S E N A T E  
S. No. 
18 
Introduced by Sen. Gregorio B. Honasan II 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It has been the main thrust of the national government to deliver efficient, 
expeditious and competent services to the public as its premier vehicle towards 
economic growth and development. Cognizant of this need, the M edium-Term 
Philippine Development Plan has placed among its vital recommendations to 
reinvent the system of land administration in this country. 
The overall perspective on the ways and means the government 
undertakes its tasks in land administration from land surveys, mapping, 
classification, titling to registration are tainted with clear inefficiency brought 
about by structural and operational defects. The various government 
bureaucracies in charge of administering the country's vast land resources cut- 
across multiple agencies like the Land Registration Authority (LRA), Registries of 
Deeds (ROD), Land Management Bureau (LMB), Land Management Service 
(LMS) in the regional, provincial and community offices, National Mapping and 
Resource Information Authority, and CARP Secretariat and its field offices. 
This bill which will put in place major structural reforms in the system of 
administering the land by integrating the various government offices together with 
its functions into a single agency in government service is envisioned to bring 
about efficacy in the land administration and program towards sustainable 
development. Rationalizing the multiple laws and government offices with over- 
lapping functions, will in effect eradicate undue delays, high cost of transactions 
snd other obstacles in the country's land administration system. 
If the government is really keen in placing the Philippines amongst the 
roster of 1'' world countries in 20 years as adhered by the President during her 
State of the Nation Address (SONA) speech before the joint session of 
Congress, our nation should cope with the global standards in managing 
government bureaucracy: professionalism, streamlined structure, transparency 
and simplified transactions among others. 
Be that as it may, the advantages of this proposed measure was however 
welcomed with an over-whelming rejection during the last Congress by the 
thousands of employees whose careers i n  different government offices tasked 
with land administration had been placed in jeopardy due to the critical need to 
reorganize their bloated bureaucracies. 
In order to address the predicaments and protect the i nterests o f t  hese 
government yvorkers, a 5-year moratorium on displacement of incumbent 
personnel is placed in this bill so that those employees who will not be 


accommodated under the unified system will be given enough time to exit their 
present post well prepared. 
Let us show the world that our government is vigorously making all the 
necessary reforms to respond to the call of this age of globalization to build an 
economy viable and attractive to international trading partners by displaying its 
efforts towards sustainable development. 
Considering the urgency of this 
the immediate passage of this 
/ 
bill is earnestly sought. 
/ 
Senator 


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S E N A T E  
Introduced by Sen. Gregorio B. Honasan II 
AN ACT INSTITUTING REFORMS IN LAND ADMINISTRATION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
Section 1. Short Title-This 
Act shall be known as “The Land 
Administration Reform Act of 2007.” 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy-It 
is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to institute continuing reforms in land administration and management in 
order to optimize and rationalize their contribution to the goals of national 
development, tenure security, eradication of poverty, and attainment of social, 
economic, and cultural justice. Towards this end, the State shall: 
(a) Integrate and rationalize the 
structure, 
powers, functions, 
and 
responsibilities of the different agencies involved in land administration 
and management in order to increase the efficiency, effectiveness, 
transparency, accountability and expedite the delivery of services. 
(b) Undertake reforms in land administration and management to ensure 
equitable distribution and full utilization and development of land 
resources. 
(c) Provide an efficient and effective classification, mapping, surveying, 
disposition, registration and management of land resources; and 
(d) Develop, establish and maintain an 
up-to-date, open, accessible, 
integrated and computer-based land information, records and database 
system. 
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 
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. 
(d) “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) “Consulfa“ refers to the procedure wherein the issue of registration or 
certain instruments is resolved in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 
1529. 
(f) “Director General” refers to the person occupying the position of Director 
General of the Land Administration Authority created by this Act. 
(9) “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. 
(h) “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. 
(i) “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. 
