Rationale

1. The poor situation of the upland communities is generally attributed to the depleting natural resources that support the economic activities of the upland dwellers.
2. Degradation of the uplands is a complex issue attributed to a wide range of environmental and socio-economic factors that are often "localized" and "land-used related". Thus, upland situation needs to be distinctly assessed in order to determine and plan accurate solutions according to the specific situation of the local watersheds.
3. The Land Use-based Barangay Development Planning scheme is a strategic approach towards upland development. It is the result of UPD's efforts in evolving appropriate planning methodologies that would consciously address the fundamental issues and concerns in the uplands.
4. The framework is based on participatory approach, environment-oriented and consciously mainstreamed in barangay and municipal governance for legitimacy and sustainability.

Issues and Concerns

1. Existing programs and services for upland barangays are very limited, and most often, offer limited impact because of inappropriate planning and inadequate strategies.
2. Most watershed management plans are macro-level (e.g. municipal, provincial and regional) which oftentimes are not trickled down at the community level.
3. Present local planning systems such as Barangay Development Plan (BDP) is too sectoral and are not environmentally-oriented.
4. Some local-based community watershed plans initiated by local people organizations are not sustainable and could hardly be legitimized.

Objectives

1. To enable the community to analyze the situation of the local government and natural resources in the barangay.
2. To formulate a Barangay Land Use plan that would locally delineate forestlands, agricultural lands and other appropriate land use classifications to ensure regulated land uses at the barangay level.
3. To facilitate the formulation of localized land use policies at the barangay level that would support macro level policies affecting watershed areas.
4. To enhance the Barangay Development Plan and improve barangay governance especially environment and natural resource management.
5. To increase community participation and promote multi-sectoral partnership in barangay planning.

Benefits

1. Improved barangay planning process.
2. Localized regulation of land uses at the barangay level
3. Enhanced local governance especially on environment protection, natural resource management and sustainable agriculture.
4. Assured support for project/ budget/ programs for upland development from the municipal LGU Annual Investment Plan.
5. Established more specific land-use database and plans from the barangay level that will substantiate the Municipal Comprehensive Land Use Plan

General Mechanisms

1. Actual delineation of barangay boundaries through GPS-based perimeter survey and preparation of the GIS-generated Barangay Base Map.
2. Conduct participatory thematic mapping exercise
3. Production of GIS-digitized barangay thematic maps (e.g. existing and proposed land use maps).
4. Approval and adoption of the land use maps through legislation from the BLGU and MLGU.
5. Integration of Barangay Land Use Plan into the Barangay Development Plan and eventually to the Municipal Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and Municipal Annual Investment Plan
6. Installation and monitoring of the Land Use Plan.
7. Implementation and monitoring of the Land Use Plan.