Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. __ 
_ 
Introduced by Representative GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, PROVIDING THE 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
A national land use policy is envisioned to provide a policy for the rational, 
holistic and just allocation, utilization, management and development of our land 
resources. It includes the parameters that will guide planning at the national and 
local levels. 
This proposed national land use policy also provides for guidelines in major 
areas, as follows: agricultural lands, forestlands and watersheds, coastal zones, 
mineral lands, energy resource lands, settlements development areas, industrial 
development areas, tourism development and heritage areas. Land use and 
physical planning shall at all times adhere to important policies and principles 
that promote: 
a) sustainable development and just management of resources; 
b) environmental integrity and stability; 
c) disaster risk-reduction and climate change resiliency; 
d) food security; 
e) protection of prime agricultural lands; 
f) water security; 
g) rational settlements development; 
h) physical and economic integration; 
i) agrarian reform, urban land reform and rural development; 
j) private-public partnership; 
k) people empowerment, decentralization, social justice and equity; 
I) respect and protection of the rights of indigenous cultural communities 
and indigenous peoples; 
m) protection of the rights of basic sectors; 
n) deeper understanding of our history and culture; 
o) energy security; and 
p) market orientation within the framework of ecological and 
intergenerational factors. 
Planning processes at all levels shall include mandatory consultation in a 
botton:1 up, top-down _app~oach. Meanwhile, plans shall be subject to review and 
shall include clear timelmes for their approval and adoption. The proposed 
August 31, 2022
1:22 pm
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national land use measure addresses the vital issues of agrarian reform, climate 
change, the completion of a national database and geo-hazard mapping and 
disaster risk reduction and management. These issues had emerged and exerted 
great impact on the Philippines since Congress had first initiated the drafting of 
a national land use policy, more than two decades ago. 
The proposed national land use policy will also harmonize existing laws 
governing the allocation, utilization, development and management of land 
resources. Furthermore, conflicting land uses and interests of our growing 
population over limited land resources show the need to institutionalize a 
comprehensive national land use policy. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly urged. 
GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 
Representative, 2nd District of Pampanga 
2 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. __ _ 
Introduced by Representative GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY, PROVIDING THE 
3 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
4 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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CHAPTER I 
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS 
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SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the "National Land Use 
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Act of 2022". 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Principles and Policies. - All lands of the public domain, 
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waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential 
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energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, fora and fauna, and other natural 
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resources are owned by the state. With the exception of agricultural lands, all 
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other natural resources shall not be alienated. 
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Pursuant to the constitutional provision or mandate, it is the policy of the State 
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to provide for a rational, holistic, and just allocation, utilization, management, and 
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development of the country's land to ensure their optimum use, consistent with 
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the principle of sustainable development. 
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The State shall recognize the need for rational, optimal and sustainable 
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settlements development, consistent with the principles of environmental 
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management and equitable access to land and security. 
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Toward this end, the State shall institutionalize land use and physical planning 
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as mechanisms for identifying, determining, and evaluating appropriate land use 
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and allocation patterns that promote and ensure: 
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a) Sustainable management and utilization of natural resources; 
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b) Maintenance and preservation of environmental integrity and stability 
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specifically the perpetual protection of permanent forests and watershed 
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for the attainment of food, water and energy sufficiency; 
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c) Disaster risk-reduction and climate change resiliency; 
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d) Protection of prime agricultural lands for food security in basic 
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commodities with emphasis on self-sufficiency in rice and corn; 
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e) Water security through sustainable development and management of 
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water resources towards water security; 
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f) 
Settlements, transportation and infrastructure development in support 
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of urban, rural and regional development and inclusive growth; 
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g) Harmony between the rights and the varied interests of every Filipino 
within the framework of people empowerment, decentralization, social 
justice, and equity; 
h) 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 in 
compliance with free and prior informed consent of ICC/IPs; 
i) 
Protection of the rights of basic sectors to equitable access to the 
country's land; 
j) 
Protection, preservation, and development of the Filipino historical, 
cultural and built cultural heritage and resources for the deeper 
understanding of our history and culture as a people; 
k) Attainment of energy security and self-sufficiency; and 
1) 
Market orientation where the interplay of market forces and fair trade 
within the framework of ecological development and equity consideration 
is encouraged and adopted as the basic parameter in achieving efficiency 
in land use and allocation. 
It is also the policy of the State to ensure that local government units (LG Us) 
share with the national government the responsibility of managing and 
maintaining ecological balance within their territorial jurisdiction as stated in 
the 1987 Constitution and the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC) or Republic 
Act 7160. Guided by the principle that the use of land bears a social function 
and that all economic agents shall contribute to the common good, landowners, 
land tenure holders, in the case of forestlands, be it an individual, communal, 
corporate or group shall be held responsible for developing and conserving their 
lands thereby making their lands productive and supportive of environmental 
stability. 
SEC. 3. Scope. - This Act shall apply to all lands whether public, private, 
government-owned, and/or in the possession of individuals, communities, 
indigenous people, or groups of people, to provide for a rational, holistic, and 
just allocation, development and management ofland including such activities 
that bear impact on said resources. 
CHAPTER II 
DEFINITIONS 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in and for purposes of this Act, the 
following terms shall mean: 
a) 
"Agricultural land" shall refer to land of public domain which have 
been devoted to agricultural activity as defined in Republic Act No. 
6657, as amended and not further classified for residential, 
commercial or industrial use and such other uses as may be provided 
bylaw; 
b) 
"Agricultural land use conversion" shall refer to the undertaking 
of any development activity which modifies or alters the physical 
characteristics of agricultural lands to render them suitable for non-
agricultural purposes with an approved order of conversion issued 
exclusively by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR); 
c) 
''.Alienable and disposable {A&D} lands " shall refer to lands of the 
public domain which have been delineated, classified, and certified as 
open and available 
for 
disposition under the provisions of 
Commonwealth Act No.141, otherwise known as the "Public Land Act," 
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d) 
e) 
f) 
g) 
h) 
i) 
j) 
k) 
1) 
m) 
n) 
as amended; 
"Ancestral domains" shall refer to all areas generally belonging to 
ICCs/IPs as defined in Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as 
the "Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1998;" 
"Basic Sector" shall refer to a group of people not referring to any 
organize groups such as but not limited to women, youth, elderly, 
differently-abled, peasants and fisher folk; 
"Basic Shelter" shall refer to any subdivision unit, housing unit or 
condominium satisfying the barest minimum shelter requirements 
under the minimum design standards of Batas Pambansa Big.220; 
"Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP)" shall refer to a document 
embodying a set of policies and guidelines, accompanied by official 
maps and similar illustrations, that serves as principal basis for 
determining the future land use of lands and natural resources for 
production and protection purpose within the territorial jurisdiction 
of the city or municipality. It represents the community-desired 
pattern of population distribution and proposes future allocation of 
land resources to various land-using activities. 
It identifies the 
allocation, character, and extent of the areas ofland resources to be 
used for different purposes and includes the processes and the 
criteria employed in the determination of the land use. It has a long-
term perspective, encompassing a minimum of ten (10) years; 
"Comprehensive land use planning" shall refer to the act of defining 
the allocation, utilization, development and management of all lands 
within a given territory or jurisdiction according to the inherent 
characteristic of the land itself and supportive of sustainable, 
economic, demographic, socio-cultural and environmental objectives 
as an aid to decision-making and legislation; 
"Coastal area/zone" shall refer to a band of dry land and the adjacent 
ocean space (water and submerged land) in which terrestrial processes 
and uses directly affect oceanic processes and uses, and vice versa. Its 
geographic extent may include areas within a landmark limit of one 
( 1) kilometer from the shoreline at high tide to include mangrove 
swamps, brackish water ponds, nipa swamps, estuarine rivers, sandy 
beaches and other areas within a seaward limit of 200 meters isobath 
to include coral reefs, algal flats, seagrass beds, and other soft bottom 
areas. For purposes of initiating and implementing sustainable coastal 
resources protection and management, it shall include foreshore lands; 
"Critical habitats" shall refer to areas outside protected areas as 
defined in Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the "National 
Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992", that are known 
habitats of threatened species and designated as such based on 
scientific data taking into consideration species endemicity and/ or 
richness, presence of human-made pressures/threats to the 
survival of wildlife living in the area, among others; 
"Critical watershed" shall refer to a drainage area of a river system 
supporting existing and proposed hydro-electric power, domestic 
water consumption, irrigation 
works 
or 
existing 
water 
facilities needing immediate protection and rehabilitation to 
minimize erosion and improve water yield. It shall be closed for 
logging until it is fully rehabilitated; 
"Cultural heritage" shall refer to the totality of cultural properties 
preserved and developed through time and passed on for posterity; 
"Customary laws" shall refer to a body of written and/ or unwritten 
rules, usages, customs and practices traditionally and continually 
recognized, accepted, and observed by respective ICCs/IPs, consistent 
with the IPRA; 
"Development plan" shall refer to a document that defines the 
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o) 
p) 
q) 
r) 
s) 
t) 
activities or measures that the national government or local 
government units (LGU's) intend to implement in order to achieve 
a defined set of development goals. 
It integrates 
the socio-
economic and sectoral plans of the national government or its 
instrumentality or a particular LGU with land use or physical 
framework plans. It may include an analysis 
of problems and 
resources, definition of goals and objectives, policy guidelines, project 
and target achievements, and an implementation mechanism which 
defines the roles and contributions expected from the government 
and the private sector. Development plans include the national-level 
Medium-Term 
Philippine 
Development 
Plan 
(MTPDP} 
and its 
counterpart plans at the regional, provincial and local levels called the 
Medium-Term Regional Development Plan (MTRDP}, the Provincial 
Physical Framework and Development Plan (PPFDP) and the 
Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP). These plans are translated 
into medium-term investment programs, also prepared at the 
national, regional and local levels, where programs, projects and 
activities derived from the development plans are ranked, prioritized, 
and matched with investment financing capacities; 
"Ecologically-fragile lands" shall refer to lands within the critical 
watershed, brackish and freshwater wetlands, pasture lands, and 
croplands which 
require 
rehabilitation and whose 
continued 
unsustainable use would adversely affect the productivity of lowland 
agricultural areas and the stability of the upland ecosystem; 
"Ecotourism" shall refer to sustainable tourism or travel to a given 
natural area with exotic or threatened ecosystems or a heritage area 
to observe wildlife or to help preserve nature, in the process 
providing for community participation, protection and management 
of natural resources, culture and indigenous knowledge systems 
and practices, environmental 
education and ethics, as well as 
economic benefits fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host 
communities and the satisfaction of visitors; 
"Energy resource lands" shall refer to lands where naturally 
occurring or indigenous energy resources exist in sufficient quantity 
or quality as to be economically viable for exploration, development, 
production, utilization, and distribution process; 
"Energy resources"shall refer to surface or subsurface substances that 
serve as energy sources. These are traditionally mineral fuel deposits 
such as coal, petroleum, natural gas or renewable resources from 
geothermal, hydro reservoirs, or non- conventional sources such as 
ocean waves, solar, wind, biomass, and other similar resources which 
serve the same purpose; 
"Environmentally critical areas" shall refer to areas declared by 
law as: (a) protected areas pursuant to Republic Act No. 7586 or the 
NI PAS Act of 1992; (b) areas for natural parks, watershed reserves, 
wildlife preserves, and sanctuaries; (c) areas set aside as aesthetic 
potential tourist spots; (d) areas which constitute the habitat of any 
endangered or threatened species or indigenous Philippine wildlife 
(flora and fauna); (e) areas of unique historic, archaeological, or 
scientific interests; (f) areas which are traditionally occupied by 
ICCs/IPs; (g) areas with critical slopes; (h) areas exposed to geologic 
and hydro-meteorologic hazards; (i) prime agricultural lands; U) 
recharge areas of aquifers; (k) water bodies; (I) mangrove areas; (m) 
coral reefs; (n) mossy and old-growth forests; (o) rivers and river 
banks; (p) swamp forest and marshlands; and (q) 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 LGUs in 
consultation with the concerned sectors; 
''Estuary" shall refer to a wetland type where the river mouth 
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u) 
v) 
w) 
x) 
y) 
widens into a marine ecosystem, the salinity of which is 
intermediate between salt and freshwater where tidal action is an 
important biophysical regulator; 
"Exhausted energy resource lands" shall refer to specific energy 
resource sites whose energy reserves of the desired type(s) are no 
longer in sufficient quantity or quality to justify additional 
expenditure for their extraction and utilization as certified by the 
Department of Energy; 
"Exhausted mineral lands" shall refer to specific sites whose 
mineral deposits are no longer in sufficient quantity or quality to 
justify additional expenditure for their extraction and utilization as 
may be determined by the latest technology available; 
"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 
as determined by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and approved by 
theDENR; 
"Flood plain" shall refer to the portion of a river valley adjacent to 
a river channel which is covered with water when river overflows its 
banks at flood stages. The plain usually consists of silt deposited by 
the stream; 
"Flood-prone areas" shall refer to low lying areas usually adjacent 
to large or active water bodies and therefore experience regular or 
seasonal inundation as a result of changes in the mean water level of 
these bodies or because of land reclamation and other artificial 
interference with the natural processes; 
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z) 
"Food security" shall refer to the policy objective of meeting the food 
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availability, accessibility, quality and affordability requirements of 
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the present and future generations of Filipinos in a sustainable 
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manner, through local production or importation, only when there is 
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shortage established based on a micro level situation, or both, based 
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on the country's existing and potential resource endowments and 
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related production advantages, and consistent with the overall 
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national development objectives and policies; 
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aa) 
"Food self-sufficiency" shall refer to the policy objective of meeting 
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the 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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bb) 
"Forestlands" 
shall refer 
to lands of the public domain classified 
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and/ or determined as needed. They include all permanent forests or 
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forest reserves, forest reservations and all remaining unclassified lands 
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of the public domain; 
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cc) 
"Foreshore land" shall refer to the part of the shore which is 
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alternately covered and uncovered by the ebb and flow of the tide; 
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dd) 
"Free and Prior Informed Consent" refers to consensus of all 
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members of the ICCs/IPs to be determined in accordance with their 
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respective customary laws and practices, free from any external 
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manipulation, interference and coercion, and obtained alter fully 
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disclosing the intent and scope of the activity, in a language and 
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process understandable to the community; 
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ee) 
"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 
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or risk to human life and property; 
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ft) 
"Geo-hazard prone areas" shall refer to areas frequently visited 
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and/or vulnerable or prone to experience weather/climatic, 
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hydrologic, geologic, and other natural calamities; 
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gg) 
"Heritage Zones" refer to historical, anthropological, archaeological 
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and artistic geographical areas and settings that are culturally 
significant to the country as declared by the National Museum 
and/ or the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, 
pursuant to R. A. No. 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 
2009; 
278 
hh) 
"Illegal agricultural land conversion" shall refer to any activity that 
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modifies or alters the physical characteristics of agricultural lands 
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to render them suitable for non-agricultural purposes without an 
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approved order of conversion from the DAR Secretary; 
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ii) 
"Improvements" shall refer to all types of buildings and residential 
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units, walls, fences, structures or construction of all kinds of fixed 
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character or are adhered to the soil but shall not include trees, 
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plants, growing fruits, and other fixtures that are mere super 
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impositions on the land, and the value of improvements shall not be 
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less than fifty percent (50%) of the assessed value of the property; 
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ii) 
"Inclusive growth" refers to ensuring that the economic 
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opportunities created by growth are available to all, particularly the 
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poor, to the maximum possible extent; 
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kk) 
"Indigenous 
Cultural 
Communities/Indigenous 
Peoples 
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(ICCs/lPs}" shall refer to groups of people or homogenous societies 
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identified under Republic Act No. 8371 or the "Indigenous People's 
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Rights Act (IPRA)"; 
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11) 
"Indigenous energy resources" shall refer to energy resources, 
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which originate or occur naturally in the Philippines; 
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mm) "Inland waters" shall refer to waters, which are not coastal and marine 
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waters not subject to acquisitive prescription consistent with the 
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provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1067, otherwise known as the 
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"Water Code of the Philippines"; 
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nn) 
"Inter -tidal sand fl.at" shall refer to a juvenile fish-feeding area 
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and habitat for crustaceans. The littoral gravel and sand biotopes are 
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also used by important wintering ground and roosting/feeding 
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grounds of indigenous migratory birds; 
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oo) 
"Integrated watershed management" shall refer to a planning 
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strategy or program for watershed areas that complement 
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environmentally-sound soil and water management practices with 
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mechanisms for ensuring greater responsibility, involvement, or 
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participation of individuals, groups, communities and other 
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stakeholders benefiting from these areas and water-related 
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infrastructure; 
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pp) 
"Key biodiversity areas" shall refer to sites that are nationally and 
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globally significant for biodiversity conservation primarily containing 
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species that require site-scale conservation to prevent extinction in 
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the short-term and medium-term. Such species may be nationally 
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and globally threatened, restricted-range and/or nationally and 
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globally significant congregations of species; 
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qq) 
"La.goon" shall refer to a semi-enclosed coastal basin with limited 
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freshwater input, high salinity and restricted circulation which 
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often lies behind sand dunes. It is often highly productive and 
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habitat for variety of plants and animal, serves as nurseries of 
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prawns and shrimps and also site for harbor, aquaculture, industry 
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and recreation; 
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rr) 
''Land" shall refer to resources, both natural and man-made, found on 
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the surface, below, and above the ground including inland waters 
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and the air therein; 
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ss) 
"Land use" shall refer to the manner of utilization of land, including 
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its allocation, development, and management; 
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tt) 
''Land use classification" shall refer to the act of delineating or 
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allocating lands according to protection land use, production land 
use, settlements development, and infrastructure development as 
defined and provided for in this Act; 
uu) 
"Land sub-classification" shall refer to the act of determining and 
assigning specific uses of classified lands of the public domain, such 
as forest or timber lands, alienable or disposable agricultural lands, 
national parks, and mineral lands in accordance with existing laws 
and this Act; 
vv) 
"Mandatory public hearings/ consultations" shall refer to the 
mechanism to ensure the active participation of concerned sectors 
in all affected areas in land use planning from the local to the 
national 
level. 
It 
involves 
giving 
effective 
notice 
of 
hearing/ consultation to concerned sectors within an affected area 
through direct written invitations, using regular mail or electronic 
means, and publication/posting in conspicuous places, conduct of 
a reasonable number of hearings in or proximate to the specific area 
affected, and solicitation of positions and the public presentation and 
public confirmation of the planning results in the specific area 
affected before the final adoption of the plans; 
ww) 
"Minerals" shall refer to all naturally occurring inorganic substance in 
solid, gas, liquid or intermediate state excluding energy materials 
such as coal, petroleum, natural gas radioactive materials and 
geothermal energy; 
xx) 
"Mineral exploration" shall refer to the systematic 
searching or 
prospecting for mineral resources; 
yy) 
"Mineral lands " shall refer to lands where mineral resources are 
found; 
zz) 
"Mineral resources" shall refer to any concentration of minerals/rocks 
with potential economic value; 
aaa) "Mudflats" shall refer to a wetland type that is usually an unvegetated 
area, dominated by muddy substrate which provides rich feeding 
grounds for vertebrates such as fish and water birds and also 
important in preventing soil erosion; 
bbb) "National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS)" shall refer 
to the classification and administration of all designated protected 
areas to maintain essential ecological processes and life-support 
systems, to preserve genetic diversity, to ensure sustainable use of 
resources found therein, and to maintain their natural conditions to 
the greatest extent possible; 
ccc) 
"National Land Use Commission (NLUC)" shall refer to the highest 
land use policy making body created under Section 14 of this Act; 
ddd) "National Parks" shall refer to a forest reservation essentially of 
natural wilderness character which has been withdrawn from 
settlement, occupancy or any form of exploitation except in conformity 
with approved management plan and set aside as such exclusively to 
conserve the area or preserve the scenery, the natural and historic 
objects, wild animals and plants therein and to provide enjoyment 
of these features in such areas; 
eee) 
"National Physical Framework Plan" shall refer to an indicative 
plan containing the policy areas promoting the most appropriate 
and rational use of land and other physical resources such as but 
not limited to protection, production, settlement and infrastructure 
land use. It provides policy guidelines for all decisions relating to land 
use and environmental management, to prevent and mitigate the 
adverse effects of inappropriate resource utilization on the country's 
food security and food self-sufficiency on rice and corn, the people's 
welfare and their environment. It embodies both policies and strategies 
necessary to carry out goals and objectives of this Act; 
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fft) 
ggg) 
hhh) 
iii) 
jjj) 
kkk) 
ill) 
"Network of Protected Areas for Agriculture and Agro-
industrial Development ( NPAAAD )" shall refer to agricultural areas 
identified by the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Soils 
and Water Management (BSWM) in coordination with the National 
Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) in order to 
ensure the efficient utilization of land for agriculture and agro-
industrial development and promote sustainable growth. The NPAAAD 
covers all irrigated areas, all irrigable lands already covered by 
irrigation projects with firm funding commitments, all alluvial 
plains, land highly suitable for agriculture whether irrigated or not, 
agro-industrial croplands or lands planted to industrial crops that 
support the validity of existing agricultural infrastructure and agro-
based enterprises, highlands or areas located at an elevation of five 
hundred (500) meters or above and have the potential for growing 
semi-temperate and high value crops, all agricultural lands that are 
ecologically fragile the conversion of which will result in serious 
environmental degradation, and all mangrove areas and fish 
sanctuaries; 
"Non-agricultural land use conversion" shall refer to the act of 
changing the current use of a piece of non-agricultural land into 
some other uses; 
"Non-government organization" shall refer to a private and non-
profit voluntary organization which is committed to the task of 
political, 
socio-economic, physical, cultural and environmental 
development and established primarily 
to provide service 
to 
marginalized sectors in these areas; 
"Patrimonial properties" shall refer to all the properties belonging 
to the State that are not intended for public use or for public service 
for the development of national wealth; 
· 
"People's organization" shall refer to a private, non-profit, voluntary 
and community-based organization with membership constituency 
established primarily to provide service to its members and the 
community in general; 
"Physical framework plans" shall refer to indicative plans based 
on comprehensive land use plans (CLUPs) and national policies 
whether national, regional, or provincial which provide policy 
guidelines for all decisions relating to land use and environmental 
management to prevent or mitigate the adverse effects of 
inappropriate resource utilization on food security, the people's 
welfare and their environment. 
It embodies both policies and 
strategies necessary to carry out development goals and objectives; 
"Premature or illegal conversion of agricultural lands" shall refer 
to any activity that modifies or alters the physical characteristics of 
agricultural lands to render them suitable for non-agricultural 
purposes without an approved order of conversion from the DAR 
Secretary; 
mmm) 
"Prime agricultural lands" shall refer to all irrigated areas; all 
irrigable lands already covered by irrigation projects with firm 
funding commitments; all rainfed areas planted to rice and other 
crops; all alluvial plain lands highly suitable for agriculture whether 
irrigated or not, agro-industrial croplands or lands presently planted 
to industrial crops that support the viability of existing agricultural 
infrastructure and 
agro-based enterprises, highlands, or areas 
located at elevation of 500 meters or above and have the potential for 
growing semi-temperate and high value crops; all agricultural lands 
that are ecologically fragile, the conversion of which will result in 
serious environmental degradation, and mangrove areas and fish 
sanctuaries; 
nnn) "Production land use" shall refer to the direct and indirect 
utilization of land to generate outputs resulting from the following 
10 


