Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NTH CONGRESS
t Regular Session

414

HB. No.

Introduced by HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to institutionalize a national land use policy to ensure a rational, holistic,
and just allocation, utilization, management and development of the ‘country's land resources.

According to the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (1976), land,
because of its unique nature and the crucial role it plays in human settlements, cannot be treated
as an ordinary asset, controlled by individuals and subject to the pressures and inefficiencies of
the market. Private land ownership is also a principal instrument of accumulation and
concentration of wealth and therefore contributes to social injustice; if unchecked, it may
become a major obstacle in the planning and implementation of development schemes, Social
justice, urban renewal and development, the provision of decent dwellings and healthy

conditions for the people can only he achieved if land is used in the interests of society as a
whole.

In the Philippines, there are various laws passed to address the need for a sound land use.
The Forestry Reform Code of 1975, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (1988),
Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 and the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of
1997 have all been implemented through the years to ensure that land the 30,001,563 (2004) total
land area of the country is utilized properly. However, due the presence of different stakeholders
in the use of land and the lack of a national land use policy framework, the use of land in our
country remains chaotic and breeds environmental degradation.

This bill addresses those concerns by mandating the formulation of a National
Framework for Physical Planning (NFPP) which shall serve as the general long-term framework
for the spatial development directions of the entire country and provide analytical parameters for
the planned allocation, use and management of the country's land and other physical resources. A
centralized body called the Land Use Policy Council composed various government agencies
involved in land use shall be created to formulate, periodically update and implement the said
plan and to coordinate with, assist and monitor the compliance of local government units (LGUs)
in planning, developing and implementing their respective comprehensive land use plan under
this bill,

Under this proposed measure, land is classified according to use:

1.) Protection land use which shall refer to the use of land primarily for
rehabilitation, conservation, and protection purposes and the promotion of the
country's ecological and life-support systems. Areas under this category are those
under the coverage of Republic Act No. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected
‘Areas System (NIPAS) law and other coastal and marine protected ' areas; those

1


areas outside NIPAS but nonetheless require protection because of their
outstanding physical and aesthetic features, anthropological significance, and
biological diversity; and those areas prone to natural hazards;

2.) Production land use which shall refer to the direct and indirect utilization of
land resources for crop, fishery, livestock and poultry production,,
agroforestry, mining, industry, energy development, and tourism. Areas
included in this category are agricultural lands, fishing grounds, fishponds,
and fish cages, coastal and marine zones, production forest which comprise
lands 18% to 50% in slope gradient such as: residual dipterocarps, rangelands
for grazing purposes, industrial tree plantation/IFMA, community based agro-
forestry areas and other reforestation projects; mineral lands or mining areas
and reservations, energy resource lands, industrial development areas, and’
tourism development areas where productive activities could be undertaken to
meet the country’s requirements for food security, economic growth and
development;

3.) Settlements Development which 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; and

4.) Infrastructure Development which secks to provide basic services and
foster 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 these sub-sectors:
transportation, communications, indigenous energy exploration and
development, water resources, and social infrastructure. ~

To ensure compliance with the national land use policy, incentives and awards shall be
given to local government units that regularly update their comprehensive land use plan while
fines and sanctions shall be imposed for violating certain provisions of this proposed measure.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Lone District, Province of Aurora


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

H.B.No.__

Introduced by Honorable JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

AN ACT
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, PROVIDING THE
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOS!

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS

SECTION L. Title This Act shall be known and cited as the "National Land Use Act of
the Philippines.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies and Principles.- 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 resources to ensure their optimum use consistent with the principle of sustainable
development.

Toward this end, the State shall institutionalize land use and physical planning as a

mechanism for identifying, determining, and evaluating alternative land use and allocation
patterns that promote and ensure:

a) « Sustainable and just management and utilization of natural resources;

b) Maintenance and preservation of environmental integrity and stability;

©) Food security in basic food commodities with emphasis on self-sufficiency in rice and
cor production through efficient and sustainable use of land resources consistent
with the principles of sound agricultural development, natural resources development,
and agrarian reform;

4) Protection of prime agricultural lands for food production activities and highest
priority to the completion of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP);

e) Sustainable development and management of water resources towards water security;

£) Rational population distribution and settlements development;

g) Spatial integration that links consumption and production areas to achieve


physical and economic integration through appropriate infrastructure
systems;

h) Equitable and sustainable economic growth and balanced and dispersed
industrial and tourism development guided by the principles of agrarian
reform, urban land reform, and rural development;

Private-public partnership where government provides the appropriate
‘policy, legal and institutional framework to guide the private sector's
management of resources

) Harmony between the rights and the varied interests of every Filipino within
the framework of people empowerment, decentralization, social justice, and
equity;

x)

Respect for and protection of the sustainable traditional resource right of the
Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/1Ps) to their
ancestral domains to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being as
well as recognition of the applicability of customary laws and sustainable
traditional resource use and management, knowledge, and practices in
ancestral domains;

}) Protection of the right of basic sectors to equitable access to the country's land
and other resources through State regulation of land valuation to prevent
uncontrolled larid speculation resulting in tremendous increase in land
pricing;

m) Protection, conservation and preservation of the Filipino historital and
cultural heritage and resources for the deeper understanding of our history
and culture as a people;

n)

Attainment of energy vecurity or energy self-sufficiency through sustainable
and priority development of indigenous energy resources;

9)

‘An integrated approach to the utilization, allocation, develépment and
management of water as a limited resource to complement and support
sustainable land utilization; and :

p) Market orientation where the interplay of market forces within the
framework of ecological and intergenerational factors i9 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 Constitution and
the 1991 Local Government Code (RA 7160).

Guided by the principle thet the use of land bears a social function and that all
economic agents shall contribute to the common good, landowners shall be held
responsible for developing and conserving their lands thereby making their lands
productive and eupportive of environmental stability.


SEC, 3. Scope- This Act shall apply to all lands whether public, private,
government-owned, and/or in the possession of individuals, communities, indigenous
peoples, or groups of people, to guide and govern the use, allocation, development and
management of land resources including such activities that bear impact on said
resources.

CHAPTER Ti
DEFINITIONS

SEC. 4, Definitions As used in and for purposes of this Act, the following
terms shall mean:

a)"Agricultural land” shall refer to lands devoted to or suitable for the
cultivation of the soil, planting of crops, growing of fruit trées, zaising of livestock,
poultry, fish or aqua-culture production, including the harvesting of such farm
products, and other farm activities and practices performed in conjunction with such
farming operations done by persons whether natural or juridical and not classified by
law as mineral land, forest land, residential land, commercial land, or industrial land;

b) “Agricultural land use conversion” shall refer to the undertaking of any
development activity which modifies or alters the physical characteristics of
agricultural lande to render them suitable for non-agricultural purposes with an
approved order of conversion issued exclusively by the Department of Land Reform
(DLR);

©) "Alienable and Aisposable (A&’D) lands” shall refer to lands of the public
domain which have been delineated, classified, and ceztified to by law or pursuant to
the Land Classification Program of the Department of Environment and Naturel
Resources (DENR) as agricultural lands open to disposition under the provisions of
Commonwealth Act No.141, otherwise known as the "Public Land Act,” as ameritied;

)“Ancestyal domaine” chall refer to all areas generally belonging to ICCs/IPs
as defined in Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as the “indigenous Peoples
Rights Act (IPRA) of 1998;".

2)Comprehensive land use plan (CLUP)” shall refer to 4 document
embodying a set of policies, accompanied by maps and similar illustrations, that serves
as principal basis for determining the future land use of ands and natural resources
within the territorial jurisdiction of the city or municipality. It represents the
commtinity-deared pattern of population distribution and proposes future allocation of
land resources to various land-using activities. It identifies the allocation, character,
and extent of the areas of Jand resources to be used for different purposes and includes
the processes and the criteria employed in the determination of the land use. It has a
Jong-term perspective, encompassing a minimum of three (3) terms of local elective
officials.