(j) “Land Management Bureau (LBM)” refers to the staff Bureau of the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 
(k) “Land Management Services (LMS)” refers to the land management 
sector or offices of the DENR at the regional, provincial, and district level. 
(I) “Land registration 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 
bound thereby if they make no objections thereto within a specific time. 
(m) “Land Registration Authority (LRA)” refers to the attached agency of the 
Department of Justice (DOJ), including the Registers of Deeds (ROD). 
(n) “National Mapping and Resource information Authority (NAMRIA)” refers 
to the agency known by that name attached to the DENR. 
(0) 
“President” refers to the President of the Philippines 


(p) “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 
the Constitution. 
(4) “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. 
ARTICLE II 
CREATION OF THE LAND ADMINSTRATION AUTHORITY 
Section 4. Creation of the Land Administration Authority (LAA)-- To carry 
out the purpose of this Act, the Land Administration Authority (LAA) is 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. 
Section 5. General Powers and Functions of the LAA-The 
LAA shall 
exercise the following powers and functions: 
(a) Land Survey & Mapping 
1) Execute, complete and continually update the nationwide cadastral 
surveys in accordance with the provisions of Act. No. 2259 as amended, 
and update all existing cadastral maps: 
2) Conduct nationwide survey and topographic mapping to assist Congress 
in determining the specific limits of forest lands and national parks, to 
delimit the specific boundaries and classification of alienable and 
disposable lands of the public domain, and to identify the specific 
boundaries of environmentally protected areas under Republic Act 7586 
otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System 
(N I PAS) 
3) In coordination with local government units and the pertinent agencies, 
conduct andlor approve surveys and mapping necessary in the 
implementation of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code, 
Republic Act No. 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act, 
Republic Act, Republic Act No. 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries 
Modernization Act (AFMA), Republic Act 7916 or the Ecozone Law, 
Republic Act No. 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law 
(CARL), and other existing laws requiring survey and mapping; 
4) Very and approve all private land consolidation, subdivision and 
consolidation-subdivision surveys intended for titling purposes; 
5) Prescribe standards, rules and regulations for the conduct of all kinds of 
geophysical surveys, mapping, aerial photography, remote sensing and 
similar activities in accordance with existing laws and internationally 
accepted principles, practices and standards; 
6) Prescribe a uniform base map that shall be used for all public and private 
mapping activities, and provide convenient and affordable public access to 
the same; and 


7) Establish and maintain an appropriate custodial and storage system that 
shall ensure the security and integrity of all survey and mapping records. 
(b) Land Registration 
(1) Register original titles to land and subsequent dealings in registered lands 
under the provisions of Act No. 496 and Presidential Decree No. 1529 as 
amended; provided, that prior to registering a tenure instrument and 
issuing an original certificate of title based thereon, the LAA shall first 
verify compliance with the conditions and requirements prescribed under 
the law authorizing the issuance of said tenure instrument; 
(2) Establish and maintain an appropriate custodial and storage system that 
shall ensure the security and integrity of all registration and titling records, 
subject to the provisions of Act No. 496, Presidential Decree 1529 and 
pertinent laws; and 
(3) Compile a nationwide master list of suspected spurious land titles and 
tenure instruments, undertake thorough investigation of the same end 
and, when merited, initiate the proper proceedings for the cancellation 
thereof by a competent court; provided, that cancellation of instruments 
which have not yet been registered under the Torrens system as provided 
under existing laws and which are found to be spurious shall be effected 
by the LAA under rules and procedures that it shall promulgate consistent 
with this Act and existing laws, and provided, further, that patently fake 
title shall also dealt with administratively by the LAA. 
c) Public Land Administration 
(1) Administer, manage andlor dispose of all alienable and disposable lands 
of the public domain under the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 141 
otherwise known as the Public Land Act, as amended, Friar Lands under 
the provisions of Act No. 1120, patrimonial property of the National 
government under Act No. 3038, and such other public lands as have not 
been placed under the jurisdiction of any other government agency or 
instrumentality, in accordance with existing laws; and 
(2) Coordinate with local government units and the appropriate agencies in 
releasing alienable and disposable lands of the public domain for the 
accelerated implementation of agrarian reform, socialized housing, 
resettlement and other government programs requiring land. 
