consideration the 
6 
following: 
7 
a) Identified network of areas for agricultural development and protected 
8 -9 
agricultural areas pursuant to the AFMA; 
b) National policies on the regional dispersal of industries and agri-based 
10 
industrial development; 
11 
c) Identified growth areas and corridors in the National Development Plan; 
12 
d) National Protected Areas System (NIPAS) and non-NIPAS areas that require 
13 
protection; 
14 
e) National and Urban Development and Housing Framework; 
f) Identified Socialized Housing Zones; and 
g) 
National framework for physical planning and other existing national 
programs and policies. 
18 
The designated industrial development areas shall become an integral part of the 
19 
land use plan and zoning ordinance of the city or municipality where these areas are 
20 
located. 
21 
CHAPTER IX 
22 
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND HERITAGE AREAS 
23 
SEC, 49. Designating Tourism Development Areas. - The identification, selection, 
24 
and development of tourism development areas, tourism estates and tourism 


-54-
1 
enterprise zones (TEZs) shall be done in consultation and coordination with the 
concerned LGUs, the TIEZA and concerned national government agencies, the private 
sector, and the affected communities, subject to the prOVisions of RA. No. 9593 or 
4 
Tourism Act of 2009. Tourism development areas shall likewise include those covered 
5 
by legislative and executive issuances as tourist spots, tourist zones and tourism 
6 
ecozones which can be developed into tourism estates or integrated resort, leisure and 
7 
recreation complexes and other tourism-related facilities as well as those identified in 
the national, regional and inter-regional tourism, and area specific tourism master plans 
and other sector plans such as ecotourism and agri-tourism sites. 
10 
Designated areas for tourism development shall become part ofthe CLUPs of the 
11 
cities or municipalities where these are located. 
12 
Lands identified as part of a TEZ shall qualify for exemption from the coverage of 
13 
Republic Acts 7279 and 6657 subject to rules and regulations to be crafted by the 
14 
TIEZA, HUDCC, DAR and DA: Provided, That a certificate shall be obtained from the DA 
that said lands are no longer economically feasible and sound for agricultural purposes, 
consistent with Section 30 of this Act. 
17 
SEC. 50. Identification and Declaration of Areas for Protection, Conservation and 
18 
Preservation of Cultural Heritage. - Pursuant to R A. No. 10066, the National Historical 
19 
Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and/or the National Museum in coordination 
20 
with National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), HLURB and other 
:21 
concerned agencies, local communities, and the private sector, shall identify declared 
~2 
areas and structures which shall be protected and/or preserved as part of the 
23 
Philippine cultural heritage. 


- 55-
1 
The LGUs in coordination with the NHCP, the NCCA and the Cultural Center of the 
2 
Philippines (CCP) shall designate historical zones to protect the historical integrity of 
3 
said geographical areas and cultural space of intangible cultural properties. 
4 
CHAPTER X 
5 
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT 
6 
SEC. 51. Allocation and Use of Land for Infrastructure Development. - Land, 
whether public or private, shall be allocated and utilized for priority infrastructure 
projects that are supportive of national or local development objectives. The NEDA, in 
consultation with the concerned national government agencies, LGUs, and the private 
10 
sector shall identify and periodically review, update and/or revise the list of priority 
11 
infrastructure projects subject to Sections 6 and 30 of this Act, and Section 47 of R. A. 
12 
No. 8435 or AFMA. In determining and evaluating the list of priority infrastructure 
13 
projects, consideration shall be given to those that: 
14 
(a) Respond to immediate and vital requirements of the national economy with 
priority on improving rural infrastructure and the development of the agriculture and 
fisheries sectors; 
17 
(b) Upgrade eXisting facilities to international standards; 
18 
(c) Address the need for sustainable settlements development; and, 
19 
(d) Help mitigate the destructive effects of natural disaster-causing phenomena 
20 
01' those that shall serve as alternatives to existing infrastructures found in natural 
21 
hazard-prone areas: 
22 
Provided, That the provision and implementation of infrastructure support shall be 
23 
made compatible with existing environmental conditions and the physical, whether 
24 
natural or human-made, and cultural character of the area. Mandatory public 
i 


