THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Biazon 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
There already exist rules for most, if not all, issues pertaining to land use, including land 
registration, local governance, taxation, agrarian reform, protected areas, ancestral domain, 
fisheries, agricultural modernization, mining, and urban development and housing, among other 
things. For instance, environmentally cfitical areas are well defined by AgricuItural and Fisheries 
Modernization Act. Laws on land classification, such as the Land Registration Act of 1902 and 
the Public Land Act of 1936, have long been in place. Among the more recent laws are the 
Urban Development and Housing Act, focusing on urban land development and shelter, and the 
Indigenous People's Rights Act covering anwstral domains. 
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power 
zoning 
Then, there is the Local Government Code, which grants to municipalities and cities the 
to prescribe limits on the use of property, adopt comprehensive land use plans, enact 
ordinances, and reclassify land within their jurisdictions. Numerous functions formerly 
lodged with the national government have also been devolved to the local government units 
(LGUs), such as the granting of development permits for subdivision projects and the 
enforcement of environmental laws. 
The Comprehensive Land Reform Law also allows the Department of Agrarian Reform 
to reclassify land through conversion, giving priority to industrial centers, tourism development 
areas and sites for socialized housing. Other laws, such as the Economic Zone Act, the Fisheries 
Code, the People's Small Scale Mining Act and the Tourism Development Act, are also focused 
on delineating the use of land. 
,- 
Yet all these laws are, apparently, not enough. Relentless population growth and 
numerous priorities such as food production, human settlements, industry and environmental 
protection continue to compete over the use and exploitation of limited land resources, thereby 
putting more pressure to come up with a more comprehensive system of land use. 
Land use is an issue of governance. A comprehensive law should bring together all the 
laws and rules that have anything to do with land use. This should lay the foundation for the 
efficient management of land and other physical resources without compromising its future 
availability. It involves choices - between conflicting uses, opportunities and interests, Any 
discussion on land use, therefore, must necessarily seek to resolve and rationaIize the conflicting 
claims of various stakeholders and interest groups. 
The government recognizes the conflicting interests in land use in the context of a 
growing national population. For instance, it acknowledges that the conflict generated by the 
indiscriminate conversion of agricultural land for other uses redGunds to a problem with land 
allocation and use. 


While government recognizes the existence of various laws on land use that have now 
served as the mandate of various government agencies dealing with land concerns, it also now 
acknowledges that these laws are not enough to systematize and synchronize government 
decisions on where, how and how much land should be used for a particular need. 
This bill aims to provide the overall framework for the rational allocation, disposition, 
sustainable use, and management of land resources for a variety of ecological and economic 
uses, and to prevent premature conversion of agricultural lands for other uses. 
This bill particularly aims to formulate a Physical Framework Plan and to define the 
indicative uses of land and other physical resources &om the national level down to the cities and 
municipalities that shall guide local government units (LGUs) in their planning process. 
The government strongly believes that there should be an orderly allocation of land for 
agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial and tourism purposes. It is for this reason that 
passage of this bill is urgently needed. 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
'OR JUL -2 
A8 156 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
29 
Introduced by Senator Rodolfo G. Biazon 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, 
PROVIDING THE IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS THEREFOR, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be It enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled 
CHAPTER I 
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS 
SECTION I, 
Title.- This Act shall be known and cited as the "National Land 
Use Act of the Philippines." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies and Principles.- It is the policy of the 
State to provide for a rational, holistic, and just allocation, utilization, management, 
and development of the country's land resources to ensure their optimum use 
consistent with the principle of sustainable development. 
Toward this end, the State shall adopt a land use and allocation pattern that 
promotes and ensures: 
(a) Sustainable and just management and utilization of natural resources; 
(b) Maintenance and preservation of environmental integrity and stability; 
(c) Food security in basic food commodities with emphasis on self-sufficiency 
in rice and corn production through efficient and sustainable use of land resources 
consistent with the principles of sound agricultural development, natural resources 
development, and agrarian reform; 
(d) Protection of prime agricultural lands for food production activities and 
highest priority to the completion of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program 
(CARP); 
(e) Sustainable development and management of water resources towards 
water security; 
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(f) Rational population distribution and settlements development; 
(9) Equitable and sustainable economic growth and balanced and dispersed 
industrial and tourism development guided by the principles of agrarian reform, 
urban land reform, and rural development; 
(h) Harmony between the rights and the varied interests of every Filipino 
within the framework of people empowerment, decentralization, social justice, and 
equity; 
(i) Respect for and protection of the sustainable traditional resource right of 
the Indigenous Cultural CommunitiesAndigenous Peoples (ICCsllPs) to their 
ancestral domains to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being as well 
as recognition of the applicability of customary laws and sustainable traditional 
resource use and management, knowledge, and practices in ancestral domains; 
(j) Protection of the right of basic sectors to equitable access to the country's 
land and other resources through state regulation of land valuation to prevent 
uncontrolled land speculation resulting in tremendous increase in land pricing; 
(k) Attainment of energy security or energy self-sufficiency through 
sustainable and priority development of indigenous energy resources; and 
(I) An integrated approach to the utilization, allocation, development and 
management of water as a limited resource to complement and support sustainable 
land utilization. 
It is also the policy of the State to institutionalize land use and physical 
planning as a mechanism for identifying, determining, and evaluating alternative 
land use patterns. This shall be supported by a national land use allocation system 
and a land use and resource information and management system. 
Guided by the principle that the use of land bears a social function and that 
all economic agents shall contribute to the common good, landowners shall be held 
responsible for developing and conserving their lands thereby making their lands 
productive and supportive of environmental stability. 
SECTION 3. Scope.- This Act shall apply to all lands whether public, private, 
government-owned, andlor in the possession of individuals, communities, 
indigenous peoples, or groups of people, to guide and govern the use, allocation, 
and management of land resources including such activities that bear impact on 
said resources. 
SECTION 4. Definitions.- As used in and for purposes of this Act, the 
following terms shall mean: 
(a) "Agricultural lands" refers to lands devoted to or suitable for the cultivation 
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of the soil, planting of crops, growing of fruit trees, raising of livestock, poultry, fish 
or aqua-culture production, including the harvesting of such farm products, and 
other farm activities and practices performed in conjunction with such farming 
operations done by persons whether natural or juridical; 
(b) "Agricultural land use conversion" refers to the undertaking of any 
development activity which modifies or alters the physical characteristics of 
agricultural lands to render them suitable for non-agricultural purposes with an 
approved order of conversion issued exclusively by the Department of Agrarian 
Reform (DAR); 
(c) "Alienable and disposable lands of the public domain" refers to lands of 
the public domain which have been delineated, classified, and certified as such and 
available for disposition under Commonwealth Act No.141, otherwise known as the 
"Public Land Act," as amended; 
(d) "Ancestral domains" refers to all areas generally belonging to ICCsllPs as 
defined in Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as the "indigenous Peoples 
Rights Act (IPRA) of 1998;" 
(e) "CLUP or Comprehensive land use plan" refers to a document embodying 
a set of policies accompanied by maps and similar illustrations. It represents the 
community-desired pattern of population distribution and proposes future allocation 
of land resources to various land-using activities. 
It identifies the allocation, 
character, and extent of the areas of land resources to be used for different 
purposes and includes the processes and the criteria employed in the determination 
of the land use. 
It incorporates the protected areas including the protected 
agricultural lands provided for in Section 30 hereof; 
(f) "Comprehensive land use planning'' refers to the act of defining the 
allocation, utilization, development and management of all lands within a given 
territory or jurisdiction according to the inherent qualities of the land itself and in 
pursuit of sustainable economic, demographic, socio-cultural, and environmental 
objectives; 
(9) "Coastal Area/Zone" refers to a band of dry land and the adjacent ocean 
space (water and submerged land) in which terrestrial processes and uses directly 
affect oceanic processes and uses, and vice versa. Its geographic extent may 
include areas within a landmark limit of one (1) kilometer from the shoreline at high 
tide to include mangrove swamps, brackish water ponds, nipa swamps, estuarine 
rivers, sandy beaches and other areas within a seaward limit of 200 meters isobath 
to include coral reefs, algal flats, seagrass beds, and other soft-bottom areas. For 
purposes of initiating and implementing sustainable coastal resources protection 
and management, it shall include foreshore lands; 
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(h) "Critical 'watershed" refers .to. a watershed supporting existing and 
proposed hydro-electric power and irrigation works needing immediate rehabilitation 
as it is being subjected to fast denudation causing accelerated erosion and 
destructive floods; 
(i) "Development plan" refers to a document which defines the activities or 
measures that the national government or local government units (LGU's) intend to 
implement in order to achieve a defined set of development goals. It integrates the 
socio-economic and sectoral plans of the national government or its instrumentality 
or a particular LGU with spatial plans such as land use or physical framework plans. 
It may include an analysis of problems and resources, definition of goals and 
objectives, policy guidelines, project and target achievements, and an 
implementation mechanism which defines.the roles and contributions expected from 
the government and the private sector; 
(j) "Ecologically-fragile lands" refers to lands within the critical watershed, 
brackish and freshwater wetlands, pasture lands, and croplands which require 
rehabilitation and whose continued unsustainable use would adversely affect the 
productivity of lowland agricultural areas and the stability of the upland system; 
(k) "Energy resource lands" refers to lands where naturally occurring or 
indigenous energy resources exist; 
(I) "Energy resources" refers to surface or subsurface substances which 
serve as energy sources. These are traditionally mineral fuel deposits such as coal, 
petroleum, natural gas or resources from geothermal or hydro reservoirs, or non- 
conventional sources such as ocean waves, solar, wind, biomass, and other similar 
resources which serve the same purpose; 
(m) "Environmentally critical areas" refers to areas declared by law as: (a) 
areas for natural parks, watershed reserves, wildlife preserves, and sanctuaries; (b) 
areas set aside as aesthetic potential tourist spots; (c) areas which constitute the 
habitat of any endangered or threatened species or indigenous Philippine wildlife 
(flora and fauna); (d) areas of unique historic, archaeological, or scientific interests; 
(e) areas which are traditionally occupied by ICCs/lPs; (t) areas with critical slopes; 
(9) areas frequently visited andlor hard hit by natural calamities (geologic hazards. 
floods, typhoons and volcanic activities); (h) prime agricultural lands; (i) recharge 
areas of aquifers; (j) water bodies; (k) mangrove areas; (I) coral reefs; (m) mossy 
and virgin forests; (n) rivers and river banks; and (0) swamp forest and marshlands; 
and (p) foreshore lands. For purposes of this Act, this term also refers to other 
terrestrial, aquatic and marine areas that need special protection and conservation 
measures because they are ecologically fragile or they are needed for food security 
and food self sufficiency as determined by concerned agencies and LGU's in 
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.
.
 
