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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
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S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 25116 
Introduced by: Senator COMPANERA PIA S. CAYETANO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Survey, registration and titling are important factors in land administration 
and management. Currently, these factors are handled by different agencies, in 
particular the Land Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources (DENR) for survey and the Land Registration Authority under 
the Department of Justice for registration and titling. Moreover, there are other 
agencies dealing with lands like the Land Management Sector and the National 
Mapping and Resource Information Authority both under the DENR. 
The separation of these functions often results in confusion and conflict 
thereby affecting the integrity of land titles in the country. This Bill aims to 
integrate all the various agencies dealing with land administration and 
management into a single agency with the view of making registration and 
subsequent dealings in land more simple, accessible and affordable. 
For these reasons, approval of this Bill is urgently sought. 
C 
iA S. CAYETANO 
nator 


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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Third Regular Session 
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RECi .iiW 8.V: 
S E N A T E .  
S. B. No. 
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Introduced by Senator CompaAera Pia Cayetano 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING REFORMS IN LAND ADMINISTRATION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House. of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
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ARTICLE I 
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GENERAL PROVISIONS 
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Section 1. 
Short Title.- 
This Act shall be known as "The Land 
4 'Administration Reform Act of 2006." 
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Section 2. Declaration of Policy.- It is hereby declared the policy of 
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' ,  the State to institutionalize reforms in land administration and management in 
7 .'order to optimize and rationalize their contribution to the goals of national 
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development, eradication of poverty, and attainment of social, economic, and 
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cultural justice. Towards this end, the State shall: 
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(a) Provide the leadership and management of reforms in land 
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administration; 
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(b) Promote efficient and effective mapping, land survey, classification, 
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disposition, registration, and management of private and public lands; 
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(c) Undertake a comprehensive and continuing land administration program 
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that will make the processes and procedures on land registration and titling 
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affordable, reliable and expeditious; 
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(d) Assist in the attainment of the government's asset reform programs; 
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(e) Accelerate and complete the cadastral survey, distribution, titling, and 
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registration of alienable or disposable lands to provide security of land tenure; 
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(f) Undertake reforms in land administration and management to ensure 
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equitable distribution and full utilization and development of alienable or 
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disposable lands; 
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(9) Improve the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of 
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land administration services; 
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(h) Rationalize the structure, powers and functions of the different land 
administration agencies and integrate all land administration and registration 
policies, plans, programs, and projects of various government agencies to 
increase the efficiency of the land titling system of the government, with 
expeditious delivery of services that are viable with sustainable land 
administration programs and projects; 
(i) Establish a sustainable and viable administration of land through 
computerization of functions and removal of overlaps and duplication in the 
delivery of land administration services; 
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(j) Establish an administrative system for the cancellation of duplicate and 
fake titles and the eradication of land grabbing activities; 
(k) Provide accessible, efficient, and affordable land administration services 
to the people through the establishment of integrated Land Offices nationwide; 
(I) Establish an effective, secure and integrated land information system 
and provide easy and open access to land information by members of the 
public; 
(m) Improve the skills of and career opportunities for government employees 
engaged in the provision of land administration services; 
(n) Rationalize and clarify the entitlements of persons to land titles to make 
the process of issuing original titles fast and low-cost; 
(0) 
Promote and support the development of a national land administration 
and management education system; 
(p) Identify and reduce disincentives to the registration of property 
transactions; 
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(9) Mainstream gender in all aspects of the land administration system; and 
(r) Recognize, respect, ensure participation, and assist in the enforcement 
of land related rights of men and women of the basic sectors, as defined in 
Republic Act No. 8425, otherwise known as the “Social Reform and Poverty 
Alleviation Act.” 
Section 3. Definition of Terms.- For the purpose of this Act, the 
following terms shall, unless the context indicates otherwise, have the following 
meanings: 
(a) 
“Alienable and disposable lands” refers to agricultural lands of the 
public domain which have been delineated, classified, and certified as available 
for disposition under the public land act. 
(b) “Agricultural lands” refers to lands devoted to or suitable for the 
cultivation of the soil, planting of crops, or growing of trees, and not classified as 


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mineral land, forest land, or national park, or sub-classified as residential land, 
commercial land, or industrial land. 