- 56-
1 
hearings/consultations pursuant to existing laws and regulations shall be held prior to 
2 
the conduct of all infrastructure projects that will necessarily involve dislocation or 
3 
displacement of people in the area: Provided, further, That the proponent of the 
4 
infrastructure project shall follow the rules on just and humane eviction or demolition 
5 
under Section 28 of R. A. No. 7279 or the Urban Development Housing Act (UDHA), 
6 
notwithstanding the provisions of Republic Act No. 8975, prohibiting lower courts from 
7 
issuing temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, or preliminary 
mandatory injunctions, and proponent shall follow IPRA: Provided, finally, That national 
government infrastructure projects shall allocate budget for the adequate relocation of 
10 
displaced communities. 
SEC. 52. Infrastructure Projects Within Ceo-hazard Areas. - Construction of 
priority infrastructure projects within hazard-prone areas shall be allowed: Provided, 
13 
That mitigating and/or preventive measures are adopted to address the potential 
14 
adverse economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts that will emanate from 
these infrastructure projects, subject to the findings and recommendations of a 
feasibility study/environmental impact assessment in accordance with Presidential 
17 
Decree No. 1586, Establishing An Environmental Impact Statement System, Including 
18 
Other Environmental Management Related Measures, 
and R. A. No. 4846 or the 
19 
Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act, as amended by Presidential 
20 
Decree No. 374. 
21 
Existing projects that did not go through the process of an environmental impact 
22 
assessment and pose threats to the environment, integrity of historic, archeological, or 
23 
scientifically significant areas; or are impinging on critical ecosystems, may be: (a) 
24 
terminated immediately, (b) required to implement an Environmental Management 


I. 
- 57-
1 
Plan; Ccl gradually phased-out and relocated, or Cd) maintained up to their life span, 
2 
subject, however, to mitigating measures: Provided, That the rules on mandatory public 
3 
hearings/consultations and just and humane eviction or demolition shall also be 
4 
observed prior to the termination, gradual phase-out, or relocation of projects that will 
5 
necessarily involve dislocation or displacement of people in the area. 
6 
CHAPTERXI 
7 
TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND VALUE FORMATION 
8 
SEC. 53. Value Formation. - In order to create a well informed, responsible and 
• 
9 
committed citizenry who values the protection, conservation and development of the 
10 
country's limited land, and other physical resources, the State shall mandate the 
11 
inclusion of sustainable land use education or any subject related thereto in the 
12 
curricula of primary, secondary and tertiary education. 
13 
SEC. 54. In/ormation and Education Campaign. - The NLUC shall undertake a 
14 
nationwide education information campaign in land use and physical planning to be 
.15 
i6 
implemented by local and national government agencies. The DlLG and concerned 
agencies shall formulate and implement a land use management capability-building 
~7 
program for national and local government officials, community leaders, NGOs, POs, 
18 
religiOUS sector, and the general public: Provided, That it shall be mandatory for local 
19 
government officials involved in the preparation of CLUPS and PPFDP, including the 
20 
municipal, city and provincial development officer to attend the Land Use Management 
21 
Capability-Building Program. 
22 
CHAPTER XII 
23 
INCENTIVES, SANCTIONS, AND PENALTIES 


• 
• 
- 58-
1 
Article 1 
2 
INCENTIVES AND AWARDS 
j 
3 
SEC. 55. Formulation of a System of Incentives and Awards. - The NLUC shall 
4 
come out with a system of incentives and awards to LGUs that regularly update their 
5 
CLUPs within the prescribed period, as follows: 
6 
(a) 
Provinces, Highly Urbanized Cities, and Independent Component Cities -
7 
once every nine (9) years; and 
8 • 
9 
(b) 
Component cities and municipalities once every nine (9) years. 
SEC. 56. Priority in Giving Technical Assistance to LGUs. - In providing technical 
10 
assistance and other forms of support related to land use management and the 
11 
implementation of development plans, the national government agencies shall give 
12 
priority to cities and municipalities with approved CLUPs. 
13 
Article 2 
14 
SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES 
.15 
16 
SEC. 57. Fine for Non-Completion and Non-Commencement of Development of 
Agricultural Lands with Approved Order of Conversion. - A landowner and his/her 
17 
designated developer or duly authorized representative who fails to commence and/or 
18 
complete the development of agricultural lands with approved order of conversion shall 
19 
be penalized, jointly or severally, with any of the following fines based on the zonal 
20 
value of the land at the time the fine is imposed: 
21 
a. On failure to commence within one year from the date of conversion order: 
I 
22 
(1) Six percent (6%) of the zonal value of the subject land for the first 
23 
three (3) hectares, 
24 
(2) Fifteen percent (15%) of the zonal value of the subject land for the 