', 
consultation with the concerned sectors; 
(n) "Exhausted mineral resources" refers to a situation where the mineral 
resources in specific sites are no longer in sufficient quantity or quality to justify 
additional expenditure for extraction or utilization; 
(0) "Food security" refers to the policy objective of meeting the food 
availability, accessibility, and affordability requirements of the present and future 
generations of Filipinos in a sustainable manner, through local production or 
importation, only when there is shortage established based on a micro level 
situation, or both, based on the country's existing and potential resource 
endowments and related production advantages, and consistent with the overall 
national development objectives and policies; 
(p) "Food self-sufficiency" refers to the policy objective of meeting the food 
requirements through intensive local food production in a sustainable manner based 
on the country's existing and potential resource endowments and related production 
advantages; 
(9) "Forestlands" refers to lands of the public domain which have been 
classified or declared as such and all unclassified lands of the public domain; 
(r) "Foreshore land" refers to a string of land margining a body of water, the 
part of a seashore between the low-water line usually at the seaward margin of a 
low tide terrace and the upper limit of wave wash at high tide usually marked by a 
beach scarp or berm; 
(s) "Geo-hazards" refers to nature and man-induced geological processes 
that have potential to cause destruction and pose a threat or risk to man's life and 
property; 
(t) "Disaster-prone areas" refers to areas frequently visited andlor prone to 
experience weather/climatic, hydrologic, geologic, and other natural calamities; 
(u) "indigenous Cultural Communities/lndigenous Peoples (ICCs/lPs)" refers 
to groups of people or homogenous societies identified under the IPRA; 
(v) "Inland waters" refers to waters, which are not coastal and marine waters 
not subject to acquisitive prescription consistent with the provisions of Presidential 
Decree No. 1067, otherwise known as the"'Water Code of the Philippines"; 
(w) "Integrated watershed management" refers to a planning strategy or 
program for watershed areas that complement environmentally-sound soil and 
water management practices with mechanisms for ensuring greater responsibility, 
involvement, or participation of individuals, groups, communities and other 
stakeholders benefiting from these areas and water-related infrastructure; 
(x) "Land" refers to resources, both man-made and natural, found on the 
surface, below, and above the ground including inland waters and the air therein; 
5 


(y) "Land sub-classification" refers to the act of determining and assigning 
specific uses of classified lands of the public domain, such as forest or timber lands, 
alienable or disposable agricultural lands, national parks, and mineral lands in 
accordance with existing laws and this Act; 
(z) "Land use" refers to the manner of utilization of land, including its 
allocation, development, and management; 
(aa) "Land use classification" refers to the act of delineating or allocating 
lands. according .to protection land use, production land use, settlements 
development, and infrastructure development as defined and provided for in this 
Act; 
(bb) "LUPC or Land Use Policy Council" refers to the administrative, policy- 
(cc) "Mandatory public hearings/consultations" refers to the mechanism to 
ensure the involvement of affected sectors in land use planning from the local to the 
national level. It involves giving notice of hearinglconsultation to affected sectors 
through publication or posting in conspicuous places, conduct of a reasonable 
number of hearings, and solicitation of positions and the public presentation and 
validation of the planning results bef0re.th.e final adoption of the plans; 
making, regulatory, and quasi-judicial body created under this Act; 
(dd) "Mineral Exploration" refers to the systematic searching or prospecting 
for mineral resources including energy resources; 
(ee) "Mineral lands" refers to lands where mineral including energy resources 
are found; 
(ff) "Multiple use of land resources" refers to the utilization or management 
strategy for forest lands, which allows any activity thereat, involving one or more of 
its resources, depending on the result of prior evaluation on its numerous beneficial 
uses, that will produce the optimum benefits to the development and progress of the 
country and the public welfare without impairment or with the least injury to its'other 
resources ; 
(gg) "Network of Protected Areas for Agriculture and Agro-industrial 
Development (NPAAAD)" refers to agricultural areas identified by the Department of 
Agriculture through the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) in 
coordination with the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority 
(NAMRIA) in order to ensure the efficient utilization of land for agriculture and agro- 
industrial development and promote sustainable growth. The NPAAAD covers all 
irrigated areas; all irrigable lands already covered by irrigation projects with firm 
funding commitments: all alluvial plains; land highly suitable for agriculture whether 
irrigated or not; agro-industrial croplands or lands planted to industrial crops that 
support the validity of existing agricultural infrastructure and agro-based enterprises; 
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highlands or areas located at an elevation of Five hundred (500) meters or above 
and have the potential for growing semi-temperate and high value crops; all 
agricultural lands that are ecologically fragile the conversion of which will result in 
serious environmental degradation; and all mangrove areas and fish sanctuaries; 
(hh) "Physical framework plans" refers to the regional or provincial indicative 
plans prepared by the regional and provincial land use committees, respectively, 
based on the Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) of local government units 
(LGUs) and national policy guidelines relating to land use and environmental 
management to prevent or mitigate the adverse effects of inappropriate resource 
utilization on food security, the people's welfare, and their environment. A physical 
framework plan embodies both policies and strategies necessary to carry out 
development goals and objectives; 
(ii) "Premature or illegal conversion" refers to any activity that modifies or 
alters the physical characteristics of agricultural lands to render them suitable for 
non-agricultural purposes without an approved order of conversion from the 
Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR); 
(jj) "Prime agricultural lands" refers to lands that can be used for various or 
specific agricultural activities and can provide optimum and sustainable yield with a 
minimum of inputs and development costs; 
(kk) "Production land use" refers to the direct and indirect utilization of land to 
generate outputs resulting from the following activities: agricultural, fish farming or 
aquaculture, timber or agro-forestry, grazing and pasture, mining, indigenous 
energy resource development, industry, and tourism; 
(11) "Protected areas" refers to portions of land set aside by reason of their 
unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological 
diversity, and protected against human exploitation. For purposes of this Act, it shall 
include agricultural lands identified and delineated under Section 31 hereof; 
(mm) "Protection land use" refers to the use of land primarily for 
rehabilitation, conservation, and protection purposes and the promotion of the 
country's ecological and life-support systems; 
(nn) "Public domain" refers 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; 
(00) "Public lands" refers 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; 
(pp) "Reclassification of agricultural lands" refers to the act of specifying how 
agricultural lands shall be utilized for non-agricultural uses such as residential, 