d) Land Records and Information Technology 
(1) Establish and maintain a secure, integrated, and accessible computerized 
database of all survey and mapping records, registration and titling 
records and other land information data, and 
(2) Establish and maintain an open system to provide convenient nationwide 
public access to survey, mapping, registration, titling and other data; 
subject, however, to the requirements of security and confidentiality under 
existing laws. 
(e) Formulate and recommend policies and programs to achieve the intent 
and purposes of this Act; 


(f) Determine, fix, and collect reasonable amounts to be charged as fees, 
(9) Receive grants and donations; 
(h) Enter into contracts in the implementation of this Act, subject to existing 
laws; 
(i) Perform such other powers and functions as are currently lodged with the 
LRA/RoD, LBMILMS, NAMRIA, DENWCARP National Secretariat under 
PD 1529, CA 141 as amended and other existing laws and issuances; and 
(j) Perform such other functions as are necessary, proper and incidental to 
fines and penalties in the implementation of this Act; 
implement the provisions of this Act. 
ARTICLE 111 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISM 
Section 6. Structure and Organization.-The 
LAA shall consist of: 
(a) The Office of the Director General; 
(b) The Offices of the four (4) Deputy Directors General; 
(c) The Offices of the five (5) Assistant Director General; and 
(d) Land Offices 
Section 7. The Director General.-The 
authority and responsibility for the 
exercise of the mandate of the LAA, the accomplishment of its objectives, and 
the discharge of its powers and functions shall be vested in the Director General, 
a cabinet rank with portfolio, who shall be appointed by the President and subject 
to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments. The appointment shall be 
for a fixed term of four (4) years subject to reappointment for another term of four 
(4) years only. The Director General shall have the following functions: 
(a) Advise the President on the promulgation of rules, regulations, and other 
issuances relative to land administration and public land management; 
(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 projects; 
(d) Exercise control and supervision over all functions and activities of the 
LAA and its Land Offices; 
(e) Delegate authority over all powers, functions and activities of the LAA; 
and 
(f) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by 
the President. 
Section 8. Office of the Director General - The Office of the Director 
General shall consist of the Director General and his immediate staff and the 
following offices: 


(a) Management Services Office 
(b) Planning and Monitoring Office 
(c) Human Resources Office 
(d) Legal and Land Adjudication Office 
(e) Special Projects and Programs Office 
Section 9. Office of the Deputy Directors General-The 
Director General 
shall be assisted by four (4) Deputies who shall be appointed by the President. 
The Director General is hereby authorized to delineate, assign and/or reassign 
the respective functional administrative divisions of responsibility of the Deputy 
Director General, as follows: 
(a) Surveys-Provides 
all technical programs, procedures and operations 
involved in the surveying and mapping activities of the LAA 
(b) Land Title Registration-Provides all technical programs, procedures and 
operations in the registration functions of the LAA 
(c) Public Land Administration and Management-Provides 
all technical 
programs, procedures and operations in the disposition, administration 
and management of public lands not otherwise in the control of any other 
agency or instrumentality of the government, functions of the LAA 
(d) Land Information and Technology-Provides 
all technical programs, 
procedures and operations in the records and information technology 
management functions of the LAA 
No Deputy Director General shall be assigned primarily administrative 
responsibilities. Within hidher functional area of responsibility, the Deputy 
Directors General shall have the following functions: 
(a) Recommend polices and programs to the Director General and advise the 
Director General in the promulgation of administrative orders and other 
issuances with respect to his/her area of responsibility: 
(b) Issue technical and operating standards, guidelines, regulations and 
orders to enforce policies with respect to hidher are of responsibility. 
