Republic of the Philippines 
) 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Land is the ultimate resource, for without it, life on earth cannot be sustained, 
and thus, good stewardship of the land is essential for present and future generations. 
The world's population has doubled in the last 40 years and passed the 6 billion 
mark. It is predicted to reach 8.5 billion by the year 2030, a population level thought by 
many scientists to be the maximum number of people supported by the world's 
resources and capacity for food production. Less than half of the world's population has 
secure access to land. 
The International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) in cooperation with the United 
Nations hosted the "Bathurst Workshop on Land Tenure and Cadastral Infrastructures 
for Sustainable Development" in Australia in October, 1999 and concluded that 
sustainable development is just rhetoric without appropriate land administration 
system. The Bathurst declaration recommends a global commitment to provide effective 
legal security of tenure and access to property for all men and women and to provide 
reforms in the land administration system essential for sustainable development and 
facilitating full and equal access for men and women to land-related economic 
opportunities, such as credit and natural resources. 
The performance, however, of 
government agencies undertaking land 
administration functions such as land surveys, mapping, classification, titling and 
disposition and registration i s  below par. The services being provided by these agencies 
are not contributing to address our domestic problems on sustainable development, 
much more to the global concerns. The problem is largely contributed by fundamental 
legal and institutional defects in both the structure and operations of the land 
administration system. For one, there are many laws governing the land administration 
functions including the existence of a number of institutions administering our scarce 
land resources resulting to confusions, delays, high transactions costs (government and 
users), low investment, and graft and corruption. 
These institutional and structural defects in land administration besides not 
contributing to the sustainable development of natural resources have also given rise to 
major inefficiencies including extensive delays in the disposition and titling of alienable 
and disposable land, inaccurate and incomplete land information and records, duplicate 
and fake titles, duplication and overlap of activities between government agencies, and 
unnecessary costs to both the national and local governments and the users/clients of 
land administration services. 
To address these problems, the Government has been undertaking a Land 
Administration and Management Project preparatory to a long-term program to 
fundamentally reform the present land actministration system, thereby promoting 
Sustainable development, economic growth, and poverty alleviation. 


However, there is a widespread agreement that a fundamental prerequisite for 
the pursuit of the necessary reforms is the consolidation and streamlining within a 
single government agency of land administration powers and functions currently 
dispersed across the Department of Justice’s Land Registration Authority and Registries 
of Deeds and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Lands 
Management Bureau, Land Management Services in the regional, provincial and 
community offices, National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, and CARP 
Secretariat and its field offices. 
The integration of these agencies/offices into a single agency will: 
e 
Implement the necessary reforms in the land administration system to 
enable to provide land information and services necessary to pursue 
sustainable management of natural resources, among others; 
Enable the integrated planning, budgeting and implementation of the 
long term land titling program, including the development of 
integrated land classification, land titling and records management; 
Provide the necessary management structure for the creation and 
extension of a One Stop Shop network for the delivery of land titling, 
registration and information services to members of the public; 
Consolidate staffing pattenis and training programs for government 
staff engaged in the provision of land administration services, thereby 
establishing the basis for the major training and professional 
development of staff needed to support the proposed reforms and 
improve their career structures and opportunities; 
Create scope to achieve sigmficant savings through the elimination 
over time of duplicated administrative support services and other 
costs arising from the current fragmentation of land administration 
services; and 
Enable the development of increased transparency and enhancement 
of professionalism and accountability across the whole land 
administration system. 
0 
e 
0 
The Philippines is unusual, compared to its neighboring countries, in that the 
government’s land administration functions are currently dispersed across multiple 
agencies. Without integrating these three agencies, it will be difficult to undertake the 
major long term investment of resources that will be necessary to implement the 
required over all reforms. 
The proposed Land Administration Reform Act seeks to enable the lands sector 
to contribute to sustainable development, economic growth and poverty alleviation. The 
Bill’s early enactment will ensure Philippines’ recognition to the global efforts for 
sustainable development while providing an improved access to land and services to the 
majority of our Filipino people especially the poor. I strongly recommend the Bill for 
favorable consideration by the Senate. 
F R A N C ~  
G. ESCUDERO 


Republic of the Philippines 
1 
First Regulav Session 
1 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
Bill No. 
$304 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING REFORMS IN LAND ADMINISTRATION 
Be if enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PRQVISIONS 
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. 
Definition of Terms.- For the purpose of this Act, the 
following terms shall, unless the context indicates otherwise, have the following 
meanings: 
Section 3. 


