»
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
1522
^ 
p( i ir <-r
'17 
JUL 26 
P 5:47
RhCLI VID BY;___ ^
Introduced by Sen. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, PROVIDING THE 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
A national land use policy is a primary tool to achieve national development and 
social equity. No less than President Rodrigo Roa Duterte emphasized its importance 
during his Second State of the Nation Address on July 24, 2017 when he mentioned that 
the passage of the National Land Use Act is one of his administration's priority.
A national land use policy is envisioned to provide a policy for the rational, holistic 
and just allocation, utilization, management and development of our land resources. It 
includes the parameters that will guide planning at the national and local levels.
This proposed national land use policy also provides for guidelines in major areas, 
as follows: agricultural lands, forestlands and watersheds, coastal zones, mineral lands, 
energy resource lands, settlements development areas, industrial development areas, 
tourism development and heritage areas. Land use and physical planning shall at all times 
adhere to important policies and principles that promote:
a) sustainable development and just management of resources;
b) environmental integrity and stability;
c) disaster risk-reduction and climate change resiliency;
d) food security;
e) protection of prime agricultural lands;
f) water security;
g) rational settlements development;
h) physical and economic integration;
i) agrarian reform, urban land reform and rural development;
j) private-public partnership;
k) people empowerment, decentralization, social justice and equity;
l) respect and protection of the rights of indigenous cultural communities and
indigenous peoples;
m) protection of the rights of basic sectors;
n) deeper understanding of our history and culture;
o) energy security; and
p) market orientation within the framework of ecological and intergenerational factors.


Planning processes at all levels shall include mandatory consultation in a bottom- 
up, top-down approach. Meanwhile, plans shall be subject to review and shall include 
clear timelines for their approval and adoption. The proposed national land use measure 
addresses the vital issues of agrarian reform, climate change, the completion of a national 
database and geo-hazard mapping and disaster risk reduction and management. These 
issues had emerged and exerted great impact on the Philippines since Congress had first 
initiated the crafting of a national land use policy, more than two decades ago.
The proposed national land use policy will also harmonize existing laws governing 
the allocation, utilization, development and management of land resources. Furthermore, 
conflicting land uses and interests of our growing population over limited land resources 
show the need to institutionalize a comprehensive national land use policy.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly urged.
JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
S. B. No. 
1522
• ■ 
: I ~ ;
Ill '!;r 
..
’17 
JUL26 
P5 ^ 7
RECLh (J L,.
Introduced by Sen. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, PROVIDING THE 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House o f Representatives o f the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1 
CHAPTER I
2 
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
3 
SECTION 1. Tide. -This Act shall be known and cited as the "NationalLand Use
4 
Act o f 2017".
5 
SEC. 2. Declaration o f Principles and Policies. - All lands of the public domain,
6 
waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy,
7 
fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, fora and fauna, and other natural resources are
8 
owned by the state. With the exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources
9 
shall not be alienated.
10 
Pursuant to the constitutional provision or mandate, it is the policy of the State to
11 
provide for a rational, holistic, and just allocation, utilization, management, and
12 
development of the country's land to ensure their optimum use, consistent with the
13 
principle of sustainable development.
14 
The State shall recognize the need for rational, optimal and sustainable
15 
settlements development, consistent with the principles of environmental management
16 
and equitable access to land and security.
17 
Toward this end, the State shall institutionalize land use and physical planning as
18 
mechanisms for identifying, determining, and evaluating appropriate land use and
19 
allocation patterns that promote and ensure:
20 
a) Sustainable management and utilization of natural resources;
21 
b) Maintenance and preservation of environmental integrity and stability
22 
specifically the perpetual protection of permanent forests and watershed for the
23 
attainment of food, water and energy sufficiency;


1 
c) Disaster risk-reduction and climate change resiliency;
2 
d) Protection of prime agricultural lands for food security in basic commodities
3 
with emphasis on self-sufficiency in rice and corn;
4 
e) Water security through sustainable development and management of water
5 
resources towards water security;
6 
f) Settlements, transportation and infrastructure development in support of
7 
urban, rural and regional development and inclusive growth;
8 
g) Harmony between the rights and the varied interests of every Filipino within
9 
the framework of people empowerment, decentralization, social justice, and equity;
10 
h) Respect for and protection of the sustainable traditional resource rights of the
11 
Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) to their ancestral
12 
domains to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being as well as recognition
13 
of the applicability of customary laws and sustainable traditional resource use and
14 
management, knowledge, and practices in ancestral domains in compliance with free and
15 
prior informed consent of ICC/IPs;
16 
i) Protection of the rights of basic sectors to equitable access to the country's
17 
land;
18 
j) Protection, preservation, and development of the Filipino historical, cultural and
19 
built cultural heritage and resources for the deeper understanding of our history and
20 
culture as a people;
21 
k) Attainment of energy security and self-sufficiency; and
22 
I) Market orientation where the interplay of market forces and fair trade within
23 
the framework of ecological development and equity consideration is encouraged and
24 
adopted as the basic parameter in achieving efficiency in land use and allocation.
25 
It is also the policy of the State to ensure that local government units (LCDs) share
26 
with the national government the responsibility of managing and maintaining ecological
27 
balance within their territorial jurisdiction as stated in the 1987 Constitution and the 1991
28 
Local Government Code (LGC) or Republic Act 7160.
29 
Guided by the principle that the use of land bears a social function and that all
30 
economic agents shall contribute to the common good, landowners, land tenure holders,
31 
in the case of forestlands, be it an individual, communal, corporate or group shall be held
32 
responsible for developing and conserving their lands thereby making their lands
33 
productive and supportive of environmental stability.
34 
SEC. 3. 
Scope. - 
This Act shall apply to all lands whether public, private.


1 
government-owned, and/or in the possession of individuals, communities, indigenous
2 
people, or groups of people, to provide for a rational, holistic, and just allocation,
3 
development and management of land including such activities that bear impact on said
4 
resources.
5
6 
CHAPTER I I
7 
DEFINITIONS
8 
SEC. 4. D efinition o f Terms. - As used in and for purposes of this Act, the
9 
following terms shall mean:
10 
a) 
"Agricultural la n d " shall refer to land of public domain which have been
11 
devoted to agricultural activity as defined in Republic Act No. 6657, as amended and not
12 
further classified for residential, commercial or industrial use and such other uses as may
13 
be provided by law;
14 
b) "Agricultural land use conversion" shall refer to the undertaking of any
15 
development activity which modifies or alters the physical characteristics of agricultural
16 
lands to render them suitable for non-agricultural purposes with an approved order of
17 
conversion issued exclusively by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR);
18 
c) "Alienable and disposable (A&D) lands" shd\\ refer to lands of the public
19 
domain which have been delineated, classified, and certified as open and available for
20 
disposition under the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 141, otherwise known as the
21 
"Public Land Act," as amended;
22 
d) "Ancestral domains"sh^iW refer to all areas generally belonging to ICCs/IPs
23 
as defined in Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as the "Indigenous Peoples Rights
24 
Act (IPRA) of 1998;"
25 
e) "Basic Sector"shd\\ refer to a group of people not referring to any organized
26 
groups such as but not limited to women, youth, elderly, differently-abled, peasants and
27 
fisher folk;
28 
f) 
"Basic S helter" shall refer to any subdivision unit, housing unit or
29 
condominium satisfying the barest minimum shelter requirements under the minimum
30 
design standards of Batas Pambansa Big. 220;
31 
g) "Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP)" shall refer to a document
32 
embodying a set of policies and guidelines, accompanied by official maps and similar
33 
illustrations, that serves as principal basis for determining the future land use of lands
34 
and natural resources for production and protection purpose within the territorial


1 
jurisdiction of the city or municipality. It represents the community-desired pattern of
2 
population distribution and proposes future allocation of land resources to various land-
3 
using activities. It identifies the allocation, character, and extent of the areas of land
4 
resources to be used for different purposes and includes the processes and the criteria
5 
employed in the determination of the land use. 
It has a long-term perspective,
6 
encompassing a minimum of ten (10) years;
7 
h) "Comprehensive land use planning"shaW refer to the act of defining the
8 
allocation, utilization, development and management of all lands within a given territory
9 
or jurisdiction according to the inherent characteristic of the land itself and supportive of
10 
sustainable, economic, demographic, socio-cultural and environmental objectives as an
11 
aid to decision-making and legislation;
12 
i) 
"Coastalarea/zone"shd\\ refer to a band of dry land and the adjacent ocean
13 
space (water and submerged land) in which terrestrial processes and uses directly affect
14 
oceanic processes and uses, and vice versa. Its geographic extent may include areas
15 
within a landmark limit of one (1) kilometer from the shoreline at high tide to include
16 
mangrove swamps, brackish water ponds, nipa swamps, estuarine rivers, sandy beaches
17 
and other areas within a seaward limit of 200 meters isobath to include coral reefs, algal
18 
fiats, seagrass beds, and other soft-bottom areas. For purposes of initiating and
19 
implementing sustainable coastal resources protection and management, it shall include
20 
foreshore lands;
21 
j) 
"C ritical habitats"s\\d\\ refer to areas outside protected areas as defined in
22 
Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the "National Integrated Protected Areas
23 
System Act of 1992", that are known habitats of threatened species and designated as
24 
such based on scientific data taking into consideration species endemicity and/or
25 
richness, presence of human-made pressures/threats to the survival of wildlife living in
26 
the area, among others;
27 
k) "C ritical w atershed" shail refer to a drainage area of a river system
28 
supporting existing and proposed hydro-electric power, domestic water consumption,
29 
irrigation works or existing water facilities needing immediate protection and
30 
rehabilitation to minimize erosion and improve water yield. It shall be closed for logging
31 
until it is fully rehabilitated;
32 
I) 
"C ultural heritage"sY\d\\ refer to the totality of cultural properties preserved
33 
and developed through time and passed on for posterity;
34 
m )" Customary la w s " shall refer to a body of written and/ or unwritten rules.


1 
usages, customs and practices traditionally and continually recognized, accepted, and
2 
observed by respective ICCs/IPs, consistent with the IPRA;
3 
n) "Developmentplan"shdiW refer to a document that defines the activities or
4 
measures that the national government or local government units (LGU's) intend to
5 
implement in order to achieve a defined set of development goals. 
It integrates the
6 
socio-economic and sectoral plans of the national government or its instrumentality or a
7 
particular LGU with land use or physical framework plans. 
It may include an analysis of
8 
problems and resources, definition of goals and objectives, policy guidelines, project and
9 
target achievements, and an implementation mechanism which defines the roles and
10 
contributions expected from the government and the private sector. Development plans
11 
include the national-level Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) and its
12 
counterpart plans at the regional, provincial and local levels called the Medium-Term
13 
Regional 
Development 
Plan 
(MTRDP), 
the 
Provincial 
Physical 
Framework and
14 
Development Plan (PPFDP) and the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP). These
15 
plans are translated into medium-term investment programs, also prepared at the
16 
national, regional and local levels, where programs, projects and activities derived from
17 
the development plans are ranked, prioritized, and matched with investment financing
18 
capacities;
19 
o) "Ecologically-fragile l a n d s " refer to lands within the critical watershed,
20 
brackish and freshwater wetlands, pasture lands, and croplands which require
21 
rehabilitation and whose continued unsustainable use would adversely affect the
22 
productivity of lowland agricultural areas and the stability of the upland ecosystem;
23 
p) "Ecotourism"shdW refer to sustainable tourism or travel to a given natural
24 
area with exotic or threatened ecosystems or a heritage area to observe wildlife or to
25 
help preserve nature, in the process providing for community participation, protection
26 
and management of natural resources, culture and indigenous knowledge systems and
27 
practices, environmental education and ethics, as well as economic benefits fostered and
28 
pursued for the enrichment of host communities and the satisfaction of visitors;
29 
q) "Energy resource lands" shall refer to lands where naturally occurring or
30 
indigenous energy resources exist in sufficient quantity or quality as to be economically
31 
viable for exploration, development, production, utilization, and distribution process;
32 
r) "Energy resources"sV\3\\ refer to surface or subsurface substances that serve
33 
as energy sources. These are traditionally mineral fuel deposits such as coal, petroleum,
34 
natural gas or renewable resources from geothermal, hydro reservoirs, or non-
5