1) "Constal Area/Zone” shall refer to a band of dry land and the adjacent
ocean space {water and submerged iand) in which terrestrial processes and uses
directly affect oceanic processes and uses, and vice verea. Its geographic extent may
include areas within a landmark limit of one (1) kilometer from the shoreline at high
Hide to include mangrove swamps, brackish water ponds, nipn swamps, estuarine rivers,
sandy beaches and other areas within a seaward limit af 200 meters iscbath to include
coral reefs, algal flats, seagrass beds, and other soft-bottom areas. For purposes of
initiating and implementing sustainable coastal resources protection and management,

&


it shall include foreshore lands;

2)Critical watershed” shall refer to a watershed supporting existing and
proposed hydro-electric power and irrigation works needing immediate rehabilitation
as it is being subjected to fast denudation causing accelerated erosion and destructive
floods; °

4} Cultural heritage” shall refer to the totality of cultural properties preserved
and developed through time and’passed on for posterity;

i) “Development plan” shall refer to a document that defines the activities or
measures that the national government or local government units (LGU’s) intend to
implement in order to achieve a defined set of development goals. It integrates the
socio-economic and sectoral plans of the national government or its instrumentality or a
particular LGU with spatial plans such as land use or physical framework plans, It
may include an analysis of problems and resources, definition of goals and objectives,
policy guidelines, project and target achievements, and an implementation mechanism
which defines the roles and contributions expected from the government and the
private sector;

j) “Ecologically-fragile lands” shall refer to lands within the critical
watershed, brackish and freshwater wetlands, pasture lands, and croplands which
require rehabilitation and whose continued unsustainable use would adversely affect
the productivity of lowland agricultural areas and the stability of the upland system;

k) “Ecotourism” shall refer to sustainable tourism or travel to a given natural
area with exotic or threatened ecosystems or a heritage area to observe wildlife or to
help preserve nature, in the process providing for community participation; protection
and management of natural resources, culture and indigenous knowledge systems and
practices; environmental education and ethics; as well as economic benefits fostered
and pursued for the enrichment of host communities and the satisfaction of visitors;

1) Energy resource Jands” shall refer to lands where naturally occurring or
indigenous energy resources exist;

m) “Energy resources” shall refer to surface or subsurface substances that
serve as energy sources. These are traditionally mineral fuel deposits such as coal,
petroleum, natural gas or renewable resources from geothermal, hydro resetvoirs, or
non-conventional sources such as ocean waves, solar, wind, biomass, and other similar
resources which serve the same purpose; :

n)Environméntally critical arens” shall refer to areas declared by law as: (a)
areas for natural parks, watershed reserves, wildlife preserves, and ganctuaries; (b)
areas set aside as aesthetic potential tourist spots; (c) areas which constitute the habitat
of any endangered or threatened species or indigenous Philippine wildlife (flora and
fauna); (d) areas of unique historic, archaeological, or scientific interests; (¢) areas which
are traditionally occupied by ICCs/IPs; (t) areas with critical slopes; (g) areas frequently
visited and/or hard hit by natural calamities (geologic hazards. floods, typhoons and
volcanic activities); (h) prime agricultural lands; (i) recharge areas of aquifers; (j) water
bodies; (k) mangrove areas; (1) coral reefs; (m) mossy and virgin forests; (n) rivers and
river banks; and (0) swamp forest and marshlands; and (p) foreshore lands. This term
shall also include other terrestrial, aquatic and marine areas that need special protection
and conservation measures because they are ecologically fragile or they are needed for

6


food security and food self sufficiency as determined by concerned agencies and LGUs
in consultation with the concerned sectors;

0)“Exhausted mineral resources” shall refer to a situation where the mineral
resources in specific sites-are no longer in sufficient quantity or quality to justify
additional expenditure for extraction or utilization;

p)“Food security” shall refer to the policy objective of meeting the food
availability, acceseibility, and affordability requirements of the present and future
generations of Filipinos in a sustainable manner, through local production or
importation, only when there is shortage established based on a micro level situation, or
both, based on the country's existing and potential resource endowments and related
production advantages, and consistent with the overall national development objectives
and policies;

@)“Food self-sufficiency” shall refer to the policy objective of meeting the food
requirements thtough intensive local food production in a sustainable manner based on
the country's existing and potential resource endowments and related production
advantages;

1) “Forestlands” shall refer to lands of the public domain which have been
classified or declared as such and all unclassified lands of the public domain;

8) “Foreshore land” shall refer to a string of land margining a body of water,
the part of a seashore between the low-water line usually at the seaward margin of a
low tide tersace and the upper limit of wave wash at high tide usually marked by a
beach scarp or berm;

1) “Geo-hazards” shall refer to natural and man-induced geological processes
that have potential to cause destruction and pose a threat or risk to man’s life and
property;

2) “Disaster-prone areas or geo-hazard areas” shall refer to areas frequently
visited and/or vulnerable or prone to experience weather/climatic, hydrologic,
geologic, and other natural calamities; .

v)“tniligenous Cultural Communtttes/initgenous Peoples (CCs/tPs)” shall
refer to groups of people or homogenous societies identified under the IPRA;

w) “Inland waters” shall refer to waters, which are not coastal arid marine
waters not subject to acquisitive prescription consistent with the provisions of
Presidential Decree No. 1067, otherwise known as the "Water Code of the Philippines";

x)“Integrated watershed management” shall refer to a planning strategy or
program for watershed areas that complement environmentally-sound soil and water
management practices with mechanisms for ensuring greater responsibility,
involvement, or participation of individuals, groups, communities and other
Stakeholders benefiting from these areas and water-related infrastructure;

y) “Land” shall refer to resources, both man-made and naturel, found on the
surface, below, and above the ground including inland waters and the air therein;

2)“Land sub-classifiestion” shalll refer to the act of determining and assigning
specific uses of classified lands of the public domain, such as forest or timber lands,

7


alienable or disposable agricultural Iands, national parks, and mineral ‘lands in
accordance with existing laws and this Act

2a)

bb)

cc)

dd)

ee)

i)

hh)

“Land use” shall refer to the manner of utilization of land,
including its allocation, development, and management;

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

“Land Use Policy Council” shall refer to the administrative,
policy-making, regulatory, and quasi-judicial body created under
Section 14 this Act;

“Mandatory public hearings/consultations” shall refer to the
mechanism to ensure the involvement of affected sectors in land
use planning from the local to the national level. ft involves giving,
notice of hearing/consultation to affected sectors through
publication or posting im conspicuous places, conduct of a
reasonable number of hearings, and solicitation of positions and
the public presentation and validation of the planning results
before the final adoption of the plans;

"Mineral exploration” shall xefer to the systematic searching or
prospecting for mineral resources including energy resources;

“Mineral lands” shall xefer to lands where mineral resources are
found;

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

“Network of Protected Areas for Agriculture and Agro-tndustrial
Development (NPAAADY’ shall refer to agricultural areas
identified by the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of
Soils and Water Management (BSWM) in coordination with the
‘National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA)
in order to ensure the efficient utilization of land for agriculture
and agro-industrial development and promote sustainable growth.
‘The NPAAAD covers all irrigated areas; all irrigable lands already
covered by irrigation projects with firm fanding commitments; all
allnvial plains; land highly suitable for agriculture’ whether
irrigated or not; agro-industrial croplands or lands planted to
industrial crops that support the validity of existing agricultural
infrastructure and agro-based enterprises; highlands or areas
located at an elevation of Five hundred (600) meters or above and
have the potential for growing semi-temperate and high value

8


ii)

))

Ke)

y)

nn)

00)

Pp)

crops; all agricultural lands that are ecologically fragile the
conversion of which will result in serious environmental
degradation; and all mangrove areas and fish sanctuaries;

“Physical framework plans” shall refer to the national, regional or
provincial indicative plans embodying both policies and strategies
that are prepared by the national, regional and provincial land use
policy councils, respectively, to guide the desired direction and
growth and to promote and advance appropriate resource
‘utilization as a way of sustaining food security, promoting people's
welfare, protection of environment;

“Premature or illegal conversion” shall zefer to any activity that
modifies or alters the physical characteristics of agricultural lands
to render them ouitable for non-agricultural purposes without an
approved order of conversion from the DLR Secretary;

“Prime agricultural land” shall refer to all irrigated areas, all
irrigable lands already covered by irrigation projects with firm
funding commitments; all alluvial plain land highly suitable for
agriculture whether irrigated or not; agro-industrial croplands or
lands presently planted to industrial crops that support the
viability of existing agricultural infrastructure and agro-based
enterprises, highlands, or areas located at elevation of 500 meters or
above and have the potential for growing semi-temperature and
high value crops; all agricultural lands that are ecologically fragile,
the conversion of which will result in serious environmental
degradation; and mangrove areas and fish sanctuaries; *

“Production: land use” shall refer to the ditect and indirect
utilization of land to generate outputs resulting from the following
activities: agricultural, fish farming or aquaculture, timber or agro-
forestry, grazing and pasture, mining, indigenous energy resource
development, industry, and tourism;

“Protected arens” shall refer to portions of land set aside by reason
of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to
enhance biological diversity, and protected against destructive
human. exploitation. For purposes of this Act, it shall include
agricultural lands identified and delineated under Section 29
hereof;

“Protection land use” shall refer to the use of land
primarily for rehabilitation, conservation, and protection ‘purposes
and the promotion of the countzy's ecological and life-support
systems;

“Public domain” chall refer to lande that belong to the State which
may be any of the following: agricultural, forest or timber, mineral,
or national park as provided for in the Constitution;

“Public Iands” shall refer to lands which have not been subject to
private property righis or dubject to sale or other modes of

