Farm conversion OK’d for renewable energy, socialized housing
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has agreed to exempt renewable energy and government socialized housing projects from a wider moratorium on agricultural land conversions.
“By carving out limited exemptions to land-use reclassification moratorium, we seek to strike a balance in allowing critical energy and housing projects to proceed while keeping most farmland conversions on hold pending policy reforms that will ensure food security in the future,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement on Wednesday.
Via Department Circular No. 1, the DA temporarily suspended the acceptance and processing of applications for certifying land-use reclassification until June.
During the suspension, the agency will revisit and review relevant policies to strengthen its oversight, ensure consistency and protect agricultural lands from undue conversion.
“All other applications for reclassification will continue to be held in abeyance, including appeals already pending before the Office of the Secretary,” the DA said.
The latest measure aims to ensure that all current and future land-use reclassification policies are aligned with the national food security agenda.
“The rapid demand for urban expansion, infrastructure development and local land -use zoning revisions has resulted in a growing volume of applications for DA Certification for Land-Use Reclassification which may adversely affect agricultural production areas, agribusiness investments and long-term national food supply stability if not properly regulated,” it said.
DA allows exemption
However, in Department Circular No. 11, the DA excluded land conversion for renewable energy projects, as long as endorsed by the Department of Energy or any appropriate authority.
Furthermore, approved socialized housing projects and other similar projects are exempted from the ban, as long as certified by the National Housing Authority, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development or other appropriate authority.
The DA said the exclusions recognize the strategic importance of renewable energy expansion and the urgent need for government-backed housing.
It maintained that only projects with proper certification will qualify to ensure effective oversight.
“The department underscored that food security remains a top priority, warning that unchecked land conversions could erode agribusiness investments and undermine long-term national food supply stability,” the DA said.