, '  
industrial, or commercial 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; 
(qq) "Resettlement sites" refers 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); 
(rr) "Settlements" refers to communities or built-up environment areas where 
people prefer to live in; 
(ss) "Settlements development" refers to any improvement on existing 
settlements or any proposed development of certain areas for settlement purposes. 
It also involves the spatial distribution of population, identification of the roles and 
functions of key urban centers, determination of relationships among settlement 
areas, and the provision of basic services and facilities of identified major settlement 
areas or growth centers; 
(tt) "Shoreline" refers to a strip of land covering at least one (1) kilometer 
from the point where sea water reaches during the highest high tide; 
(uu) "Socialized housing" refers to housing programs and projects 
undertaken by the government or the private sector for the underprivileged and 
homeless citizens which shall include sites and services development, long-term 
financing, liberalized terms on interest payments, and such other benefits in 
accordance with the UDHA; 
(vv) "Socialized housing zones" refers to lands identified and designated by 
LGUs as sites for socialized housing pursuant to Article IV of the UDHA and its 
implementing guidelines; 
(ww) "Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zones (SAFDZS)" 
refers to areas within the NPAAAD identified for production, agro-processing and 
marketing activities to help develop and modernize, with the support of government, 
the agriculture and fisheries sectors in an environmentally and socio-culturally 
sound manner; 
(xx) "Sub-classification or reclassification of agricultural lands" refers .to the 
process undertaken by the LGUs of .allocating in their respective territorial 
jurisdictions the declared agricultural lands to specific uses such as residential, 
industrial or commercial purposes. It is only one of the bases for application for land 
conversion by the owners thereof and shall constitute the power of LGUs to 
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reclassify lands under Section 20 of Republic Act No. 7160 or the "Local 
Government Code of 1991" consistent with the provisions of this Act; 
(yy) "Sustainable development" refers to the development objective of 
meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of 
future generations to meet their own needs consistent with the principles of social 
equity, efficiency, and environmental integrity; 
(zz) "Tourism development areas" refers to specific sites for tourism 
development located in areas identified as priorities in the national and regional 
tourism master plans as well as those designated through legislative and executive 
issuances as tourist spots and tourist zones which can be developed into tourism 
estates or integrated resort, leisure, and recreation complexes, and other tourism 
related facilities; 
(aaa) "Tourism estates" refers to large tracts of land with well-defined 
boundaries in any area identified in the Philippine tourism master plan and regional 
tourism master plan, by proclamation of the President and/or by Acts of Congress 
including local legislation. Such land shall be suitable for the development of an 
integrated tourism and resort complex including but not limited to accommodation 
facilities, food and beverage outlets, convention and meeting areas, sports, 
recreational and leisure centers and commercial outlets among others. It shall be 
provided with roads, water supply facilities, power and utilities like potable water, 
drainage sewerage disposal, solid waste disposal system and other necessary 
infrastructure. The estate shall under be one unified and continuous management; 
(bbb) "Tourist spot" refers to 'a. particular area/site/spot, man-made or 
natural, known for its unique touristhisitor-drawing attributes and activities. It may 
be classified according to its social, cultural, natural, historical, scientific, religious, 
and recreational significance; 
(ccc) "Tourist zone" refers to a geographic area with well-defined boundaries 
proclaimed as such by the President of the Philippines and/or by Acts of Congress. 
No development projects for any purpose shall be initiated and introduced within the 
zone prior to the formulation of a tourism master development plan which shall be 
undertaken in coordination with the Department of Tourism and the Philippine 
Tourism Authority. A tourist zone is established for the enhancement and/or the 
conservation of cultural and historical heritage and for the appreciation and 
enjoyment of the local population and its visitors; 
(ddd) "Urban areas" refers to all cities regardless of their population density 
and to municipalities with population density of at least Five hundred (500) persons 
per square kilometer; 
(eee) "Urbanizable areas" refers to sites and lands which, considering 
9 


present characteristics and prevailing conditions, display marked and great potential 
of becoming urban areas within a period of five (5) years; 
(fff) "Urban forestry or green space" refers to the establishment or setting-up 
of areas for mini-forest or small nature parks, lining roads and highways with trees, 
shrubs, or ornamental plants, and ground landscaping of schools, hospitals, and 
other government agencies in order to improve the environment in urban areas; 
the minimum daily requirement of clean water to maintain a healthy life; 
(ggg) "Water security" refers to the sufficient access throughout the year to 
(hhh) "Water use" refers to 
the appropriation of water for domestic, 
municipal, irrigation, power generation, inland fisheries, poultry and livestock, 
industrial and commercial, environmental, and recreational use; 
(iii) "Watershed" refers to a topographically delineated area of land from 
which rainwater can drain as surface run-off vis-a-vis a specific stream or river 
system to a common outlet point which may be a dam, irrigation system or urban 
water supply take-off point, or where the stream discharges into a river, lake, or the 
sea; 
(jjj) "Zoning" refers to the regulatory tool for delineating the specific uses of 
lands in accordance with the approved CLUP within the territorial jurisdiction of a 
city/municipality and specifying the conditions for their regulation; subject to the 
limitations imposed by law and competent authority; and, 
(kkk) "ZO or zoning ordinance" refers to a local law passed by the 
sangguniang pambayan or panglunsod approving the development controVzoning 
plan in accordance with an approved or adopted CLUP for the city/municipality, and 
providing for the regulations and other conditions on the uses of land including the 
limitation on the infrastructure that may be placed thereon within the territorial 
jurisdiction of a city or municipality. It incorporates the protected areas under 
Section 12(b) and the protected agricultural lands under Section 29 hereof. 
CHAPTER II 
NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR LAND USE PLANNING 
Article One 
Physical Framework and Land Use Plans 
SECTION 5. National Framework for Physical Planning.- The Land Use 
Policy Council (LUPC) created in Section 14 herein, in consultation with the 
concerned sectors through the mandatory conduct of public hearings, shall 
formulate the National Land Use Guidelines and Zoning Standards (NLUGZS). The 
NLUGZS shall serve as a framework through which the planning and management 
of land resources are guided at the national and sub-national levels. 
The 
10 


formulation of framework plans of regions and provinces and the land use plans of 
cities and municipalities shall proceed from the NLUGZS. 
SECTION 6. National Land Use Planning Process.- Following a bottom- 
up approach, the National Physical Framework Plan (NPFP) shall be prepared by 
the LUPC based on the consolidated and harmonized regional physical framework 
plans and the land use plans of cities and municipalities prepared pursuant to the 
National Land Use Guidelines and Zoning Standards (NLUGZS). The NFPP shall 
provide the analytical parameters and guidelines, including land classification maps, 
for the planned allocation, use, and management of the country's land and other 
physical resources. 
SECTION 7. City and Municipal Land Use Plans.- The city and municipal 
development councils, in consultation with concerned sectors through mandatory 
conduct of public hearings, shall prepare their respective Comprehensive Land Use 
Plans (CLUPs) to determine the specific uses of land and other physical resources 
therein including the delineation of actual boundaries on the ground within the 
territorial jurisdiction of the city or municipality in accordance with existing laws and 
the NLUGZS as issued by the LUPC. The CLUPs shall be translated into zoning 
ordinances by the sanggunian for implementation. 
SECTION 8. Provincial Physical Framework Plans.- 
The Provincial 
Development Council shall consolidate and harmonize the land use plans of 
component cities and municipalities within the territorial jurisdiction of the province 
into the Provincial Physical Framework Plan (PPFP). The PPFP shall be subject to 
mandatory public hearings and consultations led by the LUPC Executive Director 
with the concerned sectors prior to its adoption and submission to the regional land 
use committee. 
SECTION 9. Regional Physical Framework Plans.- The regional LUPC 
Secretariat shall consolidate and harmonize the provincial physical framework plans 
of provinces and independent cities within the territorial jurisdiction of the region into 
the RPFP, subject to consultation with the concerned sectors through the 
mandatory conduct of public hearings prior to its adoption and submission to the 
LUPC. 
11 


