Citing land scarcity amid the rising population, the National Economic and Development Authority is batting for the passage of the National Land Use Act.
At the NLUWhat? forum in Quezon City, Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro said that without the law, there would be irrational and unregulated use of land that could eventually cause disasters and compromise the country's food security.
In a bid to reconcile important issues, arguments and conflicting claims, she met with various stakeholders on Tuesday where she explained the proposed measure's policy guidelines and took into account the sentiments raised by the stakeholders.
Navarro is also the appointed head of NEDA's Regional Development Office.
At least 12 NaLUA bills and four others have been filed in Congress and in the Senate, respectively, but not a single one has been passed in the 17th Congress.
Navarro said NEDA is hoping that the Senate could now give them the chance to be heard in this 18th Congress.
She said NaLUA is for inclusive growth, and that it is not anti-development.
According to NEDA, with lands properly allocated, there would be less conflicts on land use to arise.
The bill, if passed, would help create a better business environment and serve as an effective tool to reduce poverty.