The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has recorded a significant increase in approved and updated Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) nationwide, reporting 334 approvals from mid-2022 through December 2025.

The figure represents a substantial rise from the 238 approvals recorded during the same midterm period of the previous administration.

Progress was also cited at the provincial level, with 25 Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plans approved as of December 2025, a fivefold increase over the five approvals seen in the prior period.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said the surge reflects the department’s efforts to institutionalize data-driven land use planning through its “PLANADO” (Plan & Do) program. Senior Undersecretary Henry Yap, who oversees the program, said the increase signals stronger local compliance and improved governance.

Yap stressed that the approvals are more than just statistics, noting that each plan is a step toward ensuring safer communities as directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Proper planning, he added, protects both lives and livelihoods.

The PLANADO program, anchored on the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, streamlines workflows and provides technical assistance to local government units through digital tools and mentoring.

Under Department Order 2026-011, the agency institutionalized an initiative targeting 100 percent risk-informed land use plans nationwide by 2028.

Despite the recent progress, challenges remain in modernizing older plans. As of January 2026, only 967 of the 1,515 CLUPs nationwide — about 64 percent — are considered risk-informed based on guidelines established in 2014.

The agency described land use planning as a life-saving tool rather than a mere technical requirement. Updated plans help local governments identify danger zones, protect agricultural land, and ensure that schools, hospitals, and evacuation centers are located in secure areas.

To support this, the DHSUD’s Environmental, Land Use and Urban Planning and Development Bureau provides guidance on integrating climate and socio-economic data into local plans.

The agency has also launched a public dashboard to allow citizens to track the status of their local government’s planning progress.

While digital transformation has accelerated the process, Yap said sustained capacity-building and community participation are critical. He noted that plans must be executed effectively to ensure “dignified lives for every Filipino.”