Article Two 
Framework for Land Use Planning 
SECTION IO. Priorities in Land Use Allocation and Planning.- In 
projecting spatial allocation for different land uses, the LGUs shall first exclude 
areas under protection land use of Section 13(A) hereof and national parks and 
strategic agricultural fisheries and development zones (SAFDZs) to ensure 
ecological integrity and promote food security. Spatial allocation and planning shall 
then proceed in accordance with Sections 12 and 13 hereof with priorities given to 
socialized housing sites, fisherfolk settlement in coastal areas, waste disposal sites, 
and integrated watershed management areas. 
SECTION 11. Adoption of Multiple Uses of Land Resources.- The 
primary and alternative uses of a specific land resource shall be determined and 
evaluated prior to any decision for the assignment of its use. Areas feasible for 
sustainable land resource use may be considered multiple-use zones wherein 
settlements, tourism, agriculture, agro-forestry and extraction activities and other 
income-generating or livelihood activities may be allowed: Provided, That multiple 
uses of land resources shall be in accordance with priorities in land use allocation 
and planning and that no reclassification shall be allowed. 
SECTION 12. Basic Land Use Planning Considerations.- In determining 
the various land uses as categorized in the preceding section, the various 
interrelationships of the physical characteristics of the land and other elements 
therein shall be considered, among others, the following: 
a. Availability of natural resources including indigenous energy resources for 
energy security and self-sufficiency; 
b. Geology, geomorphology, geologic hazard, climate, soil and slope; 
c. Economic, environmental, social and related development activities; 
d. Existing and potential use; 
e. Existing government policies on land and natural resources allocation, 
utilization, management and disposition; 
f. Technological changes/advancement. 
SECTION 13. Categories of Land Uses for Planning Purposes.- 
In 
determining and defining the NFPP, RPFPs, PPFPs, and CLUPs, land uses shall be 
grouped into four major functional uses as follows, in accordance with Section 10 
hereof: 


. 
? .  
A. Protection Land Use - intends to achieve environmental stability and 
ecological integrity, ensure a balance between resource use and the preservation of 
some areas with environmental, aesthetic, educational, cultural and historical 
significance, and protect people and man-made structures from the ill-effects of 
natural hazards. 
Areas under this category are those under the coverage of 
Republic Act NO. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) 
law; those areas outside NIPAS but nonetheless require protection because of their 
outstanding physical and aesthetic features, anthropological significance and 
biological diversity; and those areas prone to natural hazards; 
B. Production Land Use - aims to determine the most efficient, sustainable, 
and equitable manner of utilizing, developing and managing land for productive 
purposes. Areas included in this category are agricultural lands, coastal and marine 
zones, production forest, mineral lands, energy resource lands, industrial, and 
tourism development areas where productive activities could be undertaken to meet 
the country’s requirements for economic growth and development; 
C. Settlements Development - aims to ensure for the present and future 
generation the: i) effective integration of activities within and among settlements, 
allowing efficient movement of people and production of commodities through the 
provision of appropriate land, infrastructure, and facilities; and ii) access of the 
population to housing, education, health care, recreation, transportation and 
communication, sanitation, and basic utilities such as water, power, waste disposal, 
and other services; 
D. Infrastructure Development - seeks to provide basic services and foster 
economic and other forms of integration necessary for producing or obtaining the 
material requirements of Filipinos, in an efficient, responsive, safe and ecologically- 
friendly 
built 
environment. 
It 
covers 
these 
sub-sectors: 
transportation, 
communications, indigenous energy exploration and development, water resources, 
and social infrastructure. 
CHAPTER 111 
IMPLEMENTING STRUCTURE AND MECHANISM 
Article One 
Land Use Policy Council 
SECTION 14. Creation of the Land Use Policy Council (LUPC).- The 
Land Use Policy Council (LUPC) is hereby created. It shall exercise the powers 
and responsibilities of the National Land Use Committee (NLUC) and the powers 
13 


and functions vested by law to the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board 
(HLURB) pertaining to land use and shall function as a standing committee under 
the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The LUPC shall be the 
highest policy making body on land use and final arbitrator on land use conflicts 
between or among agencies, branches, or levels of the government. 
It shall 
integrate efforts, monitor developments relating to land use and the evolution of 
policies, and regulate and direct land use planning processes. 
SECTION 15. LUPC Executive Board.- The LUPC shall have an Executive 
Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board, whose main function is to direct the 
implementation of the provisions of this Act. The Board shall be composed of 
nineteen (19) members. 
(a) The Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning as Chairperson; 
(b) The Secretaries of Environment and Natural Resources and Agriculture 
as Vice-Chairpersons; 
(c) The Secretaries of Agrarian Reform; Trade and Industry; Public Works 
and Highways; Transportation and Communications; Tourism; and Interior and 
Local Government; 
(d) The Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating 
Council; 
(e) A representative each from four (4) basic sectors directly involved in land 
use, namely: urban poor, peasants, fisherfolk, and indigenous peoples who shall be 
appointed by the President based on the nomination and recommendation of the 
sectors that they respectively represent; 
(9 The Executive Director of the LUPC, as ex-officio member, who shall 
likewise act as Secretary to the Board. 
A consultative body shall likewise be convened every two months composed 
of representatives from the Leagues of Municipalities, Cities, and Provinces, other 
government agencies not represented in the LUPC Board, and from non- 
government sectors such as the private sector, NGOs and POs, and the academic 
community. 
SECTION 16. Powers and Functions- The LUPC shall have the following 
(a) Advise the President and the NEDA Board on all matters concerning land 
powers and functions: 
use and physical planning; 
(b) Integrate and harmonize all laws and policies relevant to land use to 
come up with a rational, cohesive, and comprehensive national land use framework; 
14 


(c) Formulate policies and promulgate, in consultation with all concerned 
sectors, national standards and guidelines on land use and zoning under Section 5 
hereof, and issue the corresponding rules and regulations to enforce compliance 
therewith; 
(d) Prepare a NPFP and harmonize and consolidate the RPFPs based on 
land use plans at the local levels that shall serve as guide in formulating subsequent 
national development plan and pertinent sectoral plans consistent with the 
provisions of this Act; 
(e) Establish a National Land Resource Information and Management 
System 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; 
(f) 
Undertake the gathering of data, the conduct of studies pertaining to land 
use planning including studies on the management of identified land uses and such 
other studies not undertaken by other government agencies; 
(9) 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) Call on any department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality of the 
government, and or private entities and organization for cooperation, support, and 
assistance in the performance of its functions; 
(k) Create its own secretariat services, adopt its own organizational plan and 
staffing pattern, and assist the LGUs in the formation of local land use committees; 
(I) Design and implement a long-term capability-building program for LGUs 
to enable them to undertake a participatory and effective land use planning; 
(m) Hear and resolve conflicts in land use planning, classification, and 
allocation that may arise between or among agencies of the national government, 
and/or between national and local, national and regional, and/or regional and local 
planning or development agencies, including the local governments; 
15 


(n) Act as appellate body for decisions of provincial planning bodies on local 
land use plans and zoning ordinances, as well as decisions of local zoning board of 
appeals granting or denying applications for locational clearances or zoning 
certificates; 
(0) Adopt rules of procedures for the exercise of the regulatory and quasi- 
judicial powers as well as for the orderly and expeditious conduct of meetings and 
other business of the Council; and 
(p) Perform such other acts and functions and exercise such other powers as 
may be necessarily implied, inherent, incident, or related to the foregoing. 
SECTION 17. Offices, Units and Staff Support.- The LUPC Secretariat 
under the general supervision of the Executive Director shall be organized from 
existing offices and personnel of the NEDA and the HLURB subject to civil service 
rules and regulations. 
SECTION 18, Powers and Functions of the LUPC Executive Director.- 
The Executive Director shall have the following powers and functions: 
(a) Acts as the executive head of the LUPC and Secretary of the Board and 
perform the powers and function incident to said positions; 
(b) Be responsible for the implementation and overall execution of the 
policies, rules and regulations, and decisions adopted by the Board and as such, 
shall issue the corresponding implementing administrative issuances and 
promulgate opinions and interpretative circulars and rulings to ensure expeditious 
and effective implementation thereof; 
(c) Hear and decide case, in areas without local zoning administrators andlor 
local zoning board of appeals, involving: (i) opposition to any land use or 
development project; and (ii) petitions for recall or revocation of any zoning or 
locational clearance permit, both on the ground that the same is violative of land 
use planning laws and/or zoning ordinances; and, 
(d) Perform such other powers and functions as may be inherent, incident, or 
related to the foregoing. 
Decisions of the Executive Director may be appealed to the LUPC Board. 
SECTION 19. Qualifications of the Executive Director.- The Executive 
Director must have a background or significant training preferably in the field of 
environmental and/or physical planning, land resources management, or 
development planning and management for a period of at least five (5) years. The 
LUPC Executive Director shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines and 
16 


