The paper presents regional physical framework planing as a distinct planning activity from development planning. It looks at previous attempts at framework planning, one of which was the multi-year human settlements plan 1978-79, developed by the then Human Settlements Commission, promoting viable large urban centers to counteract primacy of Metro Manila. The difference between the regional physical framework plan from the early regional plans is the absence of the latter of spatial and physical dimension which is a basic element of the former. The RPFP, the author argues, provides a comprehensive framework that incorporates land use and physical components of the region and the requirements of national socioeconomic plans.