1 
conventional sources such as ocean waves, solar, wind, biomass, and other similar
2 
resources which serve the same purpose;
3 
s) "Environm entally critica l areas"shaW refer to areas declared by law as: (a)
4 
protected areas pursuant to Republic Act No. 7586 or the NIPAS Act of 1992; (b) areas
5 
for natural parks, watershed reserves, wildlife preserves, and sanctuaries; (c) areas set
6 
aside as aesthetic potential tourist spots; (d) areas which constitute the habitat of any
7 
endangered or threatened species or indigenous Philippine wildlife (flora and fauna); (e)
8 
areas of unique historic, archaeological, or scientific interests; (f) areas which are
9 
traditionally occupied by ICCs/IPs; (g) areas with critical slopes; (h) areas exposed to
10 
geologic and hydro-meteorlogic hazards; (i) prime agricultural lands; (j) recharge areas
11 
of aquifers; (k) water bodies; (I) mangrove areas; (m) coral reefs; (n) mossy and old-
12 
growth forests; (o) rivers and river banks; (p) swamp forest and marshlands; and (q)
13 
foreshore lands. This term shall also include other terrestrial, aquatic and marine areas
14 
that need special protection and conservation measures because they are ecologically
15 
fragile or they are needed for food security and food self-sufficiency as determined by
16 
concerned agencies and LGUs in consultation with the concerned sectors;
17 
t) " E stuary"shd\\ refer to a wetland type where the river mouth widens into a
18 
marine ecosystem, the salinity of which is intermediate between salt and freshwater
19 
where tidal action is an important biophysical regulator;
20 
u) "Exhausted energy resource la n d s"shd\\ refer to specific energy resource
21 
sites whose energy reserves of the desired type(s) are no longer in sufficient quantity or
22 
quality to justify additional expenditure for their extraction and utilization as certified by
23 
the Department of Energy;
24 
v) "Exhausted m ineral lands" shall refer to specific sites whose mineral
25 
deposits are no longer in sufficient quantity or quality to justify additional expenditure for
26 
their extraction and utilization as may be determined by the latest technology available;
27 
w) "Exhausted m ineral resources"shaW refer to a situation where the mineral
28 
resources in specific sites are no longer in sufficient quantity or quality to justify additional
29 
expenditure for extraction or utilization as determined by the Mines and Geosciences
30 
Bureau and approved by the DENR;
31 
x) "Flood p la in " sh^W refer to the portion of a river valley adjacent to a river
32 
channel which is covered with water when river overflows its banks at flood stages. The
33 
plain usually consists of silt deposited by the stream;
34 
y) "Flood-prone areas"shall refer to low lying areas usually adjacent to large
6


1 
or active water bodies and therefore experience regular or seasonal inundation as a result
2 
of changes in the mean water level of these bodies or because of land reclamation and
3 
other artificial interference with the natural processes;
4 
z) "Food se cu rity" shall refer to the policy objective of meeting the food
5 
availability, accessibility, quality and affordability requirements of the present and future
6 
generations of Filipinos in a sustainable manner, through local production or importation,
7 
only when there is shortage established based on a micro level situation, or both, based
8 
on the country's existing and potential resource endowments and related production
9 
advantages, and consistent with the overall national development objectives and policies;
10 
aa) 
"Foodself-sufficiency"shd\\ refer to the policy objective of meeting the
11 
food requirements through intensive local food production in a sustainable manner based
12 
on the country's existing and potential resource endowments and related production
13 
advantages;
14 
bb) 
"Forestlands" shd\\ refer to lands of the public domain classified and/or
15 
determined as needed. They include all permanent forests or forest reserves, forest
16 
reservations and all remaining unclassified lands of the public domain;
17 
cc) 
"Foreshore land"shd\\ refer to the part of the shore which is alternately
18 
covered and uncovered by the ebb and flow of the tide;;
19 
dd) 
"Free and P rior In fo rm e d  C onsent" refers to consensus of all members
20 
of the ICCs/IPs to be determined in accordance with their respective customary laws and
21 
practices, free from any external manipulation, interference and coercion, and obtained
22 
after fully disclosing the intent and scope of the activity, in a language and process
23 
understandable to the community;
24 
ee) 
"Geo-hazards" shall refer to natural and human-induced geological
25 
processes that have potential to cause destruction and pose a threat or risk to human life
26 
and property;
27 
ff) 
"G eo-hazardprone areas"shall refer to areas frequently visited and/or
28 
vulnerable or prone to experience weather/climatic, hydrologic, geologic, and other
29 
natural calamities;
30 
gg) 
"H eritage Zone^' refer to historical, anthropological, archaeological and
31 
artistic geographical areas and settings that are culturally significant to the country as
32 
declared by the National Museum and/or National Historical Commission of the
33 
Philippines, pursuant to R.A. No. 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009;
34 
hh) 
"Ille g a l agricultural land conversion" shall refer to any activity that


1 
modifies or alters the physical characteristics of agricultural lands to render them suitable
2 
for non-agricultural purposes without an approved order of conversion from the DAR
3 
Secretary;
4 
ii) 
''Im provem ents"shd\\ refer to all types of buildings and residential units,
5 
walls, fences, structures or construction of all kinds of fixed character or are adhered to
6 
the soil but shall not include trees, plants, growing fruits, and other fixtures that are mere
7 
super impositions on the land, and the value of improvements shall not be less than fifty
8 
percent (50%) of the assessed value of the property;
9 
jj) 
"Inclusive g ro w th " relers to ensuring that the economic opportunities
10 
created by growth are available to all, particularly the poor, to the maximum possible
11 
extent;
12 
kk) 
"Indigenous 
C ultural 
C om m unities/Indigenous 
Peoples
13 
(IC C s/IP s)" s\\d\\ refer to groups of people or homogenous societies identified under
14 
Republic Act No. 8371 or the "Indigenous People's Rights Act (IPRA)"/
15 
II) 
"Indigenous energy resources"s\\aW refer to energy resources, which
16 
originate or occur naturally in the Philippines;
17 
mm) 
"Inland w a te rs "shd\\ refer to waters, which are not coastal and marine
18 
waters not subject to acquisitive prescription consistent with the provisions of Presidential
19 
Decree No. 1067, otherwise known as the "Water Code of the Philippines";
20 
nn) 
"In te r-tid a l sand fla t"  shall refer to a juvenile fish-feeding area and
21 
habitat for crustaceans. The littoral gravel and sand biotopes are also used by important
22 
wintering ground and roosting/feeding grounds of indigenous migratory birds;
23 
00) 
"Integrated watershed m anagem ent" shall refer to a planning
24 
strategy or program for watershed areas that complement environmentally-sound soil
25 
and water management practices with mechanisms for ensuring greater responsibility,
26 
involvement, or participation of individuals, groups, communities and other stakeholders
27 
benefiting from these areas and water-related infrastructure;
28 
pp) 
"Key biodiversity areas" shall refer to sites that are nationally and
29 
globally significant for biodiversity conservation primarily containing species that require
30 
site-scale conservation to prevent extinction in the short-term and medium-term. Such
31 
species may be nationally and globally threatened , restricted-range and/or nationally
32 
and globally significant congregations of species;
33 
qq) 
"Lagoon" shall refer to a semi-enclosed coastal basin with limited
34 
freshwater input, high salinity and restricted circulation which often lies behind sand


1 
dunes. It is often highly productive and habitat for variety of plants and animal, serves
2 
as nurseries of prawns and shrimps and also site for harbor, aquaculture, industry and
3 
recreation;
4 
rr) 
"Land"shB\\ refer to resources, both natural and man-made, found on the
5 
surface, below, and above the ground including inland waters and the air therein;
6 
ss) 
”Land use" shall refer to the manner of utilization of land, including its
7 
allocation, development, and management;
8 
tt) 
"Land use classification "shall refer to the act of delineating or allocating
9 
lands according to protection land use, production land use, settlements development,
10 
and infrastructure development as defined and provided for in this Act;
11 
uu) "Land sub-classification" shall refer to the act of determining and
12 
assigning specific uses of classified lands of the public domain, such as forest or timber
13 
lands, alienable or disposable agricultural lands, national parks, and mineral lands in
14 
accordance with existing laws and this Act;
15 
w ) 
"M andatory public hearings/consultations" shall 
refer 
to 
the
16 
mechanism to ensure the active participation of concerned sectors in all affected areas
17 
in iand use planning from the local to the national level. It involves giving effective notice
18 
of hearing/consultation to concerned sectors within an affected area through direct
19 
written invitations, using regular mail or electronic means, and publication/posting in
20 
conspicuous places, conduct of a reasonable number of hearings in or proximate to the
21 
specific area affected, and solicitation of positions and the public presentation and public
22 
confirmation of the planning results in the specific area affected before the final adoption
23 
of the plans;
24 
ww) "Minerals"s\\di[\ refer to all naturally occurring inorganic substance in solid,
25 
gas, liquid or intermediate state excluding energy materials such as coal, petroleum,
26 
natural gas, radioactive materials and geothermal energy;
27 
XX) 
"M ineral exploration" shall refer to the systematic searching or
28 
prospecting for mineral resources;
29 
yy) 
"M ineral lands"shd\\ refer to lands where mineral resources are found;
30 
zz) 
"M ineral resources"shd\\ refer to any concentration of minerals/rocks with
31 
potential economic value;
32 
aaa) " M ud fla t" shdW refer to a wetland type that is usually an unvegetated area,
33 
dominated by muddy substrate which provides rich feeding grounds for vertebrates such
34 
as fish and water birds and also important in preventing soil erosion;
9


1 
bbb) "National In te g ra te d  Protected Areas System (NIPAS)"s\\aW refer to
2 
the classification and administration of all designated protected areas to maintain
3 
essential ecological processes and life-support systems, to preserve genetics diversity, to
4 
ensure sustainable use of resources found therein, and to maintain their natural
5 
conditions to the greatest extent possible;
6 
ccc) "N ationalLand Use Commission (N LU C )"sh^W refer to the highest land
7 
use policy making body created under Section 14 of this Act;
8 
ddd) nN ational Parks" shd\\ refer to a forest reservation essentially of natural
9 
wilderness character which has been withdrawn from settlement, occupancy or any form
10 
of exploitation except in conformity with approved management plan and set aside as
11 
such exclusively to conserve the area or preserve the scenery, the natural and historic
12 
objects, wild animals and plants therein and to provide enjoyment of these features in
13 
such areas;
14 
eee) "N a tio na l physical fram ew ork p la n " shall refer to an indicative plan
15 
containing the policy areas promoting the most appropriate and rational use of land and
16 
other physical resources such as but not limited to protection, production, settlement and
17 
infrastructure land use. It provides policy guidelines for all decisions relating to land use
18 
and environmental management, to prevent and mitigate the adverse effects of
19 
inappropriate resource utilization on the country's food security and food self-sufficiency
20 
on rice and corn, the people's welfare and their environment. It embodies both policies
21 
and strategies necessary to carry out goals and objectives of this Act;
22 
fff) 
"N etw ork o f Protected Areas fo r A griculture and A gro-industrial
23 
Developm ent (NPAAAD)"sh3\\ refer to agricultural areas identified by the Department
24 
of Agriculture through the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) in
25 
coordination with the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) in
26 
order to ensure the efficient utilization of land for agriculture and agro-industrial
27 
development and promote sustainable growth. The NPAAAD covers all irrigated areas,
28 
all irrigable lands already covered by irrigation projects with firm funding commitments,
29 
all alluvial plains, land highly suitable for agriculture whether irrigated or not, agro-
30 
industrial croplands or lands planted to industrial crops that support the validity of existing
31 
agricultural infrastructure and agro-based enterprises, highlands or areas located at an
32 
elevation of five hundred (500) meters or above and have the potential for growing semi-
33 
temperate and high value crops, all agricultural lands that are ecologically fragile the
34 
conversion of which will result in serious environmental degradation, and all mangrove
10


