AmCham Statement on the Passage of the National Land Use Bill (HB 8466)
The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) welcomes the passage of House Bill 8466, the National Land Use Act (NLUA). It is a timely and significant reform reflecting the government’s sustained commitment through the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) to a more rational, sustainable, and investment-supportive land use framework, and marks an important step in bringing the country closer to a cohesive land use framework that balances competing demands across sectors and industries.
We commend the House of Representatives for advancing this measure, particularly its efforts to rationalize land use classifications, strengthen national and local coordination, and establish a clearer institutional framework for land governance. These reforms help address long-standing fragmentation in planning systems, improve policy consistency across agencies and LGUs, and support more orderly infrastructure and economic development.
As the bill moves through the Senate, AmCham respectfully recommends the following measures to help ensure the law ultimately supports both sustainable development and a competitive investment environment.
Local Government Unit (LGU) Capacity Building
The effectiveness of the law will depend heavily on the capacity of Local Government Units (LGUs) to implement it consistently. AmCham recommends a defined funding mechanism to support training, systems upgrading, technical assistance, and institutional strengthening at the local level.
Investment-sensitive Transition Framework
As predictability remains critical to investor confidence and economic continuity, AmCham recommends a clear, time-bound framework that protects existing and pipeline investments, ensures certainty for projects under development or approval, establishes predictable timelines for new land use rules, and minimizes disruption to long-term commitments.
Institutional Structure and Coordination
The creation of a National Land Use Commission under the Office of the President strengthens central coordination and elevates land use planning within the national development agenda. However, effective implementation will depend on clear roles and strong inter-agency coordination. AmCham underscores the importance of a technically driven framework, a clearly defined role for NEDA as Vice-Chair to ensure alignment with national development planning, avoidance of duplication among agencies, and efficient coordination between national and local planning bodies.
Incorporating Land Value Capture
Inclusion of Land Value Capture (LVC) would integrate innovative infrastructure financing directly into the law. By allowing the government to share in the increases in land value generated by public investment, it can strengthen fiscal sustainability without overreliance on borrowing or additional taxes. AmCham emphasizes that any successful LVC mechanism should be transparent, non-distortive to land and property markets, and supported by clear implementing rules and regulations.
AmCham remains committed to working with Congress, and implementing agencies to help ensure a final framework that is predictable, coordinated, and investment-friendly, supporting inclusive and sustained economic growth.
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