NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
s. No. R98
'TJV
f&ll Senate
of Ujt ftt(vn«tj
"22 JUL 26 P6 SO
lU’CEiVtD BV. _
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, PROVIDING THE 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The proposed National Land Use Act (NLUA) seeks to bring to fruition the full 
implementation and strict compliance of the Philippines's national land use policy. The 
proposed bill, which was filed by the undersigned in the 14th Congress, aims to 
institutionalize land use and physical planning for the promotion of responsible 
allocation and proper administration of land resources and our environment, in 
general.
Many disastrous accidents and tragedies happened in the last few years which 
cost many lives. Most of these were brought about by the improper use of our 
environment and natural resources. It should be noted that if we continue to do this, 
our children and the succeeding generations will be affected, or worse, become the 
unwitting victims. Intergenerational responsibility compels us to act now to ensure 
that the country's land and natural resources are preserved and protected for future 
generations.
The proposed measure is also aligned with our commitment to the 17 
Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11, on making cities and human 
settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; SDG 13 on taking urgent action


to combat climate change and its impacts; and SDG 15 on protecting, restoring and 
promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managing forests, 
combating desertification, and halting and reversing land degradation and halting 
biodiversity loss.
With this measure. Comprehensive Land Use Plans will be formulated following 
a combined bottom-up and top-down approach, and a Land Use Policy Council (LUPC) 
will be created under the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board. 
The Council is responsible, among others, for preparing, periodically reviewing, and 
updating the national framework for physical planning which shall provide the general 
long-term framework for the spatial development directions and policy guidelines on 
settlement development, production land use, protection land use and infrastructure 
development for the entire country and sub-national levels.
A national land use policy is needed to harmonize the reasonable claims of all 
those who hold interest on land, and to safeguard and promote the general welfare 
of both present and future generations through the proper management of land 
resources.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly urged.
PIA S. CAYEfANO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No.
Ornate
of tin' %' rnr^'
*22 JUL26 P6 50
RHCEIV
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
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:
1 
CHAPTER I
2 
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
3 
Section 1. Short Title. —This Act shall be known and cited as the "National
4 
Land Use A ct of the Philippines."
5 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policies and Principles. — It is the policy of the State to
6 
provide for a rational, holistic, and just allocation, utilization, management, and
7 
development of the country's land resources to ensure their optimum use is consistent
8 
with the principle of sustainable development.
9 
The State recognizes the need for rational, optimal, and sustainable settlements
10 
development and shall allocate lands for urban uses and new town development,
11 
consistent with the principles of environmental management and equitable access to
12 
land and security.
13 
Toward this end, the State shall institutionalize land use and physical planning
14 
as a mechanism for identifying, determining, and evaluating alternative land use and
15 
allocation patterns that promote and ensure:
16 
(a) Sustainable and just management and utilization of natural resources;
17 
(b) Maintenance and preservation of environmental integrity and stability;
18 
(c) Food and energy security in basic food commodities with emphasis on
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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;
(f) 
Rational population distribution and settlements development that will 
ensure adequate land allocation for government mass housing programs;
(g) 
Spatial integration that links consumption and production areas to achieve 
physical and economic integration through appropriate infrastructure 
systems;
(h) 
Equitable and sustainable economic growth and balanced and dispersed 
industrial and tourism development guided by the principles of agrarian 
reform, urban land reform, and rural development;
(i) 
Private-public partnership where government provides the appropriate 
policy, legal and institutional framework to guide the private sector's 
management of resources;
(j) 
Harmony between the rights and the varied interests of every Filipino 
within the framework of people empowerment, decentralization, social 
justice, and equity;
(k) 
Respect for and protection of the sustainable traditional resource rights 
of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) 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;
(l) 
Protection of the rights of basic sectors to equitable access to the 
country's land and other resources through State regulation of land


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valuation to prevent uncontrolled land speculation resulting in tremendous
2 
increase in land pricing;
3 
(m) Protection, conservation, and preservation of the Filipino historical,
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cultural, and built heritage and resources for the deeper understanding of
5 
our history and culture as a people;
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(n) Attainment of energy security or energy self-sufficiency through
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sustainable and priority development of indigenous energy resources; and
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(o) Market orientation where the interplay of market forces within the
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framework of ecological and intergenerational factors is encouraged and
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adopted as the basic parameter in achieving efficiency in land use and
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allocation.
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It is also the policy of the State to ensure that local government units (LCDs)
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share with the national government the responsibility of managing and maintaining
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ecological balance within their territorial jurisdiction as stated in the 1987 Philippine
15 
Constitution and the 1991 Local Government Code or Republic Act No. 7160.
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Guided by the principle that the use of land bears a social function and that all
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economic agents shall contribute to the common good, landowners and land tenure
18 
holders, in the case of forestlands, be it an individual, communal, corporate or group
19 
shall be held responsible for developing and conserving their lands thereby making
20 
their lands productive and supportive of environmental stability.
21 
Sec. 3. Scope. — This Act shall apply to all lands whether public, private,
22 
government-owned, and/or in the possession of individuals, communities, indigenous
23 
peoples, or groups of people, to guide and govern the use, allocation, development
24 
and management of land resources including such activities that bear impact on said
25 
resources.
26 
CHAPTER II
27 
DEFINITIONS
28 
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. — As used in and for purposes of this Act, the following
29 
terms shall mean:
30 
(a) "Agricuiturai Land" shd\\ refer to lands devoted to or suitable for the


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cultivation of the soil, planting of crops, growing of fruit trees, raising of
2 
livestock, poultry, fish or aqua-culture production, including the
3 
harvesting of such farm products, and other farm activities and practices
4 
performed in conjunction with such farming operations done by persons
5 
whether natural or juridical and not classified by law as mineral land,
6 
forest land, residential land, commercial land, or industrial land;
7 
(b) 
''Agricultural Land Use Conversion"refer to the undertaking of any
8 
development activity which modifies or alters the physical characteristics
9 
of agricultural lands to render them suitable for non-agricultural purposes
10 
with an approved order of conversion issued exclusively by the
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Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR);
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(c) 
"Alienable and Disposable (A&D) lands"shd\\ refer to lands of the public
13 
domain which have been delineated, classified, and certified as open and
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available for disposition under the provisions of Commonwealth Act
15 
No. 141, otherwise known as the "Public Land Act," as amended;
16 
(d) 
"Ancestral Domains" shall refer to all areas generally belonging to
17 
ICCs/IPs as defined in Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as the
18 
"Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1998;"
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(e) 
"Coastal Area/Zone"sh^W refer to a band of dry land and the adjacent
20 
ocean space (water and submerged land) in which terrestrial processes
21 
and uses directly affect oceanic processes and uses, and vice versa. Its
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geographic extent may include areas within a landmark limit of one (1)
23 
kilometer from the shoreline at high tide to include mangrove swamps,
24 
brackish water ponds, nipa swamps, estuarine rivers, sandy beaches and
25 
other areas within a seaward limit of 200 meters isobath to include coral
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reefs, algal flats, seagrass beds, and other soft-bottom areas. For
27 
purposes of initiating and implementing sustainable coastal resources
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protection and management, it shall include foreshore lands;
29 
(f) 
"Comprehensive Land Use Plan or CLUP" shall refer to a document
30 
embodying a set of policies, accompanied by maps and similar illustrations
31 
that serves as principal basis for determining the future use of lands and


1 
natural resources for production and protection purposes within the
2 
territorial jurisdiction of the LGUs. It represents the community-desired
3 
pattern of population distribution and proposes future allocation of land
4 
resources to various land-using activities. It identifies the allocation,
5 
character, and extent of the areas of land resources to be used for
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different purposes and includes the processes and the criteria employed
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in the determination of the land use. It has a long-term perspective,
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encompassing a minimum of three (3) terms of local elective officials.
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(g) 
"Critical Habitats"shd\\ refer to areas outside protected areas under the
10 
National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 or RA
11 
7586 that are known habitats of threatened species and designated as
12 
such based on scientific data taking into consideration species endemicity
13 
and/or richness, presence of human-made pressures/threats to the
14 
survival of wildlife living in the area, among others;
15 
(h) 
"Critical Watershed" shall refer to a drainage area of a river system
16 
supporting existing and proposed hydro-electric power, irrigation works
17 
or existing water facilities needing immediate protection and rehabilitation
18 
as it is being subjected to fast denudation causing accelerated erosion,
19 
destructive floods and polluted water;
20 
(i) 
"Cultural Heritage" shall refer to the totality of cultural properties
21 
preserved and developed through time and passed on for posterity;
22 
(j) 
"Customary Laws"sh^W refer to a body of written and/ or unwritten rules,
23 
usages, customs and practices traditionally and continually recognized,
24 
accepted, and observed by respective ICCs/IPs consistent with the IPRA;
25 
(k) 
"Development Plan "shall refer to a document that defines the activities
26 
or measures that the national government or LGUs intend to implement
27 
in order to achieve a defined set of development goals. It integrates the
28 
socio-economic and sectoral plans of the national government or its
29 
instrumentality or a particular LGU with spatial plans such as land use or
30 
physical framework plans. It may include an analysis of problems and
31 
resources, definition of goals and objectives, policy guidelines, project and


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target achievements, and an implementation mechanism which defines
2 
the roles and contributions expected from the government and the private
3 
sector;
4 
(I) 
"Ecologically-fragile Lands'" shall refer to lands within the critical
5 
watershed, brackish and freshwater wetlands, pasture lands, and
6 
croplands which require rehabilitation and whose continued unsustainable
7 
use would adversely affect the productivity of lowland agricultural areas
8 
and the stability of the upland ecosystem;
9 
(m) 
"Ecotourism"sha\\ refer to sustainable tourism or travel to a given natural
10 
area with exotic or threatened ecosystems or a heritage area to observe
11 
wildlife or to help preserve nature. In the process providing for community
12 
participation; protection and management of natural resources, culture
13 
and indigenous knowledge systems and practices; environmental
14 
education and ethics; as well as economic benefits fostered and pursued
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for the enrichment of host communities and the satisfaction of visitors;
16 
(n) 
"Energy Resource Lands"s}c\d\\ refer to lands where naturally occurring or
17 
indigenous energy resources exist in sufficient quantity or quality as to be
18 
economically viable for exploration, development, production, utilization,
19 
and distribution process;
20 
(o) 
"Energy Resources"shd\\ refer to surface or subsurface substances that
21 
serve as energy sources. These are traditionally mineral fuel deposits such
22 
as coal, petroleum, natural gas or renewable resources from geothermal,
23 
hydro reservoirs, or non-conventional sources such as ocean waves, solar,
24 
wind, biomass, and other similar resources which serve the same purpose;
25 
(p) 
"Environmentally Critical Areas"shd\\ refer to areas declared by law as:
26 
(i) Areas for natural parks, watershed reserves, wildlife preserves,
27 
and sanctuaries;
28 
(ii) Areas set aside as aesthetic potential tourist spots;
29 
(iil) Areas which constitute the habitat of any endangered or
30 
threatened species or indigenous Philippine wildlife (flora and
31 
fauna);