shall have the rank of an Undersecretary. 
SECTION 20. The Deputy Executive Director.- The Executive Director 
shall be assisted by a Deputy Executive Director who shall be appointed by the 
President of the Philippines upon the Board's recommendation, The Deputy 
Executive Director shall have the same qualifications as the Executive Director and 
shall have the rank of an Assistant Secretary. 
The Deputy Executive Director sh.all be the operational and administrative 
manager of the LUPC and shall assist the Executive Director in routine 
housekeeping functions. 
SECTION 21. Central and Regional Offices.- The LUPC Chairperson shall 
organize a central office and a regional LUPC secretariat office in every 
administrative region from the personnel and resources of the NEDA and the 
HLURB subject to civil service rules and regulations. A regional LUPC office shall 
be headed by a Regional Director. 
Article Two 
Land Development Councils and Land Use Committees 
SECTION 
22. 
Local 
Development 
Councils 
and 
Land 
Use 
Committees.- The formulation of the CLUPs and PPFPs shall be the primary 
responsibility of the Local Development Councils (LDCs). Local government units 
without existing LDCs as mandated by the Local Government Code of I991 shall 
organize their respective LDCs within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act. 
Local land use committees refer to the provincial, city, or municipal land use 
committees (PLUCs, C/MLUCs) formed by the LDCs. Existing and newly formed 
LDCs shall create within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act or from their 
creation as the case may be, a local land use committee to assist them in 
performing such functions as are defined in this Act: Provided, That the membership 
therein must, among others, include representatives from concerned NGOs and 
POs such as but not limited to peasants, fisherfolk, urban poor, and indigenous 
cultural communities. Other concerned sectors shall also be invited during 
committee deliberations and public hearings. The C/MLUCs shall likewise solicit the 
positionslviewslissues raised and articulated by concerned communities through 
their respective barangay representatives who shall participate during the public 
hearings. 
Until such time that the LUPC shall have created its regional offices, the 
17 


regional land use committees under the Regional Development Councils shall act 
as the counterparts of the LUPC and shall perform such functions defined underthis 
Act. 
Article Three 
Adoption, Approval, and Review of Land Use Plans 
SECTION 23. Component Cities and Municipalities.- Component cities 
and municipalities shall have the power and authority to adopt and approve their 
respective CLUPs and ZOs through their respective sanggunians subject to the 
power of review of their respective provinces only with respect to the consistency of 
the CLUPs and 2 0 s  with Section 6 hereof in the preparation of the PPFP. 
SECTION 24. Provinces and Independent and Highly Urbanized Cities.- 
Provinces and independent and highly urbanized cities shall have the power and 
authority to adopt and approve their respective CLUPs, 20% or PPFP as the case 
may be, through their respective sanggunian but subject to the power of review of 
the LUPC through its regional LUPC secretariat office as provided in Section 21 
herein and only with respect to the consistency of the CLUPs and ZOs with Section 
5 hereof. 
Article Four 
Responsibilities of the National Government Agencies and LGUs 
SECTION 25. National Base Mapping Program.- 
A national mapping 
program shall be implemented, coordinated, and monitored through the creation of 
an Inter-agency Technical Committee (ITC) composed of the National Mapping and 
Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), as the lead agency, the LUPC, the 
Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), the Forest Management Bureau 
(FMB), the Land Management Bureau (LMB), the Protected Areas And Wildlife 
Bureau (PAWB), the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the Philippine Institute 
of Volcanology And Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the Department of Agrarian Reform 
(DAR), the National Water Resources Board (NSWRB), the Department of Energy, 
and other concerned government agencies/bureaus. The ITC shall be constituted, 
and the mapping program initiated, within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this 
Act. 
For purposes of uniformity and standardization, the LGUs, to be assisted by 
the appropriate agencies of the national government, shall likewise prepare their 
respective territorial maps using scales, symbols, and other indicators to be 
18 


prescribed in accordance with this Act. The completed maps shall be integrated in 
the NPFP pursuant to Section 9 hereof. 
SECTION 26. National Geo-hazard Mapping Program.- Within thirty (30) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, a nationwide geo-hazard mapping program shall 
be initiated jointly thru the LUPC by the PHIVOLCS, the Philippine Atmospheric 
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the NAMRIA, 
the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), and the Department of Energy, in 
coordination with the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), the Regional 
Disaster Coordinating Councils, and other concerned government agencies. The 
program shall include the generation of indicative geo-hazard zoning maps that will 
outline areas in the Philippines which are prone to liquefaction, land slides, flooding, 
lahar, ground rupturing, tsunami, river erosion, coastal erosion. sinkhole collapse, 
earthquake, lava flow, pyroclastic flow, base surge, and other natural hazards. 
For purposes of uniformity and standardization and in order to develop a 
safe-built environment, the LGUs shall subsequently incorporate and integrate the 
generated geo-hazard zoning maps in their respective CLUPs and ZOs. Said geo- 
hazard maps shall serve as guide for all the LGUs in the preparation of their own 
hazards-constrained development plans. The NPFP, pursuant to Section 5 hereof, 
shall incorporate these geo-hazard maps. 
All infrastructure activities including real estate and subdivision projects and 
the development of tourist spots requiring an Environmental Compliance Certificate 
(ECC) shall be required to submit an Engineering Geological and Geo-hazard 
Assessment Report (EGGAR). 
SECTION 27. Scope and Nature of Responsibilities of Other National 
Government Agencies.- All concerned national government agencieslbodies shall 
periodically report to the LUPC on the various activities and accomplishments 
relative to 
land 
use. 
Likewise, they 
shall 
provide 
their 
respective 
sectoralldevelopment plans and render technical and administrative support if called 
upon by the LUPC relative to the implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 28. Submission of Annual Report on the Implementation of 
CLUPs and Z0s.- The LDCs shall submit an annual report on the implementation 
of their land use plans and zoning ordinances to the LUPC through the 
Sangguniang Panlalawigans or in the case of highly urbanized and independent 
cities through their respective Sanggunians. 
19 


, 
CHAPTER IV 
SPECIAL AREAS OF CONCERN 
Article One 
Agricultural Lands 
SECTION 29. Priority Areas for Agricultural Development.- Priority areas 
for agricultural development must be based on the Strategic Agricultural and 
Fisheries Development Zones (SAFDZs) as defined by Republic Act No. 8435 or the 
Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 (AFMA). 
SECTION 30. Conversion of Agricultural Lands.- Agricultural lands are 
deemed converted to non-agricultural uses upon approval by the DAR of the 
application for conversion. Prime agricultural lands and specific types of lands to 
the extent necessary for attaining food self-sufficiency in rice and corn and food 
security in other basic commodities, as determined by the DA, subject to.mandatory 
consultation with the LGUs, the private sector, the NGOs, and POs, shall be 
protected from conversion, which shall include but not limited to areas under the 
Network of Protected Areas for Agro-Industrial Development (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 Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), all lands subject to CARP 
including those lands covered under the notice of compulsory acquisitionholuntary 
offer to sell, production or profit-sharing, or commercial farm deferment shall also be 
protected from conversion pending the distribution and installation of the farmer 
beneficiaries, but thereafter, Section 65 of Republic Act No. 6657 or the 
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) shall apply: Provided, finina//y, That 
pending the completion of mapping activities of the specific areas under the 
NPAAAD and the Strategic Agricultural and Fisheries Development Zones 
(SAFDZs) under the AFMA, the revision thereof pursuant to the foregoing, and their 
incorporation in the NPFP, there shall be a moratorium in all applications for 
conversion of agricultural lands into non-agricultural uses commencing from the 
effectivity of this Act. The application for conversion of these protected areas shall 
not be given due course by the DAR. 
20 


