Establishing Priorities and Procedures in Evaluating Areas Proposed For Land Conversion in Regional Agri-Industrial Centers/Regional Industrial Centers, Tourism Development Areas and Sites For Socialized Housing

Case Overview and Summary

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 124

Establishing Priorities and Procedures in Evaluating Areas Proposed for Land Conversion in Regional Agri-Industrial Centers/Regional Industrial Centers, Tourism Development Areas and Sites for Socialized Housing

Summary:
• Definition of Priority Development Areas for Land Conversion (Sec. 1)
- Regional agri-industrial centers/regional industrial centers (RAICs/RICs) identified by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
- Tourism development areas (TDAs) identified by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as indicated in the current Medium Term Philippine Development Plan.
- Sites identified by the local government units (LGUs) for socialized housing, which are presently used for agricultural purposes and which need conversion approval from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

• Institutional Mechanism and Procedures for the Evaluation of Priority Development Areas (Sec. 2)
2.1 Sites in RAICs/RICs and Tourism Development Areas
- Regional Land Use Committees (RLUCs) shall be responsible for the evaluation of priority development areas for land conversion as identified by the DTI, DA and DOT, in close coordination with LGUs concerned. (Sec. 2.1a)
- The RLUCs shall evaluate whether the priority development areas are: i) non-negotiable for conversion, as provided for in AO 20, s. 1992, as determined by the DA; and ii) already distributed subject to Sec. 65 of RA 6657 or covered by a notice of acquisition or voluntarily offered for coverage under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), as determined by the DAR. (Sec. 2.1d)
- The RLUCs shall submit their recommendations to the National Land Use Committee (NLUC) within three months upon submission of the proposed sites. (Sec. 2.1e)

2.2 Sites for Socialized Housing
- LGUs, through the Local Development Council Technical Secretariat, in coordination with the HUDCC, NHA, HLURB, NAMRIA, DENR, and LMB shall identify lands for socialized housing for the immediate and future needs of the underprivileged. (Sec. 2.2a)
- The Provincial Land Use Committee (PLUC) shall assist the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in the review and evaluation of sites identified as suitable for socialized housing in component cities and municipalities. (Sec. 2.2b)
- The RLUC shall review and evaluate sites identified as suitable for socialized housing in highly urbanized and independent component cities. (Sec. 2.2b)
- The RLUC/PLUC shall evaluate whether the identified sites for socialized housing subject for land conversion are: i) non-negotiable for conversion as provided for in AO 20 s. 1992, as determined by the DA; and ii) already distributed subject to Sec. 65 of RA 6657 or covered by a notice of acquisition or voluntarily offered for coverage under the CARP, as determined by the DAR. (Sec. 2.2c)
- The PLUC shall submit the results of its evaluation to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan within 3 months upon submission of the proposed sites identified by the LGUs. (Sec. 2.2e)
- The RLUC shall submit the results of its evaluation to their respective RDC, CEB, or RPDB within 3 months upon receipt of proposed sites identified by the concerned LGUs. (Sec. 2.2e)

• All priority development areas shall form part of the maximum allowable limits provided under Sec. 20 of RA 7160. (Sec. 3)

• The DAR, DA and the NEDA Secretariat, in coordination with concerned agencies, shall conduct an annual review of the mechanism and the process for evaluation as well as the status of conversion in RAICs/RICs, TDAs, and sites for socialized housing. (Sec. 4)

• All other applications for land conversion shall continue to be governed by existing rules and procedures of the DAR. (Sec. 5)

• The DAR and the NEDA Secretariat shall jointly issue guidelines to implement this Order. (Sec. 6)