House OKs proposed National Land Use Act on 3rd reading

The plenary hall of the House of Representatives. (INQUIRER.net file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — A bill creating the National Land Use Act that would ensure appropriate usage of natural resources was approved by the House of Representatives on third and final reading on Monday.

House Bill (HB) No. 8162 was approved after 262 lawmakers voted in favor of the bill, while three voted against the same.  There were no abstentions.

Lawmakers have called for the passage of a detailed National Land Use Act or NALUA as the current land use policies in the country have been decentralized — with local governments having no exact guide as to how land should be utilized.

According to Siargao Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas who chairs the House special committee on land use, the bill would be a game-changer as it would attract more businesses and foreign investments.

“This bill being passed into law will be a sure-fire game-changer in terms of foreign investment for the Philippines,” Matugas said.

“One of the objectives is for our friends from all parts of the world — who carry with them the right resources and good intentions for our country — to immediately see an organized, prepared and detail-oriented Philippines ripe and ready for their investments,” he added.

During the nominal voting, however,Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas opposed the passage of the bill, saying that the NALUA pushed by the House is vague and may only be used to convert lands for farming and peoples’ residence to commercial spaces.

Brosas clarified that they are not against the creation of a land use act, but would like the current bill to be more specific — to ensure that lands for farming are safeguarded.

Under the bill, land use for planning was divided into four categories.

• the protection land use
• production land use
• settlements development
• infrastructure development

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