SECTION 31. Sub-classification or Re-classification of Agricultural 
Lands by LGUs. Sub-classification or re-classification of agricultural lands to other 
uses under Section 20 of the Local Government Code of 1991 shall exclude the 
protected agricultural lands as stated in the preceding section. Moreover, such sub- 
classification/reclassification is not synonymous to conversion. The DA and DAR 
shall provide the LGUs with a complete list and maps of protected agricultural lands 
within their territorial jurisdictions. 
Article Two 
Management and Development of Watersheds 
SECTION 32. Critical Watershed Areas.- The DENR, in coordination with 
the DA, LGUs, and other government agencies, including government-owned and- 
controlled corporations, and with mandatory public consultations, shall identify and 
delineate critical watershed areas that need to be protected, rehabilitated, 
enhanced, andlor withdrawn from uses that contribute to their further degradation. 
SECTION 33. Formulation and Implementation of Integrated Watershed 
Management Plans.- With the assistance of the DENR and upon mandatory 
consultations with the concerned sectors, the LGUs through their local land use 
committees shall prepare their watershed management plans which shall be 
integrated with their respective CLUPs. The formulation and integration of the plan 
shall be guided, among others, by the principle that the management and 
development of inland water resources shall be at the watershed level. 
In cases where the watershed areas transcend the boundaries of a particular 
municipality, an inter-LGU committee composed of representatives from local land 
use committees of the LGUs where the watershed area is located shall be formed. 
With the 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. 
Article Three 
Coastal Zones 
SECTION 34. Coastal Land Zone Sub-classification.- All public lands in 
the coastal zones shall be subclassified into any of the following: fishponds, 
21 


mangroves, protection from tidal surge, for preservation of biodiversity, habitats and 
sanctuaries for endangered wildlife, fisherfolk settlement, or recreational/tourism 
areas. No sub-classification of coastal zones to different uses shall be done without 
the following: 
a. Conduct of a comprehensive resource and environmental assessment by 
the DENR and concerned LGUs; and 
b. Prior consultation with local Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management 
Councils (FARMCs) formed under Republic Act No. 8550 or the Fisheries Code. 
SECTION 35. Criteria on the Allocation and Utilization of Lands within 
the Coastal Zones.- The allocation and utilization of lands within the coastal zones 
shall be guided by the following: 
a. Areas vegetated with mangrove species shall be preserved for mangrove 
production and shall not be converted to other uses; 
b. Areas that meet all accepted criteria on elevation, soil type, soil depth, 
topography, supply for successful fishpond development, and are not identified as 
mangrove protected areas, shall be utilized for aquaculture purposes; 
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 that are neither sub-classified as mangrove nor fishpond may be 
devoted to recreational or tourism purposes: Provided, That such undertaking will 
not result in environmental degradation; 
e. Areas which are considered as traditional fishing grounds shall be used 
primarily for such purpose; 
fisherfolk shall be allowed; 
f. Areas which have been allocated for small infrastructure needed by 
g. Areas which form part of foreshore lands as defined in this act including 
those that are under lease agreements or arrangements shall undergo zoning and 
evaluation to determine their boundaries and actual sizes and corresponding uses; 
and, 
h. Areas which are classified 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 National Housing Authority. 
22 


SECTION 36. Zoning of Foreshore Areas.- Local government units, in 
coordination with the DENR, shall conduct zoning of their respective foreshore 
areas to assist government and community fishers identify priority areas for 
conservation and development, and to enable them to set targets for mangrove 
reforestation and rehabilitation. 
SECTION 37. Disposition of Public Lands for Fishpond.- 
Upon the 
effectivity of this Act and consistent with Section 45 of the Fisheries Code, but 
subject to existing rights and the preceding section, no fishpond lease agreement 
(FLA) shall be issued over tidal swamps, mangroves, and other swamps, marshes, 
ponds, foreshore lands, and coastal areas within public lands, including those 
already declared available for fishpond development. 
The LUPC, in coordination with DENR, DA. FARMCs and LGUs shall set 
aside a portion of available public lands for fish propagation, fish sanctuary, 
conservation, ecological purposes, and fisherfolk settlement areas. 
Article Four 
Mineral Lands 
SECTION 38. Criteria for the Utilization and Allocation of Land for 
Mining Purposes.- Consistent with Section 5 of this Act and the provisions of 
Republic Act No. 7942 or the Mining Act of 1995, and to ensure that the objectives 
of maintaining ecological balance and maximizing economic returns to mining 
operations are realized, the allocation and utilization of lands for mining purposes 
shall be guided by the following: 
a. The principles of sustainable development and responsible mining; 
b. All mineral resources in forest lands and agricultural lands except in 
protection areas and SAFDZS are open to mineral exploration for the purpose of 
determining the presence of economically potential mineral resource, after which 
such areas shall be allocated as mineral lands: 
c. In case of small-scale mining, adequate and acceptable safeguards shall 
be instituted by the holders of mining rights or permits to prevent environmental 
degradation of the mining sites and adjacent areas; 
d. Mineral reservations which have become non-operational for more than 
ten ( I O )  years as determined by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau shall be 
placed under appropriate surface management by the DENR; and 
e. Consistent with the Mining Act of 1995, areas closed to mining 
operations shall be periodically reviewed through mineral exploration to be 
23 


undertaken by the DENR for the purpose of determining whether or not their 
continued closure is consistent with the national interest and, if warranted, 
recommend their reclassification as mineral lands. 
SECTION 39. Reversion of Mineral Lands.- 
All mineral lands with 
exhausted mineral resources, as determined by the Mines and Geo-sciences 
Bureau upon the recommendation of the DENR, shall revert to its original land 
classification, that is, as forest land or agricultural land. In the case of forest lands, 
the DENR may classify such areas for other purposes in consultation with 
concerned LGU's, the Department of Tourism, and other national government 
agencies. 
Article Five 
Energy Resource Lands 
SECTION 40. Guidelines for the Utilization and Allocation of Lands for 
Energy Resource Exploration, Development, Production, Utilization, and 
Distribution Purposes.- To ensure that the objectives of maintaining ecological 
balance and maximizing the power potential from indigenous energy resources in 
the most economical and environmentally-acceptable means are realized, the 
allocation and utilization of lands for said purposes shall be guided by the following, 
consistent with existing regulations and laws on energy resources: 
a) Indigenous energy resource exploration and development for the purpose 
of a. National Energy Resource Inventory and Data Base as well as Energy 
Resource Block Map shall be allowed subject to the implementation of 
complementary watershed and other land management plans; 
b) Indigenous energy resource exploration, development, production, 
utilization, and distribution shall be subject to the appropriate requirements and 
processes of the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) system. Each 
project shall secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) prior to project 
implementation to ensure adequate and appropriate environmental management 
measures and optimum methods for resource access and recovery are utilized; and 
c) Energy reservations or portions thereof which have become or have been 
established to be non-economically viable to operate or are no longer used for 
energy purposes shall be released to give way to other land uses, subject to existing 
laws covering energy reservations. 
SECTION 41. 
Reversion of Energy Resource Lands.- All exhausted 
indigenous energy resource lands not covered by proclamations shall automatically 
24 


revert to the category of forestlands or agricultural lands open to disposition, 
whichever is appropriate, unless the DENR shall classify such areas for other 
purposes. Exhausted energy resource lands shall refer to specific energy resource 
sites whose energy reserves of the desired type/$ are no longer in sufficient quantity 
or quality to justify additional expenditure for their extraction and utilization. 
Article Six 
Settlements Development 
SECTION 42. Town, City, and Settlements Development.- 
The 
development of town, city, and settlements through the zoning ordinances of cities 
and municipalities shall be guided by urban zoning standards designed to maximize 
existing urban spaces. 
SECTION 43. Designation of Waste Disposal Site.- 
Each city or 
municipality shall identify, designate and allocate an area within their territorial 
jurisdiction to serve as waste disposal site within one (1) year from the effectivity of 
this Act. The LGUs, in coordination with the DENR or any other competent authority, 
shall identify solid waste disposal sites in order to fast-track the conduct of 
environmental impact assessment study and to facilitate processing of the 
environmental compliance certificate. The site or area shall be identified in the city 
or municipality's CLUP and 20. For this purpose, cities and municipalities shall 
establish their solid waste management program. Likewise, as provided under 
Section 33 of the Local Government Code, cities and municipalities may, through 
appropriate ordinances, bind themselves towards the establishment of a common 
solid waste management program. 
Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DENR, in 
coordination with concerned agencies, shall promulgate the necessary guidelines 
and standards for the formulation and establishment of solid waste management 
programs by cities and municipalities, and shall submit the same to the LUPC for 
review and approval. 
SECTION 44. Designation and Zoning of Socialized Housing Zones.- 
Each city or municipality in urban or urbanizable areas shall designate lands for 
socialized housing and resettlement areas for the immediate and future needs of 
the underprivileged and homeless in their territory, pursuant to existing laws and 
regulations. 
The designated sites for socialized housing shall be located in residential 
25 


