, , 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. B.No. 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
'13 
JUL -4 A 8 :07 
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 is 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 induding 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. 
I 
TheFe 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 administration 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: 
• 
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 patterns 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; 
• Cre.l.te scope to achieve significant savings through the elimination over time of 
duppcated administrative support services and other cbsts 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. 
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. 
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 4~:> 1 
'13 
JilL -4 A (J :07 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESClJ"RERO 
.' 
"_,'i';,,",, .' 
AN ACT 
. 
INSTITUTING REFORMS IN LAND ADMINISTRATION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
1 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
2 
3 
SECTION 1. Short Title.- This Act shall be known as "The Land Administration 
4 
Reform Act". 
5 
6 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.- It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
7 
institute continuing reforms in land administration and management in order to 
8 
optimize and rationalize their contribution to the goals of national development, tenure 
9 
security, eradication of poverty, and attainment of social, economic, and cultural justice. 
10 
Towards this end, the State shall: 
11 
12 
(a) Integrate and rationalize the structure, powers, functions, and responsibilities of the 
13 
different agencies involved in land administration and management in order to increase 
14 
the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, accountability and expedite the delivery of 
15 
services. 
16 
17 
(b) Undertake reforms in land administration and management to ensure equitable 
18 
distribution and full utilization and development of land resources. 
19 
20 
(c) Provide an efficient and effective classification, mapping, surveying, disposition, 
21 
registration and management of land resources; and 
22 
23 
(d) Develop, establish and maintain an up-to-date, open, accessible, integrated and 
24 
computer-based land information, records and database system. 
25 
26 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms.- For the purpose of this Act, the following terms 
27 
shall, unless the context indicates otherwise, have the following meanings: 
28 
29 
(a) "Aliendble and disposable lands" refers to agricultural lands of the public domain 
30 
which haVje been delineated, classified, and certified as available for disposition under 
31 
the public land act. 
32 
33 
(b) "Agricultural lands" refers to lands devoted to or suitable for the cultivation of the 
34 
soil, planting of crops, or growing of trees, and not classified as mineral land, forest 
1 


1 
land, or national park, or sub-classified as residential land, commercial land, or 
2 
industrial land. 
3 
4 
(c) "Automated Registration System" refers to a system using appropriate technology for 
5 
scanning, recording, and land registration using electronic devices to store the copy of 
6 
certificates of title and other documents relative thereto. 
7 
8 
(d) "Classification and Reclassification" refers to the Act of Congress in setting the specific 
9 
limits of forestlands and national parks and increasing or decreasing their boundaries 
10 
by law, as provided for in Article XV, Section 4 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. 
11 
12 
(e) "Consulta" refers to the procedure wherein the issue of registrability of certain 
13 
instruments is resolved in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 1529. 
14 
15 
(f) "Director General" refers to the person occupying the position of Director General of 
16 
the Land Administration Authority created by this Act. 
17 
18 
(g) "Land" refers to resources, both man-made and natural, found on the surface, below 
19 
and above the ground, including inland waters and the air therein. 
20 
21 
(h) "Land Administration and Public Land Management" refers to the administration of all 
22 
functions, powers and activities related to the mapping, land survey, classification, 
23 
ownership, disposition, and registration of land titles and deeds, and the management 
24 
of public lands. 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
(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. 
0) "Land Management Bureau (L.MB)" 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 6t 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 lartd 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). 
45 
(n) "National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA)" refers to the 
46 
agency known by that name attached to the DENR. 
47 
48 
(0) "President" refers to the President of the Philippines. 
, 
49 
50 
(p) "Public domain" refers to lands that belong to the State, which may either be 
51 
agricultural, forest or timber, mineral or national park as provided for in the 
52 
Constitution. 
53 
2 


1 
(q) "Public lands" refer to lands which have not been subject to private property rights 
2 
or subject to sale or other modes of acquisition or concession under the general laws, 
3 
and are devoted to public use. 
4 
ARTICLE II 
5 
6 
7 
CREATION OF THE LAND ADMINISTRATION AUTHORITY 
8 
SEC. 4. Creation of the Land Administration Authorify (LAA) - To carry out the 
9 
purposes of this Act, the Land Administration Authority (LAA) is hereby created and 
10 
placed under the Office of the President. It shall be the primary government agency 
11 
responsible for land administration and public land management. 
