MANILA – Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has ordered an immediate freeze on all new applications for agricultural land reclassification, aiming to strengthen the nation’s food security and protect farmland from rapid conversion.

Under Department of Agriculture (DA) Circular No. 1 signed on January 5, the moratorium covers the acceptance and processing of Land‑Use Reclassification Certification applications and will run through June 2026. Applications submitted before the freeze will still be processed, but appeals are put on hold until the moratorium is lifted.

“There is a need to impose a moratorium on the acceptance and processing of applications for Land‑Use Reclassification Certification, and to revisit and review the policies to strengthen DA oversight, ensure consistency, and protect agricultural lands from undue conversion,” Tiu Laurel said.

The policy shift comes amid growing concerns that urban expansion and infrastructure projects are eating into productive farmland, potentially weakening the Philippines’ ability to produce staples such as rice and corn. Analysts have warned that continued loss of farm areas could make the country overly reliant on imports and more vulnerable to price fluctuations in global markets.

The moratorium is part of the DA’s broader 2026 agenda, which includes strengthening supply chains, enhancing farm infrastructure, and expanding productivity support programs. Several lawmakers are also advocating for stricter legislative limits on farmland conversion, aligning with the department’s precautionary stance.

The freeze signals a renewed government focus on balancing development with agricultural sustainability, with the DA set to reassess its regulatory framework and oversight practices in the coming months.