(c) 
“Automated Registration System” refers to a system using 
appropriate technology for scanning, recording, and land registration using 
electronic devices to store the copy of certificates of title and other documents 
relative thereto. 
(4 “Classification and Reclassification” refers to the Act of Congress in 
setting the specific limits of forestlands and national parks and increasing or 
decreasing their boundaries by law, as provided for in Article XII, Section 4 of 
the 1987 Philippine Constitution. 
(e) ”Director General” refers to the person occupying the position of 
(0 “Land”‘ refers to resources, both man-made and natural, found on 
the surface, below and above the ground, including inland waters and the air 
therein. 
Director General of the Land Administration Authority created by this Act. 
(g) “Land Administration and Public Land Management“ refers to the 
administration of all functions, powers and activities related to the mapping, 
land survey, classification, ownership, disposition, and registration of land titles 
’ and deeds, and the management of public lands. 
(h) 
“Land Information System” refers to a system of linking textual 
attributes (such as ownership, identity, location and value) of land into spatial 
reference designed to facilitate access to information and assist in planning and 
decision making 
(i) 
“Land Management Bureau (LMB)” refers to the staff Bureau of the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 
sector or offices of the DENR at the regional, provincial, and district level. 
(k) ”Land registmtion case” refers to the proceeding, either 
administrative or judicial, for registering the title to, or interest in, a land so that 
such title or interest becomes a matter for public record, and all persons who 
have interest in the land may be informed thereof, actually or constructively, 
and be bound thereby if they make no objections thereto within a specific time. 
(I) 
“Land Registration Authority (LRA)” refers to the attached agency of 
(m) “National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA)” 
(i) “Land Management Services (LMS)” refers to the land management 
the Department of Justice (DOJ), including the Registers of Deeds (ROD). 
refers to the agency known by that name attached to the DENR. 
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(n) “President” refers to the President of the Philippines 


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the Constitution. 
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ARTICLE II 
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Section 4. Creation of the Land Administration Aufhorify (LAA).- To 
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~ carry out the purposes of this Act, the Land Administration Authority (LAA) is 
(0) “Public domain” refers to lands that belong to the State, which may 
either be agricultural, forest or timber, mineral or national park as provided for in 
(p) “Public lands” refer to lands which have not been subject to private 
property rights or subject to sale or other modes of acquisition or concession 
under the general laws, and are devoted to public use. 
CREATION OF THE LAND ADMINISTRATION AUTHORITY 
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hereby created and placed under the Office of the President. It shall be the 
primary government agency responsible for land administration and public land 
management. 
the following powers and functions: 
Section 5. Powers and Functions of the LAA.- The LAA shall exercise 
(a) 
Conduct, integrate and regulate the functions of geodetic and 
geophysical surveys, land classification surveys, mapping, aerial photography, 
remote sensing, management of resource information needed by both public 
and private sectors, and research development thereof in accordance with 
existing laws and internationally accepted norms, procedures, and standards: 
Survey, map and maintain data base to support the determination 
of specific limits of forest lands and national parks by Congress as provided 
under Section 4, Article XI1 of the Constitution; 
Survey, map, maintain database on, administer, manage andlor 
dispose of all alienable and disposable lands of the public domain and other 
lands, including foreshore and marsh lands, under the provisions of 
Commonwealth Act No. 141, as amended, otherwise known as the Public Land 
Act, and in accordance with existing laws; 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
Manage, sell, and/or dispose the remaining Friar Lands under the 
provisions of Act No. 1120, as amended, and in accordance with existing laws; 
(e) 
Manage and dispose lands of patrimonial property of the National 
Government under the provisions of Act No. 3038, or such other Government 
lands as have not been placed under the administration, management, control 
or exclusive use of any other government agency by legislative or executive 
issuance; 
(9 
Register original titles to land issued pursuant to Commonwealth 
Act No. 141 and subsequent dealings of registered lands under the provisions 


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maps.. 