12 
13 
SEC. 5. General Powers and Functions of the LAA - The LAA shall exercise the 
14 
following powers and functions: 
15 
16 
a) Land Survey & Mapping 
17 
18 
1) EJ1:ecute, complete and continually update the nationwide cadastral surveys in 
19 
accordance with the provisions of Act No. 2259 as amej:lded, and update all 
20 
exis~ing cadastral maps; 
21 
22 
2) Conduct nationwide survey and topographic mapping to assist Congress in 
23 
determining the specific limits of forest lands and national parks, to delimit the 
24 
specific boundaries and classification of alienable and disposable lands of the 
25 
public domain, and to identify the specific boundaries of environmentally 
26 
protected areas under Republic Act 7586 otherwise known as the National 
27 
Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). 
28 
29 
3) In coordination with local government units and the pertinent agencies, 
30 
conduct and/ or approve surveys and mapping necessary in the implementation 
31 
of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code, Republic Act No. 7279 
32 
or the Urban Development and Housing Act, Republic Act No. 8435 or the 
33 
Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA), Republic Act 7916 or the 
34 
ECOZONE Law, Republic Act No. 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform 
35 
Law (CARL), and other existing laws requiring survey and mapping; 
36 
37 
4) Verify and approve all private land consolidation, subdivision and 
38 
consolidation-subdivision surveys intended for titling purposes; 
, 
39 
40 
5) Prescribe standards, rules and regulations for the conduct of all kinds of 
41 
geophysical surveys, mapping, aerial photography, remote sensing and similar 
42 
activities in accordance with existing laws and internationally accepted 
43 
principles, practices and standards; 
44 
45 
6) Prescribe a uniform base map that shall be used for all public and private 
46 
mapping activities, and prOVide convenient and affordable public access to the 
47 
same; and 
48 
49 
50 
51 
7) Establish and maintain an appropriate custodial and storage system that shall 
ensure the security and integrity of all survey and mapping records. 
52 
b) Land Registration 
53 
54 
1) ~egister original titles to land and subsequent dealings in registered lands 
55 
under the provisions of Act No. 496 and Presidential Decree No. 1529 as 
3 


I 
amended; Provided, that prior to registering a tenure instrument and issuing an 
2 
original certificate of title based thereon, the LAA shall first verify compliance 
3 
with! the conditions and requirements prescribed under the law authorizing the 
4 
issuance of said tenure instrument; 
5 
6 
2) Establish and maintain an appropriate custodial and storage system that shall 
7 
ensure the security and integrity of all registration and titling records, subject to 
8 
the provisions of Act No. 496, Presidential Decree 1529 and pertinent laws; and 
9 
10 
3) Compil(!" a nationwide master Jist of suspected spurious land titles and tenure 
II 
instruments, undertake thorough investigation of the same and, when merited, 
12 
initiate the proper proceedings for the cancellation thereof by a competent court; 
13 
Provided, that cancellation of instruments which have not yet been registered 
14 
under the Torrens system as provided under existing laws and which are found 
15 
to be spurious shall be effected by the LAA under rules and procedures that it 
16 
shall promulgate consistent with this Act and existing laws, and provided 
17 
further, that patently fake titles shall also be dealt with administratively by the 
18 
LAA. 
19 
20 
c) Public Land Administration 
21 
22 
1) Administer, manage andlor dispose of all alienable and disposable lands of 
23 
the public domain under the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 141 
24 
otherwise known as the Public Land Act, as amended, Friar Lands under the 
25 
provisions of Act No. 1120, patrimonial property of the National government 
26 
under Act No. 3038, and such other public lands as have not been placed under 
27 
the jurisdiction of any other government agency or instrumentality, in 
28 
accordance with existing laws; and 
29 
30 
2) Coordinate with local government units and the appropriate agencies in 
31 
releasing alienable and disposable lands of the public domain for the accelerated 
32 
implementation of agrarian reform, socialized housing, resettlement and other 
33 
government programs requiring land. 