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ooo) 
ppp) 
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activities, but not limited 
to: agricultural, fish, farming or 
aquaculture, timber production, agro-forestry, grazing and pasture, 
mining, indigenous energy resource development, industry, and 
tourism; 
"Protected areas" shall refer to portions of land set aside by reason of 
their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance 
biological 
diversity, and protected against destructive human 
exploitation. For purposes of this Act, it shall include agricultural lands 
identified and delineated under Section 29 hereof; 
"Protection land use" shall refer to the utilization of land primarily 
for food, water and energy security, rehabilitation, conservation, and 
protection purposes for the promotion of the country's ecological 
and life-support systems; 
"Public domain" shall refer to lands that belong to the State which may 
be any of the following: agricultural, forest or timber, mineral, or 
national park as provided for in the Constitution; 
"Public lands" shall refer to lands which have not been subject to 
private property rights or subject to sale or other modes of acquisition 
or concession under the general laws, and are devoted to public use; 
"Reclassification of agricultural lands" shall refer to the act of 
specifying how agricultural lands shall be utilized for non-agricultural 
uses such as residential, industrial, or commercial purposes through 
the local planning and zoning processes pursuant to Republic Act No. 
7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 and subject to the 
requirements and procedure for conversion. It is equivalent to land 
sub-classification, as defined in this Act for classified lands of the 
public domain and also includes the reversion of non-agricultural 
lands to agricultural use; 
"Resettlement sites" shall refer to areas identified by the appropriate 
national agency or by the local government unit, with respect to 
areas within its jurisdiction which shall be used for the relocation 
of the underprivileged and homeless, as defined under Republic Act 
No. 7279 or the "Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA)"; 
"River basin" shall refer to the portion of land drained by a river and 
its tributaries. It encompasses the entire land surface dissected and 
drained by many streams and creeks that flow downhill into one 
another, and eventually into one river. The final destination is an 
estuary or an ocean; 
"Settlements" shall refer to formal and informal communities or 
built-up residential areas where people prefer to live in land areas 
classified, zoned, or converted for current or future residential or 
housing development purposes, including socialized housing zones 
for the homeless and underprivileged citizens; 
491 
www) "Settlements development" shall refer to any improvement on existing 
492 
formal or informal residential or housing settlements or any 
493 
proposed development of certain areas for residential or mass housing 
494 
settlement purposes. It also involves the spatial distribution of 
495 
population, identification of the roles and functions of key urban 
496 
centers, determination of relationships among settlement areas, 
497 
and the provision of basic services and facilities of identified major 
498 
residential or housing settlement areas or growth centers. It is also 
499 
concerned with the interrelationship of settlements as they develop 
500 
and establish functional linkages based on their respective resource 
501 
endowments and comparative advantages; 
502 
xxx) 
"Shoreline" shall refer to the line where shore and water meet; 
503 
yyy) 
"Significant caves" shall refer to caves which contain materials or 
504 
possess features that have archaeological, cultural, ecological, 
505 
historical or scientific value as determined by the Department of 
11 