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ap

tt)

8s)

tt)

uu)

vv)

x)

yy)

acquisition or concession under the general laws, and are devoted
to public use;

“Reclassification of agricultural lands” shall refer to the act of
specifying how agricultural lands shall be utilized for non
agricultural uses such as residential, industrial, or commercial
purposes through the local planning and zoning processes
pursuant to Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code
of 1991 and subject to the requizements and procedure for
conversion, It is equivalent to lana sub-classification for classified
lands of the public domain and also includes the reversion of non-
agricultural lands to agricultural use;

“Resettlement sites” shall refer to areas identified by the
appropriate national agency or by the local government unit, with
respect to arees within its jurisdiction, which shall be used for the
relocation of the underprivileged and homeless, as defined under
Republic Act No. 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act
(UDHA);

“Settlements” shall refer to communities or built-up environment
areas where people prefer to live in;

“Settlements development” shall refer to any improvement on
existing settlements or any proposed development of certain areas
for settlement purposes. it aleo involves the spatial distribution of
population, identification of the roles and functions of Key urban
centers, determination of relationships among settlement azeas, and
the provision of basic services and facilities of identified major
settlement areas or growth centers;

“Shoreline” shall refer to a strip of land covering at least one (1)
kilometer from the point where sea water reaches during the
highest high tide; j
“Socialized housing” shall refer to housing programs and projects
undertaken by the government or the private sector for the
underprivileged and homeless citizens which shall include sites
and setvices development, long-term financing, liberalized terme
on interest payments, and such other benefits in accordance with
the UDHA;

“Socialized housing zones” shall refer to lands identified and
designated by LGUs as sites for socialized housing pursuant to
Azticle IV of the UDHA and its implementing guidelines;

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

“Tourism development areas” shall refer to specific sites for

40


22)

touriem development located in areas identified as priorities in the
national and regional, area specific tourism master plans and other
sector plans such as eco-tourism and agri-tourism sites, including
those designated through legislative and executive issuances ie.,
tourist spots, tourist zones and tourism ecozonea which can be
developed into tourism estates or integrated resort, leisure, and
recreation complexes, and other tourism related facilities;

“Tourism estates” shall refer to large tracts of land with well-
defined boundaries in any atea identified in the Philippine tourism
master plan and regional tourism master plan, by proclamation of
the President and/or by an Act of Congress inchiding local
legislation. Such land shall be suitable for the development of an
Integrated tourism and resort complex including but not limited to
accommodation facilities, food and beverage cutlets, convention
and meeting areas, sports, recreational and leisure centers and
commercial outlets among others. ¥t shall be provided with roads,
water supply facilities, power and utilities like potable water,
drainage sewerage disposal, solid waste disposal syetem and other
necessary infrastructure, The estate shall be under one unified and
continuous management:

aaa) “Tourism ecozone” shall refer to tourism development areas
which have been granted Special Economic Zone status,
through PEZA registration and issuance of the required
Presidential Proclamation, with its metes and bounds
delineated by said Proclamation, pursuant to RA 7916, as
amended;

bbb) “Tourist spot” shall refer to a particular area/site/spot,
man-made or natural, known for its unique tourist/ visitor
drawing attributes and activities. It may be classified
according to its social, cultural, natural, historical, ‘scientific,
religious, and recreational significance;

ccc) “Tourist zone” shall refer to a geographic area with well-
defined boundaries proclaimed as such by the President of
the Philippines and/or by Acts of Congress. No
development projects for any purpose shall be initjated and
introduced within the zone prior to the formulation of a
tourism master development plan which shall be
undertaken in coordination with the Department of Tourism
and the Philippine Tourism Authority, A tourist zone is
established for the enhancement and/or the conservation of
cultural and historical heritage and for the appreciation and
‘enjoyment of the local population and its visitors;

ddd) “Urban areas” shall refer to all cities regardiess of their
population density and to municipalities with population
density of at least Five hundred (600) persons per square
Kdlometer;

eee) “Urbanizable areas” shall refer to sites and jands which,
FF


eee)

hh)

ist)

i)

kkk)

considering present characteristics and _ prevailing
tonditions, display marked and great potential of becoming
urban areas within a period of five ) years;

“Urban forestry or green space” shall veler to the
establishment or setting-up of areas for mini-forest or small
nature parks, lining roads and highways with trees, shrubs,
or ornamental plants, and ground landscaping of schools,
hospitals, and other government agencies in order to
improve the environment in urban areas;

“Water security” shall refer to the sufficient access
throughout the year to the minimum daily xequirement of
clean water to maintain a healthy life;

“Water use” shall refer to the appropriation of water for
domestic, municipal, irrigation, power generation, inland
fisheries, poultry and livestock, industrial and commercial,
environmental, and recreational use,

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

“Zoning” shall refer to the regulatory tool for delineating the
specific uses of lands in accordance with the approved
CLUP within the territorial jurisdiction of a
city/municipality and specifying the conditions for their
regulation; subject to the limitations imposed by law and
competent authority; and, ‘

“ZO or zoning ordinance” shall refer to 2 locat law passed
by the sangguniang pambayan or panglunsod approving the
development control/zoning plan in accordance with an
approved or adopted CLUP for the city/municipality, and
providing for the regulations and other conditions on the
uses of Jand including the limitation on the infrastracture
that may be placed thereon within the territorial jurisdiction
of a city or municipality: It incorporates the protected areas
under Section 12(b) and the protected agricultural lands
under Section 29 hereof.

CHAPTER 11

‘PAYSICAL FRAMEWORK AND LAND USE PLANS

SEC, 5, National Framework for Physical Planning The Land Use Policy
Council (LUPC) created in Section 14 herein, in consultation with the concerned sectors
through the mandatory conduct ‘of public hearings, chali formulate, periodically update
and ensure the implementation of the National Framework for Physical Planning
(NFPP) that shall serve ae the general long-term framework for the spatial development

12


directions of the entire country and provide the analytical parameters for the planned
allocation, use and management of the country’s land and other physical resources. The
NNFEP shall be the basis for adopting land use and physical planning-related guidelines
and standards, including zoning and other land use control standards that will guide
the formalation of city/mmunicipal zoning ordinances.

SRC, 6 National Land Use Planning Process- The land use and physical
planning process shail be formulated following a combined bottom-up and top-down
approach, The NEPP, which guides the planning and management of the country's
Jand and other physical resources at the national and sub-national levels, shall indicate
broad spatial directions and policy guidelines on settlement development, production
Jand wee, protection land use and infrastructure development. The Regional Physical
Framework Plans (RPRPe) and, consequently, the Provincial Physical Framework Plans
(PPPs) and Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs), which cover the physical
development of their respective territories, shall be consistent with the NFPP; provided
that the integration and harmonization of phyeical framework plans at all levels shall be
iterative to ensure that the concerns of both top and bottom levels of government are
considered in the NFPP, RPEPs, PPFPs and CLUPs. The physical and land {we plans
prepared at all levels shall shave internal consistency specifically on the linkages of the
major land use categories to ensure their complementation in the sabaaion,
development atud management of resources,

SEC. 7, City and Municipal Land Use Plans. The City/Municipal Planning and
Development Office, in consultation with concerned sectors through mandatory
conduct of public hearings, shall prepare the CLUP to determine the specific uses of
land and other physical resources therein including areus co-managed with the national
government and, as appropriate, the ancestral domain areas. Guided by the PPFP, the
CLUP shal) embody the desired land use patterns and mixes of the city or inunicipal
territory and provide appropriate policies for each of the four land use planning
categories that shall guide and serve as framework for more detailed development and
sectoral planning: Provided, That, jointly with the DENR and the Department of
Agriculture (DA), barangays located within public forestlands shall prepare a
comprehensive barangay land use plan (BLUP), which shall guide the local reéidents on
the uses, management, development, and accountability over areas determined in the
plan as multiple-use zones for settlements development, low impact agficulture, and
agroforestry purposes, inchiding those areas that need community management and
protection as production forestlands or protection forests: Provided, however, That the
preparation of management plans for protected areas shall be in accordance with the
‘provisions of R.A. No. 7586 or the NIPAS Act or other laws establishing or declaring a
specific atea as a permanent component of the NIPAS, The BLUPs for areas within
public forestlands shall be integrated in the CLUP, subject to consultation with the
concerned City/Municipal Land Use Planning Office.

The CLUP shall be translated into a zoning ordinance by the concemed
sunggimian to regulate the uses of land, inchding the limitations on height, density and
bulk of buildings and other infrastructure that may be placed thereon.