34 
35 
d) Land Records and Information Technology 
36 
37 
1) Establish and maintain a secure, integrated, and accessible computerized 
38 
database of all survey and mapping records, registration and titling records and 
39 
other land information data, and ensure the timely updating of said database; 
40 
and! 
41 
42 
2) Establish and maintain an open system to provide convenient nationwide 
43 
public access to survey, mapping, registration, titling and other land data; 
44 
subject, however, to the requirements of security ad confidentiality under 
45 
existing laws. 
46 
47 
e) Formulate and recommend policies and programs to achieve the intent and purposes 
48 
of this Act; 
. 
49 
50 
f) Determine, fix and collect reasonable amounts to be charged as fees, fines and 
51 
penalties in the implementation of this Act; 
52 
53 
g) Receive grants and donations; 
54 
4 


1 
h) Enter into contracts in the implementation of this Act, subject to existing laws; 
2 
3 
i) Perform such other powers and functions as are currently lodged with the LRA/RoD, 
4 
LMB/LMS, NAMRIA, DENR-CARP National Secretariat under PD 1529, CA 141 as 
5 
amended and other existing laws and issuances; and 
6 
7 
j) Perform such other functions as are necessary, proper and incidental to implement the 
8 
provisions of this Act. 
9 
10 
11 
ARTICLE III 
12 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISM 
13 
14 
SEC. 6. Structure and Organization.- The LAA shall consist of 
15 
16 
(a) The Office of the Director General; 
17 
(b) The Offices of the four (4) Deputy Directors General; 
18 
(c) The Offices of the five (5) Assistant Directors General; and 
19 
(d) Land Offices 
20 
21 
22 
23 
SECr 7. The Director General.- The authority and responsibility for the exercise 
24 
of the man~ate of the LAA, the accomplishment of its objectives, and the discharge of 
25 
its powers land functions shall be vested in the Director General, a cabinet rank with 
26 
portfolio, Who shall be appointed by the President and subject to confirmation by the 
27 
Commission on Appointments. The appointment shall be for a fixed term of four (4) 
28 
years subject to reappointment for another term of four (4) years only. Provided, That no 
29 
person shall be appointed as Director General unless he/she is a member of the 
30 
Philippine Bar or. Geodetic Engineer and/ or any other person with adequate experience 
31 
on matters pertaining to land administration and land management. 
32 
33 
The Director General shall have the following functions: 
34 
35 
(a) Advise the President on the promulgation of rules, regulations, and other issuances 
36 
relative to land administration and public land management; 
37 
(b) Establish policies and standards for the efficient and effective operations of the LA4 
38 
in accordance with the programs of the Government; 
39 
(c) Promulgate rules, regulations, and other issuances necessary in carrying out the 
40 
LAN s mandate, objectives, policies, plans, programs and projects; 
41 
(d) Exercise control and supervision over all functions and activities of the LAA and its 
42 
Land Offices; 
43 
(e) Delegate authority over all powers, functions and activities of the LAA; and 
44 
(f) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or aSSigned by the 
45 
President. 
46 
47 
SEC. 8. Office of the Director General - The Office of the Director General shall 
48 
consist of the Director General and his immediate staff and the following offices: 
49 
50 
(a) Management Services Office 
51 
(b) Planning and Monitoring Office 
52 
(c) Human Resource Office 
53 
(d) Legal and Land Adjudication Office 
54 
(e) Special Projects and Programs Office 
55 
5 


1 
SEC. 9. Office of the Deputy Directors General - The Director General shall be 
2 
assisted by four (4) Deputies who shall be appointed by the President. The Director 
3 
General is hereby authorized to delineate, assign and/or reassign the respective 
4 
functional administrative divisions of responsibility of the Deputy Director General, as 
5 
follows: 
6 
7 
a) Surveys - Provides all technical programs, procedures and operations involved 
8 
in the surveying and mapping activities of the LAA. 
9 
(b) Land Title Registration - Provides all technical programs, procedures and 
10 
opetations in the registration functions of the LAA. 
11 
(c) Public Land Administration and Management - Provides all technical 
12 
programs, procedures and operations in the disposition, administration and 
13 
management of public lands not otherwise in the control of any other agency or 
14 
instrumentality of the government, functions of the LAA. 
15 
(e) Land -Information and Technology - Provides all technical programs, 
16 
procedures and operations in the records and information technology 
17 
management functions of the LAA. 