506 
507 
508 
509 
510 
511 
512 
513 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in coordination with the 
scientific community and the academe; 
zzz) 
"Socialized housing" shall refer to housing programs and projects 
undertaken by the government or the private sector for the 
underprivileged and homeless citizens which shall include sites and 
services 
development, long-term financing, liberalized terms on 
interest payments, and such other benefits in accordance with the 
UDHA; 
514 
aaaa) "Socialized housing zones" shall refer to lands identified and 
515 
designated by local government units as sites for socialized housing, 
516 
pursuant to Article IV of Republic Act No. 7279 or the UDHA, and its 
517 
implementing guidelines. It shall include areas that are presently 
518 
occupied by the urban poor, as well as those identified as resettlement 
519 
areas as defined herein; 
520 
bbbb) "Sustainable development" shall refer to the development objective 
521 
of meeting the needs 
of the present generation without 
522 
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own 
523 
needs consistent with the' principles of social equity, efficiency, and 
524 
environmental integrity; 
525 
cccc) "Stake holder"shall refer to an individual, social group or organization 
526 
that has a direct or indirect interest in an activity, project, resources, 
527 
or decision; 
528 
dddd) "Tourism development areas" shall refer to specific sites for 
529 
tourism development located in areas identified as priorities in the 
530 
national, regional, and inter- regional area specific tourism master 
531 
plans and other sector plans such as eco-tourism and agri-tourism 
532 
sites, including those designated through legislative and executive 
533 
issuances such as tourist spots, tourist zones and tourism ecozones 
534 
which can be developed into tourism estates or integrated resort, 
535 
leisure, and recreation complexes, and other tourism related 
536 
facilities; 
537 
eeee) "Tourism Enterprise Zone" refers to an area designated as tourism 
538 
enterprise zone by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone 
539 
Authority pursuant to the provisions of RA 9593 otherwise !mown as 
540 
the Tourism Act of 2009; 
541 
ffff) 
"Tourism estates" shall refer to large tracts of land with well-
542 
defined boundaries in any area identified in the Philippine tourism 
543 
master plan and regional tourism master plan, by proclamation of the 
544 
President and/ or by an act of Congress including local legislation. 
545 
Such land shall be suitable for the development of an integrated 
546 
tourism and resort complex including but not limited to 
547 
accommodation facilities, food and beverage outlets, convention and 
548 
meeting areas, sports, recreational and leisure centers and commercial 
549 
outlets among others. It shall be provided with roads, water supply 
550 
facilities, power and utilities like potable water, drainage sewerage 
551 
disposal, 
solid waste disposal system and other necessary 
552 
infrastructure. The estate shall be under one unified and continuous 
553 
554 
555 
556 
557 
558 
559 
560 
561 
562 
563 
564 
management; 
gggg) "Tourist spot" shall refer to a particular area/site/spot, human-
made or natural, known for its unique tourist/visitor-drawing 
attributes and activities. It may be classified according to its social, 
cultural, natural, historical, scientific, religious, and recreational 
significance; 
hhhh) "Tourist zone" shall refer to a geographic area with well-defined 
boundaries proclaimed as such by the President of the Philippines 
and/or by acts of Congress. No development projects for any purpose 
shall be initiated and introduced within the zone prior to the 
formulation of a tourism master development plan which shall be 
undertaken in coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT) 
12 


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565 
566 
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jjjj) 
and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority 
(TIEZA). A tourist zone is established for the enhancement and/or the 
conservation of cultural and historical heritage and for the 
appreciation and enjoyment of the local population and its visitors; 
"Urban areas" shall refer to all cities regardless of their population 
density and to municipalities with population density of at least Five 
hundred (500) persons per square kilometer; 
"Urbanizable areas" shall refer to sites and lands which, 
considering present characteristics and prevailing conditions, 
display marked and great potential of becoming urban areas within 
a period of five (5) years; 
kkkk) "Urban forestry or Green Space" shall refer to the establishment and 
management of forest in urban environment for the physiological 
and psychological well-being of the people; 
llll) 
"Water security" shall refer to the sufficient access throughout the 
year to the minimum daily requirement of clean water to maintain a 
healthy life; 
mmmm) "Water use" shall refer to the appropriation of water for 
domestic, municipal, irrigation, power generation, inland fisheries, 
poultry 
and 
livestock 
ra1smg, 
industrial 
and 
commercial, 
environmental, and recreational use and commercial, environmental, 
and recreational use and other purposes; other purposes; 
nnnn) "Watershed" shall refer to a land area drained by a stream or fixed 
body of water and its tributaries having a common outlet for surface 
runoff; 
0000) "Zoning"shall refer to the process of delineating the specific uses of 
lands in accordance with the approved Comprehensive Land Use Plan 
(CLUP) within the territorial jurisdiction of a city /municipality and 
specifying the conditions for their regulation; subject to the 
limitations imposed by law and competent authority; and 
pppp) "Zoning Ordinance or ZO" shall refer to a local law passed by the 
Sangguniang Bayan or Panglunsod approving he development 
control/zoning plan in accordance with an approved or adopted 
CLUP for the city/municipality, and providing for the regulations 
and other conditions on the uses of 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 of this Act. 
CHAPTER III 
PHYSICAL FRAMEWORK AND LAND USE PLANS 
SEC. 5. National Physical Framework Plan. The National Land Use 
Commission (NLUC) created in Section 14 herein shall draft the National Physical 
Framework Plan (NPFP) which shall have a timeframe of thirty (30) years, with 
regular review and updating every ten (10) years. The NPFP, which guides the 
planning and management of the country's land and other physical resources 
at the national and sub-national levels, shall indicate broad spatial directions 
and policy guidelines on settlements development, production land use, 
protection land use, social services and utilities, and transportation and 
communication. The Regional Physical Framework Plans (RPFPs), Provincial 
Physical Framework and Development Plans (PPFDPs), and Comprehensive Land 
Use Plans (CLUPs), which shall also have a 30-year timeframe and cover the 
physical development of their respective territories, shall be consistent with the 
national physical framework plan: Provided, That the integration and 
13 
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623 
harmonization of the physical framework plans at all levels shall be iterative 
624 
to ensure that the concerns of both top and bottom levels of government are 
625 
considered. The physical and land use plans prepared at all levels shall have 
626 
internal consistency specifically on, but not limited to, the development, 
627 
management and conservation of forestlands found within a given territory 
628 
and the linkages of the major land use categories to ensure their 
629 
complementation in the utilization, development and management of 
630 
resources. The NLUC shall issue procedural guidelines which shall guide the 
631 
formulation and integration/harmonization process. Provided, That the 
632 
National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Human 
633 
Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Department of the Interior and 
634 
Local Government (DIILG) and other agencies will continue to issue guidelines 
635 
on the content of the plans consistent with their respective agency mandates. 
636 
637 
638 
SEC. 6. Physical Framework and Land use Planning Process. - The land use 
639 
and physical planning process shall be formulated following a combined bottom-
640 
up and top-down approach. The NLUC, 
in consultation with the concerned 
641 
sectors through the mandatory conduct of public hearings, shall formulate, 
642 
periodically update and ensure the implementation of the NPFP that shall 
643 
prescribe and influence the country's land use and physical development. The 
644 
NPFP shall operationalize the policies provided in this act and will be the basis for 
645 
adopting land use and physical planning-related guidelines and standards, 
646 
including zoning and other land use control standards that will guide the 
647 
formulation of city/ municipal zoning ordinances. The policies prescribed in the 
648 
NPFP shall be integrated into the MTPDP and Medium-Term Philippine Investment 
649 
Program. 
650 
651 
SEC. 7. 
City and Municipal Land Use Plans. - The City /Municipal 
652 
Planning and Development Office (C/MPDO), in consultation with concerned 
653 
sectors through mandatory conduct of public hearings, shall prepare the CLUP 
654 
to determine the specific uses of land and other physical resources therein 
655 
including areas co-managed with the national government and, as appropriate, 
656 
the ancestral domain areas. The CLUP shall be consistent with the PPFDP and 
657 
shall define the city/municipal development vision, appropriate economic, 
658 
environmental and social development policies, densities and transportation 
659 
system. 
660 
HULRB 
The CLUP may be formulated as a component of a Comprehensive Land 
661 
Use and Development Plan (CLUDP), which merges the traditionally separate 
662 
CLUP and comprehensive development plan to address the disconnect between 
663 
spatial and sectoral factors and to ensure the complementation between the 
664 
medium- and long-term concerns. The CLUP shall be translated into a zoning 
665 
ordinance by the concerned Sanggunian to regulate the uses of land, including 
666 
the limitations on height, density and bulk of buildings and other 
667 
infrastructure that may be placed thereon. 
668 
669 
SEC. 8. Provincial Physical Framework and Development Plans 
670 
(PPFDP). - In consultation with concerned sectors, the Provincial Planning and 
671 
Development Office (PPDO) shall prepare a Provincial Physical Framework and 
672 
Development Plan (PPFDP) which shall define the province's development vision, 
673 
economic and social development policies, general land uses, and inter-
674 
city/municipal transportation system. The PPFDP shall harmonize the land use 
675 
plans of component cities and municipalities, taking into consideration shared 
676 
resources and planning concerns, and define the uses ofland and other resources 
677 
within the province consistent with the policies in the regional physical 
678 
framework plan. The programs, projects and activities prescribed in the PPFDP 
679 
shall be integrated into the provincial development investment program. The PPDO 
680 
shall submit the PPFDP to the Provincial Land Use Policy Council (PLUPC), created 
681 
under Se~tion 20 _of this Act, for review and endorsement to Sangguniang 
682 
Panlalawigan, which shall adopt the same pursuant to Section 468 (2) (vii) of RA 
683 
7160 or the Local Government Code. 
684 
14 