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Prepare, issue, and register all titles to land issued pursuant to 
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Commonwealth Act No. 141 and all types of tenure instruments intended for the 
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implementation of the CARL and the IPRA and subsequent dealings of 
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registered lands.; 
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Act; 
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(k) 
Formulate land administration and management policies in 
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Promulgate rules, regulations, circulars and other administrative 
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(m) 
Perform such other functions undertaken by the LRNRoD, 
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LMBILMS, DENR-Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (DENR-CARP) 
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(n) 
Perform such other functions as are necessary, proper, and 
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Whenever any reference is made to the LRNRoD, LMBILMS, and 
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DENR-Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (DENR-CARP) National 
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Secretariat under E.O. 192, P.D. 1529, and C.A. 141, as amended, pertaining 
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to a duty, power, purpose, responsibility, or jurisdiction transferred to the LAA 
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by this Act, it shall be deemed to be a reference to, and to mean, the Land 
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Administration Authority and the Director General of the LAA, as the case may 
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be. 
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Section 6. Stakeholders' Advisory Committee.- The LAA shall be 
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assisted by a Stakeholders' Advisory Committee composed of the following: 
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(a) 
Five (5) representatives from the basic sectors chosen through the 
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nomination process of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), of whom 
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at least two (2) shalt be women; 
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(b) Three (3) representatives from the private sector appointed by the 
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President; and 
of Act No. 496 and Presidential Decree No. 1529, otherwise known as the Land 
Registration Act and the Property Registration Decree, respectively; 
Conduct, regulate, and approve all types of land surveys including 
surveys intended for the implementation of Commonwealth Act No. 141, 
Republic Act No. 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) and 
Republic Act No. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA); 
(9) 
(h) 
Complete all Cadastral Surveys and update all existing cadastral 
(i) 
(j) 
Determine, fix, and collect reasonable amounts to be charged as 
administration fees, fines, and penalties relative to the implementation of this 
accordance with existing national laws; 
issuances as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this Act; 
National Secretariat under P.D. 1529 and C.A. 141, as amended; and 
incidental to implement the provisions of this Act. 


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(c) The LAA Director General, as ex-officio member. 
The President shall designate the chairperson from among the members 
of the Committee. 
Except the LAA Director General, the members of the 
Advisory Committee shall not hold office in the LAA nor receive any salary but 
shall be entitled, for actual attendance during meetings, to such allowances and 
honoraria as are allowed by rules and regulations promulgated by the 
Commission on Audit. 
Section 7. Functions of the Stakeholders Advisory Committee.- The 
Committee shall advise the LAA on the formulation of policies and policy 
development pertaining to land administration and public land management and 
shall monitor their implementation. It shall submit, within three months following 
the end of each calendar year, a report to the President on its advisory and 
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monitoring activities. 
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Section 8. Meetings of the Committee.- The Chairperson shall 
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convene regular meetings of the Committee, which shall be at least once every 
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quarter. Special meetings may also be called by the Chairperson or at the 
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initiative of at least three (3) members. 
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Section 9. Secretariat and Logistical Support- The Office of the 
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Director General shall provide secretariat and logistical support to the 
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Committee. 
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ARTICLE 111 
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IMPLEMENTING MECHANISM 
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(a) 
The Office of the Director General; 
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(b) 
The Offices of the Deputy Directors General; 
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(c) 
The Offices of the Assistant Directors General; and 
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(d) 
Land Offices 
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Section 11. The Director Genera/.- The authority and responsibility for 
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the exercise of the mandate of the LAA, the accomplishment of its objectives, 
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and the discharge of its powers and functions shall be vested in the Director 
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General, a cabinet rank with portfolio, who shall be appointed by the President 
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and subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments. The 
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appointment shall be for a fixed term of (4) years and can be reappointed for 
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another term. Provided: that the total term of the original and reappointment 
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shall not exceed eight (8) years. The Director General shall have the following 
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functions: 
Section I O .  Structure and Organization.- The LAA shall consist of: 


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(a) Advise the President on the promulgation of rules, regulations, and 
(b) Establish policies and standards for the efficient and effective 
operations of the LAA in accordance with the programs of the Government; 
(c) Promulgate rules, regulations, and other issuances necessary in 
carrying out the LAA’s mandate, objectives, policies, plans, programs and 
project; 
(d) Exercise control and supervision over all functions and activities of 
the LAA; 
(e) Delegate authority over all powers, functions and activities of the 
LAA; and 
(9 Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned 
by the President. 