Provided, that the Deputy Director General assigned to land title 
registration shall resolved issue of registrability of instruments elevated in 
consulta as provided for under PD 1529 as amended; 
(c) Provide opinion and advise the field office on the efficient and effective 
implementation of policies, programs and projects in hidher area of 
responsibility, consistent with LAA policies, that will efficiently and 
effectively govern its activities and functions under hislher responsibility; 
(d) Coordinate the functions and activities 
of the units under hislher 
responsibility with those of other units under the responsibility of other 
Deputies; 
(e) Exercise authority on monitoring and evaluation of technical and operating 
standards related to the functions and activities of units hidher 
responsibility in the land offices of the LAA; 
officers and employees under his direct responsibility; 
(f) Exercise supervision over the offices, services, operating units and 


(g)Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned 
appropriately by the Director General. 
Provided, that the Deputy Director General for Land Title Registration 
should be a member of the Philippines Bar with experience on land registration 
and the Deputy Director General for Survey shall be a Geodetic Engineer. 
Provided, further that aside from the functions above-stated, the Deputy 
Director General for Land Title Registration shall exercise executive supervision 
over all clerks of court and personnel of the regular courts throughout the 
Philippines with respect to the discharge of their duties and functions in relation 
to the registration of lands. 
Section I O .  Assistant Director General.-The 
Director General and the 
Deputies shall be assisted by five (5) Assistant Directors General appointed by 
the Director General. They shall oversee the general administration of the LAA 
and shall be responsible for the following: 
(a) Management Services Office 
(b) Planning and Monitoring Office 
(c) Human Resource Office 
(d) Legal and Land Adjudication Office 
(e) Special Projects and Programs Office 
Section 11- Land Offices-Permanent 
field offices at the city and 
provincial levels are hereby established and shall be called land Offices. The 
LAA may also establish additional Land Offices in a city or province as it may be 
determined for the efficient and effective delivery of its services. Provided, that 
provinces and cities with existing Registry of Deeds upon approval of this Act 
shall automatically establish Land Offices. 
The Land Offices shall be headed by an Executive Land Officer. He/She 
shall exercise general supervision on land survey, land registration, public land 
administration and record and information management within hislher jurisdiction. 
HelShe shall also implement such other functions of the LAA in hislher 
respective area of responsibility as may be delegated by the Director General to 
provide a more efficient and effective delivery of services. Provided, that the 
registration personnel shall continue to exercise its other registration functions in 
accordance with existing laws. 
The Land Offices at the provincial and city levels shall be comprised of the 
following offices: (a) local surveys and mapping unit; (b) local registration and 
titling unit; (c) 
local public land administration unit; (d) 
local records and 
information technology unit; (e) administrative support unit; (f) legal unit, and (9) 
such other units as may be established thereat by appropriate directive of the 
Director-General: Provided, that the Land Offices herein created shall co-locate 
in a One-Stop-Shop concept as soon as the necessary infrastructure is made 
available. 
ARTICLES IV 
LAND ADJUDICATION BOARD 
Section 12. Creation of the Land Adjudication Board (LAB).-There 
is 
hereby created a Land Adjudication Board (LAB). The LAB shall be the quasi- 
judicial body of the LAA and shall have the following functions: 


(a) Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction over all matters involving the 
implementation of laws, rules and regulations on land administration and public 
land management, and all cases and /or controversies arising therefrom; 
Provided, that all petitions for the correction of clerical of typographical errors 
committed in writing, copying, transcribing, or typing of an entry in the maps, 
survey plans, and certificate of land titles shall be administratively addressed by 
the LAA Land Offices 
(b) Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction on conflicts arising from the 
determination and adjudication in land administration and public land 
management matters, except cases falling under the jurisdiction of the 
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) under the CARP law and the National 
Commission on Indigenous Peoples under the IPRA law unless specifically 
provided herein. Provided, that jurisdiction over conflicts and cases arising from 
ownership of private lands shall remain with the regular courts. Provided, further 
that existing cases on land ownership and conflicts pending in the regular courts 
shall remain under the court's jurisdiction unless otherwise remanded by the 
courts to the LAA or LAB for disposition subject to the pertinent provisions of this 
Act. 