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(iv) 
Areas of unique historic, archaeological, or scientific interests;
(v) 
Areas which are traditionally occupied by ICCs/IPs;
(vi) 
Areas with critical slopes;
(vii) 
Areas frequently visited and/or hard hit by natural calamities 
(geologic hazards, floods, typhoons and volcanic activities);
(viii) Prime agricultural lands;
(ix) 
Recharge areas of aquifers;
(x) 
Water bodies;
(xi) 
Mangrove areas;
(xii) 
Coral reefs;
(xiii) 
Mossy and virgin forests;
(xiv) 
Rivers and river banks;
(xv) 
Swamp forest and marshlands; and
(xvi) 
Foreshore lands.
This term shall also include other terrestrial, aquatic and marine areas that 
need special protection and conservation measures because they are ecologically 
fragile or they are needed for food security and food self-sufficiency as determined by 
concerned agencies and LCDs in consultation with the concerned sectors;
(q) 
""Estuary"s\\d\\ refer to a wetland type where the river mouth widens into 
a marine ecosystem, the salinity of which is intermediate between salt 
and freshwater where tidal action is an important biophysical regulator;
(r) 
"Exhausted Mineral Resources" shall refer to a situation where the 
mineral resources in specific sites are no longer in sufficient quantity or 
quality to justify additional expenditure for extraction or utilization;
(s) 
"Food Security"shaW refer to the policy objective of meeting the food 
availability, accessibility, quality 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


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development objectives and policies;
2 
(t) 
"Food Self-sufficiency"shall refer to the policy objective of meeting the
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food requirements through intensive local food production in a
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sustainable manner based on the country's existing and potential
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resource endowments and related production advantages;
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(u) 
"Forestlands"shdW refer to lands of the public domain which have been
7 
classified or declared as such and all unclassified lands of the public
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domain. They include the public forest, the permanent forest or forest
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reserves, and forest reservations;
10 
(v) 
"Foreshore Land"sVid\\ refer to a string of land margining a body of
11 
water, the part of a seashore between the low-water line usually at the
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seaward margin of a low tide terrace and the upper limit of wave wash
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at high tide usually marked by a beach scarp or berm;
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(w) 
"Framework for Physical Planning" shall refer to an indicative plan
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promoting the most appropriate and rational use of land and other
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physical resources. It provides policy guidelines for all decisions relating
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to land use and environmental management to prevent or mitigate the
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adverse effects of inappropriate resource utilization on food security, the
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people's welfare and their environment. It embodies both policies and
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strategies necessary to carry out goals and objectives;
21 
(x) 
"Geo-hazards" shall refer to natural and human-induced geological
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processes that have potential to cause destruction and pose a threat or
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risk to human's life and property;
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(y) "Geo-hazardAreas"s\\hW refer to areas frequently visited and/or vulnerable
25 
or prone to experience weather/climatic, hydrologic, geologic, and other
26 
natural calamities;
27 
(z) "Illegal Conversion"refer to any activity that modifies or alters the
28 
physical characteristics of agricultural lands to render them suitable for
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non-agricultural purposes without an approved order of conversion from
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the DAR Secretary;
31 
(aa) 
"Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs)"s\\d\\
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refer to groups of people or homogenous societies identified under the
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Indigenous Peoples Rights Act or RA 8371;
3 
(bb) 
"Indigenous Energy Resources" shd\\ refer to energy resources which
4 
originate or occur naturally in the Philippines;
5 
(cc) 
"Inland Waters"shdi\\ refer to waters which are not coastal and marine
6 
waters and not subject to acquisitive prescription consistent with the
7 
provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1067, otherwise known as the
8 
"Water Code of the Philippines";
9 
(dd) 
"Inter-tida! Sandflat" shall refer to a juvenile fish-feeding area and
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habitat for crustaceans. The littoral gravel and sand biotopes are also
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used by important wintering ground and roosting/feeding grounds of
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indigenous migratory birds.
13 
(ee) 
"Integrated Watershed Management"shd\\ refer to a planning strategy
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or program for watershed areas that complement environmentally-sound
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soil and water management practices with mechanisms for ensuring
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greater responsibility, involvement, or participation of individuals,
17 
groups, communities and other stakeholders benefiting from these areas
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and water-related infrastructure;
19 
(ff) 
"Key Biodiversity Areas"shd\\ refer to sites that are globally significant
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for biodiversity conservation primarily containing species that require
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site-scale conservation to prevent extinction in the short-term and
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medium-term. Such species may be globally threatened, restricted-
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range and/or globally significant congregations of species;
24 
(gg) 
"Lagoon" shd\\ refer to a semi-enclosed coastal basin with limited
25 
freshwater input, high salinity and restricted circulation which often lies
26 
behind sand dunes. It is often highly productive, being a habitat for a
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variety of plants and animals, serving as nurseries of prawns and shrimps
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and also a site for harbor, aquaculture, industry and recreation;
29 
(hh) 
"Land"shd\\ refer to resources, both human-made and natural, found on
30 
the surface, below, and above the ground including inland waters and
31 
the air therein. In its broadest sense, it shall include all uses.


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improvements and developments of such resources and may be viewed 
as a resource, as space, as location, as property and as factor or 
production or capital;
"Land Use"sh^W refer to the manner of utilization of land, including its 
allocation, development, and management;
"Land Use Classification"s\\d\\ refer to the act of delineating or allocating 
lands according to protection land use, production land use, settlements 
development, and infrastructure development as defined and provided 
for in this Act;
"Land Use Sub-classification" sha 11 refer to the act of determining and 
assigning specific uses of classified lands of the public domain;
"Land Use Pian"s\\d\\ refer to a document embodying a set of policies 
accompanied by maps and similar illustrations which represent the 
community-desired pattern of population distribution and a proposal for 
the future allocation of land to the 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 process and 
the criteria employed in the determination of the land use;
"Land Use Planning" sh^W refer to the act of defining the allocation, 
utilization, development, and management of all land within a given 
territory or jurisdiction according to the inherent qualities of the land 
itself and supportive of sustainable economic, demographic, socio­
cultural and environmental objectives as an aid to decision-making and 
legislation;
"Land Use Policy Council" sh^W refer to the highest land use policy­
making body created under this Act;
"Mandatory Public Consultations"shd\\ refer 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 hearing/consultation to 
affected sectors through publication or posting in conspicuous places, 
conduct of a reasonable number of hearings, and solicitation of positions
10


1 
and the public presentation and validation of the planning results before
2 
the final adoption of the plans;
3 
(pp) 
''Mass Housing"s\\d\\ refer to residential subdivision and condominium
4 
projects covered by development permits and licenses to sell, catering
5 
to the homeless population to include socialized, economic/low-cost and
6 
medium-cost housing beneficiaries with affordabilities as defined from
7 
time to time by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating
8 
Council (HUDCC);
9 
(qq) 
"Minerals" s\\d\\ refer to all naturally occurring inorganic substance in
10 
solid, gas, liquid or intermediate state excluding energy materials such
11 
as coal, petroleum, natural gas, radioactive materials and geothermal
12 
energy;
13 
(rr) 
"Mineral Exploration" shall refer to the systematic searching or
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prospecting for mineral resources;
15 
(ss) 
"Mineral Lands"s\\d\\ refer to lands in which minerals exist in sufficient
16 
quantity or quality to justify the investment necessary for their extraction
17 
and/or development;
18 
(tt) 
"Mudfiat"s\\d\\ refer to a wetland type that is usually an unvegetated
19 
area, dominated by muddy substrate which provides rich feeding
20 
grounds for vertebrates such as fish and water birds and also important
21 
in preventing soil erosion;
22 
(uu) 
"Multiple Use of Land Resources" shall refer to the utilization or
23 
management strategy for public lands, which allows any activity thereat,
24 
involving one or more of its resources, depending on the result of prior
25 
evaluation on its numerous beneficial uses, that will produce the
26 
optimum benefits to the development and progress of the country and
27 
the public welfare without impairment or with the least injury to its other
28 
resources;
29 
(w) 
"National Integrated Protected Areas System"or "NIPAS"s\\^W refer to
30 
the classification and administration of all designated protected areas to
31 
maintain essential ecological processes and life-support systems, to
11


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preserve genetics diversity, to ensure sustainable use of resources found
2 
therein, and to maintain their natural conditions to the greatest extent
3 
possible;
4 
(ww) 
National Parks" s\\d\\ refer to land of the public domain classified as such
5 
in the 1987 Philippine Constitution which include all areas under the
6 
National Integrated Protected Areas System pursuant to Republic Act no.
7 
7586 or the "NIPAS" Act of 1992;
8 
(xx) 
"Network of Protected Areas for Agriculture and Agro-industrial
9 
Development"or "NPAAAD"s\\d\\ refer to agricultural areas identified by
10 
the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Soils and Water
11 
Management (BSWM) in coordination with the National Mapping and
12 
Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) in order to ensure the efficient
13 
utilization of land for agriculture and agro-industrial development and
14 
promote sustainable growth. The NPAAAD covers all irrigated areas; all
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irrigable lands already covered by irrigation projects with firm funding
16 
commitments; all alluvial plains; land highly suitable for agriculture
17 
whether irrigated or not; agro-industrial croplands or lands planted to
18 
industrial crops that support the validity of existing agricultural
19 
infrastructure and agro-based enterprises; highlands or areas located at
20 
an elevation of five hundred (500) meters or above and have the
21 
potential for growing semi-temperate and high value crops; all
22 
agricultural lands that are ecologically fragile the conversion of which will
23 
result in serious environmental degradation; and all mangrove areas and
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fish sanctuaries;
25 
(yy) 
"Non-Government Organization" shall refer to a private, nonprofit
26 
voluntary organization that is committed to the task of political, socio-
27 
economic, physical, cultural and environmental development and
28 
established primarily to provide service to marginalized sectors in these
29 
areas;
30 
(zz) 
"People's Organization"dodW refer to a private, non-profit, voluntary and
31 
community-based organization established primarily to provide service
12