685 
SEC. 9. Regional Physical Framework Plans. -
In consultation with 
686 
concerned sectors, the Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC) shall define the 
687 
desired spatial arrangement of land-using activities in the entire region, 
688 
consolidating and harmonizing the provincial physical framework plans of 
689 
provinces and independent cities within the territorial jurisdiction of the region. 
690 
The regional physical framework plan, which depicts an end-state scenario 
691 
toward which efforts and activities are directed, shall consist of spatially-based 
692 
and area-focused policies, consistent with those in the national framework for 
693 
physical planning, to guide detailed physical, socio-economic, sectoral and 
694 
investment planning. 
695 
696 
697 
CHAPTER IV 
698 
FRAMEWORK FOR LAND USE PLANNING 
699 
700 
SEC. 10. Priorities in Land Use Allocation and Planning. - In projecting 
701 
spatial allocation for different land uses, the LGUs shall first exclude areas under 
702 
protection land use of Section 13(a) hereof, national parks, energy resource 
703 
lands, and prime agricultural lands to ensure ecological integrity, energy 
704 
supply, and promote food security. Areas with prior rights and those with site-
705 
specific resources for basic services, such as but not limited to, water and 
706 
indigenous energy resources, shall also be excluded. Spatial allocation and 
707 
planning shall then proceed in accordance with Sections 12 and 13 hereof with 
708 
priorities given to integrated watershed management areas, socialized housing 
709 
sites, fisherfolk settlement in coastal areas, and waste disposal sites. 
710 
711 
SEC. 11. Adoption of Multiple Uses of Land Resources. - The primary and 
712 
alternative uses of a specific land resource shall be determined and evaluated prior 
713 
to any decision for the assignment of its use. Areas feasible for sustainable land 
714 
resource use may be considered multiple-use zones wherein settlements, tourism, 
715 
agriculture, forestry, agro-forestry and extraction activities and other income-
716 
generating or livelihood activities may be allowed: Provided, That multiple uses of 
717 
land resources shall be excluded in areas identified as protection land use: 
718 
Provide further, That such land resources shall be in accordance with priorities 
719 
in land use allocation and planning and that no reclassification shall be allowed. 
720 
721 
SEC. 12. Basic Land Use Planning Considerations. - In determining the various 
722 
land uses, the people and their productive activities and the need for functional 
723 
open spaces and preservation areas as well as the various interrelationships 
724 
of the physical characteristics of the land and other elements therein shall be 
725 
considered, among others, the following: 
726 
727 
728 
729 
730 
731 
732 
733 
734 
735 
736 
737 
738 
739 
a) 
Availability of natural resources including indigenous energy resources 
for energy security and self-sufficiency; 
b) 
Geology, geomorphology, geologic hazard, climate, soil, vegetative 
cover, demography and slope; 
c) 
Economic, environmental, cultural, social and related development 
activities; 
d) 
Existing government policies on land and natural resources 
allocation, utilization, management and disposition; 
e) 
Technological changes/ advancement; 
f) 
Existing customary rights for the protection of indigenous peoples 
and vulnerable groups including women and urban poor; and 
g) 
Inventory of prior and existing rights, to harmonize determination 
of land use. 
740 
SEC. 13. Categories of Land Uses for Planning Purposes. In determining 
741 
and defining the national, regional and provincial framework plans, and CLUPs, 
742 
land uses shall be grouped into four major functional uses as follows: 
15 
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a. Protection Land Use -shall refer to the use of land primarily for food, 
water and energy security, rehabilitation, conservation, and protection 
purposes for the promotion of the country's ecological and life-support 
systems. Planning for protection land use intends to achieve food self-
sufficiency in rice and corn, water and energy security, environmental 
stability and ecological integrity, ensure a balance between resource 
use and the preservation of some areas with environmental, aesthetic, 
educational, cultural, heritage and historical significance, and protect 
people and human- made structures from the ill-effects of natural 
hazards. All lands, either public or private, under protection land use 
shall be permanently conserved, preserved, rehabilitated and 
protected from all other land uses, disposition, intrusion, utilization 
and development that is not consistent from its existing uses. Areas 
under this category also include those covered by Republic Act No. 
7586 or the NIPAS Law and other coastal and marine protected areas, 
those areas outside NIPAS but nonetheless require protection because 
of their outstanding physical and aesthetic features , anthropological 
significance, and biological diversity, and those areas prone to natural 
hazards. Areas outside the coverage of the NIPAS law include, but are 
not limited to the following: 
b. 
1. Old-growth forests and mossy; 
2. Areas with more than 50% in slope gradient; 
3. Mangrove and fish sanctuaries, pursuant to Republic Act No. 8435 or 
the "Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997" and 
Republic Act No. 8550 or "The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998"; 
4 . Buffer zones or strips/easements, pursuant to Presidential Decree 
No. 705, amending Presidential Decree No. 389, otherwise known 
as the "Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines" and Presidential 
Decree No.1067 or the "Water Code of the Philippines"; 
5. Salvage zones along foreshore areas, freshwater swamps and marshes, 
plazas and heritage/historic sites, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 
2146; 
6. Watersheds supporting domestic water supply; 
7. Utility easement like transmission lines of power companies, oil and 
gas facilities, cell sites, and domestic water lines; 
8. Amenity areas or those with high aesthetic values, pursuant to 
Presidential Decree No. 2146; 
9. 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; 
10.Critical habitats as provided in Republic Act No. 9147 or the "Wildlife 
Resources Conservation and Protection Act"; 
11 . Significant caves under Republic Act 9072 or the "National Caves and 
Cave Resources Management and Protection Act"; or 
12.Key biodiversity areas under Executive Order 578 Series of 2006 or 
the "National Biodiversity Policy". 
Production Land Use shall refer to the direct and indirect utilization of 
land resources for crop, fishery, livestock and poultry production, 
forestry, 
agroforestry, 
m1nmg, 
industry, 
energy 
development, 
indigenous energy exploration and development, and tourism. 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/Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA), 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 undertaken to meet the country's 
requirements for food security, economic growth and development. 
16 


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809 
810 
811 
812 
813 
814 
815 
816 
817 
818 
819 
820 
821 
822 
823 
824 
825 
826 
827 
828 
829 
830 
831 
832 
833 
834 
835 
836 
837 
838 
839 
840 
841 
842 
843 
844 
845 
846 
847 
848 
849 
850 
851 
852 
853 
854 
855 
856 
857 
858 
859 
860 
861 
862 
863 
864 
865 
866 
867 
c. 
Settlements Development shall refer to any improvement on existing 
settlements in urban and rural areas or any proposed development of 
certain areas for settlement purposes involving the spatial distribution 
of population, identification of the roles and functions of key urban 
centers, determination of relationships among settlement areas, and 
the provision of basic services and facilities to such settlement. The 
settlements development plan ensures for the present and future 
generation the following: i) effective integration of activities within and 
among settlements, 
allowing efficient movement of people and 
production of commodities through the provision of appropriate land, 
infrastructure, and facilities; and ii) access of the population to 
housing, education, health care, recreation, transportation and 
communication, sanitation, and basic utilities such as water, power, 
waste disposal, and other services. 
d. Infrastructure Development shall refer to the availability or supply of 
basic services and fostering of economic and other forms of integration 
necessary for producing or obtaining the material requirements of 
Filipinos, in an efficient, responsive, safe and ecologically friendly built 
environment. 
It 
covers 
sub-sectors 
of 
transportation, 
communications, water resources, 
and 
social 
infrastructure: 
Provided, That the determination of functional uses of lands within 
ancestral 
domains 
shall 
consider 
traditional 
resource 
and 
management systems that do not endanger the lives of the people 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. 
CHAPTERV 
IMPLEMENTING STRUCTURE AND MECHANISM 
Article 1 
NATIONAL LAND USE COMMISSION 
SEC. 14. Creation of the National Land Use Commission (NLUC). - The 
National Land Use Commission, hereinafter referred to as NLUC, is hereby created 
as a Commission under the Office of the President. It shall exercise the powers 
and responsibilities of the current National Land Use Committee which is 
hereby abolished. The NLUC shall act as the highest policy making body on land 
use and resolve land use policy conflicts between or among agencies, branches, 
or levels of the government.It shall integrate efforts, monitor developments 
relating to land use and the evolution of policies. It may also establish Regional 
Offices. 
SEC. 15. Composition of the NLUC. - The NLUC shall be composed of the 
following: 
a) The Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority 
(NEDA) as Chairperson; 
b) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources as Vice-
Chairperson; 
c) The Secretaries of the Department of Human Settlement and Urban 
Development (DHSUD), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the 
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Department of Trade and 
Industry (DTI), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), 
the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Tourism 
(DOT), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the 
Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Science and Technology 
(DOST), the Department of Finance (DOF), the Department of Energy (DOE), 
Department of national Defense (DND), and Department of Information and 
Communication Technology (DICT); 
17 
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868 
d) The Chairperson of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); 
869 
The Department Secretaries and the Chairperson of the NCIP may 
870 
designate a representative with a rank not lower than Assistant Secretary 
871 
and Commissioner, respectively: Provided, That the designated 
872 
representative shall be on a permanent basis. 
873 
e) 
The Presidents of the Leagues of Provinces, Cities and Municipalities; 
874 
ij 
A representative each from four (4) basic sectors directly involved in 
875 
land use, namely: urban poor, farmer-peasants, fisherfolk, and indigenous 
876 
peoples who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines 
877 
based on the nomination and recommendation of the respective sectoral 
878 
councils of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC). At least two (2) 
879 
sectoral representatives shall bewomen; 
880 
g) Two (2) representatives from private subdivisions, and housing developers; 
881 
and 
882 
h) Two (2) representatives from the accredited association of professionals 
883 
dealing on land use such as but not limited to urban and regional planners, 
884 
environmental planners, architects, geologists and geodetic engineers; 
885 
A consultative body shall likewise be convened by the NLUC at least once a 
886 
year or as often as may be necessary. It shall be composed of representatives 
887 
from the Leagues of Municipalities, Cities, and Provinces, other government 
888 
agencies not represented in the NLUC, and from non-government sectors such 
889 
as the private sector, non-government organizations (NGOs) and people's 
890 
organizations (POs), and the academic community. 
891 
892 
SEC. 16. Powers and Function~. - The NLUC shall have the following powers 
893 
and functions: 
894 
a) 
Advise the President of the Philippines and the NEDA Board on all matters 
895 
concerning land use and physical planning; 
896 
b) 
Integrate and harmonize all laws, guidelines and policies relevant to land 
897 
use and physical planning to come up with a rational, cohesive, and 
898 
comprehensive national land use framework; 
899 
c) 
Formulate policies and endorse land use and physical planning-related 
900 
policies that may be formulated by the Regional Land Use Policy Council 
901 
(RLUPC), created under Section 21 of this Act, and concerned agencies 
902 
as well as promulgate zoning and other land use control standards and 
903 
guidelines which shall guide the formulation of land use plans and zoning 
904 
ordinances by local governments; 
905 
d) 
Prepare, periodically review and if necessary, update the national 
906 
framework for physical planning to provide the general framework for the 
907 
spatial development directions for the entire country and sub-national 
908 
levels; 
909 
e) 
Review and endorse all land use and physical planning related guidelines; 
910 
f) 
Monitor and coordinate the gathering of data, the conduct of studies 
911 
pertaining to land use planning including studies on the management of 
912 
identified land uses and such other studies not undertaken by other 
913 
government agencies; 
914 
g) 
Recommend to the President of the Philippines the adoption, passage, or 
915 
amendment of laws to ensure that sectoral programs, plans, projects, 
916 
and activities, including local government initiatives affecting land use 
917 
are consistent with national development objectives; 
918 
h) 
Coordinate with and assist other government agencies and LGUs in 
919 
planning, developing, and implementing their land use classification 
920 
programs, and provide, to the extent possible, technical assistance and 
921 
guidance; 
922 
i) 
Monitor and coordinate the activities of concerned agencies and entities 
18 


