Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
 EXPLANATORY NOTE 
On November 6, 1902, the Philippine Commission enacted Act 496, known as 
Land Registration Law, that created the Court of Land Registration (CLR) and 
the office of the Registers of Deeds. The Law institutionalized the Torrens System 
of registration whereby real estate ownership may be judicially confirmed and 
recorded in the archives of the government. The system took effect on February 
1, 1903. Five judges were appointed by the Governor-General with the advice 
and consent of the Philippine Commission. One Judge was designated Judge of 
Court; the rest were assigned Associate Judges. Other members of the court were 
a clerk and assistant clerk, both appointed by the Attorney General with the 
approval of the Secretary of Finance and Justice. Along with the court were 
established the Registries of Deeds. 
Upon the effectivity of Act No. 2374, the Court of Land Registration was replaced 
by the General Land Registration Office (GRLO), and on June 17, 1954 upon the 
effectivity of Republic Act No. 1151 was also replaced by the Land Registration 
Commission (LRC). The Commissioner of Land Registration took over the powers 
and functions of the GLRO who was in direct control of the Registers of Deeds 
(RDs) as well as the Clerks of Court of First Instance in land registration. It was 
then that registry of deeds was established in every city and every province and 
branch registry was put up wherever else possible at the time. 
On February 9, 1981, the President of the Philippines issued Executive Order 
No. 649 reorganizing the LRC into the National Land Titles and Deeds 
Registration Administration (NLTDRA). This agency extended effective assistance 
to the Ministry of Agrarian Reform, the Land Bank of the Philippines, and other 
agencies in line with the Land Reform Program. 
October 10, 2022
3:10 pm
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In a Presidential Memorandum Circular of September 30, 1988, the NLTDRA was 
changed into the Land Registration Authority. This was in line with Executive 
Order No. 292 dated July 25, 1987, instituting the Administrative Code of 
1987, which took effect on November 23, 1989. 
 
Thus, the Authority has grown through the years. It started as the Court of Land 
Registration, later as General Land Registration Office, it became the Land 
Registration Commission, reorganized as National Land Titles and Deeds 
Registration Administration, and presently as the Land Registration Authority. 
Presently, the LRA is headed by the Administrator who, pursuant to Executive 
Order 649, shall have the same qualifications to that of an Associate Justice of 
the Court of Appeals. He is assisted by the Deputy Administrators who, pursuant 
to the LRA Rationalization Plan, shall have the same rank to that of an Assistant 
Secretary. 
 
It now has more than 2500 employees nationwide and has consistently increased 
its revenues through its registries of deeds for the past five years. Many new 
methods and techniques have been developed by the administration in the 
defense of the landowner. Time has not stymied the purpose of the agency but 
has honored its sense of duty to that of a fine new razor. In truth the authority 
is more active than ever, willing and able to defend the integrity of the country’s 
Torrens system. 
 
This House Bill seeks to provide Modernization Funding to the Land 
Registration Authority (LRA), to ensure that the country fulfills its 
commitments to provide and deliver the agency’s mandate with efficiency, 
competence, and above all, integrity. The LRA will adhere to its mission to 
promote and protect the interest of the Republic of the Philippines. 
 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.  
MICHAEL L. ROMERO  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR MODERNIZATION FUNDINGFOR THE LAND 
REGISTRATION AUTHORITY (LRA), INCREASING AND 
REORGANIZING ITS ADMINISTRATION, PROVIDING FOR A 
SECURE, STABLE AND TRUSTWORTHY RECORD OF LAND 
OWNERSHIP AND INTERESTS, TO PROMOTE NATIONAL 
DEVELOPMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY – It shall hereby be a declared 
policy of the State to issue decrees of registration and certificates of titles and 
register documents, patents and other land transactions for the benefit of 
landowners, Agrarian Reform-beneficiaries and the registering public in general; 
to provide a secure, stable and trustworthy record of land ownership and 
recorded interests therein so as to promote social and economic well-being and 
contribute to national development. 
The state shall formulate policies for the efficient and effective administration 
and management of all manpower, skills and competencies to ensure 
compliance. 
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SECTION 
2. 
MODERNIZATION FUNDING. – The amount of Five Hundred 
Million Pesos (Php 500,000,000.00) for the operation and administration of the 
Land Registration Authority (LRA) shall be chargeable against funds for the 
purpose and other sources recommended by the Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM). Thereafter, appropriations for the Land Registration 
Authority (LRA) shall be included in the budget proposals under the 
Department of Justice (DOJ). 
 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall rationalize the existing 
organizational structure and staffing pattern of the Land Registration 
Authority (LRA) in accordance with the provisions of this Act and relevant 
compensation and position classification laws, rules and regulations. 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
modernization program, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act (GAA). 
SECTION 
3. 
LAND 
REGISTRATION 
AUTHORITY 
(LRA) 
MODERNIZATION FUND – There is hereby created the (LRA) Modernization 
Fund to be used exclusively for the (LRA) Modernization Program. 
The (LRA) Modernization Fund shall be administered by the Secretary of the DOJ 
in accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting and auditing 
rules and regulations. 
SECTION 
4. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Secretary of DOJ shall 
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the (LRA) 
Modernization Programs which shall be submitted, to the Office of the President 
and to the Chairpersons of the Committee on Justice of the Senate and the House 
of Representatives. 


SECTION 
5. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of two (2) 
years:  
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, further, That the Land Registration Authority (LRA) shall 
continue to develop, modernize and constantly update its operational capabilities 
to keep pace with best global practices. 
SECTION 
6. 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS. – The Land Registration 
Authority (LRA) shall continue to exercise and uphold the following powers and 
functions; but not limited to: 
The LRA exists for the sole purpose of implementing and protecting the Torrens 
system of land titling and registration, as well as registration of transactions 
involving personal properties. Through its Registry Offices, it constitutes as the 
central repository of all land records involving registered or titled lands as well as 
registered transactions involving unregistered or untitled lands. 
1. It issues decrees of registration pursuant to final judgment of 
the courts in land registration proceedings and cause the 
issuance by a registrar of deeds the corresponding certificate 
of title. 
2. It is tasked to issue all subsequent or transfer certificates of 
title. It keeps the title history or records of transaction 
involving titled or registered lands.  
3. It provides legal and technical assistance to the courts relative 
to land registration cases, and to other government agencies 
with respect to registration of administratively issued titles. 
4. It likewise extends assistance to DAR in the implementation 
of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). 


SECTION 
7. 
INCREASE OF PERSONNEL. – The Land Registration 
Authority (LRA) shall maintain the sufficient staffing pattern. Hence, it is 
authorized to increase its manpower to meet such required and may continue to 
increase personnel per percentage rate increase of committed mandates 
annually or as the need arises. 
SECTION 
8. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 
9. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
10. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
11. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
12. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
 
Approved,