1 
areas and fish sanctuaries;
2 
ggg)" N on-agriculturalland use conversion"shd\\ refer to the act of changing
3 
the current use of a piece of non-agricultural land into some other uses;
4 
hhh) "N on-governm ent o rg a n iza tio n "shhW refer to a private and non-profit
5 
voluntary organization which is committed to the task of political, socio-economic,
6 
physical, cultural and environmental development and established primarily to provide
7 
service to marginalized sectors in these areas;
8 
iii) 
"Patrim onialproperties"xeiex to all the properties belonging to the State
9 
that are not intended for public use or for public service for the development of national
10 
wealth;
11 
jjj) 
"People's organization"s\\?\\ refer to a private, non-profit, voluntary and
12 
community-based organization with membership constituency established primarily to
13 
provide service to its members and the community in general;
14 
kkk) "Physical fram ew ork p la n s" shall refer to indicative plans based on
15 
comprehensive land use plans (CLUPs) and national policies whether national, regional,
16 
or provincial which provide policy guidelines for all decisions relating to land use and
17 
environmental management to prevent or mitigate the adverse effects of inappropriate
18 
resource utilization on food security, the people's welfare and their environment, it
19 
embodies both policies and strategies necessary to carry out development goals and
20 
objectives;
21 
III) 
"Premature o r illegal con version o f agricultural lands "shall refer to
22 
any activity that modifies or alters the physical characteristics of agricultural lands to
23 
render them suitable for non-agricultural purposes without an approved order of
24 
conversion from the DAR Secretary;
25 
mmm) "Prime agricultural la n d s "shd\\ refer to all irrigated areas; all irrigable
26 
lands already covered by irrigation projects with firm funding commitments; all rainfed
27 
areas planted to rice and other crops; all alluvial plain lands highly suitable for agriculture
28 
whether irrigated or not, agro-industrial croplands or lands presently planted to industrial
29 
crops that support the viability of existing agricultural infrastructure and agro-based
30 
enterprises, highlands, or areas located at elevation of 500 meters or above and have
31 
the potential for growing semi-temperate and high value crops; all agricultural lands that
32 
are ecologically fragile, the conversion of which will result in serious environmental
33 
degradation, and mangrove areas and fish sanctuaries;
34 
nnn) 
"Production land 4/5e"shall refer to the direct and indirect utilization of
11


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7
8 
9
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25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
land to generate outputs resulting from the following activities, but not limited to: 
agricultural, fish, farming or aquaculture, timber production, agro-forestry, grazing and 
pasture, mining, indigenous energy resource development, industry, and tourism;
ooo) 
"Protected areas" shall refer to portions of land set aside by reason of 
their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological diversity, 
and protected against destructive human exploitation. For purposes of this Act, it shall 
include agricultural lands identified and delineated under Section 29 hereof;
ppp) "P rotection 
land use" shall 
refer 
to 
the 
utilization 
of 
land 
primarily for food, water and energy security, rehabilitation, conservation, and protection 
purposes for the promotion of the country's ecological and life-support systems;
qqq) "P ublic domain"s\\^W refer to lands that belong to the State which may 
be any of the following: agricultural, forest or timber, mineral, or national park as 
provided for in the Constitution;
rrr) 
"Public lands"sh^W refer to lands which have not been subject to private
property rights or subject to sale or other modes of acquisition or concession under the 
general laws, and are devoted to public use;
sss) 
"Reclassification o f agricultural lands" shall refer to the act of 
specifying how agricultural lands shall be utilized for non-agricultural uses such as 
residential, industrial, or commercial purposes through the local planning and zoning 
processes pursuant to Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 and 
subject to the requirements and procedure for conversion. It is equivalent to land sub- 
classification, as defined in this Act for classified lands of the public domain and also 
includes the reversion of non-agricultural lands to agricultural use;
ttt) 
" R esettlem ent site s" s\\d\\ refer to areas identified by the appropriate
national agency or by the local government unit, with respect to areas within its 
jurisdiction which shall be used for the relocation of the underprivileged and homeless, 
as defined under Republic Act No. 7279 or the "Urban Development and Housing Act 
(UDHA)";
uuu) 
"River basin"sh3\\ refer to the portion of land drained by a river and its 
tributaries. It encompasses the entire land surface dissected and drained by many 
streams and creeks that flow downhill into one another, and eventually into one river. 
The final destination is an estuary or an ocean;
v w ) 
"Settlements"shd\\ refer to formal and informal communities or built-up
residential areas where people prefer to live in land areas classified, zoned, or converted
12


1 
for current or future residential or housing development purposes, including socialized
2 
housing zones for the homeless and underprivileged citizens;
3 
WWW) "Settlem ents developm ent"shaW refer to any improvement on existing
4 
formal or informal residential or housing settlements or any proposed development of
5 
certain areas for residential or mass housing settlement purposes. It also involves the
6 
spatial distribution of population, identification of the roles and functions of key urban
7 
centers, determination of relationships among settlement areas, and the provision of
8 
basic services and facilities of identified major residential or housing settlement areas or
9 
growth centers. It is also concerned with the interrelationship of settlements as they
10 
develop and establish functional linkages based on their respective resource endowments
11 
and comparative advantages;
12 
xxx) 
"S horeline"shaW refer to the line where shore and water meet;
13 
yyy) 
"Significant caves" shall refer to caves which contain materials or
14 
possess features that have archaeological, cultural, ecological, historical or scientific value
15 
as determined by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in
16 
coordination with the scientific community and the academe;
17 
zzz) 
"Socialized housing" shall refer to housing programs and projects
18 
undertaken by the government or the private sector for the underprivileged and homeless
19 
citizens which shall include sites and services development, long-term financing,
20 
liberalized terms on interest payments, and such other benefits in accordance with the
21 
UDHA;
22 
aaaa) "Socialized housing zones" shall refer to lands identified and
23 
designated by local government units as sites for socialized housing, pursuant to Article
24 
IV of Republic Act No. 7279 or the UDHA, and its implementing guidelines. It shall include
25 
areas that are presently occupied by the urban poor, as well as those identified as
26 
resettlement areas as defined herein;
27 
bbbb) "Sustainable developm ent"shaW refer to the development objective of
28 
meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future
29 
generations to meet their own needs consistent with the principles of social equity,
30 
efficiency, and environmental integrity;
31 
cccc) 
"Stakeholder" s\\aW refer to an individual, social group or organization
32 
that has a direct or indirect interest in an activity, project, resources, or decision;
33 
dddd) "Tourism  developm ent a re a s "sV^aW refer to specific sites for tourism
34 
development located in areas identified as priorities in the national, regional, and inter-
13


1 
regional area specific tourism master plans and other sector plans such as eco-tourism
2 
and agri-tourism sites, including those designated through legislative and executive
3 
issuances such as 
tourist spots, tourist zones and tourism ecozones which can be
4 
developed into tourism estates or integrated resort, leisure, and recreation complexes,
5 
and other tourism related facilities;
6 
eeee) "Tourism Enterprise Z one" refers to an area designated as tourism
7 
enterprise zone by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority pursuant to
8 
the provisions of RA 9593 otherwise known as the Tourism Act of 2009;
9 
ffff) 
"Tourism 
shall refer to large tracts of land with well-defined
10 
boundaries in any area identified in the Philippine tourism master plan and regional
11 
tourism master plan, by proclamation of the President and/or by an act of Congress
12 
including local legislation. 
Such land shall be suitable for the development of an
13 
integrated tourism and resort complex including but not limited to accommodation
14 
facilities, food and beverage outlets, convention and meeting areas, sports, recreational
15 
and leisure centers and commercial outlets among others. It shall be provided with roads,
16 
water supply facilities, power and utilities like potable water, drainage sewerage disposal,
17 
solid waste disposal system and other necessary infrastructure. The estate shall be under
18 
one unified and continuous management;
19 
gggg) "Tourist sp o t" s\\d\\ refer to a particular area/site/spot, human-made or
20 
natural, known for its unique tourist/visitor-drawing attributes and activities. It may be
21 
classified according to its social, cultural, natural, historical, scientific, religious, and
22 
recreational significance;
23 
hhhh) " 7of//-/5f zone" shd\\ refer to a geographic area with well-defined
24 
boundaries proclaimed as such by the President of the Philippines and/or by acts of
25 
Congress. No development projects for any purpose shall be initiated and introduced
26 
within the zone prior to the formulation of a tourism master development plan which shall
27 
be undertaken in coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism
28 
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA). A tourist zone is established for
29 
the enhancement and/or the conservation of cultural and historical heritage and for the
30 
appreciation and enjoyment of the local population and its visitors;
31 
iiii) 
"Urban areas"shd\\ refer to all cities regardless of their population density
32 
and to municipalities with population density of at least Five hundred (500) persons per
33 
square kilometer;
34 
jjjj) 
"Urbanizable areas" shall refer to sites and lands which, considering
14


1 
present characteristics and prevailing conditions, display marked and great potential of
2 
becoming urban areas within a period of five (5) years;
3 
kkkk) "Urban forestry o r Green 5pace"shall refer to the establishment and
4 
management of forest in urban environment for the physiological and psychological well-
5 
being of the people;
6 
III!) 
"W ater security"s\\diW refer to the sufficient access throughout the year
7 
to the minimum daily requirement of clean water to maintain a healthy life;
8 
mmmm) 
"W ater //se^shall refer to the appropriation of water for domestic,
9 
municipal, irrigation, power generation, inland fisheries, poultry and livestock raising,
10 
industrial and commercial, environmental, and recreational use and other purposes;
11 
nnnn) " Watershed"sh^W refer to a land area drained by a stream or fixed body
12 
of water and its tributaries having a common outlet for surface runoff;
13 
0000) 
"Zoning"shB\\ refer to the process of delineating the specific uses of lands
14 
in accordance with the approved Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) within the
15 
territorial jurisdiction of a city/municipality and specifying the conditions for their
16 
regulation; subject to the limitations imposed by law and competent authority; and,
17 
PPPP) "Zoning ordinance o r ZO " shall refer to a local law passed by the
18 
Sangguniang Bayan or Pangtunsod approving the development control/zoning plan in
19 
accordance with an approved or adopted CLUP for the city/municipality, and providing
20 
for the regulations and other conditions on the uses of land including the limitation on
21 
the infrastructure that may be placed thereon within the territorial jurisdiction of a city or
22 
municipality. It incorporates the protected areas under Section 13(a) and the protected
23 
agricultural lands under Section 29 of this Act.
24
25 
CHAPTER I I I
26 
PHYSICAL FRAMEWORK AND LAND USE PLANS
27 
SEC. 5. 
National Land Use Planning Process. -  The land use and physical
28 
planning process shall be formulated following a combined bottom-up and top-down
29 
approach. The National Land Use Commission (NLUC) shall draft the National Physical
30 
Framework Plan (NPFP) which shall have a timeframe of thirty (30) years, with regular
31 
review and updating every ten (10) years. The NPFP, which guides the planning and
32 
management of the country's land and other physical resources at the national and sub-
33 
national levels, shall indicate broad spatial directions and policy guidelines on settlements
34 
development, production land use, protection land use, social services and utilities, and
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21 
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24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
1
transportation and communication. 
The Regional Physical Framework Plans (RPFPs), 
Provincial Physical Framework and Development Plans (PPFDPs), and Comprehensive 
Land Use Plans (CLUPs), which shall also have a 30-year timeframe and cover the physical 
development of their respective territories, shall be consistent with the national physical 
framework plan: Provided, That the integration and harmonization of the physical 
framework plans at all levels shall be iterative to ensure that the concerns of both top 
and bottom levels of government are considered. The physical and land use plans 
prepared at all levels shall have internal consistency specifically on, but not limited to, 
the development, management and conservation of forestlands found within a given 
territory and the linkages of the major land use categories to ensure their 
complementation in the utilization, development and management of resources.
The NLUC shall issue procedural guidelines which shall guide the formulation and 
integration/harmonization process: 
Provided, That NEDA, HLURB, DILG and other
agencies will continue to issue guidelines on the content of the plans consistent with their 
respective agency mandates.
SEC. 6. City and Municipal Land Use Plans. — The City/Municipal Planning 
and Development Office (C/MPDO), in consultation with concerned sectors through 
mandatory conduct of public hearings, shall prepare the CLUP to determine the specific 
uses of land and other physical resources therein including areas co-managed with the 
national government and, as appropriate, the ancestral domain areas. The CLUP shall be 
consistent with the PPFDP and shall define the city/municipal development vision, 
appropriate economic, environmental and social development policies, densities and 
transportation system.
The CLUP may be formulated as a component of a Comprehensive Land Use and 
Development Plan (CLUDP), which merges the traditionally separate CLUP and 
comprehensive development plan to address the disconnect between spatial and sectoral 
factors and to ensure the complementation between the medium- and long-term 
concerns.
The CLUP shall be translated into a zoning ordinance by the concerned Sanggunian 
to regulate the uses of land, including the limitations on height, density and bulk of 
buildings and other infrastructure that may be placed thereon.
SEC. 7. Provincial Physical Framework and Development Plans (PPFDP). 
-  In consultation with concerned sectors, the Provincial Planning and Development Office 
(PPDO) shall prepare a Provincial Physical Framework and Development Plan (PPFDP)
16