LGUs, national government agencies, the private sector, and the affected 
communities. Tourism development areas shall likewise include those covered by 
legislation and executive issuances which designate specific sites as tourist spots 
and tourist zones as well as those identified in the national and regional tourism 
master plans. 
Designated areas for tourism development shall become part of the CLUPs 
and ZOs of the cities or municipalities where these are located. 
SECTION 48. Identification and Preservation of Cultural Heritage.- The 
National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA), in coordination with the 
Department of Tourism other concerned agencies, local government units, local 
communities, and the private sector, shall identify areas and structures which shall 
be preserved as part of the national and cultural heritage. 
Article Eight 
Infrastructure Development 
SECTION 49. Allocation and Use of Land for 
Infrastructure 
Development.- Land, whether public or private, shall be allocated and utilized for 
priority infrastructure projects that are supportive of national or local development 
objectives. The NEDA, in consultation with the concerned national government 
agencies, LGUs, and the private sector shall identify and periodically review, update 
and/or revise the list of priority infrastructure projects subject to Sections 5 and 29 
hereof, and Section 47 of the AFMA. In determining and evaluating the'list of 
priority infrastructure projects, consideration shall be given to those that: 
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. Heip mitigate the destructive effects of natural disaster-causing 
phenomena or those that shall serve as alternatives to existing infrastructures found 
in natural hazard-prone areas: 
Provided, That the provision and implementation of infrastructure support 
shall be made compatible with existing environmental conditions and the physical, 
whether natural or man-made, and cultural character of the area. Mandatory public 
consultations pursuant to existing laws and regulations shall be held prior to the 
conduct of all infrastructure projects that will necessarily involve dislocation or 
21 


displacement of people in the area: Provided, further, That the proponent of the 
infrastructure project shall follow the rules on just and humane eviction or 
demolition under Section 28 of the UDHA, notwithstanding the provisions of 
Republic Act No. 8975, prohibiting lower courts from issuing temporary restraining 
orders, preliminary injunctions, or preliminary mandatory injunctions. 
SECTION SO. Infrastructure Projects Within Environmentally-Critical 
Areas.- Construction of priority infrastructure projects within protected, hazard- 
prone, or environmentally critical areas shall be allowed: Provided, That mitigating 
andlor preventive measures are adopted to address the potential adverse 
economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts that will emanate from these 
infrastructure projects, subject to the findings and recommendations of a feasibility 
study/environmental impact assessment in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 
1586 and Republic Act No. 4846. 
Existing projects that did not go through the process of an environmental 
impact assessment and pose threats to the environment, integrity of historic, 
archeological, or scientifically significant areas; or are impinging on critical 
ecosystems, may be terminated immediately, or gradually phased-out and 
relocated, or 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. 
Article Nine 
Training, Education, and Value Formation 
SECTION 51. Value Formation.- In order to create a well informed, 
responsible and committed citizenry who values the protection, conservation and 
development of the country's limited land, and other physical resources, the State 
shall mandate the inclusion of sustainable land use education or any subject related 
thereto in the curricula of primary, secondary and tertiary education. 
SECTION 52. Information and Education Campaign.- The LUPC shall 
undertake a nationwide education information campaign in land use and physical 
planning to be implemented by local and national government agencies. The DlLG 
and concerned agencies shall formulate and implement a land use management 
capability building program for national and local government officials, community 
28 


leaders, NGOs, POs, religious sector, and the general public. 
CHAPTER V 
INCENTIVES, SANCTIONS, AND PENALTIES 
Article One 
Incentives and Awards 
SECTION 53. Formulation of a System of Incentives and Awards.- The 
LUPC shall come out with a system of incentives and awards to LGUs that regularly 
update their CLUPs/ZO within the prescribed period, as follows: 
a. Provinces, Highly Urbanized Cities, and Independent Component Cities - 
once every eight (8) years; and 
b. Component cities and municipalities once every eight (8) years. 
SECTION 54. Priority in Giving Technical Assistance to LGUs.- 
In 
providing technical assistance and other forms of support related to land use 
management and the implementation of development plans, national government 
agencies shall give priority to cities and municipalities with approved CLUPs and 
zos. 
Article Two 
Sanctions and Penalties 
SECTION 55. Fine for Non-Completion and Non-Commencement of 
Development of Agricultural Lands with Approved Order of Conversion.- A 
landowner and his designated developer or duly authorized representative who fails 
to commence and/or complete the development of agricultural lands with approved 
order of conversion shall be penalized, jointly or severally, with any of the following 
fines based on the zonal value of the land at the time the fine is imposed: 
a. On failure to commence within one year from the date of conversion 
order: 
(1) Six percent (6% ) of the zonal value of the subject land for the first 
three (3) hectares, 
(2) Fifteen percent (15%) of the zonal value of the subject land for the 
next three hectares, and 
(3) Thirty percent (30%) of the zonal value of the subject land for the 
Provided, That the order of conversion shall be deemed revoked automatically and 
the land shall revert to its original agricultural use and covered by the DAR through 
remaining area. 
29 


compulsory acquisition for distribution to qualified beneficiaries. 
b. On failure to complete fifty percent (50%) of the approved conversion plan 
within a specified time frame: Fifty percent (50%) of the zonal value of the subject 
land and the revocation of the conversion plan on the undeveloped portion which 
shall automatically revert to its original use as agricultural land. The same shall be 
covered under the CARP and processed for land distribution as soon as possible. 
SECTION 56. Authority to Impose Fine.- 
The DAR shall impose the 
penalty provided for under the preceding section. 
SECTION 57. Withdrawal of Local Development Permits or Licenses.- 
Upon receipt of notice from the DAR, the concerned agencies and the city or 
municipality shall withdraw or revoke any development permit and other licenses 
that may be necessary to develop the agricultural land subject of conversion. 
SECTION 58. Utilization of Fines.- The fines collected under Sections 55, 
60, 61, and 62 hereof shall automatically accrue to the Agrarian Reform Fund 
consistent with the provisions of the CARL, as amended. 
SECTION 59. Failure to Formulate, Enforce, andlor Implement the 
CLUPs (CLUPs) and Zoning Ordinances (ZOs).- Consistent with due process, the 
LUPC, in coordination with the DILG, shall investigate, review, and recommend the 
filing of charges against local chief executives and other local officials and 
employees responsible for the formulation, enforcement, andlor implementation of 
the CLUPs in case of any of the following: 
a. Failure of the CLUPs/ZOs to conform to the prescribed national 
guidelines and standards as provided in Section 5 hereof and thereafter, with NPFP 
as stated in Section 6 hereof; 
b. Failure to implement and enforce the CLUP/ZO due to negligence of duty; 
c. Failure to provide appropriate budgetary allocation to effect its 
implementation; and 
d. Failure to complete the preparation of the CLUP despite the availability of 
funds, resources, and support by the Sanggunian concerned. 
Any public official or employee, regardless of whether elected or appointed or 
holding office or employment in a casual, temporary, holdover, permanent, or 
regular capacity, found to be responsible for any of the foregoing acts, after due 
notice and hearing by the appropriate body or agency, shall be punished with 
forfeiture of salaries and allowances and suspension from: 
30 