18 
19 
No Deputy Director General shall be assigned primarily administrative 
20 
responsibilities. Within &/her functional area of responsibility, the Deputy Directors 
21 
G¢neral shall have the following functions: 
22 
23 
(a) Recommend policies and programs to the Director General and advise the Director 
24 
General in the promulgation of administrative orders and other issuances with respect 
2S 
to his/her area of responsibility; 
26 
(b) Issue technical and operating standards, guidelines, regulations and orders to 
27 
enforce policies with respect to his/her area of responsibility. Provided, that the Deputy 
28 
Director General assigned to land title registration shall resolved issues of registrability 
29 
of instruments elevated in consulta as provided for under PD 1529 as amended; 
30 
(c) Provide opinion and advise the field office on the efficient and effective 
31 
implementation of policies, programs and projects in his/her area of responsibility, 
32 
consistent with LAA policies, that will efficiently and effectively govern its activities 
33 
and functions under his/her responsibility; 
34 
(d) Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under his/her responsibility 
35 
with those of other units under the responsibility of other Deputies; 
36 
(e) Exercise authority on monitoring and evaluation of technical and operating 
37 
standards related to the functions and activities of units under his/her responsibility in 
38 
the land offices of the LAA; 
39 
(f) Exercise supervision over the offices, services, operating units and officers and 
40 
employees under his direct responsibility; 
41 
(g) Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned appropriately by the 
42 
Director General. 
43 
44 
Provided that the Deputy Director General for Land Title Registration should be a 
45 
member ~f the Philippine Bar with experience on land registration and the Deputy 
46 
Director General for Survey shall be a Geodetic Engineer. 
47 
48 
Provided further, that aside from the functions above-stated, the Deputy Director 
49 
General for Land Title Registration shall exercise executive supervision over all clerks of 
50 
court and personnel of the regular courts throughout the Philippines, with respect to 
51 
the discharge of their duties and functions in relation to the registration of lands. 
52 
53 
SEC. 10. Assistant Director General. - The Director Genetal and the Deputies 
54 
shall be assisted by five (5) Assistant Directors General appointed by the Director 
6 


General. They shall oversee the general administration of the LAA and shall be 
2 
responsible for the following: 
3 
4 
(a) Management Services Office 
5 
(b) Planning and Monitoring Office 
6 
(c) Human Resource Office 
7 
(d) Legal and Land Adjudication Office 
8 
(e) Special Projects and Programs Office 
9 
10 
SEC. 11. Land Offices. -Permanent field offices at the city and provincial levels 
11 
are hereby established and shall be called Land Offices. The LAA may also establish 
12 
additional Land Offices in a city or province as it may be determined for the efficient 
13. and effective delivery of its services. Provided, that provinces and cities with existing 
14 
Registry of Deeds upon approval of this Act shall automatically establish Land Offices. 
15 
16 
The Land Offices shall be headed by an Executive Land Officer. He/She shall 
17 
exercise general supervision on land survey, land registration, public land 
18 
administration and record and information management within his/her jurisdiction. 
19 
He/She shall also implement such other functions of the LAA in his/her respective 
20 
area of responsibility as may be delegated by the Director General to provide a more 
21 
efficient and effective delivery of services. Provided, that the registration personnel 
22 
shall continue to exercise its other registration functions in accordance with existing 
23 
laws. 
24 
25 
The Land Offices at the provincial and city levels shall be comprised of the 
26 
following offices: (a) local surveys and mapping unit; (b) local registration and titling 
27 
unit; (c) local public land administration unit; (d) local records and information 
28 
technology unit (e) administrative support unit; (f) legal unit, and (g) s.uch other units as 
29 
may be es~ablished thereat by appropriate directive of the Director-General; Provided, 
30 
that the Lard Offices herein created shall co-locate in a One-Stop~Shop concept as soon 
31 
as the necessary infrastructure is made available. 