(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) “Agricultura2 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 XU, Section 4 of 
j 
the 1987 Philippine Constitution. 
(e) “Consulfa” refers to the procedure wherein the issue of registrability 
of 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. 
(g) “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 facil&ate access to information and assist in planning and 
decision making 
0) 
”Land Management Bureau (L.MB)” refers to the staff Bureau of the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 
(k) “Land Management Sewices [LMS)” refers to the land management 
sector or offices of the DENR at the regional, provincial, and district level. 


(1) 
"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 be 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 (DO]), including the Registers of Deeds (ROD). 
(n) "National Mapping and Resource lnformation 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 I1 
CREATION OF THE LAND ADMINISTRATION AUTHORITY 
Section 4. Creation of the Land Administration Authorify (LAA).- To 
carry out the purposes of this Act, the Land Administration Authority FAA) 
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. Geneual Powers and Flmctions of the LAA.- The LAA shall 
exercise the following powers and functions: 
a) Land Survev & 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 identdy the specific boundaries of 


environmentally protected areas under Republic Act 7586 otherwise known as 
the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) 
3) In coordination with local government units and the pertinent 
agencies, conduct and/or 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 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) Verify 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 veriry 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 and, 
when merited, initiate the proper proceedings for the cancellation thereof by a 
competent court; pvovided, 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 titles shall also be dealt with 
administratively by the LAA. 
c) 
Public Land Administration 
1) Administer, manage and/or 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 insimmentality, in 
accordaace with existing laws; and 
2) Coordinate with local govenunent 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) 
1) Establish and maintain a secure, integrated, and accessible 
computerized database of all survey and mapping records, registration and 
titling records and other land idormation data, and ensure the timely updating 
of said database; and 
Land Records and Information Technology 
2) Establish and maintain an open system to provide convenient 
nationwide public access to survey, mapping, registration, titling and other 
land data; subject, however, to the requirements of security ad 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, fines and penalties in the implementation of this Act; 
g) 
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, LMB/LMS, NAMRIA, DENR-CARP 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 implement the provisions of this Act. 
ARTICLE 111 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISM 
Section 6. Structure and Organization.- The LAA shall consist of 
(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
(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. Provided, That no person shall be 
appointed as Director General unless he/she is a member of the PhiLippine Bar 
or Geodetic Engineer and/or any other person with adequate experience on 
matters pertaining to land administration and land management. 
The Office of the Director General; 
The Offices of the four (4) Deputy Directors General; 
The Offices of the five (5) Assistant Directors General; and 
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 LA4 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 
(0 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 Resource Office 
(d) 
(e) 
Legal and Land Adjudication Office 
Special Projects and Programs Office 
SECTION 9. Ofice 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 
inshumentality of the government, functions of the LAA 
(e) 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 &/her functional area of responsibility, the Deputy 
Directors General shall have the following functions: 
(a) 
Recommend policies 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 his/her area of responsibility. 
Provided, that the Deputy Director General assigned to land title registration 
shall resolved issues 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 his/her area of 
responsibility, consistent with LAA policies, that will efficiently and effectively 
govern its activities and functions under his/her responsibility; 
(d) 
Coordinate the functions and activities of the iunits under hisjher 
responsibility with those of other units under the responsibility of dtlier 
Deputies; 
(e) 
Exercise authority on monitoring and evaluation of technical and 
operating standards related to the functions and activities of units under 
&/her responsibility in the land offices of the LAA; 
(f) 
Exercise supervision over the offices, services, operating units and 
officers and employees under his direct responsibility; 
(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 Philippine Bar with experience on land registration 
and the Deputy Director General for Survey shall be a Geodetic Engineer. 
Pvovided firfhev 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 10. Assistalzt 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 wit!nin 
%/her 
jurisdiction. He/She shall also implement such other functions of the LAA ~ L I  
his/her 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 unic (e) administrative support unit; (f) legal unit, and 