SEC. 8, Provincial Physical Framework Plana- In consultation with concerned
sectors, the Provincial Planning and Development Olfice shail prepate the PPFP to
determnine the physical development of the entire provincial territory, consolidating and
harmonizing the land use plans of component cities and municipalities, and defining
the uses of land and other resources within the province consistent with the policies in
the RPFP. It shall submit the PPFP to the Provincial Land Use Policy Council, created

re


under Section 20 of this Act, for review and endorsement to the Sengguniong
Panlaleavigan, which shall adopt the eame pursuant to Section 468 (2) (vil) of the LOC.

SEC, 9. Regional Physical Framework Plans. In consultation with concerned
sectors, the Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC) shall define the desired spatial
arrangement of land-using activities in the entire region, consolidating and
harmonizing the provincial physical framework plans of provinces and independent
cities within the territorial jurisdiction of the region.The RPRP, 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 NFPP, to guide detailed
physical, socio-economic, sectoral and investment planning.

CHAPTERIV
FRAMEWORK FOR LAND Use PLANNING

SEC.10, Priorities in Land Use Allocation and Planning- In projecting
spatial allocation for different land uses, the LGUs shall first exclude areas under
protection land use of Section 13(A) hereof, national parks, energy resource Vands, and
prime agricultural lands to ensure ecological integrity, energy supply, and promote
food security. Areas with prior rights and those with site-specific resources for basic
services, such as but not limited to, water and indigenous energy resources, shall also
be excluded. Spatial allocation and planning shall then proceed in accordance with
Sections 12 and 18 hereof with priorities given to imtegrated watershed management
areas, socialized housing sites, fisherfolk settlement in coastal areas, and waste disposal
sites.

SEC. 11, Adoption of Multiple Uses of Land Resourcea~ The primary and
alternative uses of a specific land resource shall be determined and evaluated“prior to
any decision for the assignment of its use. Areas feasible for sustainable land resource
use may be considered multiple-use zones wherein settlements, tourism, agriculture,
agroforestry and extraction activities and other income-generating or livelihood
activities may be allowed: Provided, That multiple uses of land resources shall be in
accordance with priorities in land use allocation and planning and that no
reclassification shall be allowed.

SEC. 12, Basic Land Use Planning Considerations In determining the various
land uses, the people and their productive activities and the need for functional open
spaces and preservation areas as well as the various interrelationships of the physical
characteristics of the land and other elements therein shall be considered, among others,
the following: 3

(@) Availability of natural resources including indigenous energy resources
for energy security and self-sufficiency;

(b) Geology, geomorphology, geologic hazard, climate, soil and slope;
(©) Economic, environmental, social and related development activities;

(a) Badsting government policies on land and natural resources allocation,
‘utilization, management and disposition;

(6) Technological changes/advancement;

14


©

()

Existing customary rights for the protection of indigenous peoples and
vulnerable groups including women and urban poor;

Inventory of prior and existing rights, to harmonize determination of land
use.

SEC. 19. Categories of Land Uses for Planning Purposes. In determining and
defining the NEPP, RPFPs, PPFPs, and CLUPs, land uses shall be grouped into four
major functional uses as follows:

(a) Protection Land Use shall refer to the use of land primarily for

(6)

rehabilitation, conservation, and protection purposes and the promotion of
the country’s ecological and life-support systems. Planning for protection
land use intends to achieve environmental stability and ecological integrity,
ensure a balance between resource use and the preservation of some areas
with environmental, aesthetic, educational, cultural and historical
significance, and protect people and man-macie structures from the ill-
effects of natural hazards. Areas under this category are those imnder the
coverage of Republic Act No. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected,
Areas System (NIPAS) law and other coastal and marine protected areas;
those areas outside NIPAS but nonetheless require protection because of
their outstanding physical and aesthetic features, anthropological
significance, and biological diversity; and those areas prone to natural

hazards. Areas outside the coverage of the NIPAS law include, uae are not
limited to the following:

acl. Reserved second growth forests above 1,000 meters in elevation and
those 50% in slope gradient;
a.2. Mangrove and fish sanctuaries, pursuant to Republic Act No. 8435
and Republic Act No, 8550;

a3. Buffer zones or strips/easements, pursuant to P.D. No. 705 and P.D.
No. 1067;

ad, Salvage zones along foreshore areas, freshwater swamps and marshes,
plazas and heritage historic sites, pursuant to P.D. No. 2146;

2.5. Watersheds or sources of domestic supply;

a6. Utility easement like transmission lines of power companies, oil and
gas facilities, cell sites, and domestic water lines; or

a.7. Amenity areas ox those with high aesthetic values, pursuant to P.D.
No. 2146.

a8 Natural and man-made areas/sites of cultural, historical and
anthropological significance, which are declared as such by
internationally recognized organizations and concerned national
agencies.

Production Land Use shall refer to the direct and indirect utilization of

land resources for crop, fishery, livestock and poultry production,

agroforestry, mining, industry, energy development, and’ tourism.

Planning for production land shall determine the most efficient,

18


sustainable, and equitable manner of utilizing, developiig and managing
land for productive purposes. Azeas included in this category are
agricultural lands, fishing grounds, fishponds, and fish cages, coastal and
marine zones, production forest which comprise lands 18% to 50% in
slope gradient such as: residual dipterocarps, rangelands for grazing
Purposes, industrial tree plantation/IFMA, community based agro-
forestry areas and other reforestation. projects; mineral lands or mining
areas and reservations, energy resource lands, industrial development
areas, and tourism development areas where productive activities could
be undertaken to meet the country’s requirements for food security,
economic.growth and development.

(©) 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 settlement
development plan ensure 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.

(a) “Infrastructure Development seeks to provide basic services and foster
economic and other forms of integration necessary for producing or
obtaining the material requirements of Filipinos, in an  Gfficient,
responsive, safe and ecologically friendly built environment. It covers
these sub-sectors: transportation, communications, indigenous energy
exploration and development, 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 and property of the local
community and neighboring areas or increase‘the vulnerability of the
natural environment to the effects of natural and man-induced geological

processes.
CHAPTER VY
IMPLEMENTING STRUCTURE AND MECHANISM
Articled
Land Use Policy Council

SEC, 14. Creation of the Land Use Policy Council (LUPC).- The LUPC is
hereby created. It shall exercise the powers and responsibilities of the National Land
‘Use Committee (NLUC) and the powers and functions vested by law to the Housing
and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) pertaining to land use planning. The LUPC
shall act as the highest policy making body on land use and resolve land use policy
conflicts between or among agencies, branches, or levels of the government. It shall
integrate efforts, monitor developments relating to land use and the evolution of
policies, and regulate and direct land use planning processes.


SEC. 1. Composition of the LUPC- ‘The LUPC shall be composed of sixteen
(16) members.
a) The Secretary of Socio-Keonomic Planning as Chairperson;
b) The Secretaries of Environment and Natural Resources and Agriculture as
Vice-Chairpersons;
c) The Secretaries of Land Reform, Trade and Industry, Public Works and
Highways, Transportation and Communications, Touriem, Interior and
‘Local Government, justice, Transportation and Communication and Energy;
@ The Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating
Council; and
e) A representative each from four (4) basic sectors directly involved in land
use, namely: urban poor, peasants, fisherfolk, and indigenous peoples who
shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines based on the
nomination and recommendation of the respective sectcral councils of the
National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC). ‘Two sectoral representatives
shall be women. :

A consultative body shall likewise be convened at least once a year or as often as
may be necessary. It shall be composed of representatives from the Leagues of
Municipalities, Cities, and Provinces, other government agencies not represented in the
‘LUPG, and from non-government sectors such as the private sector, NGOs and POs,
and the academic community.

SEC, 16. Powers and Functions. The LUPC shall have the following powers and
functions:
a) Advise the President of the Philippines and the NEDA Board on all matters
concerning land tse and physical planning;
b) Integrate and harmonize all laws and policies relevant to land use to! come up
with a rational, cohesive, and comprehensive national land use framework;

©) Formulate policies and endorse land use and physical planning-related policies
that may be formulated by the RLUPC and concerned agencies a well as
promulgate zoning and other land use control standards and guidelines which

shall guide the formulation of land use plans and zoning ordinances by local
governments;

4) Prepare, periodically review and if necessary, update the NFPP and RPFP to
provide the general framework forthe spatial development directions for the
‘entire country and sub-national levels;

@

Establish a National Land Resource Information and Management System that
shal] integrate and process information on land use and allocation generated
by the various national government agencies; define information requirements
at various levels; and standardize information inputs and outputs including
scales and symbols used in territorial and sectoral maps;

£) Undertake the gathering of data, the conduct of studies pertaining to land use
planning including studies on the management of identified land uses and
such other studies nct undertaken by other government agencies;

g) Recormmend to the President of the Philippines the adoption, passage, or

W


amendment of laws to ensure that sectoral programs, plans, projecis, and
activities, including local government initiatives affecting land use are
consistent with national development objectives; :

h) Coordinate with and assist other government agencies and LGUs in planning,
developing, and implementing their land use classification programs, and
provide, to the extent possible, technical assistance and guidance;

i) Monitor and coordinate the activities of concerned agencies and entities of the
government, as well as LGUs, in the enforcement and implementation of
policies and regulations relating to land use and resource management and
development; _

