How Local Governments Implement Land-Use Plans: Performance Assessment and Good-Practice Responses in Masbate Province, Philippines

This study assessed CLUP-conforming zoning implementation in Masbate Province, Philippines, and mapped the challenges and good-practice responses that shaped local land-use governance. A descriptive–evaluative mixed-methods design surveyed LGU officials, community leaders, and residents using a 4-point Likert questionnaire and complemented the findings with semi-structured interviews. Overall results indicated “Agree” ratings across relevance, effectiveness, impact, sustainability, efficiency, community participation, and public accountability, with relevance and impact rated highest and community participation rated lowest; residents consistently rated performance lower than implementers. Challenge patterns clustered around limited staffing and technical expertise, inconsistent coordination, constrained financing for monitoring and enforcement, weak data systems and technology adoption, low public awareness, and difficulties integrating environmental safeguards. Documented responses included CLUP and zoning training, a functional Provincial Land Use Committee, earmarked funds for CLUP activities, GIS-based decision mapping, information and education campaigns, and policy anchoring through the Environment Code. The study provided actionable lessons for improving implementation performance beyond compliance.