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to its members and the community in general;
2 
(aaa) 
''Physical Framework Plans" shall refer to the national, regional or
3 
provincial indicative plans embodying both policies and strategies that
4 
are prepared by the national, regional and provincial land use policy
5 
councils, respectively, to guide the desired direction and growth and to
6 
promote and advance appropriate resource utilization as a way of
7 
sustaining food security, promoting people's welfare and protection of
8 
the environment;
9 
(bbb) 
"Prime Agricultural Land"shd\\ refer to all irrigated areas, all irrigable
10 
lands already covered by irrigation projects with firm funding
11 
commitments; all alluvial plain land highly suitable for agriculture
12 
whether irrigated or not; agro-industrial croplands or lands presently
13 
planted to industrial crops that support the viability of existing
14 
agricultural infrastructure and agro-based enterprises, highlands, or
15 
areas located at elevation of 500 meters or above and have the potential
16 
for growing semi-temperature and high value crops; all agricultural lands
17 
that are ecologically fragile, the conversion of which will result in serious
18 
environmental degradation; and mangrove areas and fish sanctuaries;
19 
(ccc) 
"Production Land Use"s\\d\\ refer to the direct and indirect utilization of
20 
land to generate outputs resulting from the following activities:
21 
agricultural, fish farming or aquaculture, timber or agro-forestry, grazing
22 
and pasture, mining, indigenous energy resource development, industry,
23 
and tourism;
24 
(ddd) 
"Protected Areas"s\\b\\ refer to portions of land set aside by reason of
25 
their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance
26 
biological diversity, and protected against destructive human
27 
exploitation. For purposes of this Act, it shall include agricultural lands
28 
identified and delineated under Section 29 hereof;
29 
(eee) 
"'Protection Land Use" shall refer to the use of land
30 
primarily for rehabilitation, conservation, and protection purposes and
31 
the promotion of the country's ecological and life-support systems;
13


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(fff) 
''Public Domain"s\\d\\ refer to lands that belong to the State which may
2 
be any of the following: agricultural, forest or timber, mineral, or national
3 
park as provided for in the Constitution;
4 
(ggg) 
"PublicLands"shd\\ refer to lands which have not been subject to private
5 
property rights or subject to sale or other modes of acquisition or
6 
concession under the general laws, and are devoted to public use;
7 
(hhh) 
"Redassification/Sub-dassification of Agricultural Lands" shd\\ refer to
8 
the act of specifying how agricultural lands shall be utilized for non-
9 
agricultural uses such as residential, industrial, or commercial purposes
10 
through the local planning and zoning processes pursuant to Republic
11 
Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991 and subject
12 
to the requirements and procedure for conversion;
13 
(iii) 
"Resettlement Sites"sh^W refer to areas identified by the appropriate
14 
national agency or by the local government unit, with respect to areas
15 
within its jurisdiction, which shall be used for the relocation of the
16 
underprivileged and homeless, as defined under Republic Act No. 7279
17 
or the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA);
18 
(jjj) 
"Settlements"shall refer to formal and informal communities or built-up
19 
residential areas where people prefer to live in and land areas classified,
20 
zoned, or converted for current or future residential or housing
21 
development purposes, including socialized housing zones for the
22 
homeless and underprivileged;
23 
(kkk) 
"Settlements Development"shd\\ refer to any improvement on existing
24 
formal or informal residential or housing settlements or any proposed
25 
development of certain areas for residential or mass housing settlement
26 
purposes. It also involves the spatial distribution of population,
27 
identification of the roles and functions of key urban centers,
28 
determination of relationships among settlement areas, and the
29 
provision of basic services and facilities of identified major residential or
30 
housing settlement areas or growth centers;
31 
(III) 
"Shoreline" shall refer to a strip of land covering at least one (1)
14


1 
kilometer from the point where sea water reaches during the highest
2 
high tide;
3 
(mmm) 
"Significant Caves" shall refer to caves which contain materials or
4 
possess features that have archaeological, cultural, ecological, historical
5 
or scientific value as determined by the Department of Natural Resources
6 
(DENR) in coordination with the scientific community and the academe;
7 
(nnn) 
yySociaiized Housing" shall refer to housing programs and projects
8 
undertaken by the government or the private sector for the
9 
underprivileged and homeless citizens which shall include sites and
10 
services development, long-term financing, liberalized terms on interest
11 
payments, and such other benefits in accordance with the UDHA;
12 
(ooo) 
y"SociaiizedHousing Zones"shd\\ refer to lands identified and designated
13 
by local government units as sites for socialized housing pursuant to
14 
Article IV of Republic Act No. 7279 and its implementing guidelines;
15 
these lands to be identified and designated shall include areas that are
16 
presently occupied by the urban poor, as well as those identified as
17 
resettlement areas as defined 
herein;
18 
(ppp) 
'^Sustainable Development"refer to the development objective of
19 
meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the
20 
ability of future generations to meet their own needs consistent with the
21 
principles of social equity, efficiency, and environmental integrity;
22 
(qqq) 
"Stakeholder"shd\\ refer to an individual, social group or institution that
23 
has a direct or indirect interest in activity, project, resources, or decision;
24 
(rrr) 
"Tourism Development Areas"shd\\ refer to specific sites for tourism
25 
development located in areas identified as priorities in the national,
26 
regional and inter-regional area specific tourism master plans and other
27 
sector plans such as eco-tourism and agri-tourism sites, including those
28 
designated through legislative and executive issuances i.e., tourist spots,
29 
tourist zones and tourism ecozones which can be developed into tourism
30 
estates or integrated resort, leisure, and recreation complexes, and other
31 
tourism related facilities;
15


1 
* (sss) 
"Tourism Estates''shdiW refer to large tracts of land with well-defined
2 
boundaries in any area identified in the Philippine tourism master plan
3 
and regional tourism master plan, by proclamation of the President
4 
and/or by an act of Congress including local legislation. Such land shall
5 
be suitable for the development of an integrated tourism and resort
6 
complex including but not limited to accommodation facilities, food and
7 
beverage outlets, convention and meeting areas, sports, recreational
8 
and leisure centers and commercial outlets among others. It shall be
9 
provided with roads, water supply facilities, power and utilities like
10 
potable water, drainage sewerage disposal, solid waste disposal system
11 
and other necessary infrastructure. The estate shall be under one unified
12 
and continuous management;
13 
(ttt) 
"Tourism Ecozone"s\\d\\ refer to tourism development areas which have
14 
been granted Special Economic Zone status, through Philippine
15 
Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) registration and issuance of the
16 
required Presidential Proclamation, with its metes and bounds delineated
17 
by said Proclamation, pursuant to the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995
18 
or RA 7916, as amended;
19 
(uuu) 
"Tourist Spot" sh^iW refer to a particular a rea/si te/spot, human-made or
20 
natural, known for its unique tourist/visitor-drawing attributes and
21 
activities. It may be classified according to its social, cultural, natural,
22 
historical, scientific, religious, and recreational significance;
23 
(vw) 'iS Tourist Zone" shall refer to a geographic area with well-defined
24 
boundaries proclaimed as such by the President of the Philippines and/or
25 
by acts of Congress. No development projects for any purpose shall be
26 
initiated and introduced within the zone prior to the formulation of a
27 
tourism master development plan which shall be undertaken in
28 
coordination with the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Tourism
29 
Authority. A tourist zone is established for the enhancement and/or the
30 
conservation of cultural and historical heritage and for the appreciation
31 
and enjoyment of the local population and its visitors;
16


1 
(www) 
"Urban Areas" shall refer to all cities regardless of their population
2 
density and to municipalities with population density of at least five
3 
hundred (500) persons per square kilometer;
4 
(xxx) 
"Urbanizable Areas" shd\\ refer to sites and lands which, considering
5 
present characteristics and prevailing conditions, display marked and
6 
great potential of becoming urban areas within a period of five (5) years;
7 
(yyy) 
"Urban Forestry or Green Space" shall refer to the establishment or
8 
setting-up of areas for mini-forest or small nature parks, lining roads and
9 
highways with trees, shrubs, or ornamental plants, and ground
10 
landscaping of schools, hospitals, and other government agencies in
11 
order to improve the environment in urban areas;
12 
(zzz) 
"Water Security"s\\d\\ refer to the sufficient access throughout the year
13 
to the minimum daily requirement of clean water to maintain a healthy
14 
life;
15 
(aaaa) 
"Water Use" shd\\ refer to the appropriation of water for domestic,
16 
municipal, irrigation, power generation, inland fisheries, poultry and
17 
livestock, industrial and commercial, environmental, and recreational
18 
use;
19 
(bbbb) 
" Watershed"s\\d\\ refer to a topographically delineated area of land from
20 
which rainwater can drain as surface run-off vis-a-vis di specific stream
21 
or river system to a common outlet point which may be a dam, irrigation
22 
system or urban water supply take-off point, or where the stream
23 
discharges into a river, lake, or the sea;
24 
(cccc) 
"Zoning //sha 11 refer to the regulatory tool for delineating the specific uses
25 
of lands in accordance with the approved CLUP within the territorial
26 
jurisdiction of a city/municipality and specifying the conditions for their
27 
regulation; subject to the limitations imposed by law and competent
28 
authority; and,
29 
(dddd) "Zoning ordinance" or shall refer to a local law passed by the
30 
Sangguniang Bayan or Paniungsod approving the development
31 
control/zoning plan in accordance with an approved or adopted CLUP for
17


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 13(a) and the protected agricultural lands under Section 
29 hereof.
7 
CHAPTER III
8 
PHYSICAL FRAMEWORK AND LAND USE PLANS
9 
Sec. 5. National Land Use Planning Process. — The land use and physical
10 
planning process shall be formulated following a combined bottom-up and top-down
11 
approach. The national framework for physical planning, which guides the planning
12 
and management of the country's land and other physical resources at the national
13 
and sub-national levels, shall indicate broad spatial directions and policy guidelines on
14 
settlement development, production land use, protection land use and infrastructure
15 
development. The regional and provincial framework plans and Comprehensive Land
16 
Use Plans (CLUPs), which cover the physical development of their respective
17 
territories, shall be consistent with the national framework for physical planning:
18 
Provided, That the integration and harmonization of physical framework plans at all
19 
levels shall be imperative to ensure that the concerns of both top and bottom levels
20 
of government are considered in the national, regional and physical framework plans
21 
and CLUPs. The physical and land use plans prepared at all levels shall have internal
22 
consistency specifically on, but not limited to, the development, management and
23 
conservation of forestlands found within a given territory and the linkages of the major
24 
land use categories to ensure that they complement in the utilization, development
25 
and management of resources.
26 
Sec. 6. National Framework for Physical Planning. — The Land Use Policy
27 
Council (LUPC) created in Section 14 herein, in consultation with the concerned
28 
sectors through the mandatory conduct of public hearings, shall formulate, periodically
29 
update and ensure the implementation of a national framework for physical planning
30 
that shall serve as the general long-term framework for the spatial development
18