1 
which shall define the province's development vision, economic and social development
2 
policies, general land uses, and inter-city/municipal transportation system. The PPFDP
3 
shall harmonize the land use plans of component cities and municipalities, taking into
4 
consideration shared resources and planning concerns, and define the uses of land and
5 
other resources within the province consistent with the policies in the regional physical
6 
framework plan. The programs, projects and activities prescribed in the PPFDP shall be
7 
integrated into the provincial development investment program. The PPDO shall submit
8 
the PPFDP to the Provincial Land Use Policy Council (PLUPC), created under Section 20
9 
of this Act, for review and endorsement to Sangguniang Panlalawigan, which shall adopt
10 
the same pursuant to Section 468 (2) (vii) of RA 7160 or the Local Government Code.
11 
SEC. 8. 
Regional Physical Framework Plans. -  In consultation with
12 
concerned sectors, the Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC) shall define the desired
13 
spatial arrangement of land-using activities in the entire region, consolidating and
14 
harmonizing the provincial physical framework plans of provinces and independent cities
15 
within the territorial jurisdiction of the region. The regional physical framework plan,
16 
which depicts an end-state scenario toward which efforts and activities are directed, shall
17 
consist of spatially-based and area-focused policies, consistent with those in the national
18 
framework for physical planning, to guide detailed physical, socio-economic, sectoral and
19 
investment planning.
20 
SEC. 9. National Physical Framework Plan. -The National Land Use
21 
Commission (NLUC) created in Section 14 herein, in consultation with the concerned
22 
sectors through the mandatory conduct of public hearings, shall formulate, periodically
23 
update and ensure the implementation of a national PHYSICAL framework plan that shall
24 
prescribe and influence the country's land use and physical development. THE NPFP shall
25 
operationalize the policies provided in this act and will be the basis for adopting land use
26 
and physical planning-related guidelines and standards, including zoning and other land
27 
use control standards that will guide the formulation of city/municipal zoning ordinances.
28 
The policies prescribed in the NPFP shall be integrated into the MTPDP and
29 
Medium-Term Philippine Investment Program.
30
31 
CHAPTER IV
32 
FRAMEWORK FOR LAND USE PLANNING
33 
SEC. 10. Priorities in Land Use Allocation and Planning. - In projecting
34 
spatial allocation for different land uses, the LGUs shall first exclude areas under
17


1 
protection land use of Section 13(a) hereof, national parks, energy resource lands, and
2 
prime agricultural lands to ensure ecological integrity, energy supply, and promote food
3 
security. Areas with prior rights and those with site-specific resources for basic services,
4 
such as but not limited to, water and indigenous energy resources, shall also be excluded.
5 
Spatial allocation and planning shall then proceed in accordance with Sections 12 and 13
6 
hereof with priorities given to integrated watershed management areas, socialized
7 
housing sites, fisherfolk settlement in coastal areas, and waste disposal sites.
8 
SEC. 11. Adoption o f M ultiple Uses o f Land Resources. - The primary and
9 
alternative uses of a specific land resource shall be determined and evaluated prior to
10 
any decision for the assignment of its use. Areas feasible for sustainable land resource
11 
use may be considered multiple-use zones wherein settlements , tourism, agriculture,
12 
forestry, agro-forestry and extraction activities and other income-generating or livelihood
13 
activities may be allowed: Provided, That multiple uses of land resources shall be
14 
excluded in areas identified as protection land use: Provided, further, That such land
15 
resources shall be in accordance with priorities in land use allocation and planning and
16 
that no reclassification shall be allowed.
17 
SEC. 12. Basic Land Use Planning Considerations. - In determining the
18 
various land uses, the people and their productive activities and the need for functional
19 
open spaces and preservation areas as well as the various interrelationships of the
20 
physical characteristics of the land and other elements therein shall be considered, among
21 
others, the following:
22 
(a) 
Availability of natural resources including indigenous energy resources for
23 
energy security and self-sufficiency;
24 
(b) 
Geology, geomorphology, geologic hazard, climate, soil, vegetative cover,
25 
demography and slope;
26 
(c) 
Economic, 
environmental, 
cultural, 
social 
and 
related development
27 
activities;
28 
(d) 
Existing government policies on land and natural resources allocation,
29 
utilization, management and disposition;
30 
(e) 
Technological changes/advancement;
31 
(f) 
Existing customary rights for the protection of indigenous peoples and
32 
vulnerable groups including women and urban poor; and
33 
(g) 
Inventory of prior and existing rights, to harmonize determination of land
34 
use.
18


1 
SEC. 13. Categories o f Land Uses fo r Planning Purposes. In determining
2 
and defining the national, regional and provincial framework plans, and CLUPs, land uses
3 
shall be grouped into four major functional uses as follows:
4 
(a) 
Protection Land Use shall refer to the use of land primarily for food, water
5 
and energy security, rehabilitation, conservation, and protection purposes for the
6 
promotion of the country's ecological and life-support systems. Planning for protection
7 
land use intends to achieve food self-sufficiency in rice and corn, water and energy
8 
security, environmental stability and ecological integrity, ensure a balance between
9 
resource use and the preservation of some areas with environmental, aesthetic,
10 
educational, cultural, heritage and historical significance, and protect people and human-
11 
made structures from the ill-effects of natural hazards. All lands, either public or private,
12 
under protection land use shall be permanently conserved, preserved, rehabilitated and
13 
protected from all other land uses, disposition, intrusion, utilization and development that
14 
is not consistent from its existing uses. Areas under this category also include those
15 
covered by Republic Act No. 7586 or the NIPAS Law and other coastal and marine
16 
protected areas, those areas outside NIPAS but nonetheless require protection because
17 
of their outstanding physical and aesthetic features, anthropological significance, and
18 
biological diversity, and those areas prone to natural hazards. Areas outside the coverage
19 
of the NIPAS law include, but are not limited to the following:
20 
a .l. Old-growth forests and mossy;
21 
a.2. Areas with more than 50% in slope gradient;
22 
a.3. Mangrove and fish sanctuaries, pursuant to Republic Act No. 8435 or the
23 
"Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997" and Republic Act No. 8550 or 'The
24 
Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998";
25 
a.4. Buffer zones or strips/easements, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 705,
26 
amending Presidential Decree No. 389, otherwise known as the "Forestry Reform Code
27 
of the Philippines" and Presidential Decree No. 1067 or the "Water Code of the
28 
Philippines";
29 
a.5. Salvage zones along foreshore areas, freshwater swamps and marshes,
30 
plazas and heritage/historic sites, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 2146;
31 
a.6. Watersheds supporting domestic water supply;
32 
a.7. Utility easement like transmission lines of power companies, oil and gas
33 
facilities, cell sites, and domestic water lines;
34 
a.8. Amenity areas or those with high aesthetic values, pursuant to Presidential
19


1 
Decree No. 2146;
2 
a.9. Natural 
and 
human-made 
areas/sites 
of 
cultural, 
historical 
and
3 
anthropological significance, which are declared as such by internationally recognized
4 
organizations and concerned national agencies;
5 
a. 10.Critical habitats as provided in Republic Act No. 9147 or the "Wildlife
6 
Resources Conservation and Protection Act";
7 
a.11.Significant caves under Republic Act 9072 or the "National Caves and Cave
8 
Resources Management and Protection Act"; or
9 
a. 12.Key biodiversity areas under Executive Order 578 Series of 2006 or the
10 
"National Biodiversity Policy".
11 
(b) Production Land Use shall refer to the direct and indirect utilization of land
12 
resources for crop, fishery, livestock and poultry production, forestry, agroforestry,
13 
mining, industry, energy development, indigenous energy exploration and development,
14 
and tourism. Planning for production land shall determine the most efficient, sustainable,
15 
and equitable manner of utilizing, developing and managing land for productive purposes.
16 
Areas included in this category are agricultural lands, fishing grounds, coastal and marine
17 
zones, production forest which comprise lands 18% to 50% in slope gradient such as:
18 
residual 
dipterocarps, 
rangelands 
for 
grazing 
purposes, 
industrial 
tree
19 
plantation/Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA), community based forest
20 
management areas and other reforestation projects, mineral lands or mining areas and
21 
reservations, energy resource lands, industrial development areas, and tourism
22 
development areas where productive activities could be undertaken to meet the country's
23 
requirements for food security, economic growth and development.
24 
(c) Settlem ents Developm ent shall refer to any improvement on existing
25 
settlements in urban and rural areas or any proposed development of certain areas for
26 
settlement purposes involving the spatial distribution of population, identification of the
27 
roles and functions of key urban centers, determination of relationships among settlement
28 
areas, and the provision of basic services and facilities to such settlement. 
The
29 
settlements development plan ensures for the present and future generation the
30 
following: i) effective integration of activities within and among settlements, allowing
31 
efficient movement of people and production of commodities through the provision of
32 
appropriate land, infrastructure, and facilities; and ii) access of the population to housing,
33 
education, health care, recreation, transportation and communication, sanitation, and
34 
basic utilities such as water, power, waste disposal, and other services.
20


1 
(d) In frastructure Developm ent shall refer to the availability or supply of
2 
basic services and fostering of economic and other forms of integration necessary for
3 
producing or obtaining the material requirements of Filipinos, in an efficient, responsive,
4 
safe and ecologically friendly built environment. It covers sub-sectors of transportation,
5 
communications, water resources, and social infrastructure: 
Provided, That the
6 
determination of functional uses of lands within ancestral domains shall consider
7 
traditional resource and management systems that do not endanger the lives of the
8 
people and property of the local community and neighboring areas or increase the
9 
vulnerability of the natural environment to the effects of natural and human-induced
10 
geological processes.
11 
CHAPTER V
12 
IMPLEMENTING STRUCTURE AND MECHANISMS
13 
Article I
14 
National Land Use Commission
15 
SEC. 14. Creation o f the National Land Use Commission (NLUC). - The
16 
National Land Use Commission, hereinafter referred to as NLUC, is hereby created as a
17 
Commission under the Office of the President. It shall exercise the powers and
18 
responsibilities of the current National Land Use Committee which is hereby abolished.
19 
The NLUC shall act as the highest policy making body on land use and resolve land use
20 
policy conflicts between or among agencies, branches, or levels of the government. It
21 
shall integrate efforts, monitor developments relating to land use and the evolution of
22 
policies. It may also establish Regional Offices.
23 
SEC. 15. Composition o f the NLUC. - The NLUC shall be composed of the
24 
following.
25 
a) The President of the Republic of the Philippines as Chairperson;
26 
b) The Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority
27 
(NEDA) and Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural
28 
Resources as Vice-Chairpersons;
29 
The President may designate from among the two Vice-Chairpersons a Chief
30 
Executive Officer who shall supervise the day-to-day affairs of the NLUC.
31 
The members shall be;
32 
c) The Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council
33 
(HUDCC), the Secretaries of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of
34 
Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of
21


