Yes.

National and local governments in the Philippines mandate green initiatives and enforce “green” or environmental regulations in the planning and zoning regimes.

On a national scale, the Environment, Land Use, and Urban Planning and Development Bureau, which is an attached agency of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, was established to implement environmental laws in planning and zoning systems. It primarily performs policy development, undertakes regulatory roles, and creates national urban development policies and programs.

Specialized agencies such as the PEZA, which is one of the investment promotion agencies of the Philippine government, serves as the administrator for “green” zones. Green zones are industrial zones that are reserved to attract specialized investments and concentrate them in environmentally sustainable locations and areas.

On a local level, local government units (e.g., governments of provinces, cities and municipalities) are responsible for ensuring that all developments within their respective jurisdictions comply with the municipal or local environment codes. For instance, local zoning ordinances generally state that new developments are required to comply with the Revised Forestry Code, Water Code, Environment and Natural Resources guidelines, and provisions in local zoning ordinances. Projects in environmentally-critical areas are also required to obtain Environmental Impact Assessments before obtaining necessary business permits and licenses.