(g) 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 infrastruchue is 
made available. 
ARTICLE rV 
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 or typographical errors 
committed in writing, copying, transcribing, or typing of an entry in the maps, 
survey plans, and certificate of land titles s h d  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 PRA 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 
decisions 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 (10) 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 14. Local Land Adjudication Board.- Local Land Adjudication 
Boards (LLAE) 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 Ekecutive of the Local Government Unit where the 
LLAB sits. 
Decisions, orders, and resolutions of the Local Land Adjudication Board 
shall be raised on appeal to the LAB. 
Section 15. Budget and Administrative Suppout.- 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 
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. 
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 party or group before any LAB proceedings. 
Section 17. Finalify of Defermination.- 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 or dilatory 
appeals from the decisions, awards, rulings, 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. Certiomri.- 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 or the 
Supreme Court, as the case may be, shall be governed by the Rules of Court. 
Section Zl: Authenticity and Validity of Land Record and Titles: The 
LAA shall have the sole authority and power to validate, authenticate and 
reconsitutute 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. 
ARTICLE 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 Provinces, respectively; 
(d) The Director General, as ex-officio member. 
(e) The Executive Secretary 
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 Stakeholder’s 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 Advisoq 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. 
ARTICLE VI1 
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS 
Section 26. Transfer of Powers and Transition Plan.- The powers and 
functions of the LAA heretofore vested by law in the DENR, DOJ, LRA/RoD, 
LMB/LMS 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 jkther, 
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 Attacked Agency of the 
LAA.- The NAMRIA 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 Personnel- To ensure a smooth transition, all 
incumbent personnel of the DENR’s LMB/LMS, DENR-CARP National 
Secretariat and its field offices, the DOJ’s LRA/RoD 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 
DENR’s LMB/LMS, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, the 
DOJ’s LRAjRoD shall be allowed to fill up the appropriate positions for 
regular personnel of the LAA and its field offices Providedfirrther, That the 
regular personnel shall be appointed by the Director General, or his/her duly 
authorized representative, on the basis of merit, previous permanent 
appointment, fitness, and seniority. 
Section 30. Exemption from Sala y 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 
LMB/L,MS, 
DENR-CARP National 
Secretariat, and LRA/XOD.- 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 aU 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 (GOES), Govement 
Financial Institutions (GFIs), 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, 
LMS, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its field 
offices, are hereby transferred to the LAA. 
Such other unexpended 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 effecti~ty of this Act, are 
vested in, or owned, by the LMB/LMS, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and 
its Field Offices, and LRA/RoD are hereby transferred to the LAA. 
Section 35. Penal Provisions. - Any person 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 Iess 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 no longer authorized to apply for registration purposes, files or 
induces or knowingly permits another person, corporation, association, or 


partnership to file an application in &/her or its behalf or for &/her or its 
interest, benefit, or advantage, shall be punished for each offense by a fine of 
not less than one hundred thousand pesos (PlO0,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 
lum 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 
(I' 
100,000.00)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 p q o s e s  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, 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. 
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 37. Saving Clause.- All orders, determination, rules, regulations, 
permits, certificates, licenses, and privileges which have been issued, made, or 
granted effective by the for’mer 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, 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, 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 appropriate. 
ARTICLE VI11 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
Section 38. Use of Incow 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 &om 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. The existing account of the Assurance Fund created under 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 
indemmfy 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 
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 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 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 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 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 45. Effech’vity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its complete publication in the OfJicial 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation. 
Approved,