1 
directions of the entire country. A national framework for physical planning shall be
2 
the basis for adopting land use and physical planning-related guidelines and
3 
standards, including zoning and other land use control standards that will guide the
4 
formulation of city/municipal zoning ordinances.
5 
Sec. 7. Regional Physical Framework Plans. — In consultation with concerned
6 
sectors, the Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC) shall define the desired spatial
7 
arrangement of land-using activities in the entire region, consolidating and
8 
harmonizing the provincial physical framework plans of provinces and independent
9 
cities within the territorial jurisdiction of the region. The regional physical framework
10 
plan, which depicts an end-state scenario toward which efforts and activities are
11 
directed, shall consist of spatially-based and area-focused policies, consistent with
12 
those in the national framework for physical planning, to guide detailed physical,
13 
socio-economic, sectoral and investment planning.
14 
Sec. 8. Provincial Physical Framework Plans. — In consultation with concerned
15 
sectors, the Provincial Planning and Development Office shall prepare a provincial
16 
physical framework plan to determine the physical development of the entire
17 
provincial territory, consolidating and harmonizing the land use plans of component
18 
cities and municipalities, and defining the uses of land and other resources within the
19 
province consistent with the policies in the regional physical framework plan. It shall
20 
submit the provincial physical framework plan to the Provincial Land Use Policy Council
21 
(PLUPC), created under Section 20 of this Act, for review and endorsement to the
22 
Sangguniang Panlalawigan, which shall adopt the same pursuant to Section 468 (2)
23 
(vii) of the LGC.
24 
Sec. 9. City and Municipal Land Use Plans. — The City/Municipal Planning and
25 
Development Office, in consultation with concerned sectors through mandatory
26 
conduct of public hearings, shall prepare the CLUP to determine the specific uses of
27 
land and other physical resources therein including areas co-managed with the
28 
national government and, as appropriate, the ancestral domain areas. Guided by a
29 
provincial physical framework plan, the CLUP shall embody the desired land use
30 
patterns and mixes of the city or municipal territory and provide appropriate policies
31 
for each of the four land use planning categories that shall guide and serve as
19


1 
framework for more detailed development and sectoral planning.
2 
The CLUP shall be translated into a zoning ordinance by the concerned
3 
Sanggunian to regulate the uses of land, including the limitations on height, density
4 
and bulk of buildings and other infrastructure that may be placed thereon.
5 
CHAPTER IV
6 
FRAMEWORK FOR LAND USE PLANNING
7 
Sec. 10. Priorities in Land Use Aiiocation and Pianning. — In projecting spatial
8 
allocation for different land uses, the LGUs shall first exclude areas under protection
9 
land use of Section 13(A) hereof, national parks, energy resource lands, and prime
10 
agricultural lands to ensure ecological integrity, energy supply, and promote food
11 
security. Areas with prior rights and those with site-specific resources for basic
12 
services, such as but not limited to, water and indigenous energy resources, shall also
13 
be excluded. Spatial allocation and planning shall then proceed in accordance with
14 
Sections 12 and 13 hereof with priorities given to integrated watershed management
15 
areas, socialized housing sites, fisherfolk settlement in coastal areas, and waste
16 
disposal sites.
17 
Sec. 11. Adoption of Muitipie Uses of Land Resources. — The primary and
18 
alternative uses of a specific land resource shall be determined and evaluated prior to
19 
any decision for the assignment of its use. Areas feasible for sustainable land resource
20 
use may be considered multiple-use zones wherein settlements, tourism, agriculture,
21 
agro-forestry and extraction activities and other income-generating or livelihood
22 
activities may be allowed: Provided, That multiple uses of land resources shall be in
23 
accordance with priorities in land use allocation and planning and that no
24 
reclassification shall be allowed.
25 
Sec. 12. Basic Land Use Pianning Considerations. — In determining the various
26 
land uses, the people and their productive activities and the need for functional open
27 
spaces and preservation areas as well as the various interrelationships of the physical
28 
characteristics of the land and other elements therein shall be considered, among
29 
others, the following:
30 
(a) Availability of natural resources including indigenous energy resources
20


1 
for energy security and self-sufficiency;
2 
(b) Geology, geomorphology, geologic hazard, climate, soil, vegetative
3 
cover, demography and slope;
4 
(c) Economic, environmental, social and related development activities;
5 
(d) Existing government policies on land and natural resources allocation,
6 
utilization, management and disposition;
7 
(e) Technological changes/advancement;
8 
(f) Existing customary rights for the protection of indigenous peoples and
9 
vulnerable groups including women and urban poor;
10 
(g) Inventory of prior and existing rights, to harmonize determination of land
11 
use.
12 
Sec. 13. Categories of Land Uses for Planning Purposes. — In determining and
13 
defining the national, regional and provincial framework plans, and CLUPs, land uses
14 
shall be grouped into four major functional uses as follows:
15 
(a) Protection Land Use - Planning for protection of land use intends to
16 
achieve environmental stability and ecological integrity, ensure a balance
17 
between resource use and the preservation of some areas with
18 
environmental, aesthetic, educational, cultural and historical
19 
significance, and protect people and human-made structures from the
20 
ill-effects of natural hazards. Areas under this category are those under
21 
the coverage of the NIPAS Law and other coastal and marine protected
22 
areas; those areas outside NIPAS but nonetheless require protection
23 
because of their outstanding physical and aesthetic features,
24 
anthropological significance, and biological diversity; and those areas
25 
prone to natural hazards. Areas outside the coverage of the NIPAS law
26 
include, but are not limited to the following:
27 
(i) Reserved old-growth forests above 1,000 meters in elevation
28 
and those 50% in slope gradient;
29 
(ii) Mangrove and fish sanctuaries, pursuant to the Agriculture and
30 
Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 or RA 8435 and the
31 
Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 or RA 8550;
21


1
2
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
(iii) 
Buffer zones or strips/easements, pursuant to the Revised 
Forestry Code of the Philippines or P.D. No. 705 and the Water 
Code of the Philippines or P.D. No. 1067;
(iv) 
Salvage zones along foreshore areas, freshwater swamps and 
marshes, plazas and heritage/historic sites, pursuant to P.D. 
No. 2146;
(v) 
Watersheds supporting domestic water supply;
(vi) 
Utility easement like transmission lines of power companies, oil 
and gas facilities, cell sites, and domestic water lines;
(vii) 
Amenity areas or those with high aesthetic values, pursuant to 
P.D. No. 2146.
(vili) Natural and human-made areas/sites of cultural, historical and 
anthropological significance, which are declared as such by 
internationally recognized organizations and concerned 
national agencies.
(ix) 
Critical habitats as provided in the Wildlife Resources 
Conservation and Protection Act or RA 9147.
(x) 
Significant Caves under the National Caves and Cave Resources 
Management and Protection Act or RA 9072.
(xi) 
Key Biodiversity Areas under Executive Order 578 (National 
Biodiversity Policy)
(b) Production Land Use - Planning for production land shall 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, fishing grounds, coastal and marine 
zones, production forest which comprise lands 18% to 50% in slope 
gradient such as: residual dipterocarps, rangelands for grazing purposes, 
industrial tree plantation, community-based forest management areas 
and other reforestation projects; mineral lands or mining areas and 
reservations, energy resource lands, industrial development areas, and 
tourism development areas where productive activities could be
22


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
undertaken to meet the country's requirements for food security, 
economic growth and development.
(c) 
Settlements Development - The settlement development plan ensures 
for the present and future generation the following:
(i) 
Effective integration of activities within and among settlements, 
allowing efficient movement of people and production of 
commodities through the provision of appropriate land, 
infrastructure, and facilities; and
(ii) 
Access of the population to housing, education, healthcare, 
recreation, transportation and communication, sanitation, and 
basic utilities such as water, power, waste disposal, and other 
services.
(d) 
Infrastructure Development - 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: Provided, That 
the determination of functional uses of lands within ancestral domains 
shall consider traditional resource and management systems that do not 
endanger the lives and property of the local community and neighboring 
areas or increase the vulnerability of the natural environment to the 
effects of natural and human-induced geological processes.
25 
CHAPTER V
26 
IMPLEMENTING STRUCTURE AND MECHANISM
27 
ARTICLE I
28 
LAND USE POLICY COUNCIL
29 
Sec. 14. Creation of the Land Use Policy Council (LUPC). — The LUPC is hereby
30 
created under the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board. It
23


1 
shall exercise the powers and responsibilities of the National Land Use Committee
2 
(NLUC). The LUPC shall act as the highest policy-making body on land use and resolve
3 
land use policy conflicts between or among agencies, branches, or levels of the
4 
government. It shall integrate efforts, monitor developments relating to land use and
5 
the evolution of policies.
6 
Sec. 15. Composition of the LUPC — The LUPC shall be composed of twenty
7 
(20) members.
8 
(a) The Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning as Chairperson;
9 
(b) The Secretaries of Environment and Natural Resources and Agriculture
10 
and the Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development
11 
Coordinating Council (HUDCC) as Vice-Chairpersons;
12 
(c) The Secretaries of Agrarian Reform, Trade and Industry, Public Works
13 
and Highways, Transportation and Communications, Tourism, Interior
14 
and Local Government, Justice, Science and Technology, Finance and
15 
Energy;
16 
(d) A representative each from four (4) basic sectors directly involved in land
17 
use, namely: urban poor, peasants, fisherfolk, and indigenous peoples
18 
who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines based on the
19 
nomination and recommendation of the respective sectoral councils of
20 
the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC). At least two sectoral
21 
representatives shall be women; and
22 
(e) Two representatives from private subdivision and housing developers.
23 
A consultative body shall likewise be convened by the LUPC at least once a year
24 
or as often as may be necessary. It shall be composed of representatives from the
25 
Leagues of Municipalities, Cities, and Provinces, other government agencies not
26 
represented in the LUPC, and from non-government sectors such as the private sector,
27 
non-government organizations (NGOs) and people's organizations (POs), and the
28 
academic community.
29 
Sec. 16. Powers and Functions. —The LUPC shall have the following powers
30 
and functions:
31 
(a) Advise the President of the Philippines and the NEDA Board on all
24