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 decision 
of the Local Land Adjudication Boards, created pursuant to Section 14 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 13. Composition-Each division of the LAB shall be composed of 
three (3) members who shall be appointed by the President for a fixed term of (4) 
years and can be reappointed for another term of four (4) 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. 
serve for a term of four years. 
The members of each division shall elect their Presiding Officer who shall 
Section 14. Local Land Adjudication Board.-Local 
Land Adjudication 
Board (LLAB) are hereby created in all provincial and city Land Offices that shall 
serve as first level board. The LLAB shall be composed of four (4) members. The 
Presiding Officer shall be the Executive Land Officer, the two other members 
shall be the head of the local surveys unit and the head of the local registration 
unit while the fourth member shall be a representative designated by the Chief 
Executive of the Local Government Unit where the LLAB sits. 
Decisions, order, and resolutions of the Local Land Adjudication Board 
shall be raised on appeal to the LAB. 
Section 15. 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 and accountability of the LAB. 
Secretariat services shall be provided by the LAA. 


Section 16. 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 reports, 
compel the production of books and documents and answers to interrogatories, 
issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum, and enforce its writs through 
sheriffs of 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. 
Responsible persons shall be allowed to represent themselves or their 
organizations in any proceedings before the LAB: Provided, however, That when 
there are two or more representatives for any individual or group, the 
representatives should choose only one from among themselves to represent 
such part or group before any LAB proceedings. 
Section 17. Finality of Determination.-Any 
case or controversy before 
the LAB shall be decided within thirty (30) days after it is submitted for resolution. 
Only one (1) motion for reconsideration shall be allowed. Moreover, any order, 
award, ruling, or decision shall be final after the lapse of fifteen (15) days from 
receipt by the parties of a copy thereof. 
Section 18. Frivolous Appeals.-To 
discourage frivolous of dilatory 
appeals from the decisions, awards, ruling, or orders, the LAB may impose 
reasonable penalties including, but not limited to, fines or censures upon erring 
parties. 
ARTICLE V 
JUDICIAL REVIEW 
Section 19. Certiorari.-Any 
decision, order, award, or ruling of the LAB 
on any dispute or on any matter pertaining to the application, implementation, 
enforcement, or interpretation of this Act and other pertinent laws on land 
administration and public land management may be brought to the Court of 
Appeals by certiorari within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of a copy thereof. 
The findings of fact of the LAB shall be final and conclusive if based on 
substantial evidence. 
Section 20. Procedure on Review.-Review 
by the Court of Appeals of 
the Supreme Court, as the case may be, shall be governed by the Rules of 
court. 
Section 21. Authenticity and Validity of Land Record and Titles-The 
LAA 
shall have the sole authority and power to validate, authenticate and reconstitute 
land titles and land ownership records and information; Provided, that existing 
cases filed under the regular courts shall remain under its jurisdiction unless 
remanded to the LAA. 


ARTICLES VI 
STAKEHOLDER’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
Section 22. Stakeholders‘ Advisory Committee-The 
LAA shall be 
assisted by a Stakeholders’ Advisory Committee composed of the following: 
(a) Nine (9) representatives from the basic sectors chosen through the 
nomination process of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), of whom 
one (1) shall be a woman; 
(b) Three (3) representatives from the private sector appointed by the 
President: Provided that one shall come from the business sector and another 
one from the Geodetic Engineer’s sector 
(c) Three (3) representatives from the League of Municipalities, Cities and 
(d) The Director General, as ex-officio member. 
(e) The Executive Secretary 
Provinces, respectively; 
The Executive Secretary or‘ his duly designated alternate shall serve as 
the Chairperson of the Stakeholders’ Advisory Committee. Except for the Director 
General, the members of the Stakeholders’ 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 23. 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 
monitoring activities. 
