Lawmakers are urging President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to certify the National Land Use Act as urgent, citing the increasing threats of climate change that have contributed to floods, landslides, and other natural disasters across the Philippines.

House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan noted that the recent devastation caused by Typhoon Tino revealed significant gaps in national land-use planning and disaster risk management, as reported by RH Milky Rigonan.

He highlighted that proper land-use policies are critical to reducing disaster risks, promoting climate resilience, and preserving environmental integrity.

Libanan pointed out that with effective national land-use planning, the development of communities in high-risk areas—such as zones prone to flooding, landslides, flash floods, and coastal storm surges—could be prevented.

He also emphasized that the Philippines is likely to face stronger typhoons in the future, making the adoption of updated land-use policies crucial to addressing the worsening impacts of climate change.

If enacted, the National Land-Use Act would serve as the country’s master framework for the allocation, utilization, management, and development of land and natural resources, providing a strategic approach to safer and more sustainable land use nationwide.