• 
- 59-
1 
next three (3) hectares, and 
2 
(3) Thirty percent (30%) of the zonal value of the subject land for the 
3 
remaining area: 
4 
Provided, That the order of conversion shall be deemed revoked automatically and the 
5 
land shall revert to its original agricultural use and covered by the DAR through 
6 , 
compulsory acquisition for distribution to qualified beneficiaries. 
j 7 
b. On failure to complete fifty percent (50%) of the approved conversion plan 
8 • 
9 
within a specified time frame. Fifty percent (50%) of the zonal value of the subject land 
and the revocation of the conversion plan on the undeveloped portion which shall 
10 
automatically revert to its original use as agricultural land. The same shall be covered 
11 
under the CARP and processed for land distribution as soon as possible. 
12 
SEC. 58. Authority to Impose Fine. - The DAR shall impose the penalty provided 
13 
for under the preceding section. 
14 
SEC. 59. Withdrawal of Local Development Permits or Licenses. - Upon receipt of 
notice from the DAR, the concerned agencies and the city or municipality shall 
withdraw or revoke any development permit and other licenses that may be necessary 
17 
to develop the agricultural land subject of conversion. 
18 
SEC. 60. Utilization of Fines. - The fines collected under Sections 57, 62 and 63 
19 
hereof shall automatically accrue to the Agrarian Reform Fund consistent with the 
20 
provisions of the CARP, as amended. 
21 
SEC. 61. Failure to Formulate, Enforce, and/or Implement the CLUPs. - Consistent 
22 
with due process, the DILG shall investigate, review, and impose appropriate action· 
23 
regarding local chief executives and other local officials and employees responsible for 
24 
the formulation, enforcement, and/or implementation of the CLUPs in case of any of the 


• 
• 
• 
- 60-
1 
following: 
2 
3 
(a) 
(b) 
Failure to implement and enforce the CLUP due to negligence of duty; 
Failure to provide appropriate budgetary allocation to effect its 
4 
implementation; and, 
5 
(c) 
Failure to complete the preparation of the CLUP despite the availability of 
6 
funds, resources, and support by the sanggunian concerned. 
7 
Any public official or employee, regardless of whether elected or appointed or 
8 
holding office or employment in a casual, temporary, holdover, permanent, or regular 
9 
capacity, found to be responsible for any of the foregoing acts, after due notice and 
10 
hearing by the appropriate body or agency, shall be punished with forfeiture of salaries 
11 
and allowances and suspension from: 
b 
1. 
Six (6) to nine (9) months, in case of non-implementation ofCLUP; or 
13 
2. 
Three (3) to six (6) months, in case of non-completion of the CLUP. 
14 
SEC. 62. Person(sj Abetting Illegal Conversion. - Any person initiating, causing, 
.15 
inducing, or abetting illegal conversion shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned from 
seven (7) to twelve (12) years and imposed a fine of not less than One hundred 
16 
17 
thousand (PIOO,OOO.OO) pesos, or both at the discretion of the court: Provided, That if 
18 
the offender is a public Dfficial Dr emplDyee, whether elected Dr appointed, the penalty 
19 
shall, in addition thereto, include dismissal through permanent separation from the 
20 
service and forfeiture Df all benefits and entitlements accruing to the public positiDn 
21 
and perpetual disqualification to run or apply for any elective or appointive public 
22 
office: Provided, further, That if the offender is a juridical person, the penalty of 
23 
imprisDnment shall be imposed on the president, chief executive officer, manager, 
24 
chairperson and all the members of the board, and other responsible officers thereof, 


