FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

1682

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Education plays an essential role in the overall development effort of the
country particularly in tapping the potentials and harnessing the talents of the
Filipino youth. Unfortunately, the Department of Education reported that there
are still 8,011 untitled and 6,257 unregistered school sites throughout the
nation. This means that these schools are "squatters" in the sense that they do
not have legal property rights over the land they occupy.

In most cases, these school sites are owned by local government units
or are leased from private individuals. On the other hand, some lands which
were verbally donated lack the proper legal documents to support the transfer
of ownership. Thus, upon the death of the donors, their heirs claim the

ownership of the land resulting to court litigation. Currently, most of these cases
are pending in court.

The passage of this bill will provide for the summary titling of all lands
being utilized as public school sites and the registration of these real properties
with the Registry of Deeds in the name of the Department of Education. This

will enable the school authorities to have direct control and supervision over the
land occupied by public schools.

In view thereof, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

RUFUS B. ROI jUEZ

Wy

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

1682

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUMMARY TITLING OF
REAL PROPERTIES USED AS SITES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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

SECTION 1. Purpose of this Act - It is hereby declared the policy of
the State to provide all lands being utilized as public school sites with titles
under the name of the Department of Education to enable it to have legal
‘ownership over these school sites.

SEC 2. Mandatory Titling of School Sites - Titles to real properties,
public or private, including those owned or possessed by the national,
provincial, city or municipal governments which are being utilized as actual
sites for public schools for a period of at least five (5) years shall be transferred
to the Department of Education by simple motion filed by the Office of the
Solicitor General or by the City or Provincial Prosecutor.

The proceedings shall be administrative and summary in nature and the
decision shall be final and executory and not subject to appeal except in a
petition for certiorari to the Supreme Court.

SEC 3. Registration of Land Titles - The Registry of Deeds concerned
shall forthwith register the properties as provided herein and issue the
corresponding certificate of title to the Department of Education.

SEC 4. Rules and Regulations - The Department of Justice, the
Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education and the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority shall jointly promulgate


the implementing rules and regulations within 60 days from the effectivity of this
Act.

SEC 5. Appropriations - Funds necessary for the implementation of
this Act shall be charged to the appropriations for the Department of Education
under the General Appropriations Act.

SEC 6. Separability Clause - If any part or provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof which are not
affected thereby, shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC 7. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, rules and regulations or
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
following the completion of its publication in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,