1
2
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
matters concerning land use and physical planning;
(b) 
Formulate policies and endorse land use and physical planning-related 
policies that may be formulated by the RLUPC 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;
(c) 
Harmonize laws, guidelines and policies relevant to land use and physical 
planning to come up with a rational, cohesive, and comprehensive 
national land use framework;
(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) 
Monitor and coordinate undertaking 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;
(f) 
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;
(g) 
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;
(h) 
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
25


1 
sectoral maps;
2 
(i) Call on any department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality of the
3 
government, and or private entities and organization for cooperation,
4 
support, and assistance in the performance of its functions;
5 
(j) Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use between or among
6 
national government agencies and act on unresolved land use policy
7 
conflicts at the regional level;
8 
(k) Adopt rules of procedures for the orderly and expeditious conduct of
9 
meetings and other business of the Council; and
10 
(I) Perform such other acts and functions and exercise such other powers
11 
as may be necessarily implied, inherent, incident, or related to the
12 
foregoing.
13 
Sec. 17. LUPC Technical Board (LUPC-TB). —A Technical Board shall be created
14 
to provide technical support to the LUPC. It shall be composed of:
15 
(a) NEDA Deputy Director-General for Regional Development as
16 
Chairperson;
17 
(b) Representatives of the member agencies/institutions of the LUPC, who
18 
shall have a rank not lower than Director level; and
19 
(c) The representatives of the four (4) basic sectors as enumerated in
20 
Section 15 (d) of this Act.
21 
Sec. 18. Offices, Units and Staff Support. —The NEDA Regional Development
22 
Office shall continue to provide core secretariat services to LUPC, its Technical Board
23 
and RLUPC. Other government agencies may also be called upon for staff support.
24 
ARTICLE II
25 
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS AS LOCAL LAND USE POLICY COUNCILS
26 
Sec. 19. Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC). — At the regional level, the
27 
RLUPC will be institutionalized, replicating the LUPC structure and composition. A
28 
representative from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian
29 
Reform (DAR) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall
30 
be included In the composition of the RLUPC. The RLUPC shall have the following
26


1 
functions:
2 
(a) Formulate and adopt regional policies on land use and physical planning;
3 
(b) Prepare and periodically update a regional physical framework plan,
4 
taking into consideration national policies and lower level plans;
5 
(c) Assist the provinces in preparing and periodically updating its physical
6 
framework plans to ensure consistency with the regional and national
7 
plans and policies and to facilitate its integration to the regional plans;
8 
(d) Review, prior to adoption by respective Sanggunian bodies, the
9 
provincial physical framework plan and CLUPs of highly urbanized and
10 
independent component cities to ensure consistency with the regional
11 
physical framework plan and national policies set forth by LUPC and
12 
compliance with limits prescribed under the 1991 LGC for reclassifying
13 
agricultural lands;
14 
(e) Resolve and recommend policy conflicts on land use planning,
15 
classification, and allocation that may arise between or among regional
16 
line agencies;
17 
(f) 
Monitor changes in land use and other physical resources in the region;
18 
(g) Evaluate consistency of major programs and projects with the regional
19 
physical framework plans and their impact on land use and the
20 
environment;
21 
(h) Undertake the gathering of regional data for the Land Resource
22 
Information and Management System; and
23 
(i) 
Perform other related functions as may be directed by the LUPC.
24 
Sec. 20. Provincial Land Use Policy Council (PLUPC). — The Provincial
25 
Development Council (PDC), created under Section 106 of the LGC, shall act as the
26 
PLUPC that will tackle land use concerns whenever necessary. A representative from
27 
the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of Environment and
28 
Natural Resources (DENR) shall be included in the composition of the PLUPC.
29 
In addition to the functions enumerated in Section 109 of the LGC, the PLUPC shall:
30 
(a) 
Advise the Sangguniang Paniaiawigan on all matters pertaining to land
31 
use and physical planning;
27


1 
(b) Review and endorse to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for adoption, the
2 
provincial physical framework plan prepared and periodically updated by
3 
the Provincial Planning and Development Office and other land use and
4 
physical planning-related policies;
5 
(c) Assist the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in reviewing the CLUPs of
6 
component cities/municipalities to ensure consistency with the provincial
7 
physical framework plans and compliance with the limits prescribed
8 
under the 1991 LGC for reclassifying agricultural lands; and
9 
(d) Resolve and recommend policy conflicts on land use planning,
10 
classification, and allocation that may arise between 
or among
11 
cities/municipalities and any unresolved land 
use conflicts 
at the
12 
city/municipal level.
13 
The PLUPC may call upon any local official concerned such as Provincial Planning and
14 
Development Coordinator, Provincial Agriculturist, Provincial Environment and Natural
15 
Resources Officer, Provincial Engineer, Provincial Assessor, or any official of national
16 
agencies and other relevant agencies during discussions on land use and physical
17 
planning concerns.
18 
Sec. 21. City/Municipal Land Use Policy Council (C/MLUPC). — The
19 
City/Municipal Development Council (C/MDC), created under Section 106 of the LGC,
20 
shall act as the C/MLUPC that will tackle land use concerns whenever necessary. A
21 
representative from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of
22 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall be included in the composition of
23 
the C/MLUPC.
24 
In addition to the functions enumerated in Section 109 of the LGC, the C/MLUPC shall:
25 
(a) Advise the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Paniungsod on all
26 
matters pertaining to land use and physical planning;
27 
(b) Review and endorse to the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang
28 
Paniungsod^or adoption, the CLUP prepared and periodically updated by
29 
the City/Municipal Planning and Development Office and other land use
30 
and physical planning-related policies; and
31 
(c) Resolve and recommend policy conflicts on land use planning and
28


1 
allocation that may arise between and among barangays and any
2 
unresolved land use conflicts at the barangay level regarding the
3 
violation of zoning ordinances including opposition to applications for
4 
locational clearances, permits or certificates.
5 
For purposes of this Act, the City/Municipal Planning and Development
6 
Coordinator (C/MPDC) shall (a) act on all applications for locational clearances for all
7 
projects except those of vital and national economic or environmental significance,
8 
and (b) monitor on-going/existing projects within their respective jurisdictions and
9 
issue notices of violation to owners, developers, or managers of projects that are
10 
violative of zoning ordinances.
11 
The C/MLUPC may call upon any local official concerned such as C/MPDC,
12 
City/Municipal Agriculturist, City/Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer,
13 
City/Municipal Engineer, City/Municipal Assessor, or any official of national agencies
14 
during discussions on land use and physical planning concerns.
15 
Local government units without operational C/MDCs as mandated by the 1991 LGC
16 
shall activate their respective Councils within six (6) months from the effectivity of this
17 
Act.
18 
ARTICLE III
19 
ADOPTION, APPROVAL AND REVIEW OF LAND USE PLANS
20 
Sec. 22. Component Cities and Municipaiities. — Component cities and
21 
municipalities shall have the power and authority to adopt and approve their
22 
respective CLUPs and ZOs through their respective Sanggunian bodies subject to the
23 
power of review of their respective provinces only with respect to the consistency of
24 
the CLUPs and ZOs with Section 9 hereof on the preparation of the provincial physical
25 
framework plan.
26 
Sec. 23. Provinces and Independent and Highiy Urbanized Cities. — Provinces
27 
and independent and highly urbanized cities shall have the power and authority to
28 
adopt and approve their respective CLUPs, ZOs or provincial physical framework plan,
29 
as the case may be, through their respective Sanggunian but subject to the review of
30 
the RLUPC as provided in Section 19 hereof.
29


1 
ARTICLE IV
2 
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND LGUS
3 
Sec. 24. National Base Mapping Program. — A national mapping program shall
4 
be implemented, coordinated, and monitored through the creation of an Inter-agency
5 
Technical Committee (ITC) composed of the National Mapping and Resource
6 
Information Authority (NAMRIA), as the lead agency, the Bureau of Soils and Water
7 
Management (BSWM), the Forest Management Bureau (FMB), the Land Management
8 
Bureau (LMB), the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), the Mines and
9 
Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology And Seismology
10 
(PHIVOLCS), DAR, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), DOE, NEDA and
11 
other concerned government agencies/bureaus. The ITC shall be constituted, and the
12 
mapping program initiated, within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act.
13 
For purposes of uniformity and standardization, the LGUs, to be assisted by the
14 
appropriate agencies of the national government, shall likewise prepare their
15 
respective territorial maps using scales, symbols, and other indicators to be prescribed
16 
In accordance with this Act. The completed maps shall be integrated in the national
17 
framework for physical planning pursuant to Section 6 hereof.
18 
Sec. 25. National Geo-Hazard Mapping Program. — Within thirty (30) days from
19 
the effectivity of this Act, a nationwide geo-hazard mapping program shall be initiated
20 
jointly thru the LUPC by the PHIVOLCS, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and
21 
Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the NAMRIA, MGB, BSWM, and DOE,
22 
in coordination with the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), the Regional
23 
Disaster Coordinating Councils, and other concerned government agencies. The
24 
program shall include the generation of indicative geo-hazard zoning maps that will
25 
outline areas in the Philippines which are prone to liquefaction, landslides, severe flash
26 
flooding, lahar, ground rupturing, tsunami, river erosion, coastal erosion, sinkhole
27 
collapse, earthquake, hazardous volcanic products, and other disastrous natural
28 
hazards.
29 
For purposes of uniformity and standardization and in order to develop a safe-built
30 
environment, the LGUs shall subsequently incorporate and integrate the generated
31 
geo-hazard zoning maps in their respective CLUPs. Said geo-hazard maps shall serve
30