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3
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5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
1
Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the 
Department of Tourism (DOT), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), 
the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), 
the Department of Finance (DOF), the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Chairperson 
of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP);
The Department Secretaries and the Chairperson of the NCIP may designate a 
representative with a rank not lower than Assistant Secretary and Commissioner, 
respectively: Provided, That the designated representative shall be on a permanent basis.
d) A representative each from the Leagues of Provinces, Cities and Municipalities;
e) A representative each from four (4) basic sectors directly involved in land use, 
namely: urban poor, farmer-peasants, fisherfolk, and indigenous peoples who shall be 
appointed by the President of the Philippines based on the nomination and 
recommendation of the respective sectoral councils of the National Anti-Poverty 
Commission (NAPC). At least two (2) sectoral representatives shall be women;
f) Two (2) representatives from private subdivisions, and housing developers; 
and
g) Two (2) representatives from the accredited association of professionals 
dealing on land use such as but not limited to urban and regional planners, environmental 
planners, architects, geologists and geodetic engineers;
A consultative body shall likewise be convened by the NLUC at least once a year 
or as often as may be necessary. 
It shall be composed of representatives from the 
Leagues of Municipalities, Cities, and Provinces, other government agencies not 
represented in the NLUC, and from non-government sectors such as the private sector, 
non-government organizations (NGOs) and people's organizations (POs), and the 
academic community.
SEC. 16. Powers and Functions. - The NLUC shall have the following powers 
and functions:
a) Advise the President of the Philippines and the NEDA Board on all matters 
concerning land use and physical planning;
b) Integrate and harmonize all laws, guidelines and policies relevant to land use 
and physical planning to come up with a rational, cohesive, and comprehensive national 
land use framework;
c) Formulate policies and endorse land use and physical planning-related policies 
that may be formulated by the Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC), created under
22


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3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
1
Section 21 of this Act, and concerned agencies as well as promulgate zoning and other 
land use control standards and guidelines which shall guide the formulation of land use 
plans and zoning ordinances by local governments;
d) Prepare, periodically review and if necessary, update the national framework 
for physical planning to provide the general framework for the spatial development 
directions for the entire country and sub-national levels;
e) Review and endorse all land use and physical planning related guidelines;
f) Monitor and coordinate the gathering of data, the conduct of studies pertaining 
to land use planning including studies on the management of identified land uses and 
such other studies not undertaken by other government agencies;
g) Recommend to the President of the Philippines the adoption, passage, or 
amendment of laws to ensure that sectoral programs, plans, projects, and activities, 
including local government initiatives affecting land use are consistent with national 
development objectives;
h) Coordinate with and assist other government agencies and LGUs in planning, 
developing, and implementing their land use classification programs, and provide, to the 
extent possible, technical assistance and guidance;
i) Monitor and coordinate the activities of concerned agencies and entities of the 
government, as well as LGUs, in the enforcement and implementation of policies and 
regulations relating to land use and resource management and development;
j) Monitor and coordinate activities in the establishment of a national land 
resource information and management system of concerned agencies that shall integrate 
and process information on land use and allocation generated by the various national 
government agencies; define information requirements at various levels; and standardize 
information inputs and outputs including scales and symbols used in territorial and 
sectoral maps;
k) Be the repository of all RPFPs, PPFDPs and CLUPs and all data and information 
pertaining to land and land use;
l) Call on any department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality of the 
government, and or private entities and organization for cooperation, support, and 
assistance in the performance of its functions;
m) Decide and resolve policy conflicts and territorial jurisdiction on land use 
between or among agencies, branches, or levels of the government and act on unresolved 
land use policy conflicts at the regional level elevated by the Regional Land Use Policy
23


1 
Council (RLUPC);
2 
n) Adopt rules of procedures for the orderly and expeditious conduct of meetings
3 
and other business of the Council; and
4 
o) Perform such other acts and functions and exercise such other powers as may
5 
be necessarily implied, inherent, incident, or related to the foregoing.
6 
SEC. 17. 
NLUC TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT (NLUC-TS). - 
A Technical
7 
Secretariat shall be created to provide technical support to the NLUC. It shall be headed
8 
by an Executive Director and composed of:
9 
a. Representatives of the member agencies/institutions of the NLUC, who shall
10 
have a rank not lower than Director level; and
11 
b. The representatives of NLUC members as enumerated in Section 16 (d), (e)
12 
and (g) of this Act.
13 
SEC. 18. The NLUC Technical Secretariat Executive Director. — The
14 
Executive Director shall supervise the operations of the NLUC Technical Secretariat and
15 
assist the NLUC Chairperson or his/her designated CEO.
16 
In the absence of the CEO, he shall preside over the meetings of the NLUC-TS.
17 
He shall also perform such other functions as may be tasked by the Chairperson
18 
or CEO-Vice Chairperson.
19 
SEC. 19. Offices, Units and Staff Support. - The Policy And Planning Unit of
20 
the HLURB shall be the core secretariat of the NLUC. The Staff in the HLURB Policy and
21 
Planning Unit and NEDA Regional Development Office who opted to transfer to the NLUC
22 
shall be given priority without diminution in rank and remuneration. The staffing pattern
23 
shall be drafted by the NLUC in coordination with the DBM and Civil Service Commission.
24 
Other government agencies may also be called upon for staff support.
25 
Article 2
26 
Local Development Councils as Local Land Use Policy Councils
27 
SEC. 20. 
C ity/M unicipal Land Use Policy Council (C/MLUPC). - 
The
28 
City/Municipal Development Council (C/MDC), created under Section 106 of the Local
29 
Government Code, shall act as the City/Municipal Land use Policy Council (C/MLUPC) that
30 
will tackle land use concerns whenever necessary. A duly authorized representative from
31 
the DAR, the DENR and the DA shall be included in the composition of the C/MLUPC.
32 
In addition to the functions enumerated in Section 109 of the LGC, the C/MLUP
33 
shall:
34 
a. Advise the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod on all matters
24


