Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 72)
The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLRB) is empowered to review, evaluate, and approve or disapprove land use plans of cities and municipalities.
The CDC/MDC acts as the policy recommending body of the LGU and initiates the formulation or updating of the land use plan in consultation with concerned sectors of the community.
They must be formulated, adopted, or modified in accordance with the approved provincial comprehensive land use plans to ensure consistency.
The PLUC assists the sangguniang panlalawigan in reviewing the comprehensive land use plans of component cities and municipalities to ensure consistency with provincial and national policies, recommend solutions for disputes, promote sustainable development, and support objectives of the Urban and Housing Development Act of 1992.
The PLUC is composed of the provincial planning and development coordinator as chairman, the provincial agriculturist, a representative of NGOs represented in the PDC, and representatives from various national government agencies including HLRB, DENR, DAR, DTI, DPWH, Department of Tourism, and DILG.
The RLUC reviews the comprehensive land use plans of provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities to ensure their consistency with the Regional Physical Framework Plan and national policies set by the National Land Use Committee (NLUC).
The power has been devolved to the province, specifically exercised by the sangguniang panlalawigan subject to national standards and guidelines.
They have the authority to issue locational clearances for locally-significant projects and enforce the provisions of their land use plans, with assistance from the HLRB and other NGAs if necessary.
All fees and other charges previously collected by the HLRB for the issuance of locational clearances now accrue entirely to the city or municipality concerned.
The HLRB is directed to install mechanisms for technical and other forms of assistance to cities and municipalities, while the HLRB and NEDA shall provide support to provinces. Other NGAs concerned with land use are also mandated to assist LGUs at no extra cost.
These LGUs shall issue locational clearances but are required to update their respective land use plans within five years from the approval of such plans.
The review must be completed within three months upon receipt, otherwise the plans shall be deemed consistent with law and valid.
By requiring that the preparation of comprehensive land use plans take into consideration the requirements for food production, human settlements, and industrial expansion pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1991.
Presidential Decree 933, Executive Order 648 (as amended by EO 90), and the Urban and Housing Development Act of 1992 (RA 7279) reaffirm the powers and functions of the HLRB.