32 
33 
ARTICLE IV 
34 
LAND ADJUDICATION BOARD 
35 
36 
SEC. 12. Creation of the Land Adjudication Board (LAB).- There is hereby 
37 
created a Land Adjudication Board (LAB). The LAB shall be the quasi-judicial body of 
38 
the LAA and shall have the following functions: 
39 
40 
(a) 
Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction over all matters involving the 
41 
implementation of laws, rules and regulations on land administration and public land 
42 
management, and all cases and / or controversies arising therefrom; Provided, that all 
43 
petitions for the correction of clerical or typographical errors committed in writing, 
44 
copying, transcribing, or typing of an entry in the maps, survey plans, and certificate of 
45 
land titles should be administratively addressed by the LAA Land Offices. 
46 
47 
(b) Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction on conflicts arising from the determination 
48 
and adjudication in land administration and public land management matters, except 
49 
cases falling under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) under 
50 
the CARP law and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples under the PRA law 
51 
unless specifically provided herein. Provided, that jurisdiction over conflicts and cases 
52 
arising from ownership of private lands shall remain with the regular courts. Provided 
53 
further, that existing cases on land ownership and conflicts pending in the regular courts 
7 


1 
shall remain under the court's jurisdiction unless otherwise remanded by the courts to 
2 
the LAA or LAB for disposition subject to the pertinent provisions of this Act. 
3 
4 
The LAB shall be under the administrative supervision of the Director General 
5 
and shall be divided into three divisions. Each division shall exercise equal powers, 
6 
independently resolving cases raised on appeal from the decisions of the Local Land 
7 
Adjudication Boards, created pursuant to Section 14 hereof, from Luzon, Visayas, and 
8 
Mindanao: Provided, That the divisions assigned to handle cases from Visayas and 
9 
Mindanao shall hold permanent office in any of the cities therein. 
10 
11 
SEC. 13. Composition - Each division of the LAB shall be composed of three (3) 
12 
members who shall be appointed by the President for a fixed term of (4) years and can 
13 
be reappoi!}ted for another term of four (4) years. 
14 
15 
All rhembers of the Land Adjudication Board shall be members of the Philippine 
16 
Bar with at least ten (10) years experience in property and land administration and 
17 
management related matters. 
18 
19 
The members of each division shall elect their Presiding Officer who shall serve 
20 
for a term of four years. 
21 
22 
SEC. 14. Local Land Adjudication Board - Local Land Adjudication Boards 
23 
(LLAE) are hereby created in all provincial and city Land Offices that shall serve as first 
24 
level board. The LLAB shall be composed of four (4) members. The Presiding Officer 
25 
shall be the Executive Land Officer, the two other members shall be the head of the local 
26 
surveys unit and the head of the local registration unit while the fourth member shall be 
27 
a representative designated by the Chief Executive of the Local Government Unit where 
28 
the LLAB sits. 
29 
30 
Decisions, orders, and resolutions of the Local Land Adjudication Board shall be 
31 
raised on appeal to the LAB. 
32 
33 
SEC. 15. Budget and Administrative Support - The LAB shall determine and 
34 
propose its budgetary requirements and shall be submitted as part of the LAA's budget 
35 
request. Disbursements' of the approved budget resources shall be the sole 
36 
responsibility and accountability of the LAB. Secretariat services shall be provided by 
37 
. theLAA 
38 
39 
SEC. 16. Proceedings and Procedures.- The LAB shall not be bound by technical 
40 
rules of procedure and evidence but shall proceed to hear and decide all cases, disputes, 
41 
or controversies in a most expeditious manner, employing all reasonable means to 
42 
ascertain the facts of every case in accordance with justice and equity and the merits of 
43 
the case. Toward this end, it shall adopt a uniform rule of procedure to achieve a just, 
44 
expeditious, and inexpensive determination of merits: Provided, That it shall endeavor to 
45 
settle disputes and controversies amicably. 
46 
47 
In the exercise of its functions, the LAB shall have the power to summon 
48 
witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, require submission of reports, compel the 
49 
productio~ of books and documents and answers to interrogatories, issue subpoena and 
50 
subpoena duces tecum, and enforce its writs through sheriffs or, other duly deputized 
51 
officers. It1shall punish direct and indirect contempt in the same manner and subject to 
52 
the same penalties as provided for in the Rules of court. 