a. Six (6) to nine (9) months, in case of non-implementation of CLUP; 
b. Three (3) to six (6) months, in case of non-completion of the CLUP; or 
c. Three (3) to six (6) months, in case of non-conformity with the national 
guidelines pursuant to Sections 5, 10, and 29 hereof. 
SECTION 60. Penalty for Premature or Illegal Conversion.- Any person 
found guilty of premature or illegal conversion as defined in this Act shall be 
penalized with imprisonment of seven (7) to twelve (12) years or a fine equivalent 
to fifty percent (50%) of the market value of the subject land, or both, at the 
discretion of the Court and the accessory penalty of forfeiture of the land and any 
improvement thereon: Provided, That if the offender is a juridical person, the penalty 
shall be imposed on the president, chief executive officer, manager, the chairman 
and all the members of the board, and other responsible officers thereof. 
SECTION 61. Person(s) Abetting Illegal Conversion.- Any person 
initiating, causing, inducing, or abetting illegal conversion shall, upon conviction, be 
imprisoned from seven (7) to twelve (12) years and a fine of not less than one 
hundred thousand (100,000.00) pesos, or both at the discretion of the court: 
Provided, That if the offender is a public official or employee whether elected or 
appointed, the penalty shall, in addition thereto, include dismissal through 
permanent separation from the service and forfeiture of all benefits and entitlements 
accruing to the public position and perpetual disqualification to run or apply for any 
elective or appointive public office: Provided, furfher, That if the offender is a 
juridical person, the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed on the president, 
chief executive officer, manager, the chairman and all the members of the board, 
and other responsible officers thereof, and the fine shall be equivalent to the zonal 
value of the land or forty percent (40%) of the shareholders equity, as determined at 
the time of judgment whichever is higher, plus forfeiture of the land in favor of the 
State for sale though public auction, the proceeds of which shall automatically 
accrue to the agrarian reform fund as provided for in Section 58 of this Act. 
SECTION 62. Penalty for Reclassification of Protected Agricultural 
Lands and Exceeding the Limit of Areas Allowed for Reclassification.- Any 
person initiating, causing, inducing, or abetting the reclassification of protected 
agricultural areas as defined in Section 29 hereof into non-agricultural uses and 
exceeding the limits set forth under Section 20 of the Local Government Code of 
1991, shall be penalized with imprisonment of twelve (12) years and a fine of not 
less than One hundred thousand (100,000.00) pesos, or both at the discretion of the 
31 


Court: Provided, That if the offender is a public official or employee, the penalty 
shall, in addition thereto, include dismissal through permanent separation from the 
service whether elected or appointed and forfeiture of entitlements accruing to the 
public position, and perpetual disqualification to run or apply for any elective or 
appointive public position: Provided, furfher, That if the offender is a juridical 
person, the penalty shall be imposed on the president, chief executive officer, 
manager, the chairman and all the members of the board, and other responsible 
officers thereof. 
SECTION 63. Payment of Disturbance Compensation.- Following the 
order of priority such as agricultural lessees and share tenants, regular farm 
workers, seasonal farm workers, other farm workers, actual tillers or occupants of 
public lands, collective, or cooperative of the above beneficiaries, and others 
directly working on the land affected by agricultural land use conversion shall be 
entitled to the payment of disturbance compensation equivalent to five (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 Department of Agrarian Reform. 
CHAPTER VI 
TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS 
Article One 
Transitory Provisions 
SECTION 64. Convening of the LUPC.- Within thirty (30) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning shall convene the 
LUPC. The Chief Executive Officer of the HLURB shall sit temporarily as Executive 
Director and ex-officio member of the LUPC Executive Board until such time that a 
regular Executive Director has been appointed by the President. 
SECTION 65. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- Within sixty (60) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the LUPC shall promulgate the rules and 
regulations to implement the provisions of this act. 
Said rules and regulations 
shall be submitted to the Congressional Oversight Committee for approval. 
SECTION 66. Congressional Oversight Committee on the Land Use 
Act.- There is hereby created a Congressional Oversight Committee composed of 
seven (7) members from the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural 
32 


. 
. 
Resources and seven (7) members from the House of Representatives Committees 
on Natural Resources and Housing and Urban Development. The members from 
the Senate shall be appointed by the Senate President based on proportional 
representation of the parties or coalitions therein with at least two (2) senators 
representing the minority. The members from the House of Representatives shall be 
appointed by the Speaker also based on proportional representation of the parties 
or coalitions therein with at least two (2) members representing the minority. 
The oversight committee, which shall function for a period not more than 
three (3) years, shall have the power to review the implementing rules issued by the 
LUPC within thirty (30) days from the promulgation of the said rules and oversee the 
implementation of this Act: Provided, That the secretariat of the Oversight 
Committee shall be drawn from the existing secretariat personnel of the committees 
comprising the oversight and the funding shall be taken from the appropriations of 
both the House of Representatives and the Senate. 
SECTION 67. Effectivity of the Creation of the LUPC.- Until such time 
that the LUPC has been organized and fully operational, the NLUC and HLURB 
shall continue exercising their powers and function pertaining to land use and their 
personnel shall receive the same salary, emoluments and, privileges. 
Hiring, 
separation, replacement, and appointment of personnel shall be in accordance with 
existing Civil Service rules and regulations. 
SECTION 68. Transfer of Powers and Functions.- Within six (6) months 
after the approval of this Act, the powers and functions of the HLURB on land use 
as provided for under Section 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, and 5g of Executive Order No. 
648, series of 1981, shall be transferred to the LUPC. The foregoing transfer shall 
include all applicable funds and appropriations, records, equipment, property and 
personnel. 
SECTION 69. Transfer of Rights, Assets, and Liabilities.- 
The LUPC 
shall, by virtue of this Act, be subrogated to such rights and assume such liabilities 
of the HLURB and such funds, records, property, assets, equipment and personnel, 
including unexpended appropriations and/or allocations of the HLURB for land use 
activities and land use adjudicatory and related support functions: Provided, That 
existing officers and employees of the HLURB assigned to land use planning and 
land use adjudication matters shall continue to assume their posts in a holdover 
capacity until their new appointments are issued. 
33 


1. 
SECTION 70. Structure and Staffing Pattern.- Except for the position of 
Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director, there shall be no hiring of new 
personnel for the LUPC. Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the 
LUPC Chairperson shall formulate and submit to the Congressional Oversight 
Committee for its review and approval the LUPC’s proposed organizational structure 
and staffing pattern. After such review and approval, the proposed organizational 
structure and staffing pattern of the LUPC shall be submitted to the President for 
final approval through the DBM within ninety (90) days. 
The authorized positions created therein shall be filled by regular 
appointment by the President or the LUPC Chairman, as the case may be: 
Provided, That in the filling of positions created, the Chairman shall ensure that the 
personnel of the NEDA and HLURB affected by this Act shall comply with the 
qualifications standards set by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for the positions 
they shall be appointed to: Provided, final@, That if such individuals possess the 
same qualifications, seniority shall be given priority. 
SECTION 71. Separation from the Service.- No employee of the NEDA 
and HLURB shall be separated and/or phased-out from the service as a result of the 
implementation of this Act: Provided, however, That those who are qualified to retire 
shall be allowed to do so and be entitled to all benefits provided under any of the 
existing retirement laws. 
SECTION 72. Appropriations.- The appropriations for the National Land 
Use Committee under the National Economic and Development Authority, and the 
Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board pertaining to land use activities, plans, 
and programs and land use adjudicatory and related support functions under the 
current General Appropriations Act shall be used to carry out the initial 
operationalization of the Land Use Policy Council. Thereafter, such sums as may 
be necessary for its staggered implementation shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 73. Review of Existing Land Use Plans.- Provinces, cities, and 
municipalities with existing land use plans shall review, revise, reconcile, and 
harmonize the same with the guidelines and standards set forth under this Act within 
one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. 
34 


Article Two 
Final Provisions 
SECTION 74. Repealing Clause.- Section 10 of the AFMA and Sections 
447 (a2vii) and 458 (a2viii) of the Local Government Code and their related laws 
and administrative issuances are hereby modified by Section 30 hereof. The 
pertinent provisions of Executive Order No. 72, series of 1993, are also modified 
accordingly. Section 11 of the AFMA as to the penalty for agricultural inactivity and 
premature conversion is also modified by Section 60 hereof. Letter of Instruction 
No. 1350, series of 1983, and all other general and special laws, acts, decrees, 
executive orders, proclamations and administrative regulation, or any part thereof 
which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 75. Non-impairment Clause.- Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed as to diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or available to 
marginalized or basic sectors under existing laws including but not limited to 
Republic Act Nos. 7279, 6657, 8371, and 8550. 
SECTION 76. Separability Clause.- If for any reason or reasons, any part 
or provision of this Act shall be declared or held to be unconstitutional or invalid 
other parts or provisions hereof, which are not affected thereby shall continue to be 
in full force and effect. 
SECTION 77. Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (1 5) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers 
of general circulation. 
Approved, 
35