923 
924 
925 
926 
927 
928 
929 
930 
931 
932 
933 
934 
935 
936 
937 
938 
939 
940 
941 
942 
943 
944 
945 
946 
947 
j) 
k) 
1) 
m) 
n) 
o) 
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; 
Monitor and coordinate activities in the establishment of a national land 
resource information and management system of concerned agencies that 
shall integrate and process information on land use and allocation 
generated by the various national government agencies; define 
information requirements at various 
levels; 
and standardize 
information inputs and outputs including scales and symbols used 
in territorial and sectoral maps; 
Be the repository of all RPFPs, PPFDPs and CLUPs and all data and 
information pertaining to land and land use; 
Call on any department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality of 
the government, and or private entities and organization for 
cooperation, support, and assistance in the performance of its functions; 
Decide and resolve policy conflicts and territorial jurisdiction on land use 
between or among agencies, branches, or levels of the government and 
act on unresolved land use policy conflicts at the regional level elevated 
by the Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC); 
Adopt rules of procedures for the orderly and expeditious conduct of 
meetings and other business of the Council; and 
Perform such other acts and functions and exercise such other powers 
as may be necessarily implied, inherent, incident, or related to the 
foregoing. 
948 
SEC. 17. National Land Use Office (NLUO) - The National Land Use Office is 
949 
hereby created as an agency attached to NEDA which will serve as technical 
950 
secretariat to the NLUC. The NEDA Regional Development Office personnel who 
951 
serve as secretariat to the NEDA Board-National Land Use Committee who opted 
952 
to transfer to the NLUO shall be given priority without diminution in rank and 
953 
renumeration. The NLUO shall be headed by an Executive Director. The staffing 
954 
pattern shall be drafted by NEDA in coordination with the Department of Budget 
955 
and Management (DBM) and Civil Service Commission (CSC). Other government 
956 
agencies may also be called upon for staff support. 
957 
958 
SEC. 18. The NLUO Executive Director. 
- The Executive Director shall 
959 
supervise the operations of the NLUO and assist the NLUC Chairperson or Vice 
960 
Chairperson. He shall also perform such other functions as may be tasked by the 
961 
Chairperson or Vice Chairperson. 
962 
963 
964 
965 
966 
967 
968 
969 
970 
971 
972 
973 
974 
975 
976 
977 
978 
979 
Article 2 
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS AS LAND USE POLICY COUNCILS 
SEC. 19. Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC). - At the regional level, 
the Regional Land Use Policy Council (RLUPC) shall be institutionalized, 
replicating the NLUC structure and composition which shall include a duly 
authorized representative from the NEDA, the DENR, DA and the DAR. The 
RLUPC shall have the following functions : 
a) Formulate and adopt regional policies on land use and physical planning; 
b) Prepar~ and p~riodic_ally update a regional physical framework plan, 
takmgmto cons1derat10n national polices and lower level plans; 
c) Assist the provinces in preparing and periodically updating its physical 
framework plans to ensure consistency with the regional and national 
plans and policies and to facilitate its integration to the regional plans; 
d) Revi~w, prior to adoption by respective Sanggunians/ the provincial 
physical framework plan and CLUPs of highly urbanized and independent 
19 


980 
component cities to ensure consistency with the regional physical 
981 
framework plan and national policies set forth by LUPC and compliance 
982 
with limits prescribed under the 1991 LGC for reclassifying agricultural 
983 
lands; 
984 
e) Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, 
985 
and allocation that may arise between or among regional line agencies, 
986 
provinces and cities/municipalities; 
987 
f) 
Monitor changes in land use and other physical resources in the region; 
988 
g) Evaluate consistency of major programs and projects with the regional 
989 
physical framework plans and their impact on land use and the 
990 
environment; 
991 
h) Undertake the gathering of regional data for the Land Resource 
992 
Information and Management System; and 
993 
i) 
Perform other related functions as may be directed by the LUPC. 
994 
995 
SEC. 20. Provincial Land Use Policy Council (PLUPC). - The Provincial 
996 
Development Council (PDC), created under Section 106 of the LGC, shall act as 
997 
the Provincial Land Use Policy Council that will tackle land use concerns whenever 
998 
necessary. A duly authorized representative from the DENR, DAR and the DA 
999 
shall be included in the composition of the PLUPC. In addition to the functions 
1000 
enumerated in Section 109 of the LGC, the PLUPC shall: 
1001 
a) Advise the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on all matters pertaining to land 
1002 
use and physical planning; 
1003 
b) Review and endorse to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for adoption, the 
1004 
provincial physical framework plans, prepared and periodically updated 
1005 
by the Provincial Planning and Development Office and other land use 
1006 
and physical planning-related policies; 
1007 
c) Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, 
1008 
and allocation that may arise between or among cities/municipalities 
1009 
and any unresolved land use conflicts at the city/ municipal level. The 
1010 
PLUPC may call upon any local official concerned such as Provincial 
1011 
Planning and Development Coordinator, Provincial Agriculturist, 
1012 
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer, Provincial 
1013 
Engineer, Provincial Assessor, or any official of national agencies and 
1014 
other relevant agencies during discussions on land use and physical 
1015 
planning concerns. 
1016 
d) Assist the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in reviewing the CLUPs of 
1017 
component cities/municipalities to ensure consistency with the 
1018 
provincial physical framework plans and compliance with the limits 
1019 
prescribed under the 1991 LGC for reclassifying agricultural lands; and 
1020 
e) Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, 
1021 
and allocation that may arise between or among cities/municipalities 
1022 
and any unresolved land use conflicts at the city/municipal level. The 
1023 
PLUPC may call upon any local official concerned such as Provincial 
1024 
Planning and Development Coordinator, Provincial Agriculturist, 
1025 
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer, Provincial 
1026 
Engineer, Provincial Assessor, or any official of national agencies and 
1027 
other relevant agencies during discussions on land use and physical 
1028 
planning concerns. 
1029 
1030 
SEC. 21. City/Municipal Land Use Policy Council (C/MLUPC). - The 
1031 
City /Municipal Development Council (C/MDC), created under Section 106 of the 
1032 
Local Government Code, shall act as the City /Municipal Land use Policy Council 
1033 
(C/MLUPC) that will tackle land use concerns whenever necessary. A duly 
1034 
authorized representative from the DAR, the DENR and the DA shall be included 
1035 
in the composition of the C/MLUPC. In addition to the functions enumerated in 
20 
j


1036 
Section 109 of the LGC, the C/MLUP shall: 
1037 
a) Advise the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod on all matters 
1038 
pertaining to land use and physical planning; 
1039 
b) Review and endorse to the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang 
1040 
Panlungsod for adoption, the CLUP prepared and periodically updated 
1041 
by the City /Municipal Planning and Development Office and other land 
1042 
use and physical planning-related policies; and 
1043 
c) Decide and resolve policy conflicts on land use planning, classification, 
1044 
and allocation that may arise between and among barangays and any 
1045 
unresolved land use conflict at the barangay level regarding the 
1046 
violation of zoning ordinances including opposition to applications for 
1047 
locational clearances, permits or certificates. 
1048 
For purposes of this Act, the City /Municipal Planning and Development 
1049 
Coordinator (C/MPDC) shall: (a) act on all applications for locational clearances 
1050 
for all projects except those of vital and national economic or environmental 
1051 
significance; and (b) monitor on-going/existing projects within their respective 
1052 
jurisdictions and issue notices of violation to owners, developers, or managers 
1053 
of projects that are violative of zoning ordinances. 
1054 
The C/MLUPC may call upon any local official concerned such as C/MPDC, 
1055 
City /Municipal Agriculturist, City /Municipal Environment and Natural 
1056 
Resources Officer, City /Municipal Engineer, City /Municipal Assessor, or any 
1057 
official of national agencies during discussions on land use and physical 
1058 
planning concerns. Local government units without operational C/MDC as 
1059 
mandated by the 1991 LGC shall activate their respective Councils within six 
1060 
(6) month from the effectivity of this Act. 
1061 
1062 
1063 
1064 
1065 
1066 
1067 
Article 3 
ADOPTION, APPROVAL AND REVIEW OF LAND USE PLANS 
1068 
SEC. 22. Component Cities and Municipalities. - Component cities and 
1069 
municipalities shall have the power and authority to adopt and approve their 
1070 
respective CLUPs and ZOs through their respective Sanggunians subject to the 
1071 
power of review of their respective provinces only with respect to the consistency 
1072 
of the CLUPs and ZOs with Section 8 hereof on the preparation of the provincial 
1073 
physical framework plan. Upon adoption and approval of the CLUP and ZO by 
1074 
the Sanggunian, all land areas zoned for residential purposes or for settlements 
1075 
development shall cease to be covered by the CARP and therefore, shall not be 
1076 
required to secure further order of land conversion or exemption certificates from 
1077 
the DAR, except for the payment of disturbance compensation if applicable, as 
1078 
well as the requirements pertaining to the issuance of environmental compliance 
1079 
certificate (ECC) by the DENR. 
1080 
1081 
SEC. 23. Provinces and Independent and Highly Urbanized Cities. -
1082 
Provinces and independent and highly urbanized cities shall have the power and 
1083 
authority to adopt and approve their respective CLUPs, ZOs or provincial physical 
1084 
framework plan, as the case may be, through their respective Sanggunian but 
1085 
subject to the review of the RLUPC as provided in Section 22 of this Act. 
1086 
1087 
1088 
Article 4 
1089 
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND 
1090 
LGUs 
1091 
1092 
SEC. 24. National Base Mapping Program. -A national mapping program shall 
1093 
be implemented, coordinated, and monitored through the creation of an Inter-
21 
•


1094 
1095 
1096 
1097 
1098 
1099 
1100 
1101 
1102 
1103 
1104 
1105 
1106 
1107 
1108 
1109 
1110 
1111 
1112 
1113 
1114 
1115 
1116 
1117 
1118 
1119 
1120 
1121 
1122 
1123 
1124 
1125 
1126 
1127 
1128 
1129 
1130 
1131 
1132 
1133 
1134 
1135 
1136 
1137 
1138 
1139 
1140 
1141 
1142 
1143 
1144 
1145 
1146 
1147 
1148 
1149 
1150 
1151 
1152 
1153 
1154 
l
agency Technical Committee (ITC) composed of the National Mapping and 
Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), as the lead agency, the Bureau of Soils 
and Water Management (BSWM), the Forest Management Bureau (FMB), the 
Land Management Bureau (LMB), the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau 
(PAWS), the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the Philippine Institute of 
Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), DAR, the National Water Resources 
Board 
(NWRB), 
DOE, 
NEDA 
and 
other 
concerned 
government 
agencies/bureaus. The ITC shall be constituted, and the mapping program 
shall be initiated, within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act. The 
agencies mentioned in this Section shall endeavor to finish their base 
mapping program within two (2) years upon the effectivity of this Act. 
For purposes of uniformity and standardization, the LGUs, to be assisted 
by the appropriate agencies of the national government, shall likewise prepare 
their respective territorial maps using scales, symbols, and other indicators to be 
prescribed in accordance with this Act. The completed maps shall be integrated 
in the national physical framework plan pursuant to Section 5 of this Act. 
SEC. 25. National Geo - hazard Mapping Program. - Within thirty (30) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, a nationwide geo-hazard mapping 
program shall be initiated jointly thru the NLUC by the PHIVOLCS, the Philippine 
Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), 
the NAMRIA, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), BSWM, and DOE, in 
coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 
(NDRRMC), the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 
(RDRRMC), and other concerned government agencies. The program shall include 
the generation of indicative geo-hazard zoning maps that will outline areas in the 
Philippines which are prone to liquefaction, landslides, severe flooding, lahar, 
ground rupturing, tsunami, river erosion, coastal erosion, sinkhole collapse, 
earthquake, lava flow, pyroclastic flow, base surge, and other natural hazards. 
For purposes of uniformity and standardization and in order to develop a 
safe-built environment, the LGUs shall subsequently incorporate and integrate 
the generated geo-hazard zoning maps in their respective CLUPs. Said geo-hazard 
maps shall serve as guide for all the LGUs in the preparation of their own 
hazards-constrained development plans. The national framework physical 
planning, pursuant to Section 5 hereof, shall incorporate these geo-hazardmaps. 
All infrastructure activities including real estates and subdivision projects and 
the development of tourist spots requiring an Environmental Compliance 
Certificate (ECC) shall be required to submit an Engineering Geological and Geo-
hazard Assessment Report (EGGAR). 
SEC. 26. Scope and Nature of Responsibilities of Other 
National 
Government 
Agencies. - All concerned national government agencies/bodies 
shall periodically report to the NLUC 
on the various activities and 
accomplishments relative to land use. 
Likewise, they shall provide their 
respective 
sectoral/ development 
plans 
and 
render 
technical 
and 
administrative support if called upon by the NLUC relative to the 
implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 27. Submission of Annual Report on the Implementation of CLUPs. 
- The C /MLUPC shall submit an annual report on the implementation of their 
land use plans to the PLUPC, which shall integrate the same for submission to 
the RLUPC, which shall in turn integrate the provincial reports for submission 
to the NLUC. 
CHAPTER VI 
SPECIAL AREAS OF CONCERN 
22 
J


