Neda pushes sanctions against LGUs with no land-use plans
THE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) has recommended the imposition of sanctions against local government units (LGUs) who fail to formulate and implement Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs).
Neda Undersecretary for Regional Development Adoracion M. Navarro told the BusinessMirror this was recommended during the recent Cabinet meeting where she also made a presentation on the proposed executive order on National Land Use. The Neda official added the sanctions against erring LGUs could be imposed through the newly created Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
While Navarro said the President and the Cabinet deferred their decision on the proposed EO to obtain comments from agencies, sanctions were part of the Neda’s recommendations.
“We also recommended that DHSUD formulate sanctions for LGUs when they fail to formulate and implement their comprehensive land use plans. We also recommended that DA [Department of Agriculture] craft and implement a land consolidation and utilization program for agri-industrial development,” Navarro said in a text message.
Navarro said the sanctions will be consistent with the powers of the DHSUD as stated in Republic Act 11201, or the DHSUD Act. Under the law, the DHSUD can impose fines and penalties as part of its general powers.
The Neda earlier explained that the proposed EO was initially drafted to implement existing laws related to land use without having to wait for legislation.
The only things the government cannot implement under an EO are the additional sanctions, restrictions, and additional programs which need funding.
Apart from the sanctions, Navarro said, the Neda also pushed for the reduction of members for Neda Board-National Land Use Committee (NLUC) and expansion of LUCs at regional level.
Neda’s proposal will trim the current composition of the NLUC to include Neda as chairman and DA, DHSUD, Departments of Agrarian Reform and Environment and Natural Resources as members.
The Neda also recommended the reconstitution of lower-level land use committees, particularly those at regional and LGU levels.
“At the NLUC level, it will be easier to get a quorum and deliberations will be faster. At the lower-level LUCs, since we recommended that certain national agencies be represented there, we hope that we would be able to check in a timely manner the compliance of LGUs and private individuals/firms with land use-related rules, even those which are not yet contained in laws,” Navarro explained.
The National Land Use Act (Nalua) has been languishing in Congress for the past 30 years, which means four administrations have failed to pass the law.
Neda identified it as a priority bill of the Duterte administration and said the government is keen on having the law passed despite suggestions of some Cabinet members to create an EO first.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said passing the Nalua has been deemed a priority by the President in his State of the Nation Address since assuming office in 2016.
Navarro said while the legislature will ultimately decide on the fate of the Nalua, the Neda’s draft EO, which was crafted with other agencies will contain the executive’s input on the Nalua.
The Neda assured that it will do its best to argue in favor of the Nalua’s key features and ensure that provisions pertaining to land-use conversion, hazard sensitive landuse planning, and a longer term view of land-use planning will be retained.