A long-overdue blueprint for sustainable growth and a decisive step toward securing the country’s land resources.
This was how House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III described the National Land Use Act (NLUA), which the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading on Tuesday.
Voting 224–3 with zero abstentions, the chamber passed House Bill No. 8466 just a day after Dy identified it as a legislative priority at the resumption of session.
“Yesterday, we said we needed to pass the National Land Use Act. Today, we fulfilled that,” Dy said in Filipino.
“For decades, this reform has been delayed. The message is clear: We are ready to finally address how we use our land for the benefit of future generations.”
The measure establishes a science-based and unified framework for land use, balancing the needs of agriculture, housing, infrastructure, environmental protection, and economic development.
Dy said the bill is key to resolving land use conflicts, managing urban growth, strengthening food security, and protecting critical ecosystems.
“This is not only about land. It is about order, food security, environmental protection, and the proper development of our communities,” he said in Filipino.
The lawmaker from Isabela stressed that the absence of a national land use policy has long led to fragmented planning and inefficiencies.
He noted that “without a clear land use policy, development becomes disjointed and directionless. This measure puts in place a clear, long-term, and equitable framework.”
The House leader expressed confidence that the bill would deliver lasting benefits, particularly in protecting agricultural lands and guiding sustainable development.
Dy also noted that the measure is part of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council priority agenda, underscoring its importance in the administration’s broader push for coordinated and long-term national development.
“This law will serve as the country’s guide for better land use, safer communities, and a stronger economy,” he said in Filipino.
