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RECEIVED A
Republic of the Philippines pyre 02 2019
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

18TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _ $99

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Based on Republic Act 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988,
the Council is composed of the President of the Philippines as Chairman, the
Secretary of Agrarian Reform as Vice-Chairman and the following as members;
Secretaries of the Departments of Agriculture; Environment and Natural

Budget and Management; Local Government: Public Works and
Trade and industry; Finance; Labor and Employment.

Also included in the council are the Director-General of the National Economic
and Development Authority; President, Land Bank of the Philippines;
Administrator, National Irrigation Administration; and three (3) representatives
of affected landowners to represent Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao; six (6)
representatives of agrarian reform beneficiaries, two (2) each from Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao, provided that one of them shall be from the cultural
communities.

On the status of ownership of land by farmers, Mariano said vine out of 10
farmers do not own the land that they till.

As of December 2015, the DAR has distributed 4.7 million hectares but this
comprises only ten (10%) percent of the total number of hectares that still have
to be awarded to farmer-beneficiaries.


The problems of farmers, however, does not stop at receiving land because there
are other issues and payments that have to be considered such as land
amortization and real property tax.

There are flaws and loopholes in the existing agrarian reform law, but these will
continue to be implemented.

The state must prioritize the inventory of lands that still have to be distributed,
properties that were already turned over to farmer-beneficiaries, among others.

The state will also initiate a review of resolutions, exemptions, cancellation of
land titles, emancipation patterns as well as agri-business venture agreements.

The biggest challenge is the resistance of land owners.

The Department of Agrarian reform (DAR) started distributing government owned

lands, large tracts of private owned !ands have yet to be reviewed under the DAR
laws.

Thus, the early passagg.of this bili is earnestly requested.

[AEL L. ROMERO Ph.D.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. iii

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

AN ACT
CREATING THE NATIONAL LAND REFORM AUTHORITY,
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines
in congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “National Land
Reform Authority Act of 2019.”

SECTION 2, Creation of the National Land Reform Authority - There
is hereby created a National Land Reform Authority, hercinafter which shall be
composed ct the following:

+. Administrator of the Land Authority, who shall act as Chairman;

* Administrator of the Agricultural Credit Administration;

* Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Land Bank of the
Philippines (LBP);

* Commissioner of the Agricultural Productivity Commission;

* A member appointed by the President upon recommendation; and

* Agrarian Counsel (legal services)


The Chairman shall convoke the Council as its responsibilities are enumerated
herein, and shall preside over its meetings.

SECTION 3. Declaration of Policy - It shall be the duty of the members
to attend any meeting of the Council upon the call of the Chairman. In case of
inability, a member may require the officer next in rank in his agency to attend
the meeting on his behalf.

A majority vote of the members present if there is a quorum shall be necessary

for the approval of a resolution. Upon such approval the resolution shall be final
and binding upon all members of the Council and their respective agencies
insofar as their functions, powers and duties required under this Act are

concernea.

The refusal of any member to implement any resolution or part thereof falling
within the scope of the powers granted to his agency shall be sufficient ground
for the President of the Philippines to remove said member from office or to
impose upon him disciplinary or administrative sanctions.

SECTION 4. Powers and Functions of the National Land Reform
Authority

It shall be the responsibility of the Council to:

(1) To construct the gei.eral program of land reform contemplated by this
Act;

(2) To establish guidelines, plans and policies for its member-agencies
relative to any particular land reform project;

(3) To formulate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry
out the provisions of this Act for:


(a) the selection of agricultural land to be acquired and distributed
under this Act;

(b) the determination of sizes of family farms as defined;

{e) the selection of beneficiaries to family farms available for
distribution: Provided, That priority shall be given in the following
order:

* First, to members of the immediate family of the former
owner of the land within the first degree of
consanguinity who will cultivate the land personally
with the aid of labor available within his farm
household;

* Second, to the actual occupants personally cultivating
the land either as agricultural lessees or otherwise with
respect to the area under their cultivation;

* Third, to farmers falling under the preceding category
who are cultivating uneconomic-size farms with respect
to idle or abandoned lands;

+ Fourth, to owner-operators of uneconomic-size farms;
and

* Fifth, to such other categories as may be fixed by virtue
of this Act, taking into consideration the needs and
qualifications of the applicants.

(4) To revise, approve, or reject any land reform proposal or project; and

(5) To proclaim in accordance with the provisions of this Act, which
proclamation shall be considered as having been promulgated immediately
after three successive weekly publications in at least two newspapers of
general circulation in the region or locality affected by the proclamation,
preference being given to local newspapers,


if any, that all the government machineries and agencies in any region or

locality relating to leasehold envisioned in this Act are operating:

Provided, That the conversion to leasehold in the proclaimed area shall
become effective at the beginning of the next succeeding agricultural year

after such promulgation:

Provided, further, That the proclamation shall be made after having
considered factors affecting feasibility and fund requirements and the

other factors.

SECTION 5. Appropriation - There is hereby authorized to appropriate
the necessary funds to carry-out into effect the provisions of this act. Therefore

the budget shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

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

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. If, for any reason or reasons, any
portion or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the

remaining provisions not affected thereby shail continue to be in ful! force and
effect.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,