53 
8 


Responsible persons shall be allowed to represent themselves or their 
2 
organizations in any proceedings before the LAB: Provided, however, That when there are 
3 
two or more representatives for any individual or group, the representatives should 
4 
choose only one from among themselves to represent such party or group before any 
5 
LAB proceedings." 
6 
7 
SEC. 17. Finality of Determination.- Any case or controversy before the LAB 
8 
shall be decided within thirty (30) days after it is submitted for resolution. Only one (1) 
9 
motion for reconsideration shall be allowed. Moreover, any order, award, ruling, or 
10 
decision shall be final after the lapse of fifteen (15) days from receipt by the parties of a 
11 
copy thereof. 
12 
13 
SEC. 18. Frivolous Appeals - To discourage frivolous or dilatory appeals from 
14 
the decisions, awards, rulings, or orders, the LAB may impose reasonable penalties 
15 
including, but not limited to, fines or censures upon erring parties. 
16 
17 
18 
19 
ARTICLE V 
JUDICIAL REVIEW 
20 
SEC. 19. Certioriari .- Any decision, order, award, or ruling of the LAB on any 
21 
dispute or on any matter pertaining to the application, implementation, enforcement, or 
22 
interpretation of this Act and other pertinent laws on land administration and public 
23 
land management may be brought to the Court of Appeals by certiorari within fifteen 
24 
(15) days from the receipt of a copy thereof. 
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The findings of fact of the LAB shall be final and conclusive if based on 
27 
substantial evidence. 
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SEC. 20. Procedure on Review - Review by the Court of Appeals or the Supreme 
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Court, as the case may be, shall be governed by the Rules of Court. 
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SEC. 21. Authenticity and Validity of Land Record and Titles - The LAA shall 
33 
have the sole authority and power to validate, authenticate and reco~stitute land titles 
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and land dwnership records and information; Provided, that existing cases filed under 
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the regulal1 courts shall remain under its jurisdiction unless remanded to the LAA. 
, 
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ARTICLE VI 
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STAKEHOLDER'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
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SEC. 22. Stakeholders' Advisory Committee.- The LAA shall be assisted by a 
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Stakeholders' Advisory Committee composed of the following: 
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(a) Nine (9) representatives from the basic sectors chosen through the 
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nomination process of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), of 
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whom one (1) shall be a woman; 
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(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. 
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(c) Three (3) representatives from the League of Municipalities, Cities and 
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Provinces, respectively; 
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(d) The Director General, as ex-officio member. 
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(e) The Executive Secretary 
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The Executive Secretary or his duly designated alternate shall serve as the 
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Chairperson of the Stakeholders' Advisory Committee. Except for the Director General, 
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the members of the Stakeholder's Advisory Committee shall not hold office in the LAA 
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nor receive any salary but shall be entitled, for actual attendance during meetings, to 
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such allowances and honoraria as are allowed by rules and regulations promulgated by 
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the Commission on Audit. 
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SEC. 23. Functions of the Stakeholders Advisory Committee.- The Committee 
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shall advise the LAA on the formulation of policies and policy development pertaining 
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to land administration and public land management and shall monitor their 
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implementation. It shall submit, within three months following the end of each calendar 
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year, a report to the President on its advisory and monitoring activities. 
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SEC. 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 C~airperson or at the initiative of at least three (3) members. 
SEd 25. Secretariat and LOgistical Support.- The Office of the Director General 
shall provide secretariat and logistical support to the Committee. 
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ARTICLE VII 
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TRANSITORY PROVISIONS 
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SEC. 26. Transfer of Powers and Transition Plan.- The powers and functions of 
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the LAA heretofore vested by law in the DENR, DOJ, LRA/RoD, LMB/LMS and 
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DENR-CARP National Secretariat or in any office within or attached to these agencies, 
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are hereby transferred to and vested in the Office of the Director General. The Director 
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General shall be responsible for the identification, preparation and formulation of a 
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transition plan to ensure the smooth and seamless transfer and assumption of powers, 
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functions and personnel from the abovementioned agencies to the LAA; Provided, that 
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such transition plan shall be prepared, formulated and developed in consultation with 
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the affected agencies and its representative stakeholders; Provided further, that the 
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transition plan shall integrate such other actions and activities necessary, induding 
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provisions under this section and as provided for under this Act to complete the 
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transition to the LAA. 