L 
1155 
1156 
1157 
Article 1 
AGRICULTURAL LANDS 
1158 
SEC. 28. Priority Areas for Agricultural Development. - Priority Areas 
1159 
for agricultural development shall be those agricultural areas covered under 
1160 
Republic Act No. 6657 or the CARP, as amended, and those covered under 
1161 
Network of Protected Areas for Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Development 
1162 
(NPAAAD), defined in Section 4 of this Act and in R.A. No. 8435 or the 
1163 
"Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act". 
1164 
1165 
SEC. 29. Conversion of Agricultural Lands. - Agricultural lands are deemed 
1166 
converted to non-agricultural uses upon approval by the DAR of the 
1167 
application for conversion. Prime agricultural lands and specific types of lands 
1168 
to the extent necessary for attaining food self-sufficiency in rice and corn and 
1169 
food security in other basic commodities, as determined by the DA, subject to 
1170 
mandatory consultation with the LGUs, the private sector, the NGOs, and POs, 
1171 
shall be protected from conversion, which shall include but not limited to areas 
1172 
under the NPAAAD: Provided, That all irrigated and irrigable lands, all lands 
1173 
developed or possessing the potential for development of high value crops, and all 
1174 
agricultural lands that are ecologically fragile and whose conversion will result in 
1175 
serious environmental 
problems shall be given full protection from 
1176 
conversion, the areas under which are subject to review every seven (7) years by 
1177 
the DA, with the mandatory public consultations: Provided, further, That 
1178 
consistent with the State policy on giving priority to the completion of the CARP, 
1179 
all lands subject to CARP including those lands covered under the notice of 
1180 
compulsory acquisition/voluntary offer to sell, production or profit-sharing, or 
1181 
commercial farm deferment shall also be protected from conversion pending the 
1182 
distribution and installation of the farmer beneficiaries, but thereafter, Section 
1183 
22 of R.A. No. 9700 or CARP Extension shall apply: Provided, furthermore, That 
1184 
the conversion of agricultural lands for use of priority government projects for 
1185 
basic services such as, but not limited to, irrigation and power shall be allowed 
1186 
only upon the recommendation of the Secretaries of the DA and the DAR: 
1187 
Provide finally, That the mapping of the NPAAAD under the AFMA shall be 
1188 
completed within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act. Lands defined 
1189 
under Section 10 of R.A. No. 6657 shall remain exempted and excluded from the 
1190 
coverage ofCARP. 
1191 
1192 
SEC. 30. Sub -classification or Re- classification of Agricultural Lands by 
1193 
LGUs. 
1194 
-Sub-classification or re-classification of agricultural lands to other uses under 
1195 
Section 20 of the LGC of 1991 shall exclude the protected agricultural lands 
1196 
as stated in the preceding section. Moreover, such 
sub-classification/ 
1197 
reclassification is not synonymous to conversion. The DA and DAR shall provide 
1198 
the LGUs with complete list and maps of protected agricultural lands within 
1199 
their territorial jurisdictions. 
1200 
1201 
Article 2 
1202 
1203 
1204 
FOREST LANDS AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT 
1205 
SEC. 31. Reversion of Alienable and Disposable Lands to Forestlands. -
1206 
Upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the DENR, duly reviewed and 
1207 
endorsed by the NLUC, and after due consultations with the concerned LGUs 
1208 
and affected parties, Congress may authorize the reversion of alienable and 
1209 
disposable lands of the public domain or portion thereof to forestlands. Thereafter, 
1210 
said lands shall be included in the preparation of land use plans within 
1211 
forestlands. 
1212 
1213 
SEC. 32. Critical Watershed Areas. - The DENR, in coordination with the DA, 
1214 
LGUs, and other government agencies, including government-owned and-
1215 
controlled corporations, and with mandatory public consultations, shall 
23 


1216 
identify and delineate critical watershed areas that need to be protected, 
1217 
rehabilitated, enhanced, and/ or withdrawn from uses that contribute to their 
1218 
further degradation. 
1219 
1220 
SEC. 33. Formulation and Implementation of Integrated Watershed 
1221 
Management Plans. - In the absence of a law on the protection and sustainable 
1222 
management of our forests, the LGUs through their local land use committees 
1223 
and upon mandatory consultations with the concerned sectors, and with the 
1224 
assistance of DENR, shall prepare their water.shed management plans which shall 
1225 
be integrated with their respective CLUPs. The formulation and integration of 
1226 
the plan shall be guided, among others, by the principle that the management 
1227 
and development of inland water resources shall be at the watershed level. A 
1228 
nationwide mapping of watersheds in the country shall be implemented. 
1229 
In cases where the watershed areas transcend the boundaries of a particular 
1230 
municipality, an inter-LGU committee composed of representatives from local 
1231 
land use committees of the LGUs where the watershed area is located shall be 
1232 
formed. With the assistance of the DENR and upon mandatory consultations with 
1233 
the concerned sectors, the inter-LGU committee shall formulate the watershed 
1234 
management plan for the said watershed area. The DENR and the concerned 
1235 
LGUs shall jointly implement the watershed management plan subject to regular 
1236 
consulta ions with and involvement of the community and other stakeholders 
1237 
in the implementation of the plan. The preparation of forest land use plans shall 
1238 
make use of the watershed as the basic planning unit. 
1239 
1240 
1241 
1242 
1243 
1244 
1245 
1246 
1247 
1248 
1249 
1250 
1251 
1252 
1253 
1254 
1255 
1256 
1257 
1258 
1259 
1260 
1261 
1262 
1263 
1264 
1265 
1266 
1267 
1268 
1269 
1270 
1271 
1272 
Article 3 
COASTAL WATERS 
SEC. 34. Criteria on the Allocation and Utilization of Lands within the 
Coastal Zones. - The allocation and utilization of lands within the coastal zones 
shall be guided by the following: 
a) Areas vegetated with mangrove species shall be preserved for mangrove 
production and shall not be converted to other uses; 
b) Areas which meet all accepted criteria on elevation, soil type, soil 
depth, topography, supply for successful fishpond development, and are 
not identified as mangrove protected areas, shall be utilized for 
aquaculture purposes; 
c) Areas sub-classified as mangrove and still suitable for use as such, or 
due to environmental conditions need to be preserved as mangrove, but 
is devoid of mangrove stands shall not be converted to other uses. The 
DENR shall ensure that these lands shall be reforested within a given 
period of time; 
d) Areas accessible to the sea and identified for fisherfolk settlement and 
housing shall be allocated to traditional fisherfolk who are 
inhabitants of the coastal communities and members of legitimate 
fisherfolk organizations and/or holders of stewardship lease contracts 
or titles to ancestral domains or any form of property right 
arrangements who participate in coastal resource management 
initiatives, subject to the usual census procedures of the DHSUD. 
e) Areas which are neither sub-classified as mangrove, fisherfolk 
settlement nor fishpond may be devoted to recreational or tourism 
pur?oses: Provided, that such undertaking will not result in 
environmental degradation and displacement of small fishers· ' 
f) 
Areas which are considered as traditional fishing grounds shall be used 
primarily for such purpose; 
g) Areas which have been allocated for small infrastructure needed by 
fisherfolk shall be allowed; and 
24 


1273 
1274 
1275 
1276 
1277 
1278 
1279 
1280 
1281 
1282 
1283 
1284 
1285 
1286 
1287 
1288 
1289 
1290 
1291 
1292 
1293 
1294 
1295 
1296 
h) Areas which form part of foreshore lands as defined in this Act including 
those which are under lease agreements or arrangements shall undergo 
zoning and evaluation to determine their boundaries and actual sizes 
and corresponding uses. 
SEC. 35. Coastal Land Zone Sub-classification. - All public lands in the 
coastal zones shall be sub-classified into any of the following: estuaries, lagoons, 
inter-tidal flats, mudflats, fishponds, mangroves, protection from tidal surge, 
for preservation of biodiversity, habitats and sanctuaries for endangered 
wildlife, 
fisherfolk 
settlement, or recreational/tourism areas. 
No 
sub-
classification of coastal zones to different uses shall be done without the 
following: 
a) Conduct of a comprehensive resource and environmental assessment by 
the DENR and respective LGUs and accredited NGOs and POs within 
their jurisdiction; and 
b) Prior consultation with the Local Fisheries and Aquatic Resource 
Management Councils (FARMCs) formed under Republic Act No. 8550 or 
the Philippine Fisheries Code. 
SEC. 36. Zoning of Foreshore Areas. -
Local government units, in 
coordination with the DENR, shall conduct zoning of their respective foreshore 
areas to assist government and community fishers identify priority areas for 
conservation and development, and to enable them to set targets for mangrove 
reforestation and rehabilitation. 
1297 
SEC. 37. Protection of Waterways Easements and Flood Plains. -
1298 
Structures of any kind shall not be built in waterways easements. Pursuant to PD 
1299 
1067 or the Water Code, the banks of rivers and streams and the shores of the 
1300 
seas and lakes throughout their entire length and within a zone of three (3) 
1301 
meters in urban areas, twenty (20) meters in agricultural areas and forty (40) 
1302 
meters in forest areas, along their margins, are subject to the easement of 
1303 
public use only in the interest of recreation, navigation, floatage, fishing and 
1304 
salvage. 
1305 
The protection of flood plains shall adopt a river basin management approach 
1306 
in order to come up with integrated flood mitigation interventions. Development 
1307 
within flood plains and other flood-prone areas must be controlled or, if 
1308 
allowed, must be so sited, constructed and serviced that life of occupants are 
1309 
not put at risk and that disruptions during floods are minimal. The 
1310 
identification and characterization of flood-prone areas and flood plains shall 
1311 
be an integral part of CLUP preparation. Through the CLUPs and zoning 
1312 
ordinances, LGUs shall establish land use regulations to mitigate flood risks. 
1313 
1314 
1315 
Article 4 
1316 
MINERAL LANDS 
1317 
1318 
SEC. 38. Criteria for the Utilization and Allocation of Land for Mining 
1319 
Purposes. - Consistent with Section 6 of this Act and the provisions of Republic 
1320 
Act No. 7942 or the Mining Act of 1995, and to ensure that the objectives of 
1321 
maintaining ecological balance and maximizing economic returns to mining 
1322 
operations are realized, the allocation and utilization of lands for mining 
1323 
purposes shall be guided by the following: 
1324 
a) The principles of sustainable development and responsible mining; 
1325 
b) In case of small-scale mining, adequate and acceptable safeguards shall 
1326 
be instituted by the holders of mining rights or permits to prevent 
1327 
environmental degradation of the mining sites and adjacent areas; 
1328 
c) Mineral reservations which have become non-operational for more than 
1329 
five (5) years as determined by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 
1330 
shall be placed under appropriate surface management by the DENR; 
25 


1331 
d) Consistent with the Mining Act of 1995, areas closed to mining operations 
1332 
shall be periodically reviewed through mineral exploration to be 
1333 
undertaken by the DENR for the purpose of determining whether or not 
1334 
their continued closure is consistent with the national interest and, if 
1335 
warranted, recommend their reclassification as mineral lands; and 
1336 
e) Protection forestlands and agricultural lands shall be exempt from mining 
1337 
activities to minimize the effect of natural calamities and to protect food 
1338 
security respectively. The small to large scale mining operations shall 
1339 
yield 
from and recognize the tenurial instrument given by the 
1340 
government such as original certificate of title (OCT), transfer certificate 
1341 
of title (TCT), certificate of ancestral domain title 
(CADT), 
1342 
emancipation patent-certificate of land ownership award (EP-CLOA) and 
1343 
other instruments. If these be present, no mining activity shall be 
1344 
conducted. 
1345 
1346 
SEC. 39. Reversion of Mineral Lands. - All mineral lands with exhausted 
1347 
mineral resources, as determined by the MGB upon the recommendation of the 
1348 
DENR, shall revert to its original land classification, that is, as forestland or 
1349 
agricultural land. In the case of forestlands, the DENR may classify such areas 
1350 
for other purposes in consultation with concerned LGU's, the Department of 
1351 
Tourism (DOT), and other national government agencies. 
1352 
1353 
1354 
Article S 
1355 
ENERGY RESOURCE LAND 
1356 
1357 
SEC. 40. Guidelines for the Utilization and Allocation of Lands for Energy 
1358 
Resource Exploration, Development, Production, Utilization, and 
1359 
Distribution Purposes. - To ensure that the objectives of maintaining 
1360 
ecological balance and maximizing the power potential from indigenous energy 
1361 
resources in the most economical and environmentally-acceptable means are 
1362 
realized, the allocation and utilization of lands for said purposes shall be guided 
1363 
by the following, consistent with existing regulations and laws on energy 
1364 
resources: 
1365 
a) Indigenous energy resource exploration and development for the purpose 
1366 
of a National Energy Resource Inventory and Data Base as well as Energy 
1367 
Resource Block Map shall be allowed subject to the implementation of 
1368 
complementary watershed and other land management plans; 
1369 
b) Indigenous energy resource exploration, development, production, 
1370 
utilization, and distribution shall be subject to the appropriate 
1371 
requirements and processes of the Philippine Environmental Impact 
1372 
Statement (EIS) system. Each project shall secure an Environmental 
1373 
Compliance Certificate (ECC) prior to project implementation to ensure 
1374 
adequate and appropriate environmental management measures and 
1375 
optimum methods for resource access and recovery are utilized; and 
1376 
c) Energy reservations or portions thereof which have become or have been 
1377 
established to be non-economically viable to operate or are no longer 
1378 
used for energy purposes shall be released to give way to other land uses, 
1379 
subject to existing laws covering energy reservations. 
1380 
1381 
SEC. 41. Reversion of Energy Resource Lands. - All exhausted indigenous 
1382 
energy resource lands not covered by proclamations shall automatically revert to 
1383 
forestlands or agricultural lands open to disposition, whichever is appropriate. 
1384 
Exhausted energy resource lands shall refer to specific energy resource sites 
1385 
whose energy reserves of the desired type/s are no longer in sufficient quantity 
1386 
or quality to justify additional expenditure for their extraction and utilization. 
1387 
1388 
1389 
1390 
1391 
CHAPTER VII 
SETTLEMENTS DEVELOPMENT 
26 