Section 12. Office of the Director Genera/.- The Office of the Director 
General shall consist of the Director General, his immediate staff, and the Office 
of the Legal Services. 
Section 13. Deputy Directors Genera/.- The Director General shall be 
assisted by at least four (4) Deputy Directors General who shall be appointed 
by the President. At least one of the Deputy Directors General shall be a 
member of the bar and/or a geodetic engineer with at least five (5) years 
experience in any land administration, function. The Director General is hereby 
authorized to delineate, assign, and/or reassign the respective functional areas 
of responsibility of the Deputy Directors General. 
other issuances relative to land administration and public land management; 
A Deputy Director General shall have the following functions: 
(a) Advise the Director General in the promulgation of administrative 
orders and other issuances with respect to his area of responsibility; 
(b) Exercise supervision over. the offices, departments, or operating 
(c) Promulgate rules and regulations that will efficiently and effectively 
(d) Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under his 
responsibility with those of other units under the responsibility of other Deputy 
Directors General; 
(e) Exercise authority on substantive and administrative matters related 
to the functions and activities of units under his responsibility as may be 
delegated by the Director General; and 
(9 Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by 
the Director General. 
units and officers and employees under his responsibility; 
govern the activities of units under his responsibility; 


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Section 14. Assistant Directors General.- The Director General and 
Deputy Directors General shall be assisted by four (4) Assistant Directors 
General in the formulation, management and implementation of land 
administration and public land management laws, policies, plans, programs, 
and projects. 
Section 15. Administrative Divisions.- The LAA shall be divided into 
four divisions each headed by a Deputy Director General. These divisions shall 
be: 
a. Corporate Planning and Sewices- Provides corporate planning and 
services for the LAA as a whole including advice to the Director General on 
work programs and resource allocation within the LAA Budget. It shall also 
provide support services to the IAA Stakeholders Advisory Committee and 
merge the current corporate services of LMBILMS and LRA. 
b. National Standards and Practices- This division shall combine the Law 
and Clerks of Court Divisions of the LRA. It shall provide core service of LAA 
unless and until judicial registration proceedings are abolished by legislative 
reform. It shall also coordinate the overall management of the LAA regional 
network. 
c. Programs- Provides oversight to the delivery of programslprojects with 
a finite life-span in accordance with specified budgets, outputs and other project 
tasking instructions authorized by the LAA director General and Deputy 
Directors General within the annual LAA budget and overall work program. It 
shall be responsible for Mobile Project Teams that are tasked with the direct 
management and control of programs and projects. 
d. Operations- Responsible for the oversight of operations of the 
regional, provincial and local service centers 
Section 16. Land Offices.- The LAA shall establish permanent field 
offices at city and provincial levels that shall be called Land Offices. The LAA 
may also establish additional Land Offices in a city or province as it may 
determine for the efficient and effective delivery of its services subject to the 
approval of the President: Provided, That said additional Land Offices may be 
abolished by the Director General when no longer necessary. 
The Land Offices shall undertake, among others, the following functions: 
(a) Implement laws, policies, plans, programs, projects, rules and 
regulations of the LAA on land administration and public land management; 
(b) Provide efficient and effective delivery of services to the people; 
(c) Coordinate with field or branch offices of other agencies of the 
government in the region and with local government units in the enforcement of 


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(d) Recommend and, upon approval, implement programs and projects 
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(e) Conduct a comprehensive inventory of alienable and disposable 
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lands of the public domain and of patrimonial properties and formulate 
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districtlprovinciaVregiona1 short and long term development plans for the 
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management, administration, utilization, and disposition of such lands toward 
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national development; 
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(f) Conduct, complete and update all cadastral surveys and maps; and 
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(9) Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Director 
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ARTICLE IV 
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LAND ADJUDICATION BOARD 
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Section 17. Creation of the Land Adjudication Board (LAB).- There 
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is hereby created a Land Adjudication Board (LAB) that shall exercise primary 
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jurisdiction to determine and adjudicate land administration and public land 
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management matters. The LAB shall be the quasi-judicial body of the LAA and 
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shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over all matters involving the 
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4 implementation of laws, rules and regulations on land administration and public 
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land management, and all cases and /or controversies arising therefrom, except 
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petitions for the correction of clerical or typographical errors committed in 
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writing, copying, transcribing, or typing of an entry in the maps, survey plans, 
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and certificate of land titles which shall be administratively addressed by the 
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LAA field Offices, except further, cases falling under the jurisdiction of the 
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Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) unless specifically provided herein. 