1 
pertaining to land use and physical planning;
2 
b. Review and endorse to the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsodfor
3 
adoption, the CLUP prepared and periodically updated by the City/Municipal Planning and
4 
Development Office and other land use and physical planning-related policies; and
5 
c. Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, and
6 
allocation that may arise between and among barangays and any unresolved land use
7 
conflict at the barangay level regarding the violation of zoning ordinances including
8 
opposition to applications for locational clearances, permits or certificates.
9 
For purposes of this Act, the City/Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator
10 
(C/MPDC) shall: (a) act on all applications for locational clearances for all projects except
11 
those of vital and national economic or environmental significance; and (b) monitor on-
12 
going/existing projects within their respective jurisdictions and issue notices of violation
13 
to owners, developers, or managers of projects that are violative of zoning ordinances.
14 
The C/MLUPC may call upon any local official concerned such as C/MPDC,
15 
City/Municipal Agriculturist, City/Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer,
16 
City/Municipal Engineer, City/Municipal Assessor, or any official of national agencies
17 
during discussions on land use and physical planning concerns.
18 
Local government units without operational C/MDC as mandated by the 1991 LGC
19 
shall activate their respective Councils within six (6) months from the effectivity of this
20 
Act.
21 
SEC. 21. Provincial Land Use Policy Council (PLUPC). - 
The Provincial
22 
Development Council (PDC), created under Section 106 of the LGC, shall act as the
23 
Provincial Land Use Policy Council that will tackle land use concerns whenever necessary.
24 
A duly authorized representative from the DENR, DAR and the DA shall be included in the
25 
composition of the PLUPC.
26 
In addition to the functions enumerated in Section 109 of the LGC, the PLUPC
27 
shall:
28 
a. Advise the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on all matters pertaining to land use and
29 
physical planning;
30 
b. Review and endorse to the Sangguniang Paniaiawigan for adoption, the
31 
provincial physical framework plans, prepared and periodically updated by the Provincial
32 
Planning and Development Office and other land use and physical planning-related
33 
policies;
34 
c. Assist the Sangguniang Paniaiawigan in reviewing the CLUPs of component
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cities/municipalities to ensure consistency with the provincial physical framework plans 
and compliance with the limits prescribed under the 1991 LGC for reclassifying agricultural 
lands; and
d. 
Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, and, 
allocation that may arise between or among cities/municipalities and any unresolved land 
use conflicts at the city/municipal level.
The PLUPC may call upon any local official concerned such as Provincial Planning 
and Development Coordinator, Provincial Agriculturist, Provincial Environment and 
Natural Resources Officer, Provincial Engineer, Provincial Assessor, or any official of 
national agencies and other relevant agencies during discussions on land use and physical 
planning concerns.
SEC. 22. Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC). - At the regional level, 
the Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC) shall be institutionalized, replicating the 
NLUC structure and composition which shall include a duly authorized representative from 
the NEDA, the DENR, DA and the DAR. The RLUPC shall have the following functions:
a. Formulate and adopt regional policies on land use and physical planning;
b. Prepare and periodically update a regional physical framework plan, taking into 
consideration national polices and lower level plans;
c. Assist the provinces in preparing and periodically updating its physical 
framework plans to ensure consistency with the regional and national plans and policies 
and to facilitate its integration to the regional plans;
d. Review, prior to adoption by respective Sanggunians, the provincial physical 
framework plan and CLUPs of highly urbanized and independent component cities to 
ensure consistency with the regional physical framework plan and national policies set 
forth by LUPC and compliance with limits prescribed under the 1991 LGC for reclassifying 
agricultural lands;
e. Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, and 
allocation that may arise between or among regional line agencies, provinces and 
cities/municipalities;
f. 
Monitor changes in land use and other physical resources in the region;
g. Evaluate consistency of major programs and projects with the regional physical 
framework plans and their impact on land use and the environment;
h. Undertake the gathering of regional data for the Land Resource Information 
and Management System; and
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i. 
Perform other related functions as may be directed by the LUPC.
2 
Article 3
3 
Adoption, Approval and Review of Land Use Plans
4 
SEC. 23. Component Cities and M unicipalities. - Component cities and
5 
municipalities shall have the power and authority to adopt and approve their respective
6 
CLUPs and ZOs through their respective Sanggunians subject to the power of review of
7 
their respective provinces only with respect to the consistency of the CLUPs and ZOs with
8 
Section 8 hereof on the preparation of the provincial physical framework plan. Upon
9 
adoption and approval of the CLUP and ZO by the Sanggunian, all land areas zoned for
10 
residential purposes or for settlements development shall cease to be covered by the
11 
CARP and therefore, shall not be required to secure further order of land conversion or
12 
exemption certificates from the DAR, except for the payment of disturbance
13 
compensation if applicable, as well as the requirements pertaining to the issuance of
14 
environmental compliance certificate (ECC) by the DENR.
15 
SEC. 24. 
Provinces and Independent and Highly Urbanized Cities. -
16 
Provinces and independent and highly urbanized cities shall have the power and authority
17 
to adopt and approve their respective CLUPs, ZOs or provincial physical framework plan,
18 
as the case may be, through their respective Sanggunian but subject to the review of the
19 
RLUPC as provided in Section 22 of this Act.
20
21 
Article 4
22 
Responsibilities Of The National Government Agencies And Lgus
23 
SEC. 25. National Base Mapping Program. - A national mapping program
24 
shall be implemented, coordinated, and monitored through the creation of an Inter-
25 
agency Technical Committee (UC) composed of the National Mapping and Resource
26 
Information Authority (NAMRIA), as the lead agency, the Bureau of Soils and Water
27 
Management (BSWM), the Forest Management Bureau (FMB), the Land Management
28 
Bureau (LMB), the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), the Mines and
29 
Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
30 
(PHIVOLCS), DAR, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), DOE, NEDA and other
31 
concerned government agencies/bureaus. The UC shall be constituted, and the mapping
32 
program shall be initiated, within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act. The
33 
agencies mentioned in this Section shall endeavor to finish their base mapping program
34 
within two (2) years upon the effectivity of this Act.
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1 
For purposes of uniformity and standardization, the LGUs, to be assisted by the
2 
appropriate agencies of the national government, shall likewise prepare their respective
3 
territorial maps using scales, symbols, and other indicators to be prescribed in accordance
4 
with this Act. The completed maps shall be integrated in the national physical framework
5 
plan pursuant to Section 5 of this Act.
6 
SEC. 26. National Geo-hazard Mapping Program. - Within thirty (30) days
7 
from the effectivity of this Act, a nationwide geo-hazard mapping program shall be
8 
initiated jointly thru the NLUC by the PHIVOLCS, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical
9 
and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the NAMRIA, the Mines and
10 
Geosciences Bureau (MGB), BSWM, and DOE, in coordination with the National Disaster
11 
Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Regional Disaster Risk
12 
Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), and other concerned government
13 
agencies. The program shall include the generation of indicative geo-hazard zoning maps
14 
that will outline areas in the Philippines which are prone to liquefaction, landslides, severe
15 
flooding, lahar, ground rupturing, tsunami, river erosion, coastal erosion, sinkhole
16 
collapse, earthquake, lava flow, pyroclastic flow, base surge, and other natural hazards.
17 
For purposes of uniformity and standardization and in order to develop a safe-
18 
built environment, the LGUs shall subsequently incorporate and integrate the generated
19 
geo-hazard zoning maps in their respective CLUPs. Said geo-hazard maps shall serve as
20 
guide for all the LGUs in the preparation of their own hazards-constrained development
21 
plans. The national framework physical planning, pursuant to Section 5 hereof, shall
22 
incorporate these geo-hazard maps.
23 
All infrastructure activities including real estates and subdivision projects and the
24 
development of tourist spots requiring an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)
25 
shall be required to submit an Engineering Geological and Geo-hazard Assessment Report
26 
(EGGAR).
27 
SEC. 27. 
Scope and Nature o f Responsibilities o f Other National
28 
Governm ent Agencies. - All concerned national government agencies/bodies shall
29 
periodically report to the NLUC on the various activities and accomplishments relative to
30 
land use. Likewise, they shall provide their respective sectoral/development plans and
31 
render technical and administrative support if called upon by the NLUC relative to the
32 
implementation of the provisions of this Act.
33 
SEC. 28. Submission o f Annual Report on the Im plem entation of CLUPs.
34 
- The C/MLUPC shall submit an annual report on the implementation of their land use
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plans to the PLUPC, which shall integrate the same for submission to the RLUPC, which 
shall in turn integrate the provincial reports for submission to the NLUC.
CHAPTER VI
SPECIAL AREAS OF CONCERN 
Article I
Agricultural Lands
SEC. 29. P rio rity Areas fo r A gricu ltura l Developm ent. - Priority areas for 
agricultural development shall be those agricultural areas covered under Republic Act No. 
6657 or the CARP, as amended, and those covered under Network of Protected Areas for 
Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Development (NPAAAD), defined in Section 4 of this Act 
and in R.A. No. 8435 or the "Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act".
SEC. 30. Conversion o f A gricu ltura l Lands. - Agricultural lands are deemed 
converted to non-agricultural uses upon approval by the DAR of the application for 
conversion. Prime agricultural lands and specific types of lands to the extent necessary 
for attaining food self-sufficiency in rice and corn and food security in other basic 
commodities, as determined by the DA, subject to mandatory consultation with the LCDs, 
the private sector, the NGOs, and POs, shall be protected from conversion, which shall 
include but not limited to areas under the NPAAAD: Provided, That all irrigated and 
irrigable lands, all lands developed or possessing the potential for development of high 
value crops, and all agricultural lands that are ecologically fragile and whose conversion 
will result in serious environmental problems shall be given full protection from 
conversion, the areas under which are subject to review every seven (7) years by the DA, 
with the mandatory public consultations: Provided, further. That consistent with the State 
policy on giving priority to the completion of the CARP, all lands subject to CARP including 
those lands covered under the notice of compulsory acquisition/voluntary offer to sell, 
production or profit-sharing, or commercial farm deferment shall also be protected from 
conversion pending the distribution and installation of the farmer beneficiaries, but 
thereafter. Section 22 of R.A. No. 9700 or CARP Extension shall apply: Provided, 
furthermore. That the conversion of agricultural lands for use of priority government 
projects for basic services such as, but not limited to, irrigation and power shall be allowed 
only upon the recommendation of the Secretaries of the DA and the DAR: Provided, 
finally. That the mapping of the NPAAAD under the AFMA shall be completed within two 
(2) years from the effectivity of this Act.
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1 
Lands defined under Section 10 of R.A. No. 6657 shall remain exempted and
2 
excluded from the coverage of CARP.
3 
SEC. 31. Sub-classification or Re-classification o f Agricultural Lands by
4 
LGUs. - Sub-classification or re-classification of agricultural lands to other uses under
5 
Section 20 of the LGC of 1991 shall exclude the protected agricultural lands as stated in
6 
the 
preceding 
section. 
Moreover, 
such 
sub-classification/reclassification 
is 
not
7 
synonymous to conversion. The DA and DAR shall provide the LGUs with complete list
8 
and maps of protected agricultural lands within their territorial jurisdictions.
9
10 
Article 2
11 
Forest Lands A nd W atershed Management
12 
SEC. 32. Reversion o f Alienable and Disposable Lands to  Forestlands. -
13 
Upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the DENR, duly reviewed and endorsed by
14 
the NLUC, and after due consultations with the concerned LGUs and affected parties,
15 
Congress may authorize the reversion of alienable and disposable lands of the public
16 
domain or portion thereof to forestlands. Thereafter, said lands shall be included in the
17 
preparation of land use plans within forestlands.
18 
SEC. 33. Critical Watershed Areas. - The DENR, in coordination with the DA,
19 
LGUs, and other government agencies, including government-owned and-controlled
20 
corporations, and with mandatory public consultations, shall identify and delineate critical
21 
watershed areas that need to be protected, rehabilitated, enhanced, and/or withdrawn
22 
from uses that contribute to their further degradation.
23 
SEC. 34. 
Form ulation and Im plem entation o f Integrated Watershed
24 
Management Plans. - 
In the absence of a law on the protection and sustainable
25 
management of our forests, the LGUs through their local land use committees and upon
26 
mandatory consultations with the concerned sectors, and with the assistance of DENR,
27 
shall prepare their watershed management plans which shall be integrated with their
28 
respective CLUPs. The formulation and integration of the plan shall be guided, among
29 
others, by the principle that the management and development of inland water resources
30 
shall be at the watershed level. A nationwide mapping of watersheds in the country shall
31 
be implemented.
32 
In cases where the watershed areas transcend the boundaries of a particular
33 
municipality, an inter-LGU committee composed of representatives from local land use
34 
committees of the LGUs where the watershed area is located shall be formed. With the
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assistance of the DENR and upon mandatory consultations with the concerned sectors, 
the inter-LGU committee shall formulate the watershed management plan for the said 
watershed area.
The DENR and the concerned LGUs shall jointly implement the watershed 
management plan subject to regular consultations with and involvement of the 
community and other stakeholders in the implementation of the plan.
The preparation of forest land use plans shall make use of the watershed as the 
basic planning unit.
Article 3 
Coastal Zone
SEC. 35. Criteria on the Allocation and U tilization o f Lands w ith in  the 
Coastal Zones. - The allocation and utilization of lands within the coastal zones shall 
be guided by the following:
a) Areas vegetated with mangrove species shall be preserved for mangrove 
production and shall not be converted to other uses;
b) Areas which meet all accepted criteria on elevation, soil type, soil depth, 
topography, supply for successful fishpond development, and are not identified as 
mangrove protected areas, shall be utilized for aquaculture purposes;
c) Areas sub-classified as mangrove and still suitable for use as such, or due to 
environmental conditions need to be preserved as mangrove, but is devoid of mangrove 
stands shall not be converted to other uses. The DENR shall ensure that these lands 
shall be reforested within a given period of time;
d) Areas accessible to the sea and identified for fisherfolk settlement and housing 
shall be allocated to traditional fisherfolk who are inhabitants of the coastal communities 
and members of legitimate fisherfolk organizations and/or holders of stewardship lease 
contracts or titles to ancestral domains or any form of property right arrangements who 
participate in coastal resource management initiatives, subject to the usual census 
procedures of the HUDCC.
e) Areas which are neither sub-classified as mangrove, fisherfolk settlement nor 
fishpond may be devoted to recreational or tourism purposes: Provided, That such 
undertaking will not result in environmental degradation and displacement of small 
fishers;
f) Areas which are considered as traditional fishing grounds shall be used 
primarily for such purpose;
31


