Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No,__ 0737

Introduced by Hon, FELICIANO BELMONTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Barangay Krus na Ligas (KNL) is a community in Diliman, Quezon City that has been in
existence as early as the Spanish occupation of the Philippines. During the 1896 Philippine
Revolution, the area was used as a retreat place of Andres Bonifacio and the Katipuneros.
Numerous other documents indicate the history and existence of KNL as early as the 19"
Century, preceding even the establishment of the University of the Philippines (U.P.).

In 2 April 1949, President Elpidio Quirino sold a large parcel of land to the University of the
Philippines for one peso, which included the KNL area. Various petitions have been made
by the residents to protect their lands, but the right of ownership remained with U.P.

From 1975 to 1981, the administration of the University of the Philippines took the
initiative to resolve twenty-six (26) cases involving U.P. and the residents of KNL. On 28
July 1979, then U.P. President Onofre D. Corpuz recognized the need to address the issue
concerning the ownership of land due to the growing number of residents of Krus na Ligas
and the U.P. Community. A number of U.P. Administrations have also shown resolve to
transfer ownership of Krus na Ligas to its legitimate residents, including an attempt to
donate the KNL estate to the Local Government of Quezon City. Unfortunately, these efforts
have not come into fruition.

Through the years, the UP Administration and the UP Community have manifested their
willingness to recognize the rights of the people of Barangay KNL, and to transfer to the
qualified residents of KNL the ownership over the properties upon which they have built
their homes and raised their families for generations.


‘The precepts of social justice that are enshrined in the 1987 Constitution compel us to give
the highest and utmost priority to enact this law in order to fully and finally protect and

recognize the rights of the people of Barangay KNL to the land over which they have long
resided.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought.

FELICIANO BELMONTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5737

House Bill No.

Introduced by Hon. FELICIANO BELMONTE, JR.

AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF BARANGAY KRUS NA LIGAS TO ITS LEGITIMATE
RESIDENTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9500 OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES CHARTER OF 2008

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 23 of Republic Act No. 9500 or the University of the Philippines
Charter of 2008 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“The preservation of the value of the assets of the national university
shall be of primordial consideration.

‘The sale of any existing real property of the national university shall
be prohibited: provided that the Board may alienate real property donated
after the effectivity of this Act if the terms of the donation specifically allow
it; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT AS A MATTER OF SPECIFIC EXCEPTION,
KRUS NA LIGAS IS HEREBY DECLARED AS A DISPOSABLE ASSET OF THE
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY FOR HOUSING AND URBAN SETTLEMENT
PURPOSES ONLY, SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO.
7279, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING
ACT OF 1992, AS AMENDED.

x x x’

SECTION 2. Qualifications of Beneficiaries. Only legitimate residents of Barangay
Krus na Ligas whose long-standing residence in the area can sufficiently be established by


authenticated documentary and testimonial evidence are qualified to become buyers of
parcels of land in Barangay Krus na Ligas. For purposes of evaluating legitimacy of
applicants, only those who by themselves, or through their predecessors-in -interest, have
been in continuous possession and occupation of the same in the concept of owner since
time immemorial, or for a period of not less than thirty (30) years immediately preceding
the approval of this Act, and uncontested by any other resident of the same, shall have the
option to secure title under the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 3. Suppletory Application of the UDHA. Republic Act No. 7279 otherwise
known as the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 shall have suppletory
application to the housing and urban settlement components of this Act.

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The National Housing Authority
shall, in consultation with the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, the
University of the Philippines and the Local Government of Quezon City, issue the necessary
rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. If for any reason, any provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. All other laws, rules and regulations inconsistent
with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.