The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has instructed local government units (LGUs) to strictly enforce no-build zone restrictions and overhaul land-use plans to safeguard vulnerable communities from severe flooding and climate-driven disasters.
The order follows directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to step up national efforts in shielding high-risk populations from environmental hazards.
According to the DILG, local executives must prioritize public safety, disaster risk reduction, and environmental stewardship whenever evaluating development projects and zoning approvals.
Given the growing intensity of climate-related threats, the department emphasized that sound planning must be paired with firm, unwavering enforcement—particularly in zones prone to heavy inundation and natural calamities.
No-build zones typically cover easement sectors and perilous areas unfit for residential settlement due to extreme risks to life and property.
Building in disaster-prone locations is governed by existing laws, including the National Building Code of the Philippines and Republic Act No. 10121, also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.
Under the National Building Code, structures meant for human habitation must be constructed at safe distances from hazardous zones such as rivers and waterways. Meanwhile, RA 10121 mandates proactive disaster mitigation and prevents communities from occupying high-risk zones.
The DILG reiterated that primary responsibility for upholding these regulations rests on local officials, who must ensure all local developments comply with land-use codes, environmental standards, and disaster resilience guidelines.
To support these mandates, the department continues to engage local communities through its KALINISAN Program and BarKaDa Project.
As of May 2026, the twin initiatives have mobilized more than 588,000 volunteers, collecting an estimated 38.86 million kilograms of waste across approximately 1.5 million public sites nationwide.
Furthermore, the DILG is sustaining its disaster preparedness efforts through Operation L!STO, which provides LGUs and residents with standardized action protocols before, during, and after typhoons, earthquakes, and other emergencies.