1 
g) Areas which have been allocated for small infrastructure needed by fisherfolk
2 
shall be allowed; and
3 
h) Areas which form part of foreshore lands as defined in this Act including those
4 
which are under lease agreements or arrangements shall undergo zoning and evaluation
5 
to determine their boundaries and actual sizes and corresponding uses.
6 
SEC. 36. Coastal Land Zone Sub-classification. - All public lands in the
7 
coastal zones shall be sub-classified into any of the following: estuaries, lagoons, inter-
8 
tidal flats, mudflats, fishponds, mangroves, protection from tidal surge, for preservation
9 
of biodiversity, habitats and sanctuaries for endangered wildlife, fisherfolk settlement, or
10 
recreational/tourism areas. No sub-classification of coastal zones to different uses shall
11 
be done without the following:
12 
a) Conduct of a comprehensive resource and environmental assessment by the
13 
DENR and respective LCDs and accredited NGOs and POs within their jurisdiction; and
14 
b) Prior consultation with the Local Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management
15 
Councils (FARMCs) formed under Republic Act No. 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code.
16 
SEC. 37. 
Zoning o f Foreshore Areas. - 
Local government units, in
17 
coordination with the DENR, shall conduct zoning of their respective foreshore areas to
18 
assist government and community fishers identify priority areas for conservation and
19 
development, and to enable them to set targets for mangrove reforestation and
20 
rehabilitation.
21 
SEC. 38. Protection o f W aterways Easements and Flood Plains. -
22 
Structures of any kind shall not be built in waterways easements. Pursuant to PD 1067
23 
or the Water Code, the banks of rivers and streams and the shores of the seas and lakes
24 
throughout their entire length and within a zone of three (3) meters in urban areas,
25 
twenty (20) meters in agricultural areas and forty (40) meters in forest areas, along their
26 
margins, are subject to the easement of public use only in the interest of recreation,
27 
navigation, floatage, fishing and salvage.
28 
The protection of flood plains shall adopt a river basin management approach in
29 
order to come up with integrated flood mitigation interventions. Development within flood
30 
plains and other flood-prone areas must be controlled or, if allowed, must be so sited,
31 
constructed and serviced that life of occupants are not put at risk and that disruptions
32 
during floods are minimal. The identification and characterization of flood-prone areas
33 
and flood plains shall be an integral part of CLUP preparation. Through the CLUPs and
34 
zoning ordinances, LGUs shall establish land use regulations to mitigate flood risks.
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1 
The DPWH, in coordination with DOST and DENR, shall declare flood control areas,
2 
as necessary, and prohibit or control activities that could damage or cause deterioration
3 
of lakes and dikes, obstruct the flow of water, change the natural flow of rivers, increase
4 
flood losses or aggravate flood problems pursuant to PD 1067.
5
6 
Article 4
7 
Mineral Lands
8 
SEC. 39. Criteria fo r the U tilization and Allocation o f Land fo r Mining
9 
Purposes. - Consistent with Section 6 of this Act and the provisions of Republic Act No.
10 
7942 or the Mining Act of 1995, and to ensure that the objectives of maintaining
11 
ecological balance and maximizing economic returns to mining operations are realized,
12 
the allocation and utilization of lands for mining purposes shall be guided by the
13 
following:
14 
a) The principles of sustainable development and responsible mining;
15 
b) In case of small-scale mining, adequate and acceptable safeguards shall be
16 
instituted by the holders of mining rights or permits to prevent environmental
17 
degradation of the mining sites and adjacent areas;
18 
c) Mineral reservations which have become non-operational for more than five
19 
(5) years as determined by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) shall be placed
20 
under appropriate surface management by the DENR; and
21 
d) Consistent with the Mining Act of 1995, areas closed to mining operations shall
22 
be periodically reviewed through mineral exploration to be undertaken by the DENR for
23 
the purpose of determining whether or not their continued closure is consistent with the
24 
national interest and, if warranted, recommend their reclassification as mineral lands.
25 
e) Protection forestlands and agricultural lands shall be exempt from mining
26 
activities to minimize the effect of natural calamities and to protect food security
27 
respectively. The small to large scale mining operations shall yield from and recognize
28 
the tenurial instrument given by the government such as original certificate of title (OCT),
29 
transfer certificate of title (TCT), certificate of ancestral domain title (CADT),
30 
emancipation patent-certificate of land ownership award (EP-CLOA) and other
31 
instruments. If these be present, no mining activity shall be conducted.
32 
SEC. 40. Reversion o f Mineral Lands. - All mineral lands with exhausted
33 
mineral resources, as determined by the MGB upon the recommendation of the DENR,
34 
shall revert to its original land classification, that is, as forestland or agricultural land. In
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the case of forestlands, the DENR may classify such areas for other purposes in
2 
consultation with concerned LGU's, the Department of Tourism (DOT), and other national
3 
government agencies.
4
5 
Article 5
6 
Energy Resource Lands
7 
SEC. 41. Guidelines for the U tilization and Allocation o f Lands for Energy
8 
Resource Exploration, Development, Production, U tilization, and Distribution
9 
Purposes. - 
To ensure that the objectives of maintaining ecological balance and
10 
maximizing the power potential from indigenous energy resources in the most economical
11 
and environmentally-acceptable means are realized, the allocation and utilization of lands
12 
for said purposes shall be guided by the following, consistent with existing regulations
13 
and laws on energy resources:
14 
a) Indigenous energy resource exploration and development for the purpose of a
15 
National Energy Resource Inventory and Data Base as well as Energy Resource Block Map
16 
shall be allowed subject to the implementation of complementary watershed and other
17 
land management plans;
18 
b) Indigenous energy resource exploration, development, production, utilization,
19 
and distribution shall be subject to the appropriate requirements and processes of the
20 
Philippine Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) system. Each project shall secure an
21 
Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) prior to project implementation to ensure
22 
adequate and appropriate environmental management measures and optimum methods
23 
for resource access and recovery are utilized; and
24 
c) Energy reservations or portions thereof which have become or have been
25 
established to be non-economically viable to operate or are no longer used for energy
26 
purposes shall be released to give way to other land uses, subject to existing laws
27 
covering energy reservations.
28 
SEC. 42. Reversion o f Energy Resource Lands. - All exhausted indigenous
29 
energy resource lands not covered by proclamations shall automatically revert to the
30 
category of forestlands or agricultural lands open to disposition, whichever is appropriate.
31 
Exhausted energy resource lands shall refer to specific energy resource sites whose
32 
energy reserves of the desired type/s are no longer in sufficient quantity or quality to
33 
justify additional expenditure for their extraction and utilization.
34
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CHAPTER V II
SETTLEMENTS DEVELOPMENT
SEC. 43. Town, City, and Settlem ents Development. - The development 
of town, city, and settlements through the zoning ordinances of cities and municipalities 
shall be guided by CLUPs and urban zoning standards designed to maximize existing 
urban spaces. Socialized housing and settlement areas shall be established only on 
alienable and disposable lands in order to avoid further degradation of forestlands.
SEC. 44. Settlem ents w ith in  Geo-hazard Areas. - Settlements, in particular 
housing or residential developments, within geo-hazard areas may be allowed provided 
that mitigating and/or protective measures are adopted to address the potential danger 
or risk to lives and property within such settlements. In coordination with the concerned 
agencies of the government, the LUPC shall provide assistance to concerned LGUs and 
settlers in instituting safety and corrective measures to address the potential danger or 
risk.
Residential zones as designated in the CLUP shall be considered as outside the 
geo-hazard areas. For this purpose, housing projects within such areas shall be exempt 
from the ECC as well as the Engineering Geological and Geohazard Assessment Report 
(EGGAR) and maybe implemented without the need for any further certificate of 
exemption from the DENR or any other government regulatory agency.
SEC. 45. Designation o f Sanitary Landfill. - Each city or municipality shall 
identify, designate and allocate an area within their territorial jurisdiction to serve as 
sanitary landfill within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. The LGUs, in 
coordination with the DENR or any other competent authority, shall identify sanitary 
landfill in order to fast-track the conduct of environmental impact assessment study and 
to facilitate processing of the environmental compliance certificate. The site or area shall 
be identified in the city or municipality's CLUP. For this purpose, cities and municipalities 
shall establish their solid waste management program, pursuant to R.A. No. 9003, 
otherwise known as the "Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000". Likewise, as 
provided under Section 33 of the LGC, cities and municipalities may, through appropriate 
ordinances, bind themselves towards the establishment of a common solid waste 
management program.
Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DENR, in coordination 
with concerned agencies, shall promulgate the necessary guidelines and standards for
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the formulation and establishment of solid waste management programs by cities and 
municipalities, and shall submit the same to the LUPC for review and approval.
SEC. 46. D esignation and Zoning o f Socialized Housing Zones. - Each 
city or municipality in urban, urbanizable and rural areas shall designate through the 
CLUP adequate lands for housing or residential purposes, including socialized housing 
and resettlement areas for the immediate and future needs of the local population as 
well as the underprivileged and homeless in their territory, pursuant to existing laws and 
regulations. In order to ensure adequate availability of land for the housing needs of the 
local population, the CLUP shall be updated, at maximum, every TEN (10) years for 
provinces, cities and municipalities.
The designated sites for socialized housing shall be located in residential zones, 
and shall be zoned as socialized housing zones that are integrated in the city or 
municipality's zoning ordinance, pursuant to existing laws and regulations.
Fisherfolk settlements and housing in coastal municipalities shall be zoned near 
the sea for easy access to their livelihood as provided under Section 36 (b) of this Act.
The housing or residential lands designated in the CLUPS and ZOs of cities and 
municipalities shall, on one hand, not be subject to further land reclassification by the 
LGU or land conversion procedure under DAR. On the other hand, agricultural lands as 
designated in the CLUP which are no longer economically feasible for agricultural use may 
be subject to land reclassification or conversion to housing/residential purposes and such 
conversion, as the case may be, shall be exempt from the coverage of any moratorium 
on land conversion.
SEC. 47. 
Urban Forest o r Green Space. - 
Each city or highly urbanizing 
municipality shall identify, designate, and allocate lands owned by the city or municipality 
as urban forest or green space based on the guidelines and standards to be issued by 
the DENR and approved by the NLUC.
CHAPTER V III
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS
SEC. 48. C riteria fo r D esignating In d u s tria l D evelopm ent Areas. - The
identification and establishment of industrial development areas shall conform with the 
provisions of R. A. No.7916, or the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Act, R.A. 
No. 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, (CARP) Act, as amended by 
R.A. No. 9700 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Extension and
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Reforms Act (CARPER), R.A. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), R.A. No.
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7279 or the Urban Development Housing Act (UDHA), and R.A. No. 8435 or the
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Agriculture and 
Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA), taking into consideration the
4 
following:
5 
a) Identified network of areas for agricultural development and protected
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agricultural areas pursuant to the AFMA;
7 
b) National policies on the regional dispersal of industries and agri-based
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industrial development;
9 
c) Identified growth areas and corridors in the National Development Plan;
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d) National Protected Areas System (NIPAS) and non-NIPAS areas that require
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protection;
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e) National and Urban Development and Housing Framework;
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f) Identified Socialized Housing Zones; and
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g) National framework for physical planning and other existing national programs
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and policies.
16 
The designated industrial development areas shall become an integral part of the
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land use plan and zoning ordinance of the city or municipality where these areas are
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located.
19
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CHAPTER IX
21 
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND HERITAGE AREAS
22 
SEC. 49. Designating Tourism Development Areas. - The identification,
23 
selection, and development of tourism development areas, tourism estates and tourism
24 
enterprise zones (TEZs) shall be done in consultation and coordination with the concerned
25 
LGUs, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and concerned
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national government agencies, the private sector, and the affected communities, subject
27 
to the provisions of R.A. No. 9593 or Tourism Act of 2009. Tourism development areas
28 
shall likewise include those covered by legislative and executive issuances as tourist
29 
spots, tourist zones and tourism ecozones which can be developed into tourism estates
30 
or integrated resort, leisure and recreation complexes and other tourism-related facilities
31 
as well as those identified in the national, regional and inter-regional tourism, and area
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specific tourism master plans and other sector plans such as ecotourism and agri-tourism
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sites.
34 
Designated areas for tourism development shall become part of the CLUPs of the
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cities or municipalities where these are located.
Lands identified as part of a TEZ shall qualify for exemption from the coverage of 
RAs 7279 and 6657 subject to rules and regulations to be crafted by the TIEZA, HUDCC 
and DAR: Provided, That a certificate shall be obtained from the DA that said lands are 
no longer economically feasible and sound for agricultural purposes, consistent with 
Section 46(c) of this Act.
SEC. 50. 
Identification and Declaration o f Areas for Protection, 
Conservation and Preservation o f Cultural Heritage. - 
Pursuant to R. A. No.
10066, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and/or the National 
Museum in coordination with National Commission for Culture and the Arts, HLURB and 
other concerned agencies, local communities, and the private sector, shall identify 
declared areas and structures which shall be protected and/or preserved as part of the 
Philippine cultural heritage.
The LCDs in coordination with the NHCP, the National Commission for Culture and 
Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) shall designate historical 
zones to protect the historical integrity of said geographical areas and cultural space of 
intangible cultural properties.
CHAPTER X
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
SEC. 51. Allocation and Use of Land for Infrastructure Development. -