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SEC. 27. Transfer of the NAMRIA as an Attacked Agency of the LAA.- The 
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NAMRIA is hereby attached to the LAA. It shall retain its structure, budgetary 
43 
allocation under the current General Appropriations Act, and all properties, equipment, 
44 
and other facilities necessary in the performance of its mandate. 
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46 
SEC. 28. Organization of the LAA -
The LAA's organizational and 
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administrative structure and functions and staffing pattern, induding the personnel's 
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duties and responsibilities and the appropriate compensation package shall be 
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submitted by the Director General within six (6) months upon approval of this Act for 
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review and approval of the President and shall be fully implemented within a period of 
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six (6) months after such approval of the President. 
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SEC. 29. Transfer of Personnel- To ensure a smooth transition, all incumbent 
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personnel1of the DENR's LMB/LMS, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its field 
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offices, the DOl's LRA/I{oD shall continue to perform their present duties and 
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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 P1ersonnel of the DENR's LMB/LMS, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and 
its field offices, the DOl's LRA/RoD 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 his/her duly authorized 
representative, on the basis of merit, previous permanent appointment, fitness, and 
seniority. 
11 
SEC. 30. Exemption from Salary Standardization Law- All officials and 
12 
personnel of the LAA including LAB and LLAB shall be exempted from the Salary 
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Standardization Law. 
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SEC. 31. Integration of LMB/L,MS, DENR-CARP National Secretariat, and 
16 
LRA/XOD.- The DENR's Land Management Bureau, Land Management Services, and 
17 
CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, and the DOl's Land Registration 
18 
Authority and Register of Deeds, are hereby integrated into the Land Administration 
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Authority. 
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SEC. 32. Separation Pay and Other Benefits.- Personnel who are not offered 
22 
appointment within twelve (12) month~ upon the effectivity of this Act under the new 
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staffing pattern of the LAA on at least eqUivalent terms and conditions as their present 
24 
employment by reason of duplication or redundancy and those who decline an 
25 
appointment in the LAA by reason of diminution in rank and conditions shall be 
26 
entitled to all gratuities and benefits under existing laws. 
27 
28 
SEC. 33. Reemployment - Government personnel who are separated as a result of 
29 
the integration of the aforecited offices may apply for positions and be employed in 
30 
other agencies or branches of the government including Government-Owned and/ or -
31 
Controlled Corporations (GOES), Government Financial Institutions (GFIs), or local 
32 
government units (LGUs). 
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34 
SEC. 34. Unexpended Appropriations and Transfer of Assets.- Upon approval of 
35 
this Act, the unexpended appropriations, assets and properties of the LRA and ROD, 
36 
LMB, LMS, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and. its field offices, are hereby 
, 
37 
transferred to the LAA. 
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39 
Such other unexpended appropriations as may be deemed appropriate by the 
40 
Department of Budget and Management for transfer to the LAA shall also be so 
41 
transferred. 
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43 
All real and personal properties, liabilities, records, documents, positions, 
44 
contracts, and agreements which, upon the effectivity of this Act, are vested in, or 
45 
owned, by the LMB/LMS, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its Field Offices, and 
46 
LRA/RoD are hereby transferred to the LAA. 
47 
48 
SEC. 35. Penal Provisions. - Any person who sells forms issued and distributed 
49 
gratuitously under this Act or who, being an officer charged with distributing them 
50 
refuses or fails without sufficient reason, to furnish the same, shall be punished for each 
51 
offense by a fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos and not more than one 
52 
million pesos or imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than three years, or 
53 
both, upon the discretion of the Courts. 
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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 
(Il100,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 of not less than one 
hundred thousand pesos (Il100,OOO.OO)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 
(IlSOO,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 
governmei\t 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 
accumulatkd leave credits, and be perpetually disqualified from holding any elective or 
appointive public office. . 
SEC. 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. 
39 
Without prejudice to any other penalties provided for by law, any person who 
40 
fails to fulfill his/her duty pursuant to the above paragraph, shall be guilty of an 
41 
offense against the prOVisions of this Act, punishable by a fine of not less than one 
42 
million pesos (PI,OOO,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of not more than five years, or both, upon 
43 
the discretion of the Court. 
