Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco “Lalo” Matugas is urging the Senate to advance the proposed National Land Use Act as lawmakers work toward a unified framework for managing competing demands for agricultural land, housing, infrastructure and environmental protection.
Matugas, chairman of the House Special Committee on Land Use and principal author of House Bill 8466, welcomed the Senate’s ongoing deliberations on its counterpart proposals, saying lawmakers could further strengthen the measure before it moves through the legislative process.
The House approved HB 8466 on third and final reading on May 5, 2026, and transmitted it to the Senate the following day. The proposal seeks to establish a national land use policy and create a National Land Use Commission to coordinate land-use planning across government.
One of the key issues addressed by the House version is the conversion of prime agricultural land into other uses. The measure proposes criminal penalties for unauthorized land reclassification, with developers and local officials involved in certain violations potentially facing prison terms of up to 12 years.
The proposed framework would also require land-use planning to consider climate and disaster risks. Hazard maps, geospatial information and environmental assessments would be incorporated into decisions involving areas such as floodplains, watersheds and coastal zones.
The broader goal is to provide a common framework for resolving competing demands for land involving agriculture, settlements, housing, infrastructure, economic development and environmental conservation. The proposal also recognizes the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples, including the need to respect traditional resource-management systems within ancestral domains.
The push comes after years of efforts to enact a national land-use law. The Department of Economy, Planning and Development has also urged Congress to approve the measure, arguing that the absence of a national framework has contributed to the conversion of productive agricultural areas and complicated efforts to address food security.
The issue has gained additional attention as the Philippines continues to balance agricultural production with rapid urban development and infrastructure requirements. A national framework could establish more consistent rules for deciding how land is allocated and how development risks are assessed.
Several senators have filed their own versions of a National Land Use Act, meaning the Senate deliberations could result in changes to the House-approved proposal. Matugas said the House is prepared to work with senators on provisions that may need to be strengthened.
The proposed legislation remains subject to the full legislative process and has not yet become law. The next stage will depend on the Senate’s deliberations and whether the two chambers can eventually agree on a common version of a national land-use framework.