1 
as guide for all the LGUs in the preparation of their own hazards-constrained
2 
development plans. The national framework for physical planning, pursuant to Section
3 
6 hereof, shall incorporate these geo-hazard maps.
4 
All infrastructure activities including real estate and subdivision projects and the
5 
development of tourist spots requiring an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)
6 
shall be required to submit an Engineering Geological and Geo-hazard Assessment
7 
Report (EGGAR).
8 
Sec. 26. Scope and Nature of Responsibilities of Other National Government
9 
Agencies. — All concerned national government agencies/bodies shall periodically
10 
report to the LUPC on the various activities and accomplishments relative to land use.
11 
Likewise, they shall provide their respective sectoral/development plans and render
12 
technical and administrative support if called upon by the LUPC relative to the
13 
implementation of the provisions of this Act.
14 
Sec. 27. Submission of Annual Report on the Implementation ofCLUPs. — The
15 
C/MLUPC shall submit an annual report on the implementation of their land use plans
16 
to the PLUPC, which shall Integrate the same for submission to the RLUPC, which shall
17 
in turn integrate the provincial reports for submission to the LUPC.
18 
CHAPTER VI
19 
SPECIAL AREAS OF CONCERN
20 
ARTICLE I
21 
AGRICULTURAL LANDS
22 
Sec. 28. Priority Areas for Agricultural Development — Priority areas for
23 
agricultural development are the CARP, CARPable areas, and the NPAAAD.
24 
Sec. 29. Conversion of Agricultural Lands. — Agricultural lands are deemed
25 
converted to non-agricultural uses upon the recommendation of appropriate
26 
government agencies and the approval by the DAR of the application for conversion.
27 
Prime agricultural lands and specific types of lands to the extent necessary for
28 
attaining food self-sufficiency in rice and corn and food security 
in other basic
29 
commodities, as determined by the DA, subject to mandatory consultation with the
30 
LGUs, the private sector, the NGOs, and POs, shall be protected from conversion.
31


1 
which shall include but not limited to areas under the NPAAAD: Provided, That all
2 
irrigated and irrigable lands, all lands developed or possessing the potential for
3 
development of high value crops, and all agricultural lands that are ecologically fragile
4 
and whose conversion will result in serious environmental problems shall be given full
5 
protection from conversion, the areas under which are subject to review every six (6)
6 
years by the DA, DAR and DENR, with the mandatory public consultations: Provided,
1 
further. That consistent with the State policy on giving priority to the completion of
8 
the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), all lands subject to CARP
9 
including those lands covered under the notice of compulsory acquisition/voluntary
10 
offer to sell, production or profit-sharing, or commercial farm deferment shall also be
11 
protected from conversion pending the distribution and installation of the farmer
12 
beneficiaries, but thereafter. Section 65 of Republic Act No. 6657 or the
13 
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) shall apply.
14 
Lands defined under Section 10 of R.A. No. 6657 shall remain exempted and excluded
15 
from the coverage of CARP.
16 
Sec. 30. Re-ciassification/Sub-classification of Agricuiturai Lands by LGUs. —
17 
Sub-classification or re-classification of agricultural lands to other uses under Section
18 
20 of the LGC of 1991 shall exclude the prime agricultural lands as stated in the
19 
preceding section. Moreover, such sub-classification/reclassification is not
20 
synonymous to conversion. The DA and DAR shall provide the LGUs with a complete
21 
list and maps of prime agricultural lands within their territorial jurisdictions.
22 
ARTICLE II
23 
FORESTLANDS AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
24 
Sec. 31. Reversion of Aiienabie and Disposable Lands to Forestlands. — Upon
25 
the recommendation of the Secretary of the DENR, duly reviewed and endorsed by
26 
the LUPC, and after due consultations with the concerned LGUs and affected parties,
27 
Congress may authorize the reversion of alienable and disposable lands of the public
28 
domain or portion thereof to forestlands. Thereafter, said lands shall be included in
29 
the preparation of land use plans within forestlands.
30 
Sec. 32. Critical Watershed Areas. — The DENR, in coordination with the DA,
32


1 
LGUs, and other government agencies, including government-owned and-controlled
2 
corporations, and with mandatory public consultations, shall identify and delineate
3 
critical watershed areas that need to be protected, rehabilitated, enhanced, and/or
4 
withdrawn from uses that contribute to their further degradation.
5 
Sec. 33. Formulation and Implementation of Integrated Watershed
6 
Management Plans. — With the assistance of the DENR and upon mandatory
7 
consultations with the concerned sectors, the LCDs through their local land use
8 
committees shall prepare their watershed management plans which shall be
9 
integrated with their respective CLUPs. The formulation and integration of the plan
10 
shall be guided, among others, by the principle that the management and
11 
development of inland water resources shall be at the watershed level. A nationwide
12 
mapping of watersheds in the country shall be implemented.
13 
In cases where the watershed areas transcend the boundaries of a particular
14 
municipality, an inter-LGU committee composed of representatives from local land use
15 
committees of the LGUs where the watershed area is located shall be formed. With
16 
the assistance of the DENR and upon mandatory consultations with the concerned
17 
sectors, the inter-LGU committee shall formulate the watershed management plan for
18 
the said watershed area.
19 
The DENR and the concerned LGUs shall jointly Implement the watershed
20 
management plan subject to regular consultations with and involvement of the
21 
community and other stakeholders in the implementation of the plan.
22 
The preparation of Forest Land Use Plans shall make use of the watershed as the basic
23 
planning unit.
24 
ARTICLE III
25 
COASTAL ZONES
26 
Sec. 34. Criteria on the Allocation and Utilization of Lands within the Coastal
27 
Zones. — The allocation and utilization of lands within the coastal zones shall be
28 
guided by the following:
29 
(a) Areas vegetated with mangrove species shall be preserved for mangrove
30 
production and shall not be converted to other uses;
33


1 
(b) Areas that meet all accepted criteria on elevation, soil type, soil depth,
2 
topography, supply for successful fishpond development, and are not
3 
identified as mangrove protected areas, shall be utilized for aquaculture
4 
purposes;
5 
(c) Areas sub-classified as mangrove and still suitable for use as such, or
6 
due to environmental conditions need to be preserved as mangrove, but
7 
are devoid of mangrove stands shall not be converted to other uses. The
8 
DENR shall ensure that these lands shall be reforested within a given
9 
period of time;
10 
(d) Areas accessible to the sea and identified for fisherfolk settlement and
11 
housing shall be allocated to traditional fisherfolk who are inhabitants of
12 
the coastal communities and members of legitimate fisherfolk
13 
organizations and/or holders of stewardship lease contracts or titles to
14 
ancestral domains or any form of property right arrangements who
15 
participate in coastal resource management initiatives, subject to the
16 
usual census procedures of the HUDCC.
17 
(e) Areas that are neither sub-classified as mangrove, fisherfolk settlement
18 
nor fishpond may be devoted to recreational or tourism purposes:
19 
Provided, That such undertaking will not result in environmental
20 
degradation and displacement of small fishers;
21 
(f) Areas which are considered as traditional fishing grounds shall be used
22 
primarily for such purpose;
23 
(g) Areas which have been allocated for small infrastructure needed by
24 
fisherfolk shall be allowed; and
25 
(h) Areas which form part of foreshore lands as defined in this Act including
26 
those that are under lease agreements or arrangements shall undergo
27 
zoning and evaluation to determine their boundaries and actual sizes
28 
and corresponding uses.
29 
Sec. 35. Coastal Land Zone Sub-classification. — All public lands in the coastal
30 
zones shall be subclassified into any of the following: estuaries, lagoons, inter-tidal
31 
flats, mudflats, fishponds, mangroves, protection from tidal surge, for preservation of
34


1 
biodiversity, habitats and sanctuaries for endangered wildlife, fisherfolk settlement, or
2 
recreational/tourism areas. No sub-classification of coastal zones to different uses shall
3 
be done without the following:
4 
(a) Conduct of a comprehensive resource and environmental assessment by the
5 
DENR and respective LGUs and accredited NGOs and POs within their jurisdiction; and
6 
(b) Prior consultation with local Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management
7 
Councils (FARMCs) formed under Republic Act No. 8550 or the Fisheries Code.
8 
Sec. 36. Zoning of Foreshore Areas. — Local government units, in coordination with
9 
the DENR, shall conduct zoning of their respective foreshore areas to assist
10 
government and community fishers identify priority areas for conservation and
11 
development, and to enable them to set targets for mangrove reforestation and
12 
rehabilitation.
13 
ARTICLE IV
14 
MINERAL LANDS
15 
Sec. 37. Criteria for the Utiiization and Aiiocation of Land for Mining Purposes. —
16 
Consistent with Section 5 of this Act and the provisions of Republic Act No. 7942 or
17 
the Mining Act of 1995, and to ensure that the objectives of maintaining ecological
18 
balance and maximizing economic returns to mining operations are realized, the
19 
allocation and utilization of lands for mining purposes shall be guided by the following:
20 
(a) 
The principles of sustainable development and responsible mining;
21 
(b) 
In case of small-scale mining, adequate and acceptable safeguards shall
22 
be instituted by the holders of mining rights or permits to prevent
23 
environmental degradation of the mining sites and adjacent areas;
24 
(c) Mineral reservations which have become non-operational for more than
25 
ten (10) years as determined by the MGB shall be placed under
26 
appropriate surface management by the DENR;
27 
(d) Consistent with the Mining Act of 1995, existing mineral reservations
28 
shall be periodically reviewed by the DENR for the purpose of
29 
determining whether their continued existence is consistent with the
30 
national interest and, if warranted, recommend the alteration or
35


1 
modification of its boundaries or revert the same to public domain
2 
without prejudice to prior existing rights; and
3 
(e) Protection forest lands and agricultural lands should be exempt from
4 
mining activities to minimize the effect of natural calamities and to
5 
protect food security respectively. Small to large scale mining operations
6 
should yield and recognize the tenurial instrument given by the
7 
government such as OCT, TCT, CADT, EP-CLOA and other instruments.
8 
If these be present, no mining activity should be conducted.
9 
Sec. 38. Reversion of Mineral Lands. —All mineral lands with exhausted mineral
10 
resources, as determined by the MGB upon the recommendation of the DENR, shall
11 
revert to its original land classification, that is, as forest land or agricultural land. In
12 
the case of forestlands, the DENR may classify such areas for other purposes in
13 
consultation with concerned LGUs, the DOT, and other national government agencies.
14 
Exhausted mineral lands shall refer to specific sites whose mineral deposits are no
15 
longer in sufficient quantity or quality to justify additional expenditure for their
16 
extraction and utilization.
17 
ARTICLE V
18 
ENERGY RESOURCE LANDS
19 
Sec. 39. Guidelines for the Utilization and Allocation of Lands for Energy
20 
Resource Exploration, Development, Production, Utilization, and Distribution Purposes.
21 
—To ensure that the objectives of maintaining ecological balance and maximizing the
22 
power potential from indigenous energy resources in the most economical and
23 
environmentally-acceptable means are realized, the allocation and utilization of lands
24 
for said purposes shall be guided by the following, consistent with existing regulations
25 
and laws on energy resources:
26 
(a) Indigenous energy resource exploration and development for the
27 
purpose of a National Energy Resource Inventory and Data Base as well
28 
as Energy Resource Block Map shall be allowed subject to 
the
29 
implementation of 
complementary watershed and other land
30 
management plans;
36


