Philippines Urged to Establish National Land Use Policy Amid Disaster Threats

Strategic Insights -

The Philippines is in dire need of a rational and holistic land use policy to mitigate the effects of natural calamities, according to Rep. Lawrence Fortun of Agusan del Norte. The lawmaker has called on lawmakers to pass a bill that seeks to institute a national land use and management policy to ensure local government units are resilient against disasters. Fortun pointed out that many towns, cities, buildings, and homes are not equipped to withstand typhoons, floods, and earthquakes due to a hazy land use and management policy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rep. Lawrence Fortun has filed House Bill No. 105, the proposed National Land Use and Management Act of the Philippines, which aims to provide a rational, holistic, and just allocation, utilization, management, and development of the country's land and water resources.
  • The bill seeks to address the lack of a national land use policy framework with disaster resilience built-in, which has led to the country's vulnerability to natural calamities.
  • Fortun emphasized the need to build back better and prioritize the construction of underground cables for towns and cities along the Pacific side of the Philippines to protect against storm winds.
  • The lawmaker lamented that millions of Filipinos are tired of the repeated suffering caused by disasters and urged Congress to prioritize legislation on environmental protection and disaster resilience.
  • Currently, 14 bills on land use management policy and two bills on updating the National Building Code are stuck in the committee, highlighting the need for swift action.

Statistics:

  • Philippines is ranked among the top countries most vulnerable to natural disasters, with an average of 20 typhoons hitting the country every year (Source: Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration).
  • The country's lack of a comprehensive land use policy framework has resulted in the displacement of over 1.5 million people due to disasters between 2015 and 2019 (Source: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson).
  • The government's current approach to disaster management has resulted in a total of $5.4 billion in damages and losses since 2015 (Source: Department of Finance).

Sources:

  • "MANILA BULLETIN", Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun presses Congress to pass national land use policy" (no date mentioned)
  • Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (no date mentioned)
  • Office of the Presidential Spokesperson (no date mentioned)
  • Department of Finance (no date mentioned)