§) Call on any department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality of the
government, and or private entities and organization for cooperation, support,
and assistance in the performance of its functions;

k) Assist the LGUs in the formation of local land use policy councils at the local
levels; 4

1) Design and implement, in coordination with the DILG, a long-term capability.
building program for LGUs to enable them to undertake a participatory and
effective land use planning;

m) To prescribe, in consultation with the DILG and other concerned agencies, as
applicable, the land valuation of the specific land use categories listed in
Section 13 hereof, to ensure the equitable access of the land to all sectors, taking
into consideration that to keep basic services affordable to the public, land
valuation where these services are located shall be kept to the minimum;

n) Decide and resolve policy conflicts on Jand use between or among.agencies,
branches, or levels of the government and unresolved land use policy conflicts
at the regional level;

0) Adopt mules of procedures for the orderly and expeditious conduct of ‘meetings
and other business of the Council; and

p) 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, LUPC Technical Board (LUPC-1B). A Technical Board shall be created
to provide technical support to the LUPC. It shall be composed of:

a. NEDA Deputy Director-General for Regional Development as

b. Representatives of the member agencies/institutions of the LUPC, who
shall have a rank not lower than Director level; and

¢. The representatives of the four (4) basic sectors as enumerated in Section
15 () of this Act.

18


SEC. 18, Offices, Unita and Staff Support. The NEDA Regional Development
Office shall continue to provide core secretariat services to LUPC, its Technical Board
and RLUPC. Other government agencies may also be called upon for staff support.

Article 2
Local Development Councils as Local Land Use Policy Councils

SEC, 19, City/Municipal Development Councils, The City/Municipal Development
Councils (C/MDCs), created under Section 106 of the LGC, shall act as the
City/Municipal Land Use Policy Council that will tackle land use concerns whenever
necessary.

In addition to the functions enumerated in Section 109 of the LGC, the C/MDC
shall:
a Advise the Sengguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod on ail matters
pertaining to land use and physical planning:

b. Review and endorse to the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod
for adoption, the CLUP prepared and periodically updated by the
City/Municipal Planning and Development Office and other land use and
physical planning-related policies; and

e. Decide and resolve conflicts regarding the violation of zoning ordinances
including opposition to applications for locational clearances, permits or
certificates.

For purposes of this Act, the City/Municipal Planning and Development
Coordinator (C/MPDC) shall (2) act on all applications for locational clearances for all
projects except those of vital and national economic or environmental significance, and
(b) monitor on-going/existing projects within their respective jurisdictions and issue
notices of violation to owners, developers, or managers of projects that are violative of
zoning ordinances,

‘The C/MDC may call upon any focal official concerned such as C/MPDC,
City/Municipal Agriculturist, City/Municipal Environment and Natural Resources
Officer, City/Municipal Engineer, City/Municipal Assessor, or any official of national
agencies during discussions on land use and physical planning concerns.

‘Local government units without operational C/MDCs ae mandated by the 1991
LGC shall activate their zespective Councils within six (6) months from the effectivity of
this Act.

SEC, 20, Provincial Land Use Policy Council (PLUPC), The Provincial
Development Council (PDC), created under Section 106 of the LGC, shall act as the
Provincial Land Use Policy Council that will tackle land use concerns whenever
necessary.

‘in addition to the functions enumerated in Section 109 of the LGC, the PLUPC
shall:

a. Advise the Scngguriang Panlalawigan on ali matters pertaining to land use
and physical planning;


c

Review and endorse to the Sangguniang Panllawigan for adoption, the
PPEP prepared and periodically updated by the Provincial Planning and
Development Office and other land use and physical planning-related
policies;

Acsist the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in reviewing the CLUPs of
component cities/ municipalities to ensure consistency with the PPFP and
compliance with the limits prescribed under the 1991 LGC for
reclassifying agricultural lands; and

Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification,
and, allocation that may arise between or among cities municipalities and
any unresolved land use conflicts at the city / municipal level.

‘The PLUPC may call upon any local official concerned such as Provincial
Planning and Development Coordinator, Provincial Agriculturist, Provincial
Environment and Natural Resources Officer, Provincial Engineer, Provincial Assessor,
or any official of national agencies and other relevant agencies during discussions on
Jand use and physical planning concerns. ==

SEC. 21. Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC). At the regional level, the
RLUPC will be institutionalized, replicating the LUPC structure and composition. The
RLUPC shall have the following functions:

a

b

Adopt regional policies on land use and physical planning;

Prepare and periodically update the RPRP, taking into consideration
national polices and lower level plans; a
Review, prior to adoption by respective Sanggunians, the PPFPs and
CLUPs of highly urbanized and independent component cities to ensure
consistency with the RPFP and national policies set forth by LUPC and
compliance with limits prescribed under the 1991 LGC for reclassifying
agricultural lands;

Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification,
and allocation that may arise between or among regional line agencies,
provinces and cities municipalities;

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

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

Evaluate consistency of major programs and projects with the RPFP and
their impact on land use and the environment; d

Undertake the gathering of regional data for the Land Resource
‘Information and Management System, and;

Perform other related functions as may be directed by the LUPC:

4


Asticle 3
Adoption, Approval and Review of Land Use Plans

SEC. 22, Component Cities and Municipalities- Component cities and
‘municipalities shall have the power and authority to adopt and approve their
respective CLUPs and ZOs through their respective sanggunians subject to the power of
review of their respective provinces only with respect to the consistency of the CLUPs
and ZOs with Section 6 hereof on the preparation of the PPFP.

SEC. 28, Provinces and Independent and Highly Urbanized Cities» Provinces
and independent and highly urbanized cities shall have the power and authority to
adopt and approve their respective CLUPs, ZOs or PPEP, as the case may be, through
theit respective snggunian but subject to the xeview of the RLUPC as provided in
Section 21 hereof.

Article 4
Responsibilities of the National Government Agencies and LGUs

SEC. 24, National Base Mapping Program~ A national mapping program shall be
implemented, coordinated, and monitored through the creation of an Inter-agency
Technical Committee (TC) composed of the National Mapping and ‘Resource
Information Authority (NAMRIA), as the lead agency, the Bureau of Soils and Water
Management (BSWM), the Forest Management Bureau (FMB), the Land Management
Bureau (LMB), the Protected Areas and Wildlife Burean (PAWB), the Mines and
Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology And Seismology
(PHIVOLCS), DLR, the National Water Resources Board (NSWR3), DOB, NEDA and
other concerned government agencies/bureaus. The ITC shall be constituted, and the
mapping program initiated, within thirty (80) days from the effectivity of this Act.

For purposes of uniformity and standardization, the LGUs, to be assisted by the
appropriate agencies of the national government, shall likewise prepare their fespective_
territorial maps using scales, symbols, and other indicators to be prescribed in
accordance with this Act: The completed maps shall be integrated in the NEPP
pursuant to Section 9 hereof.

SEC, 28, Natlonal Geo-hazard Mapping Program. Within thirty (30) days
from the effectivity of this Act, a nationwide geo-hazard mapping program shall be
initiated jointly thru the LURC by the PHIVOLCS, the Philippine Atmospheric
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the NAMRIA, the
Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), BSWM, and DOE, in coordination’ with the
Naticnal Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), the Regional Disaster Coordinating
Councils, and other concerned government agencies, The program shall inchide the
generation of indicative geo-hazard zoning maps that will outline areas in the
Philippines which are prone to liquefaction, land slides, flooding, lahar, ground
rupturing, tsunami, river erosion, coastal erosion. sinkhole collapse, earthquake, lava
flow, pyroclastic flow, base surge, and other natural hazards.

For purposes of uniformity and standardization and in order to develop a safe-
built environment, the LGUs shall subsequently incorporate and integrate the
generated geo-hazard zoning maps in their respective CLUPs, Said geo-hazard maps
shail serve as guide for ali the LGUs in the preparation of their own hazards
constrained development plans. The NFPP, pursuant to Section 5 heréof, shall
incorporate these geo-hazard maps.

at


All infrastructure activities including zeal estate and subdivision projects and the
development of tourist spots requiring an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)
shall be required to eubmit an Engineering Geological and Geo-hazard Assessment
Report (BEGGAR).

SEC, 26, Scope and Nature of Reoponsibilities of Other National Government
Agencies.» All concerned national government agencies/bodies shall periodically
report to the LUPC on the various activities and accomplishments relative to land use.
‘Likewise, they shall provide their respective sectoral/ development plans and render
technical and administrative support if called upon by the LUPC relative to the
implementation of the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 27. Submiesion of Annual Report on the Implementation of CLUPs.-
‘The C/MDCe shall submit. an annual report on the implementation of their land use
plans to the PLUPC, which shall integrate the same for submission to the RLUPC,
‘which shall in turn integrate the provincial repocts for submission to the LUPC.