1392 
1393 
1394 
1395 
1396 
1397 
1398 
1399 
1400 
1401 
1402 
1403 
1404 
1405 
1406 
1407 
1408 
1409 
1410 
1411 
1412 
1413 
1414 
1415 
1416 
1417 
1418 
1419 
1420 
1421 
1422 
1423 
1424 
1425 
1426 
1427 
1428 
1429 
1430 
1431 
1432 
1433 
1434 
1435 
1436 
1437 
1438 
1439 
1440 
1441 
1442 
1443 
1444 
1445 
1446 
1447 
1448 
1449 
1450 
1451 
1452 
1453 
1454 
1455 
1456 
1457 
SEC. 42. Town, City, and Settlements Development. -The development 
of town, city, and settlements through the zoning ordinances of cities and 
municipalities shall be guided by CLUPs and urban zoning standards designed to 
maximize existing urban spaces. Socialized housing and settlement areas shall 
be established only on alienable and disposable lands in order to avoid further 
degradation of forestlands. 
SEC. 43. Settlements within Geo-hazard Areas. - Settlements, in particular 
housing or residential developments, within geo-hazard areas may be allowed 
provided that mitigating and/ or protective measures are adopted to address 
the potential danger or risk to lives and property within such settlements. In 
coordination with the concerned agencies of the government, the LUPC shall 
provide assistance to concerned LGUs and settlers in instituting safety and 
corrective measures to address the potential danger or risk. Residential zones as 
designated in the CLUP shall be considered as outside the geo-hazard areas. For 
this purpose, housing projects within such areas shall be exempt from the ECC 
as well as the Engineering Geological and Geohazard Assessment Report (EGGAR) 
and maybe implemented without the need for any further certificate of 
exemption from the DENR or any other government regulatory agency. 
SEC. 44. Designation of Sanitary Landfill. - Each city or municipality shall 
identify, designate and allocate an area within their territorial jurisdiction to 
serve as sanitary landfill within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. The 
LGUs, in coordination with the DENR or any other competent authority, shall 
identify sanitary landfill in order to fast-track the conduct of environmental 
impact assessment study and to facilitate processing of the environmental 
compliance certificate. 
The site or area shall be identified in the city or 
municipality's CLUP. For this purpose, cities and municipalities shall establish 
their solid waste management program, pursuant to R.A. No. 9003, otherwise 
known as the "Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000" . Likewise, as 
provided under Section 33 of the LGC, cities and municipalities may, through 
appropriate ordinances, bind themselves towards the establishment of a common 
solid waste management program. 
Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DENR, in 
coordination with concerned agencies, shall promulgate the necessary guidelines 
and standards for the formulation and establishment of solid waste management 
programs by cities and municipalities, and shall submit the same to the LUPC 
for review and approval. 
SEC. 45. Designation and Zoning of Socialized Housing Zones. - Each city 
or municipality in urban, urbanizable and rural areas shall designate through 
the CLUP adequate lands for housing or residential purposes, including socialized 
housing and resettlement areas for the immediate and future needs of the 
local population as well as the underprivileged and homeless in their territory, 
pursuant to existing laws and regulations. In order to ensure adequate 
availability of land for the housing needs of the local population, the CLUP 
shall be updated, at maximum, every TEN ( 10) years for provinces, cities and 
municipalities. 
The designated sites for socialized housing shall be located in residential 
zones, and shall be zoned as socialized housing zones that are integrated in 
the city or municipality's zoning ordinance, pursuant to existing laws and 
regulations. 
Fisherfolk settlements and housing in coastal municipalities shall be zoned 
near the sea for easy access to their livelihood as provided under Section 36 (b) of 
this Act. 
The housing or residential lands designated in the CLUPS and ZOs of cities 
and municipalities shall, on one hand, not be subject to further land 
reclassification by the LGU or land conversion procedure under DAR. On the 
other hand, agricultural lands as designated in the CLUP which are no longer 
economically feasible for agricultural use may be subject to land reclassification 
or conversion to housing/residential purposes and such conversion, as the 
case may be, shall be exempt from the coverage of any moratorium on land 
27 


1458 
1459 
1460 
1461 
1462 
1463 
1464 
1465 
1466 
1467 
1468 
1469 
conversion. 
SEC. 46. Urban Forest or Green Space. - Each city or highly urbanizing 
municipality shall identify, designate, and allocate lands owned b! ~e city or 
municipality as urban forest or green space based on the gmdelmes and 
standards to be issued by the DENR and approved by the NLUC. 
CHAPTER VIII 
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS 
1470 
SEC. 47. Criteria for Designating Industrial Development Areas. - The 
1471 
identification and establishment of industrial development areas shall 
1472 
conform with the provisions of R. A. No.7916, or the Philippine Economic Zone 
1473 
Authority (PEZA) Act, R.A. No. 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform 
1474 
Program, (CARP) Act, as amended by R.A. No. 9700 or the Comprehensive 
1475 
Agrarian Reform Program with Extension and Reforms Act (CARPER), R.A. 8371 
1476 
or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), R.A. No. 7279 or the Urban 
1477 
Development Housing Act (UDHA), and R.A. No. 8435 or the Agriculture and 
1478 
Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA), taking into consideration the following: 
1479 
a) Identified network of areas for agricultural development and 
1480 
protected agricultural areas pursuant to the AFMA; 
1481 
b) National policies on the regional dispersal of industries and agri-based 
1482 
industrial development; 
1483 
c) Identified growth areas and corridors in the National Development 
1484 
Plan; 
1485 
d) National Protected Areas System (NIPAS) and non-NIPAS areas that 
1486 
require protection; 
1487 
e) National and Urban Development and Housing Framework; 
1488 
1489 
1490 
1491 
f) 
Identified Socialized Housing Zones; and 
g) National framework for physical planning and other existing national 
programs and policies. 
1492 
The designated industrial development areas shall become an integral part of 
1493 
the land use plan and zoning ordinance of the city or municipality where these 
1494 
areas are located. 
1495 
1496 
1497 
1498 
1499 
1500 
1501 
1502 
1503 
1504 
1505 
1506 
1507 
1508 
1509 
1510 
1511 
1512 
1513 
1514 
CHAPTER IX 
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND HERITAGE AREAS 
SEC. 48. Designating Tourism Development Areas. - The identification, 
selection, and development of tourism development areas, tourism estates and 
tourism enterprise zones (TEZs) shall be done in consultation and coordination 
with the concerned LGUs, 
the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone 
Authority (TIEZA) and concerned national government agencies, the private 
sector, and the affected communities, subject to the provisions of R.A. No. 9593 
or Tourism Act of 2009. Tourism development areas shall likewise include those 
covered by legislative and executive issuances as tourist spots, tourist zones and 
tourism ecozones which can be developed into tourism estates or integrated 
resort, leisure and recreation complexes and other tourism-related facilities as 
well as those identified in the national, regional and inter-regional tourism 
and area specific tourism master plans and other sector plans such as ecotouris~ 
and agri-tourism sites. 
Designated areas for tourism development shall become part of the CLUPs of 
the cities or municipalities where these are located. 
28 


1515 
1516 
1517 
1518 
1519 
1520 
1521 
1522 
1523 
1524 
1525 
1526 
1527 
1528 
1529 
1530 
1531 
1532 
1533 
1534 
1535 
1536 
Lands identified as part of a TEZ shall qualify for exemption from the 
coverage of RAs 7279 and 6657 subject to rules and regulations to be crafted by 
the TIEZA, DHSUD and DAR: Provided, That a certificate shall be obtained 
from the DA that said lands are no longer economically feasible and sound for 
agricultural purposes, consistent with Section 46(c) of this Act. 
SEC. 49. Identification and Declaration of Areas for Protection, 
Conservation and Preservation of Cultural Heritage. - Pursuant to R. A. 
No. 10066, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and/or 
the National Museum in coordination with National Commission for Culture and 
the Arts, DHSUD and other concerned agencies, local communities, and the 
private sector, shall identify declared areas and structures which shall be 
protected and/ or preserved as part of the Philippine cultural heritage. 
The LGUs in coordination with the NHCP, the National Commission for 
Culture and Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) shall 
designate historical zones to protect the historical integrity of said geographical 
areas and cultural space of intangible cultural properties. 
CHAPTERX 
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT 
1537 
SEC. 50. Allocation and Use of Land for Infrastructure Development. 
-
1538 
Land, whether public or private, shall be allocated and utilized for priority 
1539 
infrastructure projects that are supportive of national or local development 
1540 
objectives. The NEDA, in consultation with the concerned national government 
1541 
agencies, LGUs, and the private sector shall identify and periodically review, 
1542 
update and/or revise the list of priority infrastructure projects subject to 
1543 
Sections 6 and 30 of this Act, and Section 4 7 of R.A. No. 8435 or AFMA. In 
1544 
determining and evaluating the list of priority infrastructure projects, 
1545 
consideration shall be given to those that: 
1546 
a) Respond to immediate and vital requirements of the national economy 
1547 
with priority on improving rural infrastructure and the development 
1548 
of the agriculture and fisheries sectors; 
1549 
b) Upgrade existing facilities to international standards; 
1550 
c) Address the need for sustainable settlements development; and, 
1551 
d) Help mitigate the destructive effects of natural disaster-causing 
1552 
phenomena or those that shall serve as alternatives to existing 
1553 
infrastructures found in natural hazard-prone areas: Provided, That 
1554 
the provision and implementation of infrastructure support shall be 
1555 
made compatible with existing environmental conditions and the 
1556 
physical, whether natural or human-made, and cultural character of 
1557 
the area. Mandatory public consultations pursuant to existing laws and 
1558 
regulations shall be held prior to the conduct of all infrastructure 
1559 
projects that will necessarily involve dislocation or displacement of 
1560 
people in the area: Provided, further, That the proponent of the 
1561 
infrastructure project shall follow the rules on just and humane 
1562 
eviction or demolition under Section 28 of R.A. No. 7279 or the Urban 
1563 
Development Housing Act (UDHA), notwithstanding the provisions of 
1564 
Republic Act No. 8975, prohibiting lower courts from issuing 
1565 
temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, or preliminary 
1566 
mandatory injunctions, and proponent shall follow IPRA: Provided, 
1567 
finally, That national government infrastructure projects shall allocate 
1568 
budget for the adequate relocation of displaced communities. 
1569 
1570 
SEC. 51. Infrastructure Projects Within Geo-Hazard Areas. - Construction 
1571 
of priority infrastructure projects within hazard-prone areas shall be allowed: 
1572 
Provided, That mitigating and/ or preventive measures are adopted to address 
1573 
the potential adverse economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts 
1574 
that will emanate from these infrastructure projects, subject to the findings 
29 


