8th Sangguniang Panlungsod (30 July 2004-30 June 2007)

Summary/Additional Info:

This ordinance promotes the productive use of vacant and idle lands within Naga City through partnerships between landowners, the city government, and private individuals or organizations. It offers incentives to encourage land utilization and establishes a framework for implementation, monitoring, and funding.

Some highlights:

1. Purpose and Principles

• Land is a community resource; legal ownership carries a social obligation to make it productive.
• Aims to spur economic growth and improve quality of life in Naga City.

2. Scope and Definitions

• Vacant/Unutilized Land: >50% of land area not used for human benefit; fenced lots with occupied dwellings excluded.
• Idle Land: Defined per Section 237 of RA 7160:

• Agricultural: >1 hectare, ≥50% uncultivated
• Non-agricultural: >1,000 sqm, ≥50% unutilized
• Includes residential lots in approved subdivisions with transferred ownership

3. Landowner Incentives

• Option to:
  • Pay idle land tax (per Section 20 of Ordinance No. 2004-123), or
  • Authorize the City Government to utilize the land for ≥2 years
• Real property tax obligations remain

4. Repossession and Withdrawal

• Landowners must notify the city 3 months before repossession
• Failure to utilize land post-withdrawal triggers retroactive idle land tax

5. City Government Obligations

• Must facilitate repossession within 30 days of withdrawal notice