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Provided however, jurisdiction over conflicts and cases arising from ownership 
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of private lands shall remain with the regular courts. 
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land administration and public land management laws and regulations and in 
the formulation and implementation of programs and projects; 
on land administration and management and related concerns; 
General and/or as provided by law. 
The LAB shall be under the administrative supervision of the Director 
General and shall be divided into three divisions. Each division shall exercise 
equal powers, independently resolving cases raised on appeal from the 
decisions of the Local Land Adjudication Boards, created pursuant to Section 
19 hereof, from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao: Provided, That the divisions 
assigned to handle cases from Visayas and Mindanao shall hold permanent 
office in any of the cities therein. 
Section 18. Composition.- Each division of the LAB shall be composed 
of three (3) members who shall be appointed by the President for a fixed term 


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of (4) years and can be reappointed for another term. Provided: that the total 
term of the original and reappointment shall not exceed eight (8) years. 
All members of the Land Adjudication Board shall be members of the 
Philippine Bar with at least ten (IO) years experience in property and land 
administration and management related matters. 
The members of each division shall elect their Presiding Officer who 
shall serve for a term of four years. 
Section 19. Local Land Adjudication Board.- Local Land Adjudication 
Boards shall be created by the LAB in all provincial and city offices of the LAA. 
The LLAB shall be composed of three members who shall be appointed by the 
Director General for a fixed term of four years and can be reappointed for 
another two years. Provided: That the total term of the original and 
reappointment shall not exceed six (6) years. 
The Presiding Officer of the Local Land Adjudication Board shall be a 
member of the Philippine Bar with at least five (5) years experience in property 
and land administration and management related matters. 
Decisions, orders, and resolutions of the Local Land Adjudication Board 
Section 20. Budget and Administrative Support,- The LAB shall 
determine and propose its budgetary requirements and shall be submitted as 
part of the LAA's budget request. Disbursements of the approved budget 
resources shall be the sole responsibility of the LAB. Secretariat services shall 
be provided by the LAA. 
Section 21. Proceedings and Procedures- The LAB shall not be 
bound by technical rules of procedure and evidence but shall proceed to hear 
and decide all cases, disputes, or controversies in a most expeditious manner, 
employing all reasonable means to ascertain the facts of every case in 
accordance with justice and equity and the merits of the case. Toward this end, 
it shall adopt a uniform rule of procedure to achieve a just, expeditious, and 
inexpensive determination of merits: Provided, That it shall endeavor to settle 
disputes and controversies amicably. 
In the exercise of its functions, the LAB shall have the power to summon 
witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, require submission of reporfs, 
compel the production of books and documents and answers to interrogatories, 
issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum, and enforce its writs through 
sheriffs or other duly deputized officers. It shall punish direct and indirect 
contempt in the same manner and subject to the same penalties as provided for 
in the Rules of Court. 
,shall be raised on appeal to the LAB. 


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Responsible persons shall be allowed to represent themselves or their 
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organizations in any proceedings before the LAB: Provided, however, That 
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, when there are two or more representatives for any individual or group, the 
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~ representatives should choose only one from among themselves to represent 
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such party or group before any LAB proceedings. 
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Section 22. 
Finality of Determination.- Any case or controversy 
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before the LAB shall be decided within thirty (30) days after it is submitted for 
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resolution. Only one (1) motion for reconsideration shall be allowed. Moreover, 
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any order, award, ruling, or decision shall be final after the lapse of fifteen (15) 
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' days from receipt by the parties of a copy thereof. 
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Section 23. Frivolous Appeals- To discourage frivolous or dilatory 
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appeals from the decisions, awards, rulings, or orders, the LAB may impose 
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reasonable penalties including, but not limited to, fines or censures upon erring 
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,parties. 
