What does R.A. 7160 mandate regarding land use planning?

R.A. 7160, also known as the Local Government Code of the Philippines, emphasizes the importance of local autonomy and the role of local government units (LGUs) in land use planning. The legislation mandates LGUs to enact comprehensive land use plans to manage and organize land resources effectively. This process of enactment ensures that the land is utilized in harmony with local development goals, community needs, and environmental considerations.

The enactment of land use plans is critical as it provides a structured framework for zoning, which in turn guides decision-making on land allocation and development. This ensures that the use of land is optimized for various purposes such as residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial needs, ultimately promoting organized urban development.

Conducting public hearings, preparing zoning ordinances, and approving building permits are important processes within the broader context of land use planning; however, they are secondary to the primary mandate of enacting land use plans, which set the foundation for all subsequent regulations and approaches to land management.