The eight regions of Luzon Island, represented by the NEDA Regional Offices and Metro Manila Development Authority, convened on May 21-22, 2024 at the NEDA Regional Office 3, San Fernando City, Pampanga to update the Luzon Spatial Development Framework (LSDF) 2015-2045. The LSDF is one of the three Area Spatial Development Frameworks of the country prepared in 2015 to operationalize the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) and provide the spatial development directions for the island of Luzon. The end in view is to optimize its resources and potentials through the physical and economic integration of its regions. Nine years after its completion, the NEDA revisits the LSDF to make it relevant and responsive to recent developments pertaining to land use and the changing social, economic, and environmental conditions.

This first workshop aims to update the profile of Luzon Island, assess the extent of implementation of the current LSDF, and identify the development potentials and growth issues. The members of the mapping group convened separately to discuss concerns related to the preparation of maps. NEDA MIMAROPA Regional Director Agustin Mendoza provided substantial inputs on regional spatial planning and general guidance on how to go about the updating of the LSDF. The NEDA Regional Office No. 2, as secretariat of the Luzon Regional Development Committee, facilitated the discussions during the workshops. The Regional Directors, Assistant Regional Directors and technical staff provided inputs and recommendations to enhance the analysis and workshop outputs. The activity ended with a discussion on the necessary next steps to be taken, agreements and distribution of tasks.