CHAPTER VI
‘SPECIAL AREAS OF CONCERN:
: Axticle 1
Agricultural Lands
SEC. 28, Priority Areas for Agricultural Development- Priority areas for
agricultural development are the CARP, CARPable areas, and the NPAAAD.

SEC 29, Conversion of Agricultural Lands Agricultural ands are deemed
converted to non-agricultural uses upon approval by the DLR of the application for
conversion. Prime agricultural lands and specific types of lands to the extent necessary
for attaining food self-sufficiency in rice and corn and food security in other basic
commodities, as determined by the DA, subject to mandatory consultation: with the
‘LGUs, the private sector, the NGOs, and POs, shail be protected from conversion,
which shall include but not limited to areas under the NPAAAD: Provided, That all
irrigated and irrigable larids, all lands developed or possessing the potential for
development of high value-crops, and all agricultural lands that are ecologically fragile
and whose conversion will result in serious environmental problems shall be given full
protection from conversion, the areas under which are subject to review every.seven (7)
years by the DA, with the mandatory public consultations: Provided, further, That’
consistent with the State policy on giving priority to the completion of the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), all lands subject to CARP including
those lands covered under the notice of compulsory acquisition/voluntary offer to sell,
production or profit-sharing, or commercial farm deferment shall also be protected
from conversion pending the distribution and installation of the farmer beneficiaries,
but thereafter, Section 65 of Republic Act No. 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Law (CARL) shall apply: Provided, finally, That the conversion of agricultural
Tandls for use of priority government projecis for basic services such as, but not limited
to, irrigation and power shall be allowed only upon the recommendation of the
Secretaries of the DA and DLR.

Lands defined under Section 10 of R.A. No, 6657 shall zemain exempted and
excluded from the coverage of CARP.

SEC. 30. Sub-claesification or Re-classification of Agricultural Lande by
LGUs~ Sub-classification or re-classification of agricultural lands to other uses under

22


Section 20 of the LGC of 1991 shall exclude the protected agricultural lands ag stated in
the preceding section. Moréover, such sub-classification/reclassification is not
synonymous to conversion. The DA and DLR shall provide the LGUs with a complete
list and maps of protected agricultural lands within their territorial jurisdictions.

Article 2
Forest Lands and Watershed Reservation

SEC. 31, Reversion of Alienable and Disposable Lands to Forestlands... Upon the
recommendation of the Secretary of the DENR, duly reviewed and endorsed by the
LUPC, and after due consultations with the concerned LGUs and affected parties,
Congress may authorize the reversion of alienable and disposable lands of the public
domain or portion thereof to forestlands,

SEC, 32, Critical Watershed Areas- The DENR, in coordination with the DA,
LGUs, and other government agencies, including government-owned and-controlled
corporations, and with mandatory public consultations, shall identify and -delineate
critical watershed areas that need to be protected, rehabilitated, enhanced, and/or
withdrawn from uses that contribute to their further degradation.

SEC. 33. Formulation and Implementation of Integrated Watershed
Management Plans With the assistance of the DENR and upon mandatory
consultations with the concerned sectors, the LGUs through their local land use
committees shall prepare their watershed management plans which shall be integrated
with their respective CLUPs. The formulation and integration of the plan shall be
guided, among others, by the principle that the management and development of
inland water resources shall be at the watershed level.

In cases where the watershed areas transcend the boundaries of a particular
municipality, an inter-LGU committee composed of representatives from local land use
committees of the LGUs where the watershed area ‘is located shall be formed, With the
aesistance of the DENR and upon mandatory consultations with the concerned sectors,
the inter-LGU committee shall formulate the watershed management plan for the eaid
watershed area.

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

Article 3
Coastal Zones

SEC. 34, Criteria on the Allocation and Utilization of Lands within the Coastal
Zones. The allocation and utilization of lands within the coastal zones shall be guided
by the following:

a) Areas vegetated with mangrove species shall be preserved for mangrove
‘production and shall not be converted to other uses;

}) Areas that meet all accepted criteria on elevation, soil type, i depth,
topography, supply for successful fishpond development, and are not
identified as mangrove protected areas, shall be utilized for aquaculture
purposes;

B


} Areas sub-classified as mangrove and still suitable for use as such, ot due
to environmental conditions need to be preserved es mangrove, but is
devoid of mangrove stands shall not be converted to other uses, The DENR
shall ensure that these lands shall be reforested within a given period of
time;

d) Areas accessible to the sea and identified for fisherfolk settlement and
housing shall be allocated to traditional fisherfolk wino are inhabitants of
the coastal communities and members of legitimate fisherfolk organizations
and/or holders of stewardship lease contracts or titles to ancestral domains
or any forin of property right arrangements who participate in coastal
yesource management initiatives, subject to the usual census procedures of
the HUDCC. *

e) Areas that are neither sub-classified as mangrove, fisherfolk settlement nor
fishpond may be devoted to recreational or tourism purposes:. Provided,
That such“undertaking will not result in environmental degradation and
displacement of small fishers;

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

g) Areas which have been allocated for small infrastructure needed by
fisherfolk ehall be allowed; and

hh) Areas which form part of foreshore lands as defined in this Act including
those that are under lease agreements or arrangements shall undergo
zoning and evaluation to determine their boundaries ard actual sizes and
corresponding uses.

SEC. 35. Coaetal Land Zone Sub-classification- All public lands in the coastal
zones shall be subclassified into any of the following: fishponds, mangroves, protection
from tidal surge, for preservation of biodiversity, habitate and eanctuaries for
endangered wildlife, fisherfolk settlement, or recreational/tourism areas. . No sub-
lagsification of coastal zones to different uses shall be done without the following:

a) Conduct of a comprehensive resource and environmental assessment by
the DENR and respective LGUs and accredited NGOs and POs within their
jurisdiction; and

'b) Prior consultation with local Fisheries and Aquatic Resoutce Mahagement
Councils (FARMCs) formed under Republic Act No. 8550 or the Fisheries
Code.

GEC. 36. Zoning of Foreshore Areas- Local government unity, in coordination
with the DENR, shall conduct zoning of their respective foreshore areas to assist
government and community fishers identify priority areas for conservation and

development, and to enable them to set targets for mangrove reforestation and
rehabilitation.

Axticle 4
‘Mineral Lands

SEC. 37. Criteria for the Utilization and Allocation of Land for Mining

A


Purposes Consistent with Section 5 of this Act and the provisions of Republic Act
No. 7942 or the Mining Act of 1995, and to ensure that the objectives of maintaining
ecological balance and maximizing economic returns to mining operations are realized,

the allocation and utilization of lands for mining purposes shall be guided by the
following:

a) The principles of sustainable development and responsible mining;

b) In case of small-scale mining, adequate and acceptable safeguards shall be
instituted by the holders of mining rights or permits to prevent environmental
degradation of the mining sites and adjacent areas;

¢) Mineral reservations which have become non-operational for more than ten

(10) years as determined by the MGB shall be placed under appropriate
surface management by the DENR; and

) Consistent with the Mining Act of 1995, areas closed to mining opérations shall
be periodically reviewed through mineral exploration to be undertaken by the
DENR for the purpose of determining whether or not their continued closure
is consistent with the national interest and, if warranted, recommend their
reclaesification as mineral lands.

GEC. 98. Reversion of Mineral Lands All mineral lands with exhausted mineval
resources, as determined by the MGB upon the recommendation of the DENR, shall
revert to its original and classification, that is, as forest land or agricultural land. In the
case of forestlands, the DENR may classify such areas for other purposes in
consultation with concerned LGU’s, the DOT, and other national government agencies.

Article 5
Energy Resource Lande

SEC. 39, Guidelines for the Utilization and Allocation of Lands for Energy
Resource Fxploration, Development, Production, Utilization, and Didtribation
Purposes ‘To ensure that the objectives of maintaining ecological balhnce and
maximizing the power potential from indigenous energy resources ‘in the most
economical and environmentally-acceptable means are realized, the allocation and
utilization of lands for said purposes hall be guided by the following, consistent with
existing regulations and laws on energy resources:

a) Indigenous energy resource exploration and development for the purpose of a
National Energy Resource Inventory and Data Base as well as Energy
Resource Block Map shall be allowed subject to the implementation of
complementary watershed and other land management plans;

b) Indigenous energy resource exploration, development, production,
utilization, and distribution shall be subject to the appropriate requirements
and processes of the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement (BIS)
system. Each ptoject shall secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate
(ECC) prior to project implementation to ensure adequate and appropriate

environmental management measures and optimum methods for resource
access and recovery are utilized; and

6


©) Energy reservations or portions thereof which have become or have been
established to be non-economically viable to operate or are no longer used for
energy purposes shall be released to give way to other land uses, subject to
existing laws covering energy reservations.