Land, whether public or private, shall be allocated and utilized for priority infrastructure 
projects that are supportive of national or local development objectives. The NEDA, in 
consultation with the concerned national government agencies, LGUs, and the private 
sector shall identify and periodically review, update and/or revise the list of priority 
infrastructure projects subject to Sections 6 and 30 of this Act, and Section 47 of R. A. 
No. 8435 or AFMA. 
In determining and evaluating the list of priority infrastructure 
projects, consideration shall be given to those that:
(a) Respond to immediate and vital requirements of the national economy with 
priority on improving rural infrastructure and the development of the agriculture and 
fisheries sectors;
(b) Upgrade existing facilities to international standards;
(c) Address the need for sustainable settlements development; and,
(d) Help mitigate the destructive effects of natural disaster-causing phenomena or
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those that shall serve as alternatives to existing infrastructures found in natural hazard- 
prone areas: Provided, That the provision and implementation of infrastructure support 
shall be made compatible with existing environmental conditions and the physical, 
whether natural or human-made, and cultural character of the area. Mandatory public 
consultations pursuant to existing laws and regulations shall be held prior to the conduct 
of all infrastructure projects that will necessarily involve dislocation or displacement of 
people in the area: Provided, further. That the proponent of the infrastructure project 
shall follow the rules on just and humane eviction or demolition under Section 28 of R. 
A. No. 7279 or the Urban Development Housing Act (UDHA), notwithstanding the 
provisions of Republic Act No. 8975, prohibiting lower courts from issuing temporary 
restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, or preliminary mandatory injunctions, and 
proponent shall follow IPRA: Provided, finally. That national government infrastructure 
projects shall allocate budget for the adequate relocation of displaced communities.
SEC. 52. Infrastructure Projects W ithin Geo-hazard Areas.- Construction 
of priority infrastructure projects within hazard-prone areas shall be allowed: Provided, 
That mitigating and/or preventive measures are adopted to address the potential 
adverse economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts that will emanate from 
these infrastructure projects, subject to the findings and recommendations of a feasibility 
study/environmental impact assessment in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 
1586, Establishing An Environmental Impact Statement System, Including Other 
Environmental Management Related Measures, 
and R. A. No. 4846 or the Cultural 
Properties Preservation and Protection Act, as amended by Presidential Decree 374.
Existing projects that did not go through the process of an environmental impact 
assessment and pose threats to the environment, integrity of historic, archeological, or 
scientifically significant areas; or are impinging on critical ecosystems, may be: (a) 
terminated immediately, (b) required to implement an Environmental Management Plan; 
(c) gradually phased-out and relocated, or (d) maintained up to their life span, subject, 
however, to mitigating measures: Provided, That the rules on mandatory public 
consultations and just and humane eviction or demolition shall also be observed prior to 
the termination, gradual phase-out, or relocation of projects that will necessarily involve 
dislocation or displacement of people in the area.
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CHAPTER XI
TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND VALUE FORMATION
SEC. 53. Value Form ation. - In order to create a well-informed, responsible 
and committed citizenry who values the protection, conservation and development of the 
country's limited land, and other physical resources, the State shall mandate the inclusion 
of sustainable land use education or any subject related thereto in the curricula of 
primary, secondary and tertiary education.
SEC. 54. In fo rm a tio n  and Education Campaign. - The NLUC shall undertake 
a nationwide education information campaign in land use and physical planning to be 
implemented by local and national government agencies. The DILG and concerned 
agencies shall formulate and implement a land use management capability-building 
program for national and local government officials, community leaders, NGOs, POs, 
religious sector, and the general public: Provided, That it shall be mandatory for local 
government officials involved in the preparation of CLUPS and PPFDP, including the 
municipal, city and provincial development officer to attend the Land Use Management 
Capability-Building Program.
CHAPTER X II
INCENTIVES, SANCTIONS, AND PENALTIES 
Article 1
I ncentives and Awards
SEC. 55. Form ulation o f a System of Incentives and Awards. - The NLUC 
shall come out with a system of incentives and awards to LGUs that regularly update 
their CLUPs within the prescribed period, as follows:
(a) 
Provinces, Highly Urbanized Cities, and Independent Component Cities once 
every nine (9) years; and
(b) 
Component cities and municipalities once every nine (9) years.
SEC. 56. P riority in Giving Technical Assistance to  LGUs. - In providing 
technical assistance and other forms of support related to land use management and the 
implementation of development plans, the national government agencies shall give 
priority to cities and municipalities with approved CLUPs.
Article 2
Sanctions and Penalties
SEC. 57. 
Fine fo r Non-Completion and Non-Commencement of
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Development of Agricultural Lands w ith  Approved Order o f Conversion. - A
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landowner and his/her designated developer or duly authorized representative who fails
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to commence and/or complete the development of agricultural lands with approved order
4 
of conversion shall be penalized, jointly or severally, with any of the following fines based
5 
on the zonal value of the land at the time the fine is imposed:
6 
a. On failure to commence within one year from the date of conversion order:
7 
(1) Six percent (6%) of the zonal value of the subject land for the first three
8 
(3) hectares,
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(2) Fifteen percent (15%) of the zonal value of the subject land for the next
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three hectares, and
11 
(3) Thirty percent (30%) of the zonal value of the subject land for the
12 
remaining area: Provided, That the order of conversion shall be deemed revoked
13 
automatically and the land shall revert to its original agricultural use and covered
14 
by the DAR through compulsory acquisition for distribution to qualified
15 
beneficiaries.
16 
b. On failure to complete fifty percent (50%) of the approved conversion plan
17 
within a specified time frame. Fifty percent (50%) of the zonal value of the subject land
18 
and the revocation of the conversion plan on the undeveloped portion which shall
19 
automatically revert to its original use as agricultural land. The same shall be covered
20 
under the CARP and processed for land distribution as soon as possible.
21 
SEC. 58. A uthority to  Impose Fine. - The DAR shall impose the penalty
22 
provided for under the preceding section.
23 
SEC. 59. W ithdraw al o f Local Development Permits or Licenses. - Upon
24 
receipt of notice from the DAR, the concerned agencies and the city or municipality shall
25 
withdraw or revoke any development permit and other licenses that may be necessary
26 
to develop the agricultural land subject of conversion.
27 
SEC. 60. U tilization o f Fines. - The fines collected under Sections 57, 62 and
28 
63 hereof shall automatically accrue to the Agrarian Reform Fund consistent with the
29 
provisions of the CARP, as amended.
30 
SEC. 61. Failure to  Formulate, Enforce, a n d /o r Im plem ent the CLUPs.-
31 
Consistent with due process, the DILG shall investigate, review, and impose appropriate
32 
action regarding local chief executives and other local officials and employees responsible
33 
for the formulation, enforcement, and/or implementation of the CLUPs in case of any of
34 
the following:
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(a) 
Failure to implement and enforce the CLUP due to negligence of duty;
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(b) 
Failure to 
provide appropriate 
budgetary allocation 
to 
effect 
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implementation; and,
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(c) 
Failure to complete the preparation of the CLUP despite the availability of
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funds, resources, and support by the Sanggunian zoucQme(\.
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Any public official or employee, regardless of whether elected or appointed or
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holding office or employment in a casual, temporary, holdover, permanent, or regular
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capacity, found to be responsible for any of the foregoing acts, after due notice and
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hearing by the appropriate body or agency, shall be punished with forfeiture of salaries
10 
and allowances and suspension from:
11 
1. 
Six (6) to nine (9) months, in case of non-implementation of CLUP; or
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Three (3) to six (6) months, in case of non-completion of the CLUP.
13 
SEC. 62. Person(s) Abetting Ille g a l Conversion. - Any person initiating,
14 
causing, inducing, or abetting illegal conversion shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned
15 
from seven (7) to twelve (12) years and imposed a fine of not less than One hundred
16 
thousand (P100,000,00) pesos, or both at the discretion of the court: Provided, That if
17 
the offender is a public official or employee, whether elected or appointed, the penalty
18 
shall, in addition thereto, include dismissal through permanent separation from the
19 
service and forfeiture of all benefits and entitlements accruing to the public position and
20 
perpetual disqualification to run or apply for any elective or appointive public office:
21 
Provided, further, That if the offender is a juridical person, the penalty of imprisonment
22 
shall be imposed on the president, chief executive officer, manager, chairperson and all
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the members of the board, and other responsible officers thereof, and the fine shall be
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equivalent to the zonal value of the land or forty percent (40%) of the shareholders
25 
equity, as determined at the time of judgment whichever is higher, plus forfeiture of the
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land in favor of the State for sale though public auction, the proceeds of which shall
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automatically accrue to the Agrarian Reform Fund as provided for in Section 58 of this
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Act.
29 
SEC. 63. Penalty fo r Reclassification of Protected Agricultural Lands and
30 
Exceeding the Lim it of Areas Allowed for Reclassification. - Any person initiating,
31 
causing, inducing, or abetting the reclassification of protected agricultural areas into non-
32 
agricultural uses and exceeding the limits set forth under Section 20 of the LGC of 1991,
33 
shall be penalized with imprisonment of twelve (12) years and a fine of not less than One
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hundred thousand (P100,000.00) pesos, or both at the discretion of the Court: Provided,
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That if the offender is a public official or employee, the penalty shall, in addition thereto, 
include dismissal through permanent separation from the service, whether elected or 
appointed, and forfeiture of entitlements accruing to the public position, and perpetual 
disqualification to run or apply for any elective or appointive public position: Provided, 
further, That if the offender is a juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed on the 
president, chief executive officer, manager, chairperson and all the members of the 
board, and other responsible officers thereof
SEC. 64. Payment o f Disturbance Compensation.- Following the order of 
priority as enumerated in Section 22 of the CARP, as amended, qualified beneficiaries 
such as agricultural lessees and share tenants, regular farm workers, seasonal farm 
workers, other farm workers, actual tillers or occupants of public lands, collective, or 
cooperative of the above-mentioned beneficiaries, and others directly working on the 
land affected by agricultural land use conversion shall be entitled to the payment of 
disturbance compensation equivalent to five (5) times the average of the gross harvests 
on the landholding during the last five (5) preceding calendar years or a certain 
percentage of the converted land, whichever is higher, as determined by the DAR.
CHAPTER X III
TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 65. Convening o f the NLUC. - Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity 
of this Act, the President shall convene the NLUC.
SEC. 66. Im plem enting Rules and Regulations. - 
Within six (6) months 
from the effectivity of this Act, the NLUC shall promulgate the rules and regulations to 
implement the provisions of this Act. Said rules and regulations shall be submitted to the 
Congressional Oversight Committee for approval.
SEC. 67. 
Congressional Oversight Committee on the Land Use Act.- 
There is hereby created a Congressional Oversight Committee which shall monitor the 
implementation of this Act. It shall be composed of seven (7) members from the Senate 
Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and seven (7) members from the 
House of Representatives Committees on Natural Resources. The Chairpersons of the 
Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and the House of 
Representatives Committee on Natural Resources shall be the Chair and Co-Chair of the 
Congressional Oversight Committee, respectively. The other members from the Senate 
shall be appointed by the Senate President based on proportional representation of the
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parties or coalitions therein with at least one (1) senator representing the minority. The
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other members from the House of Representatives shall be appointed by the Speaker
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also based on proportional representation of the parties or coalitions therein with at least
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one (1) member representing the minority.
5 
The secretariat of the Oversight Committee shall be drawn from the existing
6 
secretariat personnel of the committees comprising the oversight and the funding shall
7 
be taken from the appropriations of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
8 
SEC. 68. Appropriations. - 
The appropriations for the National Land Use
9 
Commission shall be taken from the budget of the Office of the President in the General
10 
Appropriations Act in the year following the effectivity of this Act and shall be used to
11 
carry out the initial operations of the National Land Use Commission. 
Thereafter,
12 
additional sums as may be necessary for the full implementation of NLUC's functions shall
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be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
14 
SEC. 69. 
Review o f Existing Land Use Plans. - 
Provinces, cities, and
15 
municipalities with existing land use plans shall review, revise, reconcile, and harmonize
16 
the same with the guidelines and standards set forth under this Act within three (3) years
17 
from the effectivity of this Act.
18 
SEC. 70. Repealing Clause. 
- All republic acts, executive orders, rules and
19 
regulations, and other issuances, or 
parts thereof, that are inconsistent with the
20 
provisions of this Republic Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
21 
SEC. 71. Non-im pairm ent Clause. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed as
22 
to diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or available to marginalized or
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basic sectors under existing laws including but not limited to Republic Act Nos. 7279,
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6657, 8371, and 8550.
25 
SEC. 72. Separability Clause. - 
If for any reason or reasons, any part or
26 
provision of this Act shall be declared or held to be unconstitutional or invalid other parts
27 
or provisions hereof, which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and
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effect.
29 
SEC. 73. E ffectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
30 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
31 
circulation.
32 
Approved,
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