A unified land use policy is being proposed in the Senate to address the country’s food insecurity, environmental degradation, and vulnerability to disasters through a 30-year national framework for managing land and natural resources.

Filed by Senator Panfilo Lacson on July 23, ahead of the opening of the 20th Congress, the proposed National Land Use Act mandates the protection of agricultural lands, ancestral domains, and key environmental areas.

“The emphasis on sustainable development and protection of critical resources mandates a long-term vision for resource stewardship,” the proponent of the bill said.

The bill calls for the creation of a National Land Use Commission (NLUC) under the Office of the President, which will oversee planning and ensure coordination between local and national government units.

Under the proposed measure, decisions on how land and natural resources are allocated and managed will follow a combined top-down and bottom-up approach, aiming to balance national priorities with local realities.

Moreover, local governments will be required to align these plans with the national framework and integrate geo-hazard maps to reduce disaster risks.

The bill also offers incentives to LGUs that regularly update their land use plans, while imposing penalties such as fines, land reversion, and administrative sanctions for unauthorized land conversions.

To support evidence-based planning and risk reduction, the bill proposes a national base mapping and geo-hazard mapping program, to be carried out in coordination with agencies such as the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Energy, and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Furthermore, the bill promotes long-term awareness by mandating the integration of sustainable land use education into the school curriculum, along with nationwide public information campaigns.

“If enacted, this legislation would… enhance food and water security, mitigate disaster risks, and promote inclusive growth,” Lacson said.

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