SEC. 40, Reversion of Energy Resource Lands All exhausted indigenous
energy resource lands not covered by proclamations shall automatically revert to the
category of forestlands or agricultural lands open to disposition, whichever is
appropriate. Exhausted energy resource lands shall refer to specific energy resource
sites whose energy reserves of the desired type/s are no longer in sufficient quantity or
quality to justify additional.expenditure for their extraction and utilization.

CHAPTER VI
SETTLEMENTS DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 41. Town, City, and Settlements Development- ‘The development of
town, city, and settlements through the zoning ordinances of cities and municipalities
shall be guided by urban zoning standards designed to maximize existing urban spaces,

SEC, 42, Settlements within Geo-hazard Azeas.- Settlements within geo-hazard
areas may be allowed provided that mitigating and/or protective measures are adopted
to address the potential danger or risk to lives and property within such settlements, In
coordination with the concerned agencies of the government, the LUPC shall provide
assistance to concerned LGUs and settlers in instituting safety and corrective measures

_ to address the potential danger or risk,

SEC, 43. Designation of Waste Dieposal Site Each city or municipality shall
identify, designate and allocate an area within their territorial jurisdiction td-serve as
waste disposal site within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. The LGUs, in
coordination with the DENR or any other competent authority, shall identify solid
waste disposal sites in order to fast-track the conduct of environmental impact
assessment study and to facilitate processing of the environmental compliance
certificate. The site or area shall be identified in the city or municipality's CLUP. For
this purpose, cities and municipalities shall establish their solid waste management
program. Likewise, as provided under Section 33 of the LGC, cities and municipalities
may, through appropriate ordinances, bind themselves towards the establishment of a
common solid waste management program.

Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DENR, in
coordination with concerned agencies, shall promulgate the necessary guidelines and
standards for the formulation and establishment of solid waste management programs
by cities and municipalities, and shall submit the same to the LUPC for review and
approval.

SEC, 44. Designation and Zoning of Socialized Housing Zonea.- Bach city or
municipality in urban, urbanizable and rural areas shall designate lands for eocialized
housing and resettlement areas for the immediate and future needs of the
underprivileged and homeless in their territory, pursuant to existing laws and
regulations,

The designated sites for socialized housing shall be located in residential zones,
and shall be zoned as socialized housing zones that are integrated in the city or
municipality's zoning ordinance, pursuant to existing laws and regulations.

B


Fisherfolk settlements and housing in coastal municipalities shall be zoned near
the sea for easy access to their livelihood as provided under Section 35 (d) of this Act.

SEC. 45, Urban Forest or Green Space Each city or highly urbanizing
municipality shall identify, désignate, and allocate lands owned by the city or
municipality as urban forest or green space based on the guidelines and standards to be
issued by the DENR and approved by the LUPC.

CHAPTER VII
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS

SEC. 46, Criteria for Designating Industrial Development Aven. The
identification and establishment of industrial development areas shall conform to the
provisions of Republic Act No.7916, otherwise known as the Philippine Economic Zone
Authority (PEZA) Law; the CARL, IPRA, UDHA, and the AFMA, taking into
consideration the following:

a) Identified network of areas for agricultural development and protected
agricultural areas pursuant tothe AFMA;

»)

National policies on the regional dispersal of industries and agri-based
industrial development;

S

Identified growth areas and corridors in the National Development Flan;

4) National Protected Areas System (NIPAS) and non-NIPAS areas that require
protection;

®) National and Urban Development and Housing Framework;
f) Identified Socialized Housing Zones;

g) NFPP and other existing national programs and policies.

‘The designated industrial development areas shall become an integfal part of the
Jand use plan and zoning ordinance of the city or municipality where these areas are
Iocated.

CHAPTER 1X
‘TouRIsM DEVELOPMENT AREAS:

SEC. 47, Criteria for, Designating Tourism Development Areas The
identification, selection, and development of tourism development areas and tourism
estates shall be done in consultation and coordination with the concernéd LGUs,
national government agencies, the private sector, and the affected communities.
Tourism development areas shall likewise include those covered by legislative and
executive issuances as tourist spots, tourist zones and tourism ecozones whith can be
developed into touriam estates or integrated resort, leisure and zecreation complexes
and other tourism-related facilities as well as those identified in the national, regional
tourism, and area specific tourism master plans and other sector plans such as
ecotourism and agri-tourism sites.

Designated areas for tourism development shall become part of the CLUPs of the

ar


cities or municipalities where these are located.

SEC. 48. Identification and Declaration of Areas for Protection, Conservation
and Preservation of Cultural Heritage- The National Historical Institute (NHI)
and/or the National Museum in coordination with other concerned agencies, local
communities, and the private sector, shall identify declared areas and stractures which
shall be protected and/or preserved as part of the Philippine cultural heritage.

The LGUs in coordination with the NHI, the National Commission for Culture
and Arts (NCCA) and thé Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) shall designate
historical zones to protect the historical integrity of said geographical areas and cultural

space of intangible cultural properties, which are significant to a city/ municipality and
the community.

CHAPTER X
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 49. Allocation and Use of Land for Infrastructure Development. Land,
whether public or private, shall be allocated and utilized for priority infrastructure
projects that are supportive of national or local development objectives. The NEDA, in
consultation with the concerned national government agencies, LGUs, and tHe private
sector shall identify and periodically review, update and/or revise the list of priority
infrastructure projects subject to Sections 5 and 29 hereof, and Section 47 of the AFMA.

In determining and evaluating the list of priority infrastructure projects, consideration
shall be given to those that: :

(@) 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;

(0) Upgrade existing facilities to international standazds;
(c) Address the need for sustainable settlements development; and,

(@ Help mitigate the destructive effects of natural disaster-causirfg phenomena
or those that shali serve as alternatives to existing infrastructures, found in.
natural hazard-prone areas:

Provided, That the provision and implementation of infrastructure support shall
be made compatible with existing environmental conditions and the physical, whether
natural or man-made, and cultural character of the area. Mandatory public
consultations pursuant to existing laws and regulations shall be held prior to the
conduct of all infrastructure projects that will necessarily involve dislocation or
displacement of people in the area: Provided, further, That the proponent of the
infrastructure project shall follow the rules on just and humane eviction or demolition
under Section 28 of the UDHA, notwithstanding the provisions of Republi¢ Act No.
8975, prohibiting lower courts from issuing temporary zestraining orders, préliminary
injunctions, or preliminary mandatory injunctions, and proponent shall follow IPRA,
Provided finally, that national government infrastructure projects shall allocate budget
for the aclequate relocation of displaced communities.

SEC, 30, Infrastructure Projects Within Geo-hazard Areas~ Construction of
priority infrastructure projects within hazard-prone areas shall be allowed: Provided,

28


‘That mitigating and/or preventive measures are adopted to address the potential
adverse economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts that will emanate from
these infrastructure projects, subject to the findings and recommendations of a
feasibility study /environmental impact assessment in accordance with Presidential
Decree No, 1586 and Republic Act No. 4846.

Existing projects that did not go through the process of an environmental impact
assessment and pose threats to the environment, integrity of historic, archeological, gr
scientifically significant areas; or are impinging on critical ecosystems, may be: (a)
terminated immediately, (b) required to implement an Environmental Management
Plan; (c) gradually phased-out and relocated, or {d) maintained up to their life span,
subject, however, to mitigating measures: Provided, That the rules on mandatory public
consultations and just and humane eviction or demolition shall also be observed prior
to the termination, gradual phase-out, or relocation of projects that will necessarily
‘involve eitoeation or displacement of people in the area.

CHAPTER XT
“ERATNING, EDUCATION, AND VALUE FORMATION

SEC. 31. ‘Value Formation. In order to create a well informed, resporisible and
committed citizenry who values the protection, conservation and development of the
country's limited land, and other physical resources, the State shall mandate the
inclusion of sustainable land use education or any subject related thereto in the
curricula of primary, secondary and tertiary education,

SEC, 82, Information and Education Campaign The LUPC shall undertake a
nationwide education information campaign in land use and physical planning to be
implemented by local and national government agencies. The DILG and concerned
agencies shall formulate and implement a land use management capability-building
program for national and local government officials, community leaders, NGOs, POs,
religious sector, and the general public.

CHAPTER Xl
INCENTIVES, SANCTIONS, AND PENALTIES

Article 1
Incentives and Awards

SEC, 53. Pormulation of a System of incentives and Awarde.- The LUPC shall
come out with a system of incentives and awards to LGUs that regularly update their
‘CLUPs within the prescribed period, as follows:

(2) Provinces, Highly Urbanized Cities, and Independent Component Cities -
‘once every nine (9) years; and

(®) Component cities and municipalities once every nine (9) years.

