Alyansa bets pledge passage of National Land Use Act
STA. ROSA, LAGUNA–The senatorial candidates of Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas have vowed to push for the passage of the National Land Use Act in the 20th Congress, should they win in the 2025 midterm elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Laguna, Deputy Majority Leader for Communications Erwin Tulfo stressed the urgent need to pass the measure to prevent further reduction of the country’s agricultural lands due to unregulated land conversion.
“We must pass the National Land Use Act because it is being abused already. It is for the people, not the few. Dapat matuldukan na ‘yan,” Tulfo said.
“Habang hindi naipapasa ang National Land Use Act, asahan na po natin liliit nang liliit ang ating agricultural areas,” he added.
He warned that continued land conversion would ultimately affect food security.
The National Land Use Act, a proposed legislation that has languished in Congress for decades, seeks to establish a framework for the sustainable and equitable utilization of the country’s land resources. It aims to balance agricultural, residential, commercial and industrial land use while ensuring environmental protection.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has previously emphasized the urgency of enacting this policy, highlighting its fundamental importance to national development.
Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III recalled that the Senate had previously approved the bill in the 15th Congress, but it failed to pass in the House of Representatives.
“Noong 15th Congress, pinasa po ng Senado ang Land Use Act. ‘Yun po ang isa sa makakapag-solve ng problema hindi lang sa Laguna kundi sa buong Pilipinas,” Sotto explained.
He added that in the succeeding Congress, the House of Representatives passed the measure, but this time, it failed in the Senate.
Former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson pointed out that Laguna’s agricultural sector has dramatically shrunk due to rapid industrialization.
“Tama ka kasi ang naiwanan lamang sa agriculture sector sa Laguna nasa 1.5 percent na lamang ano? Kasi nagiging industrial na at tsaka ‘yong social services sila ‘yong malaking bahagi kaya 1.5 percent,” Lacson noted.
However, he highlighted that approximately 90,000 hectares of alienable and disposable agricultural land still exist, which could be revitalized with proper intervention from local government units (LGUs).
Former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos also echoed concerns about food security, stressing that rapid development has led to the disappearance of farmlands not only in Laguna but across the country.
“Importante ang food security sa ating bansa, damang-dama natin ang issue ay presyo ng bigas, ang presyo ng palay at ang issue nitong klase na nangyayari sa ating mga palayan ay hindi lang nangyayari sa Laguna, ito ay nangyayari sa buong Pilipinas. Dahil mabilis ang development, magugulat ka na lang nawawala ang mga palayan,” Abalos warned.
While waiting for the passage of the National Land Use Act, Abalos suggested that LGUs provide incentives to discourage landowners from selling their farmlands for industrial or residential purposes.
He also stressed the need for stronger agricultural infrastructure and financial support for farmers, such as loans and crop insurance.
Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino expressed strong support for reviving and pushing the bill forward, emphasizing that it has been pending for far too long.
“Siguro tinututukan ko, sinusuportahan ko ang panawagan na buhayin na ulit ‘yong panukalang batas at maisulong na ito, ‘yong National Land Use Act na matagal nang nakabinbin. Sabi nga ni Sen. Sotto, 16th Congress pa,” Tolentino recalled.
“Kung mayroon tayong One Town, One Product law, halimbawa Alaminos, alam naman natin na lansones. Hindi mo pwedeng ubusin ‘yong lanzones.
San Pablo, noong araw naaalala ko pa noong bata ako, January 15, nandoon pa ‘yong Franklin Baker sa San Pablo City. So, hindi mo dapat lagasin lahat ‘yong mga coconut plantation,” he explained.
“Gano’n din sa Pila at Victoria, Laguna. ‘Yong mga palayan, so iisipin ko ngayon kung paano ma-link ‘yong One Town, One Product law na pinasa namin ilang buwan na ang nakakalipas para mapunuan ‘yong kakulangan ng ating Land Use Act ng sa gano’n ay hindi mabawasan ‘yong ating agricultural land. Hindi lang dito sa Laguna kundi sa mga ilang lugar din,” he added.