1 
(b) Indigenous energy resource exploration, development, production,
2 
utilization, and distribution shall be subject to the appropriate
3 
requirements and processes of the Philippine Environmental Impact
4 
Statement (EIS) system. Each project shall secure an Environmental
5 
Compliance Certificate (ECC) prior to project implementation to ensure
6 
adequate and appropriate environmental management measures and
7 
optimum methods for resource access and recovery are utilized; and
8 
(c) Energy reservations or portions thereof which have become or have been
9 
established to be non-economically viable to operate or are no longer
10 
used for energy purposes shall be released to give way to other land
11 
uses, subject to existing laws covering energy reservations.
12 
Sec. 40. Reversion of Energy Resource Lands. — All exhausted indigenous
13 
energy resource lands not covered by proclamations shall automatically revert to the
14 
category of forestlands or agricultural lands open to disposition, whichever is
15 
appropriate. Exhausted energy resource lands shall refer to specific energy resource
16 
sites whose energy reserves of the desired type/s are no longer in sufficient quantity
17 
or quality to justify additional expenditure for their extraction and utilization.
18 
CHAPTER VII
19 
SETTLEMENTS DEVELOPMENT
20 
Sec. 41. Town, City, and Settiements Deveiopment — The development of
21 
town, city, and settlements through the zoning ordinances of cities and municipalities
22 
shall be guided by urban zoning standards designed to maximize existing urban
23 
spaces. Socialized housing and settlement areas should be established only on
24 
alienable and disposable lands in order to avoid further degradation of forestlands.
25 
Sec. 42. Settiements within Geo-hazard Areas. — Settlements, in particular
26 
housing or residential developments, within geo-hazard areas may be allowed
27 
provided that mitigating and/or protective measures are adopted to address the
28 
potential danger or risk to lives and property within such settlements. In coordination
29 
with the concerned agencies of the government, the LUPC shall provide assistance to
37


1 
concerned LGUs and settlers in instituting safety and corrective measures to address
2 
the potential danger or risk.
3 
Residential zones as designated in the CLUP shall be considered as outside the
4 
geo-hazard areas. For this purpose, housing projects within such areas shall be
5 
exempt from the ECC as well as the EGGAR and maybe implemented without the need
6 
for any further certificate of exemption from the DENR or any other government
7 
regulatory agency.
8 
Sec. 43. Designation of Sanitary Landfiii. — Each city or municipality shall
9 
identify, designate and allocate an area within their territorial jurisdiction to serve as
10 
sanitary landfill within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. The LGUs, in
11 
coordination with the DENR or any other competent authority, shall Identify sanitary
12 
landfill sites in order to fast-track the conduct of environmental impact assessment
13 
study and to facilitate processing of the environmental compliance certificate. The site
14 
or area shall be identified in the city or municipality's CLUP. For this purpose, cities
15 
and municipalities shall establish their solid waste management program pursuant to
16 
the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act or RA 9003. Likewise, as provided under
17 
Section 33 of the LGC, cities and municipalities may, through appropriate ordinances,
18 
bind themselves towards the establishment of a common solid waste management
19 
program.
20 
Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DENR, in
21 
coordination with concerned agencies, shall promulgate the necessary guidelines and
22 
standards for the formulation and establishment of solid waste management programs
23 
by cities and municipalities, and shall submit the same to the LUPC for review and
24 
approval.
25 
Sec. 44. Designation and Zoning of Socialized Housing Zones. — Each city or
26 
municipality in urban, urbanizable and rural areas shall designate through the CLUP
27 
adequate lands for housing or residential purposes, including socialized housing and
28 
resettlement areas for the immediate and future needs of the local population as well
29 
as the underprivileged and homeless in their territory, pursuant to existing laws and
30 
regulations. In order to ensure adequate availability of land for the housing needs of
31 
the local population, the CLUP shall be updated, at maximum, every nine (9) years
38


1 
for provinces, cities and municipalities.
2 
The designated sites for socialized housing shall be located in residential zones,
3 
and shall be zoned as socialized housing zones that are integrated in the city or
4 
municipality's zoning ordinance, pursuant to existing laws and regulations.
5 
Fisherfolk settlements and housing in coastal municipalities shall be zoned near the
6 
sea for easy access to their livelihood as provided under Section 35 (d) of this Act.
7 
The housing or residential lands designated in the CLUPs and ZOs of cities and
8 
municipalities shall, on one hand, not be subject to further land reclassification by the
9 
LGU or land conversion procedure under DAR. On the other hand, agricultural lands
10 
as designated in the CLUP which are no longer economically feasible for agricultural
11 
use may be subject to land reclassification or conversion to housing/residential
12 
purposes and such conversion, as the case may be, shall be exempt from the coverage
13 
of any moratorium on land conversion.
14 
Sec. 45. Urban Forest or Green Space. — Each city or highly urbanizing
15 
municipality shall identify, designate, and allocate lands owned by the city or
16 
municipality as urban forest or green space based on the guidelines and standards to
17 
be issued by the DENR and approved by the LUPC.
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
CHAPTER VIII
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS
Sec. 46. Criteria for Designating Industrial Development Areas. — The 
identification and establishment of industrial development areas shall 
conform to the provisions of Republic Act No.7916, otherwise known as 
the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Law; the CARL, IPRA, 
UDHA, and the AFMA, taking into consideration the following:
(a) 
Identified network of areas for agricultural development and protected 
agricultural areas pursuant to the AFMA;
(b) 
National policies on the regional dispersal of industries and agri-based 
industrial development;
(c) 
Identified growth areas and corridors in the National Development Plan;
(d) 
National Protected Areas System (NIPAS) and non-NIPAS areas that
39


1 
require protection;
2 
(e) National and Urban Development and Housing Framework;
3 
(f) 
Identified Socialized Housing Zones;
4 
(g) National framework for physical planning and other existing national
5 
programs and policies.
6 
The designated industrial development areas shall become an integral part of the land
7 
use plan and zoning ordinance of the city or municipality where these areas are
8 
located.
9 
CHAPTER IX
10 
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREAS
11 
Sec. 47. Criteria for Designating Tourism Deveiopment Areas. — The
12 
identification, selection, and development of tourism development areas and tourism
13 
estates shall be done in consultation and coordination with the concerned LGUs,
14 
national government agencies, the private sector, and the affected communities.
15 
Tourism development areas shall likewise include those covered by legislative and
16 
executive issuances as tourist spots, tourist zones and tourism ecozones which can be
17 
developed into tourism estates or integrated resort, leisure and recreation complexes
18 
and other tourism-related facilities as well as those identified in the national, regional
19 
and inter-regional tourism, and area specific tourism master plans and other sector
20 
plans such as ecotourism and agri-tourism sites.
21 
Designated areas for tourism development shall become part of the CLUPs of the cities
22 
or municipalities where these are located.
23 
Sec. 48. Identification and Deciaration of Areas for Protection, Conservation
24 
and Preservation of Cuiturai Heritage. — The National Historical Institute (NHI) and/or
25 
the National Museum in coordination with other concerned agencies, local
26 
communities, and the private sector, shall identify declared areas and structures which
27 
shall be protected and/or preserved as part of the Philippine cultural heritage.
28 
The LGUs in coordination with the NHI, the National Commission for Culture
29 
and Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) shall designate
30 
historical zones to protect the historical integrity of said geographical areas and
40


1 
cultural space of intangible cultural properties, which are significant to a city/
2 
municipality and the community.
3 
CHAPTER X
4 
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
5 
Sec. 49. Allocation and Use of Land for Infrastructure Development — Land,
6 
whether public or private, shall be allocated and utilized for priority infrastructure
7 
projects that are supportive of national or local development objectives. The NEDA, in
8 
consultation with the concerned national government agencies, LGUs, and the private
9 
sector shall identify and periodically review, update and/or revise the list of priority
10 
infrastructure projects subject to Sections 5 and 29 hereof, and Section 47 of the
11 
AFMA. In determining and evaluating the list of priority infrastructure projects,
12 
consideration shall be given to those that:
13 
(a) Respond to immediate and vital requirements of the national economy
14 
with priority on improving rural infrastructure and the development of
15 
the agriculture and fisheries sectors;
16 
(b) Upgrade existing facilities to international standards;
17 
(c) Address the need for sustainable settlements development; and,
18 
(d) Help mitigate the destructive effects of natural disaster-causing
19 
phenomena or those that shall serve as alternatives to existing
20 
infrastructures found in natural hazard-prone areas:
21 
Provided, That the provision and implementation of infrastructure support shall
22 
be made compatible with existing environmental conditions and the physical, whether
23 
natural or human-made, and cultural character of the area. Mandatory public
24 
consultations pursuant to existing laws and regulations shall be held prior to the
25 
conduct of all infrastructure projects that will necessarily involve dislocation or
26 
displacement of people in the area: Provided, further. That the proponent of the
27 
infrastructure project shall follow the rules on just and humane eviction or demolition
28 
under Section 28 of the UDHA, notwithstanding the provisions of Republic Act No.
29 
8975, prohibiting lower courts from issuing temporary restraining orders, preliminary
30 
injunctions, or preliminary mandatory injunctions, and proponent shall follow IPRA:
41


