A Study on the Impact of the Conversion of Agricultural Lands to Residential Areas in Lucena City, Quezon

Abstract

This paper, entitled “A Study on the Impact of the Conversion of Agricultural Lands to Residential Areas in Lucena City, Quezon”, discusses the rampant land conversion schemes in Lucena City and their effects on the environment and on the population. Firstly, the study discusses the limits and conditions for land conversions and who violates what, when, and how. Secondly, the study discusses the process involved in the implementation of the said scheme, from applications for reclassification by Local Government Units, to activities of land developers. Thirdly, the study discusses the effects of land conversion schemes on the environment and on the socioeconomic status of the city and the population. Since land conversion is viewed as a development project, how it affects the socioeconomic indicators of development are also tackled. It has been found out in this study that land conversion schemes are indeed development projects in the sense that they bring large sums of income to the city government, which is in turn used to provide social services to the population. However, a large part of the benefits of land conversion schemes does not trickle down to the population, specifically to those directly affected.