44 
45 
SEC. 37. Saving Clause.- All orders, determination, rules, regulations, permits, 
46 
certificates, licenses, and privileges which have been issued, made, or granted effective 
47 
by the for'mer LMB, LMS, LRA, ROD, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its field 
48 
offices, or their predecessors shall continue to be in effect according to their terms until 
49 
modified, terminated, superseded, set aside, or repealed. 
50 
51 
No suit, action, or other proceeding commenced by or against any officer in his 
52 
official capacity as an officer of any division or unit of the former LMB, LMS, LRA, 
53 
ROD, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, the functions of which are 
54 
transferred by this Act to the LAA shall abate by reason of this Act. In like manner, no 
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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. 
I 
ARTICLE VIII 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
SEC. 38. Use of Income and Other Sources of Funds.-. The LAA is hereby 
authorizedl 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 granls, 
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. 
SEC. 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. 
32 
SEC. 40. Indemnification of Officials and Personnel-- The LAA shall indemnify 
33 
all officials and personnel for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by such 
34 
persons in connection with any civil or criminal actions, suits, or proceedings to which 
35 
they may be or made a party by reason of the performance of their functions or duties, 
36 
unless they are finally adjudged in such actions or proceedings to be liable. 
37 
38 
In the event of settlement or compromise, indemnification shall be prOvided only 
39 
in connection with such matters covered by the settlement as to which the LAA is 
40 
advised by an external counsel that the persons to be indemnified did not commit any 
41 
gross negligence or misconduct. 
42 
43 
The costs and expenses incurred in defending the aforementioned action, suit or 
44 
proceeding may be paid by the LAA in advance of the final disposition of such action, 
45 
suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on .behalf of the Director 
46 
General, irhere in the official or employee shall repay the amount advanced should it 
47 
ultimately be determined by the LAA that such official or employee is not entitled to be 
48 
indemnified as provided in this section. 
49 
50 
SEC. 41. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- Within sixty (60) days from the 
51 
effectivity of this Act, the LAA shall promulgate the rules and regulations to implement 
52 
the provisions of this Act. Said rules and regulations shall be submitted to the 
53 
CongreSSional Oversight Committee for approval. In the process of the formulation of 
54 
the IRR for this Act, consultations shall be made with the Stakeholders' Advisory 
13 


Committee and submitted to the Office of the President for approval, Copies of the IRR 
2 
shall be distributed to the Congressional Oversight Committee on Land Administration. 
3 
4 
SEC. 42. Congressional Oversight Committee on the Land Administration Act.-
5 
There is hereby created a Congressional Oversight Committee composed of seven (7) 
6 
members from the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and seven 
7 
(7) members from the House of Representatives Committees on Natural Resources, 
8 
Housing and Urban Development, and Government Reorganization. 
9 
10 
The Congressional oversight committee, which shall function for a period not 
11 
more than three (3) years, shall review the implementing rules promulgated by the LAA 
12 
including the procedures on claims against the assurance fund and oversee the 
13 
implementation of this Act. 
14 
The secretariat of the Oversight Committee shall be drawn from the existing 
15 
secretariat personnel of the committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
16 
comprising the oversight and the funding for its operations shall be taken from the 
17 
existing budget of the concerned committees. 
18 
19 
SEC. 43. Separability Clause- Should any provision of this Act or any part hereof 
20 
be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a Court, the other provisions hereof which 
21 
are not affected thereby, shall remain in force and effect. 
22 
23 
SEC. 44. Repealing Clause.- The provisions of PD 1529 pertaining to the 
24 
assurance fund, and their implementing rules and regulations are hereby amended or 
25 
modified accordingly. 
26 
27 
All other laws, decrees, orders, instructions, proclamations, rules and regulations 
28 
or parts thereof, including pertinent provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 141, Act No. 
29 
496, Presidential Decree No. 1529, Executive Order No. 192 and its related rules and 
30 
regulation~; Executive Order No. 469 dated February 11, 1981 and the subsequent 
31 
Presidential Memorandum Circular dated 30 September 1988 and their related rules 
32 
and regulations; and the Administrative Code of 1987, which are inconsistent with any 
33 
provision of this Act, are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
34 
35 
SEC. 45. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
36 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
37 
38 
Approved, 
14