SEC. 54, Priority in Giving Technical Asvistance to LGUs- In providing
technical assistance and other forms of support related to land use management and the
implementation of development plans, national government agencies shall give priority
to cities and municipalities with approved CLUPs.


Article 2
Sanctions and Penalties

SEC. 85. Fine for Non-Completion and Non-Cornmencement of Development
of Agricultuzal Lands with Approved Order of Conversion. A landowner and
his/her designated developer or duly authorized representative who fails to commence
and/or complete the development of agrictltural lands with approved order of
conversion shall be penalized, jointly or severally, with any of the following fines baeed
on the zonal value of the land at the time the fine is imposed:

a, On failure to commence within one year from the date of conversion
order:

) Six percent (6%) of the zonal value of the subject land. for the first three
@)

(2) Fifteen percent (15%) of the zonal value of the subject land fok the next
three hectares, ani

@) Thirty percent (80%) of the zonal value of the subject land for the
remaining’ area.

Provided, That the order of conversion shall be deemed revoked
auttornatically and the land shall revert to its original agricultural use and

covered by the DLR through compulsory acquisition for distribution to
qualified beneficiaries,

sesb. On failure to complete fifty percent (50%) of the approved conversion
plan within a specified time frame: Fifty percent'(60%) of the zonal value
of the subject land and the revocation of the conversion plan on the
undeveloped portion which shall automatically revert to its original use
as agricultural land. The same shall be covered under the CARP and
processed for Jand distribution as soon as possible.

SEC. 56. Authority to Impose Fine- The DLR shall impose the penalty
provided for under the preceding section.

SEC. 57, Withdrawal of Local Development Permits or Licenses. Upon
receipt of notice from the DLR, the concerned agencies and the city or municipality
shall withdraw or revoke any development permit and other licenses that may be
necessary to develop the agricultural land subject of conversion.

SEC. 58. Utilization of Fines. The fines collected under Sections 55, 60, 61, and
62 hereof shall automatically accrue to the Agrarian Reform Fund consistent with the
provisions of the CARL, as amended.

SEC. 59, ‘Failure to Formnilate, Enforce, and/or Implement the’ CLUPs.-
Consistent with due process, the DILG shall investigate, review, and recommend
appropriate action regarding local chief executives and other local offitials and
employees responsible for the formulation, enforcement, and/or implementation of the
CLUPS in case of any of the following:

fa) Failure to implement and enforce the CLUP due to negligence of duty;


(6) Failure to provide appropriate budgetary allocation to effect its
implementation; and,

(©) Failure to complete the preparation of the CLUP despite the availability of
funds, resources, and support by the Sanggunian concerned.

Any public official qr employee, regardless of whether elected or appointed or
holding office or employment in a casual, temporary, holdover, permanent, or regular
capacity, found to be responsible for any of the foregoing acts, alter due notice and
hearing by the appropriate body or agency, shall be punished with forfeiture of salaries
and allowances and suspension from:

1. Six (6) tonine (9) months, in case of non-implementation of CLUP; or
2. ‘Three (8) to six (6) months, in case of non-completion of the CLUP.

SEC. 60. Person(s) Abetting Wegal Conversion Any petson initiating,
causing, incucing, or abetting illegal conversion shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned
from seven (7) to twelve (12) years and imposed a fine of not less than one, hundred
thousand (100,000.00) pesos, or both at the discretion of the court: Provided, That if the
offender is a public official or employee, whether elected or appointed, the penalty
shail, in addition thereto, include dismissal through permanent separation from the
service and forfeiture of all benefits and entitlements accruing to the publi¢ position
and perpetual disqualification to run or apply for any elective or appointive public
office: Provided, further, That if the offender is a juridical person, the penalty of
imprisonment shall be imposed on the president, chief executive officer, manager, the
Chairperson and all the members of the board, and other responsible officers thereof,
and the fine shall be equivalent to the zonal value of the land or forty percent’ (40%) of
the shareholders equity, as determined at the time of judgment whichever is higher,
plus forfeiture of the land in favor of the State for sale though public auction, the
ptoceeds of which hall automatically accrue to the agrarian reform fund as provided
for in Section 58 of this Act.

SEC. 61. Penalty for Reclassification of Protected Agricultural Lands and
‘Exceeding the Limit of Areas Allowed for Reclassification» Any person initiating,
causing, inducing, or abetting the reclassification of protected agricultural areas into
non-agricultural uses and exceeding the limits set forth under Section 20 of the LGC of
1991, shall be penalized with imprisonment of twelve (12) years and a fine of not less
than One hundzed thousand (P100,000,00) pesos, or both at the discretion of the Court:
Provided, ‘That if the offender is a public official or employee, the penalty shall, in
addition thereto, include dismissal through permanent separation’ from the service
whether elected or appointed and forfeiture of entitlements accruing to the public
position, and perpetual diesqualification to run or apply for any elective or appointive
public position: Provided, further, That if the offender i a juridical person, the penalty
shall be imposed on the president, chief executive officer, manager, the Chairperson
and all the members of the board, and other responsible officers thereof.

SBC. 62, Payment of Disturbance Compensation- Following the order of
priority such as agricultural lessees and share tenants, regular farm workers, seasonal
farm workers, other farm workers, actual tillers or cccupants of public lands, collective,
‘or cooperative of the above beneficiaries, and others directly working on, the land
affected by agricultural land use conversion shall be entitled to the payment of
disturbance compensation equivalent to five (6) times the average of the gross harvests

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on the landholding during the Jast five (6) preceding calendar years or a certain
percentage of the converted land, whichever is higher, as determined by the DLR.

CHAPTER XT
TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS
SEC, 63. Convening of the LUPC.- Within thirty (20) days from the effectivity
of this Act, the Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning shall convene the LUPC.

SEC. 64. Implementing Rules and Regulations- Within eixty (60) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the LUPC shall promulgate the rules and regulations to
implement the provisions of this Act. Said rules and regulations shall be submitted to
the Congressional Oversight Committee for approval.

SEC. 65, Congressional Oversight Committee on the Land Use Act. There is
hereby created a Congressional Oversight Committee composed of seven (7) members
from the Senate Commitiee on Environment and Natural Resources and seven (7)
members from the House of Representatives Committees on Natural Resources and
Housing and Urban Development. The members from the Senate shall be appointed by
the Senate President based on proportional representation of the parties or coalitions
therein with at least two (2) senators representing the minority. The members from the
‘House of Representatives shall be appointed by the Speaker also based on proportional
representation of the parties or coalitions therein with at least two (2) members
representing the minority.

‘The secretariat of the Oversight Committee shall be drawn from the existing
secretariat personnel of the committees comprising the oversight and the funding shall
be taken from the appropriatioris of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

SEC, 66. Transfer of Powers and Functions. ‘The functions of the HLURB on
land use planning as provitled for under Section 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, Se, and 5f of Executive
Order No. 648 and EO No. 72, series of 1991, shall be transferred to the LUPC and its
appropriate sub-national/LGU structures. The NLUC shall aleo transfer alll its powers
and functions to the LLUPC and shall cease to exercise such functions.

SEC, 67, Retirement/Separation from the Service and Reemployment-
Employees of the HLURB whose positions are declared redundant as & result of the
implementation of this Act shall be entitled to separation pay and othe? benefits
provided for under Sections 10.1 to 103 and 13 of Executive Order No. 366 dated
October 4, 2004.

a. Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, government
personnel who are separated as a zesult of the implementation of this Act
shall immediately qualify for reemployment to other agencies or branches
of the government including Government-Owned and/or —Controlled
Corporations (GOCCs), Government Financial Institutions (GFis), or local
government units,

SEC. 68. Appropristions- ‘The appropriations for the National Land Use
Committee under the National Economic and Development Authority under the
current General Appropriations Act shall be used to carry cut the initial operations of
the Land Use Policy Council. Thereafter, additional sums as may be necessary for the
full implementation of LUPC’s functions shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act


SHC. 69, Review of Existing Land Use Flans- Provinces, cities, and
municipalities with existing land use plans shall review, revise, reconcile, and
harmonize the same with the guidelines and standards set forth under this Act within
one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 70. Repealing Clause- All republic acts, executive orders, rules and
regulations, and other iseuances, or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Republic Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC, 7L. Noz-impairment Clause.- Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to
diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or available to marginalized or
basic sectors under existing laws including but not limited to Republic Act Nos. 7279,
6657, 8971, and 8550.

SEC. 72, Separability Clause If for any zeason or reasons, any part or
provision of this Act shall be declared or held to be unconstitutional or invalid other
parts or provisions hereof, which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full
force and effect,

SEC. 73, Béfectivity 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,