Section 24. Meetings of the Committee.-The 
Chairperson shall convene 
regular meetings of the Committee, which shall be at least once every quarter. 
Special meetings may also be called by the Chairperson or at the initiative of at 
least three (3) members. 
Section 25. Secretariat and Logistical Support.-The 
Office of the 
Director General shall provide secretariat and logistical support to the 
Committee. 
ARTICLES VI1 
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS 
Sections 26. Transfer of Powers and Transition Plan.-The 
powers and 
functions of the LAA heretofore vested by law in the DENR, DOJ, LWRoD, 
LMBlLMS and DENR-CARP National Secretariat or in any office within or 
attached to these agencies, are hereby transferred to and vested in the Office of 
the Director General. The Director General shall be responsible for the 
identification, preparation and formulation of a transition plan to ensure the 
smooth and seamless transfer and assumption of powers, functions and 
personnel from the abovementioned agencies to the LAA; Provided, that such 


transition plan shall be prepared, formulated and developed in consultation with 
the affected agencies and its representative stakeholders; Provided further, that 
the transition plan shall integrate such other actions and activities necessary, 
including provisions under this section and as provided for under this Act to 
complete the transition to the LAA. 
Section 27.-Transfer 
of the NAMRIA as an Attached Agency of the 
LAA.-The 
NAMRlA is hereby attached to the LAA. It shall retain its structure, 
budgetary allocation under the current General Appropriations Act, and all 
properties, equipment, and other facilities necessary in the performance of its 
mandate. 
Section 28. Organization of the LAA.-The 
LAA’s organizational and 
administrative structure and functions and staffing pattern, including the 
personnel’s duties and responsibilities and the appropriate compensation 
package shall be submitted by the Director General within six (6) months upon 
approval of this Act for review and approval of the President and shall be fully 
implemented within a period of six (6) months after such approval of the 
President. 
Section 29. Transfer of the President.-To ensure a smooth transition, all 
incumbent personnel of the DENRs LMBILMS, DENR-CARP National 
Secretariat and its field offices, the DOJ’s LWRoD shall continue to perform 
their present duties and functions as interim personnel of the LAA until such time, 
being not later than twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act, that the 
regular staff of the LAA, based on the new staffing pattern, shall have been 
appointed: Provided, that all incumbent and qualified personnel of the DENRs 
LMBLMS, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, the DOJ’s 
LWRoD shall be allowed to fill up the appropriate positions for regular 
personnel of the LAA and its field offices Provided, further, That the regular 
personnel shall be appointed by the Director General, or hidher duly authorized 
representative, on the basis of merit, previous permanent appointment, fitness, 
and seniority. Provided moreover, that no incumbent personnel of the affected 
agencies shall be separated from government service within a period of five (5) 
years from effectivity of this Act. 
Section 30. Exemption from Salary Standardization Law-All officials and 
personnel of the LAA including LAB and LLAB shall be exempted from the Salary 
Standardization Law. 
Section 31. Integration of LMBILMS, DENR-CARP National Secretariat, 
and LWR0D.-The 
DENR’s Land Management Bureau, Land Management 
Services, and CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, and the DOJ’s 
Land Registration Authority and Register of Deeds, are hereby integrated into the 
Land Administration Authority. 
Section 32. Separation Pay and Other Benefits.-Personnel 
who are not 
offered appointment within twelve (12) months upon the effectivity of this 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 all gratuities and benefits under existing laws. 
Section 33. 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 and/or-Controlled 
Corporations (GOCCs), Government 
Financial Institutions (GFls), or local government units (LGUs). 
Section 34. Unexpended Appropriations and Transfer of Assets.-Upon 
approval of this Act, the unexpended appropriations, assets and properties of the 
LRA and Rod, LMB, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, are 
hereby transferred to the LAA. 