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ARTICLE V 
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JUDICIAL REVIEW 
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Section 24. Certiorari.- Any decision, order, award, or ruling of the 
IS 
LAB on any dispute or on any matter pertaining to the application, 
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implementation, enforcement, or interpretation of this Act and other pertinent 
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laws on land administration and public land management may be brought to the 
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,
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 Court of Appeals by certiorari within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of a copy 
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thereof. 
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The findings of fact of the LAB shall be final and conclusive if based on 
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substantial evidence. 
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Section 25. Restraining Order or Preliminary Injunction.- The Court 
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of Appeals and Supreme Court of the Philippines shall have jurisdiction to issue 
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} any restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction against the LAB or any of 
28 'its duly authorized or designated offkes in any case, dispute or controversy 
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arising from, 
necessary to, 
or in connection with the application, 
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implementation, enforcement, or interpretation of this Act and other pertinent 
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laws on land administration and public land management. 
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Section 26. Procedure on Review.- Review by the Court of Appeals or 
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the Supreme Court, as the case may be, shall be governed by the Rules of 
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Court. 
The Court of Appeals, however, may require the parties to file 
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simultaneous memoranda within a period of fifteen (15) days from notice, after 
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which the case is deemed submitted for decision. 
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ARTICLE Vi 
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TRANSITORY PROVISIONS 
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Section 27. Transfer of Powers- The powers and functions of the 
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LAA heretofore vested by law in the DENR, DOJ, LWRoD, LMBlLMS and 
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DENR-CARP National Secretariat or in any office within or attached to these 
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agencies, are hereby transferred to and vested in the Office of the LAA Director 
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General. 
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Section 28. Transfer of the NAMRIA as an Attached Agency of the 
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LAA.- The NAMRIA is hereby attached to the LAA. It shall retain its structure, 
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budgetary allocation under the current General Appropriations Act, and all 
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properties, equipment, and other facilities necessary in the performance of its 
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mandate. 
13 
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Section 29. Organization of the LAA.- The LAA’s organizational and 
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administrative structure and functions and staffing pattern, including the 
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personnel’s duties and responsibilities and the appropriate compensation 
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package shall be submitted by the Director General within six (6) months upon 
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:approval of this act for review and approval of the President and shall be fully 
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implemented within a period of six‘(6) months after such approval of the 
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President. 
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Section 30. Transfer of Personnel.- To ensure a smooth transition, all 
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incumbent personnel of the DENR’s LMBILMS, DENR-CARP National 
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Secretariat and its field offices, the DOJ’s LRAIRoD shall continue to perform 
23 
, their present duties and functions as interim personnel of the LAA until such 
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time, being not later than twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act, that 
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the regular staff of the LAA, based on the new staffing pattern, shall have been 
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appointed: Provided, That the regular personnel shall be appointed by the 
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Director General, or hislher duly authorized representative, on the basis of 
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merit, previous permanent appointment, fitness, and seniority. 
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Section 31. Exemption from Salary Standardization Law- All officials 
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and personnel of the LAA including LAB and LLAB shall be exempted from the 
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Salary Standardization Law. 
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Section 
32. Integration 
of LMB/LMS, DENR-CARP National 
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Secretariat, and LRA/ROD.- The DENRs Land Management Bureau, Land 
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Management Services, and CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, and 
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the DOJ’s Land Registration Authority and Register of Deeds, are hereby 
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integrated into a single authority. 
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Section 33. Separation Pay and Other Benefits- Personnel who are 
not offered appointment within twelve (12) months upon the effectivity of this 


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Act under the new staffing pattern of the LAA on at least equivalent terms and 
conditions as their present employment by reason of duplication or redundancy 
and those who decline an appointment in the LAA by reason of diminution in 
rank and conditions shall be entitled to the separation pay and other benefits in 
accordance with Sections 10.1 to 10.3 and 13 of Executive Order No. 366 dated 
October 4,2004. 
Section 34. Reemployment- Government personnel who are separated 
as a result of the integration of the aforecited offices may apply for positions 
and be employed in other agencies or branches of the government including 
Government-Owned andlor -Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), Government 
Financial Institutions (GFls), or local government units (LGUs). 
