MANILA, Philippines — Surigao del Norte 1st District Representative Francisco “Lalo” Matugas is pushing for the enactment of a comprehensive national land use policy to ensure disaster risks are considered when choosing locations for housing, infrastructure, and major developments.
Matugas, who heads the House Special Committee on Land Use, issued the call on Sunday, October 4, as weather agencies warned of potential flash floods and landslides across parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.
“Every time communities are threatened by floods or landslides, we are reminded that land use is also a question of public safety,” Matugas said.
“Whenever communities are threatened by floods or landslides, we are reminded that land use is also a question of public safety,” he reiterated.
“We cannot prevent typhoons and heavy rains, but we can make better decisions about where we build homes, roads, schools, businesses and other infrastructure,” he added.
According to the Mindanao lawmaker, the proposed National Land Use Act (NLUA) will establish a long-term strategy connecting land planning with disaster risk management, environmental conservation, agriculture, housing, public infrastructure, and economic growth.
He stressed that hazard data must serve as a critical foundation for planning future residential areas and large developments.
“Good land use planning means looking beyond today’s needs. Before development takes place, government should also consider whether an area will remain safe and sustainable years from now,” Matugas stated.
He clarified that while local government units will maintain their primary role in local development decisions, a unified national framework would ensure local planning aligns with broader national goals for safety and economic resilience.
The House of Representatives passed its version of the NLUA on May 5, but corresponding bills remain pending in the Senate. Matugas emphasized that the measure extends beyond mere land classification, describing it as a key element of the country’s long-term disaster preparedness.
“Disaster resilience begins even before a road, subdivision or public facility is built. It begins with deciding whether we are building in the right place,” he said.