1 
Provided finally, That national government infrastructure projects shall allocate budget
2 
for the adequate relocation of displaced communities.
3 
Sec. 50. Infrastructure Projects Within Geo-hazard Areas. — Construction of
4 
priority infrastructure projects within hazard-prone areas shall be allowed: Provided,
5 
That mitigating and/or preventive measures are adopted to address the potential
6 
adverse economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts that will emanate from
7 
these infrastructure projects, subject to the findings and recommendations of a
8 
feasibility study/environmental impact assessment in accordance with Presidential
9 
Decree No. 1586 and Republic Act No. 4846.
10 
Existing projects that did not go through the process of an environmental
11 
impact assessment and pose threats to the environment, integrity of historic,
12 
archeological, or scientifically significant areas or are impinging on critical ecosystems,
13 
may be: (a) terminated immediately; (b) required to implement an Environmental
14 
Management Plan; (c) gradually phased-out and relocated; or (d) maintained up to
15 
their life span, subject, however, to mitigating measures: Provided, That the rules on
16 
mandatory public consultations and just and humane eviction or demolition shall also
17 
be observed prior to the termination, gradual phase-out, or relocation of projects that
18 
will necessarily involve dislocation or displacement of people in the area.
19 
CHAPTER XI
20 
TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND VALUE FORMATION
21 
Sec. 51. Value Formation. — In order to create a well-informed, responsible
22 
and committed citizenry who values the protection, conservation and development of
23 
the country's limited land and other physical resources, the State shall mandate the
24 
Inclusion of sustainable land use education or any subject related thereto in the
25 
curricula of primary, secondary and tertiary education.
26 
Sec. 52. Information and Education Campaign. — The LUPC shall undertake a
27 
nationwide education information campaign in land use and physical planning to be
28 
implemented by local and national government agencies. The DILG and concerned
29 
agencies shall formulate and implement a land use management capability-building
30 
program for national and local government officials, community leaders, NGOs, POs,
42


1 
religious sector, and the general public.
2 
CHAPTER XII
3 
INCENTIVES, SANCTIONS, AND PENALTIES
4 
ARTICLE I
5 
INCENTIVES AND AWARDS
6 
Sec. 53. Formulation of a System of Incentives and Awards. — The LUPC shall
7 
come out with a system of incentives and awards to LGUs that regularly update their
8 
CLUPs within the prescribed period, as follows:
9 
(a) Provinces, Highly Urbanized Cities, and Independent Component Cities
10 
once every nine (9) years; and
11 
(b) Component cities and municipalities once every nine (9) years.
12 
Sec. 54. Priority in Giving Technical Assistance to LGUs. — In providing technical
13 
assistance and other forms of support related to land use management and the
14 
implementation of development plans, national government agencies shall give
15 
priority to cities and municipalities with approved CLUPs.
16 
ARTICLE II
17 
SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES
18 
Sec. 55. Fine for Non-Compietion and Non-Commencement of Development of
19 
Agricultural Lands with Approved Order of Conversion. — A landowner and his/her
20 
designated developer or duly authorized representative who fails to commence and/or
21 
complete the development of agricultural lands with approved order of conversion
22 
shall be penalized, jointly or severally, with any of the following fines based on the
23 
zonal value of the land at the time the fine is imposed:
24 
(a) On failure to commence within one year from the date of conversion
25 
order:
26 
(i) Six percent (6%) of the zonal value of the subject land for the
27 
first three (3) hectares,
28 
(ii) Fifteen percent (15%) of the zonal value of the subject land
29 
for the next three hectares, and
43


1 
(iii) Thirty percent (30%) of the zonal value of the subject land for
2 
the remaining area.
3 
Provided, That the order of conversion shall be deemed revoked automatically
4 
and the land shall revert to its original agricultural use and covered by the DLR through
5 
compulsory acquisition for distribution to qualified beneficiaries.
6 
(b) On failure to complete fifty percent (50%) of the approved conversion
7 
plan within a specified time frame: Fifty percent (50%) of the zonal value
8 
of the subject land and the revocation of the conversion plan on the
9 
undeveloped portion which shall automatically revert to its original use
10 
as agricultural land. The same shall be covered under the CARP and
11 
processed for land distribution as soon as possible.
12 
Sec. 56. Authority to Impose Fine. — The DAR shall impose the penalty
13 
provided for under the preceding section.
14 
Sec. 57. Withdrawai of Locai Deveiopment Permits or Licenses. — Upon receipt
15 
of notice from the DAR, the concerned agencies and the city or municipality shall
16 
withdraw or revoke any development permit and other licenses that may be necessary
17 
to develop the agricultural land subject of conversion.
18 
Sec. 58. Utiiization of Fines. — The fines collected under Sections 55, 60, 61,
19 
and 62 hereof shall automatically accrue to the Agrarian Reform Fund consistent with
20 
the provisions of the CARL, as amended.
21 
Sec. 59. Faiiure to Formuiate, Enforce, and/or Impiement the CLUPs. —
22 
Consistent with due process, the DILG shall investigate, review, and impose
23 
appropriate action regarding local chief executives and other local officials and
24 
employees responsible for the formulation, enforcement, and/or implementation of
25 
the CLUPs in case of any of the following:
26 
(a) Failure to implement and enforce the CLUP due to negligence of duty;
27 
(b) Failure to provide appropriate budgetary allocation to effect its
28 
implementation; and
29 
(c) Failure to complete the preparation of the CLUP despite the availability
30 
of funds, resources, and support by the Sanggunian concerned.
31 
Any public official or employee, regardless of whether elected or appointed or holding
44


1 
office or employment in a casual, temporary, holdover, permanent, or regular
2 
capacity, found to be responsible for any of the foregoing acts, after due notice and
3 
hearing by the appropriate body or agency, shall be punished with forfeiture of salaries
4 
and allowances and suspension from:
5 
(a) Six (6) to nine (9) months, in case of non-implementation of CLUP; or
6 
(b) Three (3) to six (6) months, in case of non-completion of the CLUP.
7 
Sec. 60. Person(s) Abetting Illegal Conversion. — Any person initiating,
8 
causing, inducing, or abetting illegal conversion shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned
9 
from seven (7) to twelve (12) years and imposed a fine of not less than one hundred
10 
thousand (100,000.00) pesos, or both at the discretion of the court: Provided, That if
11 
the offender is a public official or employee, whether elected or appointed, the penalty
12 
shall, in addition thereto, include dismissal through permanent separation from the
13 
service and forfeiture of ail benefits and entitlements accruing to the public position
14 
and perpetual disqualification to run or apply for any elective or appointive public
15 
office: Provided, further. That if the offender is a juridical person, the penalty of
16 
imprisonment shall be imposed on the president, chief executive officer, manager, the
17 
Chairperson and all the members of the board, and other responsible officers thereof,
18 
and the fine shall be equivalent to the zonal value of the land or forty percent (40%)
19 
of the shareholders equity, as determined at the time of judgment whichever is higher,
20 
plus forfeiture of the land In favor of the State for sale though public auction, the
21 
proceeds of which shall automatically accrue to the Agrarian Reform Fund as provided
22 
for in Section 58 of this Act.
23 
Sec. 61. Penalty for Reclassification of Protected Agricultural Lands and
24 
Exceeding the Limit of Areas Allowed for Reclassification. — Any person initiating,
25 
causing, inducing, or abetting the reclassification of protected agricultural areas into
26 
non-agricultural uses and exceeding the limits set forth under Section 20 of the LGC
27 
of 1991, shall be penalized with imprisonment of twelve (12) years and a fine of not
28 
less than One hundred thousand (P100,000.00) pesos, or both at the discretion of the
29 
Court: Provided, That if the offender is a public official or employee, the penalty shall,
30 
in addition thereto, include dismissal through permanent separation from the service
31 
whether elected or appointed and forfeiture of entitlements accruing to the public
45


1 
position, and perpetual disqualification to run or apply for any elective or appointive
2 
public position: Provided, further, That if the offender is a juridical person, the penalty
3 
shall be imposed on the president, chief executive officer, manager, the Chairperson
4 
and all the members of the board, and other responsible officers thereof.
5 
Sec. 62. Payment of Disturbance Compensation. — Following the order of
6 
priority such as agricultural lessees and share tenants, regular farm workers, seasonal
7 
farm workers, other farm workers, actual tillers or occupants of public lands, collective,
8 
or cooperative of the above beneficiaries, and others directly working on the land
9 
affected by agricultural land use conversion shall be entitled to the payment of
10 
disturbance compensation equivalent to five (5) times the average of the gross
11 
harvests on the landholding during the last five (5) preceding calendar years or a
12 
certain percentage of the converted land, whichever is higher, as determined by the
13 
DAR.
14 
CHAPTER XIII
15 
TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS
16 
Sec. 63. Convening of the LUPC. — Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity
17 
of this Act, the Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning shall convene the LUPC.
18 
Sec. 64. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from
19 
the effectivity of this Act, the LUPC shall promulgate the rules and regulations to
20 
implement the provisions of this Act. Said rules and regulations shall be submitted to
21 
the Congressional Oversight Committee for approval.
22 
Sec. 65. Congressional Oversight Committee on the Land Use Act — There is
23 
hereby created a Congressional Oversight Committee composed of seven (7)
24 
members from the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and
25 
seven (7) members from the House of Representatives Committees on Natural
26 
Resources and Housing and Urban Development. The members from the Senate shall
27 
be appointed by the Senate President based on proportional representation of the
28 
parties or coalitions therein with at least two (2) senators representing the minority.
29 
The members from the House of Representatives shall be appointed by the Speaker
30 
also based on proportional representation of the parties or coalitions therein with at
46


1 
least two (2) members representing the minority.
2 
The secretariat of the Oversight Committee shall be drawn from the existing
3 
secretariat personnel of the committees comprising the oversight and the funding shall
4 
be taken from the appropriations of both the House of Representatives and the
5 
Senate.
6 
Sec. 66. Appropriations. — The appropriations for the National Land Use
7 
Committee under the National Economic and Development Authority under the current
8 
General Appropriations Act shall be used to carry out the initial operations of the Land
9 
Use Policy Council. Thereafter, additional sums as may be necessary for the full
10 
implementation of LUPC's functions shall be included in the annual General
11 
Appropriations Act.
12 
Sec. 67. Review of Existing Land Use Rians. — Provinces, cities, and
13 
municipalities with existing land use plans shall review, revise, reconcile, and
14 
harmonize the same with the guidelines and standards set forth under this Act within
15 
one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act.
16 
Sec. 68. Repeaiing Ciause. — All republic acts, executive orders, rules and
17 
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with the
18 
provisions of this Republic Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
19 
Sec. 69. Non-impairment Ciause. — Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to
20 
diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or available to marginalized or
21 
basic sectors under existing laws including but not limited to Republic Act Nos. 7279,
22 
6657, 8371, and 8550.
23 
Sec. 70. Separabiiity Ciause. — If for any reason or reasons, any part or
24 
provision of this Act shall be declared or held to be unconstitutional or invalid other
25 
parts or provisions hereof, which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full
26 
force and effect.
27 
Sec. 71. Effectivity Ciause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
28 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of
29 
general circulation.
Approved,
47