Section 35. Unexpended Appropriations and Transfer of Assets.- 
The unexpended balances of 
appropriations 
in the current 
General 
Appropriations Act and other laws in force upon approval hereof, pertaining to, 
held, or used by, or available to the LRA and ROD, LMB, LMS, DENR-CARP 
National Secretariat and its field offices, are hereby transferred to the LAA. 
Such other unexpended balances of appropriations as may be deemed 
appropriate by the Department of Budget and Management for transfer to the 
LAA shall also be so transferred. 
All real and personal properties, assets, liabilities, records, documents, 
positions, appropriations, contracts, and agreements which, upon the effectivity 
of this Act, are vested in, or owned, by the LMBlLMS, DENR-CARP National 
Secretariat and its Field Offices, and LRAlRoD are hereby transferred to the 
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LAA. 
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Section 36. Penal Provisions. - Any person who sells forms issued 
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and distributed gratuitously under this Act or who, being an officer charged with 
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distributing them refuses or fails without sufficient reason, to furnish the same, 
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shall be punished for each offense by a fine of not less than one hundred 
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thousand pesos and not more than one million pesos or imprisonment of not 
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less than six months nor more than three years, or both, upon the discretion of 
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the Courts. 
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Any person, corporation, association, or partnership which, not being 
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qualified or no longer authorized to apply for registration purposes, files or 
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induces or knowingly permits another person, corporation, association, or 
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partnership to file an application in hislher or its behalf or for hislher or its 
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interest, benefit, or advantage, shall be punished for each offense by a fine of 
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not less than one hundred thousand pesos (P100,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of 
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not less than five (5) years, or both, at the discretion of the Courts: Provided, 


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That in case the offender is a corporation, association, or partnership, their 
responsible officials shall be deemed jointly and severally liable. 
The 
application shall be cancelled. 
Any person who shall, by deceit or fraud, acquire or attempt to acquire 
lands of the public domain or other real property or any right, title or interest, or 
property right of any class to the same, and any person aiding and abetting him 
therein or serving as a means or tool thereof, shall, upon conviction, be 
punished by a fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos and 
imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than twelve years, or both, in 
the discretion of the Courts. 
Any person who shall tamper or attempt to tamper any records of the 
LAA that will result in the acquisition of rights, title or interest over real property 
and any person aiding and abetting him therein or serving as a means or tool 
thereof, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than five 
hundred thousand pesos (P500,OOO.OO) and imprisonment of not less than 
twelve (12) years, or both, at the discretion of the Court. 
For purposes of this Act, if the offender is a public official or government 
official or employee, he or she shall be, in addition to the existing penalties, 
removed from office, forfeit all retirement benefits except the monetary value of 
accumulated leave credits, and be perpetually disqualified from holding any 
elective or appointive public office. 
Section 37. Preservation of Records.- The LAA shall have possession 
and control of all records, books, papers, offices, equipment, supplies, moneys, 
funds, appropriations, land and other property, real or personal, held for the 
benefit or use of all bodies, offices, and officers whose duties, powers, and 
functions have been transferred to and conferred upon the Authority. 
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Pending a written notice of receipt issued by a duly authorized officer of 
the LAA, it shall be the duty of any and all personnel responsible for, or in 
possession of records relating to the affairs of the LMB, LMS, the DENR-CARP 
'National Secretariat and its field offices, the LRA and the ROD to protect and 
preserve such records. 
Without prejudice to any other penalties provided for by law, any person 
who fails to fulfill his/her duty pursuant to the above paragraph, shall be guilty of 
an offense against the provisions of this Act, punishable by a fine of not less 
than one million pesos (Pl,OOO,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of not more than five 
years, or both, upon the discretion of the Court. 
Section 38. Saving Clause.- All orders, determination, rules, 
regulations, permits, certificates, licenses, and privileges which have been 
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' superseded, set aside, or repealed. 
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appropriate. 
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ARTICLE VI1 
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MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
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Section 39. Use of Income and Other Sources of Funds- The LAA 
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is hereby authorized to use one hundred percent (100%) of all revenues derived 
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from fees, charges, and other sources to fund all its operations and implement 
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its projects to ensure efficient and effective delivery of its mandated services 
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and functions. 
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The LLA shall be allowed to receive, hold and utilize funds from grants, 
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donations, contributions and other gratuitous sources both foreign and local for 
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the implementation of its mandate, programs and projects, subject to existing 
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rules and regulations. 