• 
• 
- 61-
1 
and the fine shall be equivalent to the zonal value of the land or forty percent (40%) of 
2 
the shareholders equity, as determined at the time of judgment whichever is higher, 
3 
plus forfeiture of the land in favor of the State for sale though public auction, the 
4 
proceeds of which shall automatically accrue to the Agrarian Reform Fund as provided 
5 
for in Section 60 of this Act. 
6 
SEC. 63. Penalty for Reclassification of Protected Agricultural Lands and 
7 
Exceeding the Limit of Areas Allowed for Reclassification. - Any person initiating, causing, 
• 
8 
9 
inducing, or abetting the reclassification of protected agricultural areas into non-
agricultural uses and exceeding the limits set forth under Section 20 of the LGC of 1991, 
10 
shall be penalized with imprisonment of twelve (12) years and a fine of not less than 
11 
One hundred thousand (P100,000.00) pesos, or both at the discretion of the court: 
12 
Provided, That if the offender is a public official or employee, the penalty shall, in 
13 
addition thereto, include dismissal through permanent separation from the service, 
14 
whether elected or appointed, and forfeiture of entitlements accruing to the public 
.~5 
16 
position, and perpetual disqualification to run or apply for any elective or appointive 
public position: Provided, further, That if the offender is a juridical person, the penalty 
I 
17 
shall be imposed on the president, chief executive officer, manager, chairperson and all 
18 
the members of the board, and other responsible officers thereof. 
19 
SEC. 64·. Payment of Disturbance Compensation. - Following the order of priority 
20 
as enumerated in Section 22 of the CARP, as amended, qualified beneficiaries such as 
21 
agricultural lessees and share tenants, regular farm workers, seasonal farm workers, 
22 
other farm workers. actual tillers or occupants of public lands, collective, or cooperative 
23 
of the above-mentioned beneficiaries, and others directly working on the land affected 
24 
by agricultural land use conversion shall be entitled to the payment of disturbance 


• 
- 62 -
1 
compensation equivalent to five (5) times the average of the gross harvests on the 
landholding during the last five (5) preceding calendar years or a certain percentage of 
the converted land, whichever is higher, as determined by the DAR. 
4 
CHAPTER XIII 
5 
TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS 
6 
SEC. 65. Convening of the NWC. - Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of 
7 
this Act, the President shall convene the NLUC. 
SEC. 66. DAR Conversion of Agricultural Lands. - The authority of the DAR to 
convert agricultural land for non-agricultural uses shall be in existence until June 30, 
10 
2014 or the expiration of Republic Act No. 9700, otherwise known as the 
11 
"Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Extension and Reforms Act (CARPER)". 
12 
In which case, such authority shall be automatically transferred to the DA by virtue of 
13 
this Act. 
14 
SEC. 67. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months from the 
effectivity of this Act, the NLUC shall promulgate the rules and regulations to implement 
16 
the provisions of this Act. 
Said rules and regulations shall be submitted to the 
17 
Congressional Oversight Committee for approval. 
18 
SEC. 68. Congressional Oversight Committee on the Land Use Act. - There is 
19 
hereby created a Congressional Oversight Committee which shall monitor the 
?O 
implementation of this Act. It shall be composed of seven (7) members from the Senate 
fl 
and seven (7) members from the House of Representatives. The Chairpersons of the 
22 
Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and the House of 
23 
Representatives Committee on Natural Resources shall be the Chair and Co-Chair ofthe 
24 
Congressional OverSight Committee, respectively. The other members from the Senate 


• 
- 63 -
1 
shall be appointed by the Senate President based on proportional representation of the 
2 
parties or coalitions therein with at least one (1) senator representing the minority. The 
3 
other members from the House of Representatives shall be appointed by the Speaker 
4 
also based on proportional representation of the parties or coalitions therein with at 
5 
least one (1) member representing the minority. 
,6 
The secretariat of the Oversight Committee shall be drawn from the existing 
secretariat personnel of the committees comprising the oversight and the funding shall 
be taken from the appropriations of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 69. Appropriations. - The appropriations for the National Land Use 
10 
Commission shall be taken from the budget of the Office of the President in the General 
11 
Appropriations Act in the year following the effectivity of this Act shall be used to carry 
12 
out the initial operations of the National Land Use Commission. Thereafter, additional 
13 
sums as may be necessary for the full implementation of NLUC's functions shall be 
14 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 70. Review of Existing Land Use Plans. - Provinces, cities, and municipalities 
with existing land use plans shall review, revise, reconcile, and harmonize the same 
17 
with the guidelines and standards set forth under this Act within three (3) years from 
18 
the effectivity of this Act. 
19 
SEC. 71. Repealing Clause. - All republic acts, executive orders, rules and 
20 
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with the 
21 
provisions of this Republic Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
22 
SEC. 72. Non-impairment Clause. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to 
23 
diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or available to marginalized or 


.. 
- 64-
1 
basic sectors under existing laws including but not limited to Republic Act Nos. 7279, 
2 
6657,8371, and 8550. 
3 
SEC. 73. Separability Clause. - If for any reason or reasons, any part or provision 
4 
of this Act shall be declared or held to be unconstitutional or invalid other parts or 
5 
provisions hereof, which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and 
6 
effect. 
7 
SEC. 74. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved, 
•