1575 
and 
recommendations 
of a 
feasibility 
study/ environmental 
impact 
1576 
assessment in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 1586, Establishing An 
1577 
Environmental Impact Statement System, Including Other Environmental 
1578 
Management Related Measures, and R. A. No. 4846 or the Cultural Properties 
1579 
Preservation and Protection Act, as amended by Presidential Decree 374. 
1580 
Existing projects that did not go through the process of an environmental 
1581 
impact assessment and pose threats to the environment, integrity of historic, 
1582 
archeological, or scientifically significant areas; or are impinging on critical 
1583 
ecosystems, may be: (a) terminated immediately, (b) required to implement an 
1584 
Environmental Management Plan; (c) gradually phased-out and relocated, or 
1585 
(d) maintained up to their life span, subject, however, to mitigating measures: 
1586 
Provided, That the rules on mandatory public consultations and just and 
1587 
humane eviction or demolition shall also be observed prior to the termination, 
1588 
gradual phase-out, or relocation of projects that will necessarily involve 
1589 
dislocation or displacement of people in the area. 
1590 
1591 
1592 
1593 
CHAPTER XI 
TRAINING, EDUCATION AND VALUE FORMATION 
1594 
1595 
SEC. 52. Value Formation. - In order to create a well-informed, responsible 
1596 
and committed citizenry who values the protection, conservation and 
1597 
development of the country's limited land, and other physical resources, the 
1598 
State shall mandate the inclusion of sustainable land use education or any 
1599 
subject related thereto in the curricula of primary, secondary and tertiary 
1600 
education. 
1601 
1602 
SEC. 53. Information and Education Campaign. - The NLUC shall undertake a 
1603 
nationwide education information campaign in land use and physical planning to 
1604 
be implemented by local and national government agencies. The DILG and 
1605 
concerned agencies shall formulate and implement a land use management 
1606 
capability-building program for national and local government officials, 
1607 
community leaders, NGOs, POs, religious sector, and the general public: Provided, 
1608 
That it shall be mandatory for local government officials involved in the 
1609 
preparation of CLUPS and PPFDP, including the municipal, city and provincial 
1610 
development officer to attend the Land Use Management Capability-Building 
1611 
Program. 
1612 
1613 
1614 
CHAPTER XII 
1615 
INCENTIVES, SANCTIONS, AND PENALTIES 
1616 
SEC. 54. Formulation of a System of Incentives and Awards. - The NLUC 
1617 
shall come out with a system of incentives and awards to LGUs that regularly 
1618 
update their CLUPs within the prescribed period, as follows: 
1619 
a) Provinces, Highly Urbanized Cities, and Independent Component Cities 
1620 
once every nine (9) years; and 
1621 
b) Component cities and municipalities once every nine (9) years. 
1622 
1623 
SEC. 55. Priority in Giving Technical Assistance to LGUs. - In providing 
1624 
technical assistance and other forms of support related to land use 
1625 
management and the implementation of development plans, the national 
1626 
government agencies shall give priority to cities and municipalities with 
1627 
approved CLUPs. 
1628 
1629 
1630 
Article 2 
1631 
SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES 
1632 
30 


1633 
SEC. 56. Failure to Formulate, Enforce, and/or Implement the CLUPs. 
1634 
- Within three (3) years the effectivity of this Act, all LGUS shall complete the 
1635 
formulation of their CLUPs. Failure to formulate, enforce and/or implement 
1636 
the CLIUPs shall be subject to the penalties and sanctions to be imposed by 
1637 
DHSUD pursuant to RA 11201 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. 
1638 
The DILG, consistent with due process, shall investigate, review, and impose 
1639 
appropriate action regarding local chief executives and other local officials and 
1640 
employees 
responsible 
for 
the 
formulation, 
enforcement, 
and/ or 
1641 
implementation of the CLUPs in case of any of the following: 
1642 
1643 
a. Failure to implement and enforce the CLUP due to negligence of 
1644 
duty; 
1645 
b. Failure to provide appropriate budgetary allocation to effect its 
1646 
implementation; and, 
1647 
c. Failure to complete the preparation of the CLUP despite the availability 
1648 
of funds, resources, and support by the Sanggunian concerned. 
1649 
1650 
SEC. 57. Fine for Non-Completion and 
Non-Commencement 
of 
1651 
Development of Agricultural Lands with Approved Order of Conversion. -
1652 
A landowner and his/her designated developer or duly authorized representative 
1653 
who fails to commence and/ or complete the development of agricultural lands 
1654 
with approved order of conversion shall be penalized, jointly or severally, with any 
1655 
of the following fines based on the zonal value of the land at the time the fine 
1656 
is imposed: 
1657 
a) On failure to commence within one year from the date of conversion order: 
1658 
1. Six percent (6%) of the zonal value of the subject land for the first 
1659 
three (3) hectares; 
1660 
2. Fifteen percent (15%) of the zonal value of the subject land for the 
1661 
next three hectares, and 
1662 
3. Thirty percent (30%) of the zonal value of the subject land for the 
1663 
remaining area: Provided, That the order of conversion shall be deemed 
1664 
revoked automatically and the land shall revert to its original 
1665 
agricultural use and covered automatically and the land shall revert 
1666 
to its original agricultural use and covered 
1667 
b) On failure to complete fifty percent (50%) of the approved conversion 
1668 
plan within a specified time frame. Fifty percent (50%) of the zonal value 
1669 
of the subject land and the revocation of the conversion plan on the 
1670 
undeveloped portion which shall automatically revert to its original use 
1671 
as agricultural land. The same shall be covered under the CARP and 
1672 
processed for land distribution as soon as possible. 
1673 
1674 
SEC. 58. Authority to Impose Fine. - The DAR shall impose the penalty 
1675 
provided for under the preceding section. 
1676 
1677 
SEC. 59. Withdrawal of Local Development Permits or Licenses. - Upon 
1678 
receipt of notice from the DAR, the concerned agencies and the city or 
1679 
municipality shall withdraw or revoke any development permit and other licenses 
1680 
that may be necessary to develop the agricultural land subject of conversion. 
1681 
SEC. 60. Person(s) Abetting Illegal Conversion. - Any person initiating, 
1682 
causing, inducing, or abetting illegal conversion shall, upon conviction, be 
1683 
imprisoned from seven (7) to twelve (12) years and imposed a fine of not less 
1684 
than One hundred thousand (Pl00,000.00) pesos, or both at the discretion 
1685 
of the court: Provided, That if the offender is a public official or employee, 
1686 
whether elected or appointed, the penalty shall, in addition thereto, include 
1687 
dismissal through permanent separation from the service and forfeiture of all 
1688 
benefits and entitlements accruing to the public position and perpetual 
1689 
disqualification to run or apply for any elective or appointive public office: 
1690 
Provided, further That if the offender is a juridical person, the penalty of 
1691 
imprisonment shall be imposed on the president, chief executive officer, 
1692 
manager, chairperson and all the members of the board, and other 
31 


1693 
1694 
1695 
1696 
1697 
1698 
1699 
1700 
1701 
1702 
1703 
1704 
1705 
1706 
1707 
1708 
1709 
1710 
1711 
1712 
1713 
1714 
1715 
responsible officers thereof, and the fine shall be equivalent to the zonal 
value o_f the land ~r fo~ percent {40%) of the shareholders equity, as 
determm~d at the time of Judgment whichever is higher, plus forfeiture of 
the_ land m favor of 1:he State for sale though public auction, the proceeds of 
~h1ch ~hall automatically accrue to the Agrarian Reform Fund as provided for 
m Section 58 of this Act. 
SEC. 61. Penalty for Reclassification of Protected Agricultural Lands and 
~~~ee_ding the Limit of Areas Allowed for Reclassification. - Any person 
m1t~atmg, causing, inducing, or abetting the reclassification of protected 
agncultural areas into non-agricultural uses and exceeding the limits set 
forth under Section 20 of the LGC of 1991, shall be penalized 
with 
imprisonment of twelve (12) years and a fine of not less than One hundred 
thousand (PI00,000.00) 
pesos, or both at the discretion of the Court: 
Provided, That if the offender is a public official or employee, the penalty shall, in 
addition thereto, include dismissal through permanent separation from the 
service, whether elected or appointed, and forfeiture of entitlements accruing to 
the public position, and perpetual disqualification to run or apply for any 
elective or appointive public position: Provided, further, that if the offender is 
a juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed on the president, chief 
executive officer, manager, chairperson and all the members of the board, and 
other responsible officers thereof. 
1716 
SEC. 62. Payment of Disturbance Compensation. - Following the order of 
1717 
priority as enumerated in Section 22 of the CARP, as amended, qualified 
1718 
beneficiaries such as agricultural lessees and share tenants, regular farm workers, 
1719 
seasonal farm workers, other farm workers, actual tillers or occupants of 
1720 
public lands, collective, or cooperative of the above-mentioned beneficiaries, 
1721 
and others directly working on the land affected by agricultural land use 
1722 
conversion shall be entitled to the payment of disturbance compensation 
1723 
equivalent to five (5) times the average of the gross harvests on the landholding 
1724 
during the last five (5) preceding calendar years or a certain percentage of the 
1725 
converted land, whichever is higher, as determined by the DAR. 
1726 
1727 
SEC. 63. Utilization of Fines. -The fines collected under Sections 57, 60 and 61 
1728 
hereof shall automatically accrue to the Agrarian Reform Fund consistent with the 
1729 
provisions of the CARP, as amended. 
1730 
1731 
1732 
1733 
CHAPTER XIII 
TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS 
1734 
1735 
SEC. 64. Convening of the NLUC. - Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity 
1736 
of this Act, the Chairperson shall convene the NLUC. 
1737 
SEC. 65. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months from 
1738 
the effectivity of this Act, the NLUC shall promulgate the rules and regulations to 
1739 
implement the provisions of this Act. Said rules and regulations shall be submitted 
1740 
to the Congressional Oversight Committee for approval. 
1741 
1742 
1743 
1744 
1745 
1746 
1747 
1748 
1749 
1750 
1751 
1752 
1753 
SEC. 66. Congressional Oversight Committee on the Land Use Act . . - There 
is hereby created a Congressional Oversight Committee which shall monitor the 
implementation of this Act. It shall be composed of seven (7) members from 
the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and seven (7) 
members from the House of Representatives Committees on Natural Resources. 
The Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural 
Resources and the House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources 
shall be the Chair and Co-Chair of the Congressional Oversight Committee, 
respectively. The other members from the Senate shall be appointed ~y the 
Senate President based on proportional representatio~ of the_ p~1es or 
coalitions therein with at least one (1) senator representing the mmonty. The 
other members from the House of Representatives shall be appointed by the 
32 
___J 


1754 
Speaker also based on proportional representation of the parties or coalitions 
1755 
therein with at least one (1) member representing the minority. 
1756 
The secretariat of the Oversight Committee shall be drawn from the existing 
1757 
secretariat personnel of the committees comprising the oversight and the 
1758 
funding shall be taken from the appropriations of both the Senate and the 
1759 
House ofRepresentatives. 
1760 
SEC. 67. Appropriations. -The appropriations for the National Land Use 
1761 
Commission shall be taken from the budget of the Office of the President in the 
1762 
General Appropriations Act in the year following the effectivity of this Act and 
1763 
shall be used to carry out the initial operations of the National Land Use 
1764 
Commission. Thereafter, additional sums as may be necessary for the full 
1765 
implementation of NLUC's functions shall be included in the annual General 
1766 
Appropriations Act. 
1767 
SEC. 
68. Review of Existing Land Use Plans. - Provinces, cities, and 
1768 
municipalities with existing land use plans shall review, revise, reconcile, and 
1769 
harmonize the same with the guidelines and standards set forth under this Act 
1770 
within three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act. 
1771 
1772 
SEC. 69. Repealing Clause. - All republic acts, executive orders, rules and 
1773 
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with 
1774 
the provisions of this Republic Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
1775 
1776 
SEC. 70. Non- impairment Clause. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to 
1777 
diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or available to 
1778 
marginalized or basic sectors under existing laws including but not limited to 
1779 
Republic Act Nos. 7279, 6657, 8371, 8550 and 11201. 
1780 
SEC. 71. Separability Clause. - If for any reason or reasons, any part or 
1781 
provision of this Act shall be declared or held to be unconstitutional or invalid 
1782 
other parts or provisions hereof, which are not affected thereby shall continue 
1783 
to be in full force and effect. 
1784 
SEC. 72. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
1785 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers 
1786 
of general circulation. 
1787 
Approved, 
1788 
33