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Section 40. Assurance Fund.- A special account within the LAA is 
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hereby created for the entire proceeds of the Assurance Fund, which shall no 
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longer be paid to the National Treasurer as provided for in Section 94 of PD No. 
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1529. 
Claims from the Assurance Fund shall be heard, decided, and 
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determined by the Land Adjudication Board. All pending cases or claims 
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against the Assurance Fund now being handled by the Bureau of Treasury, 
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through the Office of the Solicitor General, shall likewise be transferred to the 
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Land Adjudication Board. Thereafter, the National Treasurer shall no longer be 
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impleaded as party in any action against the Assurance Fund. 
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Section 41. Indemnification of Officials and Personnel,- The LAA 
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shall indemnify all officials and personnel for all costs and expenses reasonably 
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incurred by such persons in connection with any civil or criminal actions, suits, 
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or proceedings to which they may 'be or made a party by reason of the 
issued, made, or granted effective by'ihe former LMB, LMS, LRA, ROD, DENR- 
CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, or their predecessors shall 
continue to be in effect according to their terms until modified, terminated, 
No suit, action, or other proceeding commenced by or against any officer 
in his official capacity as an officer of any division or unit of the former LMB, 
LMS, LRA, ROD, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, the 
functions of which are transferred by this Act to the LAA shall abate by reason 
of this Act. In like manner, no cause of action by or against such division or unit 
or by or against any officer thereof in his official capacity shall abate by reason 
of the enactment of this Act. Causes of actions, suits, or other proceedings 
may be asserted for or against the LAA or such official of the LAA as may be 
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performance of their functions or duties, unless they are finally adjudged in such 
actions or proceedings to be liable. 
In the event of settlement or compromise, indemnification shall be 
provided only in connection with such matters covered by the settlement as to 
which the LAA is advised by an external counsel that the persons to be 
indemnified did not commit any gross negligence or misconduct. 
The costs and expenses incurred in defending the aforementioned 
action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the LAA in advance of the final 
disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by 
or on behalf of the Director General, where in the official or employee shall 
repay the amount advanced should it ultimately be determined by the LAA that 
such official or employee is not entitled to be indemnified as provided in this 
section. 
Section 42. lmplementing Rules and Regulations- Within sixty (60) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the LAA shall promulgate the rules and 
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. Said rules and regulations 
shall be submitted to the Congressional Oversight Committee for approval. 
Section 43. Congressional Oversight Committee on the Land 
Administration Actm- There is hereby created a Congressional Oversight 
Committee composed of seven (7) members from the Senate Committee on 
Environment and Natural Resources and seven (7) members from the House of 
Representatives Committees on Natural Resources, Housing and Urban 
Development, and Government Reorganization. 
The Congressional oversight committee, which shall function for a period 
not more than three (3) years, shall review the implementing rules promulgated 
by the LAA including the procedures on claims against the assurance fund and 
oversee the implementation of this Act. 
The secretariat of the Oversight Committee shall be drawn from the 
existing secretariat personnel of the committees of the Senate and the House of 
Representatives comprising the oversight and the funding for its operations 
shall be taken from the existing budget of the concerned committees. 
Section 44. Separability Clause.- Should any provision of this Act or 
any part hereof be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a Court, the other 
provisions hereof which are not affected thereby, shall remain in force and 
effect. 
Section 45. Repealing Clause.- The pertinent provisions of CARL and 
IPRA with regard to the conduct of survey, approval of survey results, 
preparation and issuance of tenure instruments, and the provisions of PD 1529 


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pertaining to the assurance fund, and their implementing rules and regulations 
are hereby amended or modified accordingly. 
All other laws, decrees, orders, instructions, proclamations, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof, including pertinent provisions of Commonwealth 
Act No. 141, Act No. 496, Presidential Decree No. 1529, Executive Order No. 
192 and its related rules and regulations; Executive Order No. 469 dated 
February 11, 1981 and the subsequent Presidential Memorandum Circular 
dated 30 September 1988 and their related rules and regulations; and the 
Administrative Code of 1987, which are inconsistent with any provision of this 
!Act, are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
Section 46. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation. 
Approved,