Such other unexpected 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, liabilities, records, documents, positions, 
contracts, and agreements which, upon the effectivity of this Act, are vested in, or 
owned, by the LMBILMS, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its Field 
Officers, and LWRoD are hereby transferred to the LAA. 
Section 35. Penal Provisions.-Any 
persons who sells forms issued and 
distributed gratuitously under this Act or who, being an officer charged with 
distributing them refuses or fails without sufficient reason, to furnish the same, 
shall be punished for each offense by a fine of not less than one hundred 
thousand pesos and not more than one million pesos or imprisonment of not less 
than six months nor more than three years, or both, upon the discretion of the 
courts. 
Any person, corporation, association, or partnership which, not being 
qualified or not longer authorized to apply for registration purposes, files or 
induces or knowingly permits another person, corporation, association, or 
partnership to file an application in hislher or its behalf or for hidher or its 
interest, benefit or advantage, shall be punished for each offense by a fine of not 
less than one hundred thousand pesos (PlOO,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of not 
less than five (5) years, or both, at the discretion of the Courts: Provided, 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 or 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 36. Preservation of Records.-The 
LAA shall have possession 
and control of all records, books, papers, offices, equipment, supplies, money, 
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. 
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 hidher 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 37. Saving Clause-All 
orders, determination, rules, regulations, 
permits, certificates, licenses, and privileges which have been issued made or 
granted effective by the former LMB, LMS, LRA, ROD, DENR-CARP National 
Secretariat and its field offices, or their predecessors shall continue to be in effect 
according their terms until modified, terminated, superseded, set aside, or 
repealed. 
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, DENRCARP 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, other proceedings may be 
asserted for or against the LAA or such official of the LAA or such official of the 
LAA as may be appropriate. 
ARTICLE VI1 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
Section 38. Use of Income and Other Sources of Funds.-The 
LAA is 
hereby authorized to use one hundred percent (100%) of all revenues derived 
from fees, charges, fines, penalties and other sources for capital outlay on 
infrastructure, procurement of equipment and services related to the integration, 
updating and maintenance of computer-based land information and database 
system, training and skills upgrading including personnel capacity building of 
LAA. 
The LAA shall be allowed to receive, hold and utilize funds from grants, 
donations, contributions and other gratuitous sources both foreign and local for 
the implementation of its mandate, programs and projects, subject to existing 
rules and regulations. 
Section 39. Assurance Fund.-A 
special account within the LAA is hereby 
created for the entire proceeds of the Assurance Fund, which shall no longer be 
paid to the National Treasurer as provided for in Section 94 of PD No. 1529 held 
by the National Treasurer shall be transferred to the LAA. Claims from the 
Assurance Fund 
shall be heard, decided, and determined by the Land 


Adjudication Board. All pending cases or claims against the Assurance Fund now 
being handled by the Bureau of Treasury, through the Office of the Solicitor 
General, shall likewise be transferred to the Land Adjudication Board. Thereafter, 
the National Treasurer shall no longer be impleaded as party in any action 
against the Assurance Fund. 
Section 40. Indemnification of Officials and Personnel.-The 
LAA shall 
indemnify all officials and personnel for all costs and expenses reasonably 
incurred by such persons in connection with any civil or criminal actions, suits, or 
proceedings to which they may be or made a party by reason of the 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 provide 
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 41. Implementing 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. In the process 
of the formulation of the IRR for this Act, consultations shall be made with the 
Stakeholders’ Advisory Committee and submitted to the Office of the President 
for approval. Copies of the IRR shall be distributed to the Congressional 
Oversight Committee on Land Administration. 
Section 42. 
Congressional Oversight Committee on the Land 
Administration Act.-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 Committee on Natural Resources, Housing and Urban 
Development, and Government Reorganization. 
The Congressional oversight committee, which shall function for a period 
not more that 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 43. 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 44. Repealing Clause.-The 
provisions of PD 1529 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 3 
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 45. 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,