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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATY
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1459

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE XAVIER JESUS “XJ” D, ROMUALDO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The late Representative Pedro P. Romualdo originally filed this proposed measure in the
previous Congress.

Commonwealth Act No. 141, otherwise known as the Public Land Act, was enacted in 1936.
There is a need to amend the antiquated provisions of Section 24 of the Public Land Act to bring
up to date the process of disposition of alienable public agricultural lands to qualified persons.

If the proposed amendments are enacted into law, the period for publication of notices of sale
shall now be two (2) consecutive weeks, instead of six (6) consecutive weeks. Such notices shall
be published just in English, instead of English and Spanish or in the local dialect, The threshold
land value that will result in an exemption from the requirement of publication in the Official
Gazette and in newspapers shall now be Fifly Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00), instead of Two
Hundred Forty Pesos (P240.00). Finally, the date on which public biddings shall be held and the
awards of the lands to disposed of shall be made shall be thirty (30) days after the date of the
notice of sale, instead of sixty (60) days.

In order for government to be able to better serve the people, we must revisit, review, and update
our old statutes so that our laws are be able to respond to and meet the needs and demands of the
present times. This proposed measure is a step in that direction,

Hence, with a view to streamlining and improving government systems, procedures, and

processes, the kind and favorable support of the Members of Congress for the prompt and timely
passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

X=
XAVIER JESUS “XJ” D. ROMUALDO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

F

sst Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ ia 59

INTRODUCED BY REP. XAVIER JESUS “XJ” D,. ROMUALDO-

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 24 OF COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 141, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS “THE PUBLIC LAND ACT” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Section 24 of Commonwealth Act No. 141is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 24. Lands sold under the provisions of this chapter must be appraised in accordance
with section one hundred and sixteen of this Act. The DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT
AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR) [Director of Lands] shall announce the sale thereof by
publishing the proper notice once a week for TWO [six] consecutive weeks in the Official
Gazette and in two newspapers one published in Manila and the other published in the
municipality or in the province where the lands are located, or in a neighboring province, and the
same notice shall be posted on the bulletin board of the DENR [Bureau of Lands] in Manila, and
in the most conspicuous place in the provincial building and the municipal building of the
province and municipality, respectively, where the land is located, and, if practicable, on the land
itself; but if the value of the Jand does not exceed FIFTY THOUSAND [two hundred and forty]
pesos, the publication in the Official Gazette and newspapers may be omitted. The notices shall
be published [one] in English [and the other in Spanish or in the local dialect,] and shall fix a
date {not earlier than] THIRTY [sixty] days after the date of the notice upon which the land will
be awarded to the highest bidder, or public bids will be called for, or other action will be taken as
provided in this chapter.”

Section 2. Repealing clause. ~ All other laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or
parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby modified, amended or

repealed accordingly.


Section 3, Implementing rules and regulations. — The Department of Environment and Natural
Resources in coordination with the National Printing Office shall draft the implementing rules

and regulations to implement this Act.

Section 4. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least
two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved.