DA exempts green energy, socialized housing from farmland conversion moratorium

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has exempted renewable energy and government socialized housing projects from the farmlands conversion moratorium it issued in January, which will be in effect until June this year.

In a statement, the DA said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued a circular dated March 3, 2026 to allow the processing and issuance of certificates for land-use reclassification covering green energy developments and socialized housing initiatives, provided these are certified by the appropriate authorities. 

“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,” said Tiu Laurel.

The exemption covers renewable energy projects endorsed by the Department of Energy (DOE) or other authorized agencies, as well as socialized housing projects implemented or certified by the National Housing Authority (NHA) and similar undertakings cleared by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

The move provided exemption on the moratorium imposed under Department Circular No. 1 dated January 5, 2026 which suspended the acceptance and processing of applications for land-use reclassification until June. 

Earlier, the DA earlier said the moratorium was meant to serve as a safeguard against “undue conversion” of agricultural lands.

The agency clarified that all other applications for reclassification will continue to be held in abeyance. — JMA, GMA Integrated News