Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 0106

Introduced by HON. JOHN MARVIN “YUL SERVO” NIETO and HON. EDWARD VERA
PEREZ MACEDA

LO
Explanatory Note

As a manifestation of support to this culturally-sensitive and timely piece of legislation, this
representation respectfully re-files this bill, which has constantly been receiving support from the
past and present congress, as filed by various representatives.

Republic Act 8371, otherwise known as the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA)
was a landmark legislation intended to address the concerns of the Cultural Communities and
Indigenous Peoples throughout the country. Under Section 64 of the said legislation, the National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) is mandated to take appropriate actions to recover
legal domains which were illegally acquired.

However, due to the misgivings of the NCIP and the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) in formulating a specific Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to
achieve the goals identified under Section 64 of RA 8371, the option to recover legal domains
which were illegally acquired was not provided to the indigenous peoples. Moreover, the 20 year
period to exercise this option expires this year.

Moreover, the NCIP was given two (2) years to perform such function as provided for under
Section 64 but the prescribed period already expired on 22 November 1999,

This bill seeks to remedy this unfortunate situation and to finally give our indigenous brother
and sisters the opportunity to own the land they till and acquire a better chance to improve their lot
Aside from empowering them, this would also allow them to seek financial and technical
assistance to improve their production

Hence, it is hereby proposed that the NCIP be granted a new twenty (20) year period to
perform the same task as provided under Sec. 64 of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997,

In view of the foregoing considerations, immediate approval of this measure is sought.

RVO” NIETO. EDWARI PEREZ MACEDA
DISTRICT OF REPRESENTATIVE, 4” DISTRICT OF
MANILA MANILA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

5106

House Bill No.

Introduced by HON. JOHN MARVIN “YUL SERVO” NIETO and HON. EDWARD VERA
PEREZ MACEDA

AN ACT
EXTENDING THE PERIOD FOR INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMMUNITIES/ INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES TO EXERCISE THE OPTION TO SECURE TITLE TO THEIR ANCESTRAL LANDS
UNDER LAND REGISTRATION ACT 496, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 12 OF
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8371, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE RIGHTS
ACT OF 1997”

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

Section 1. The option to secure a Certificate of Title under Commonwealth Act No. 141,
otherwise known as the Land Registration Act 496, as amended, as provided for under Section 12
of Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act, is hereby
extended for another twenty (20) years effective upon the expiration of the first period

Section 2. The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) is hereby granted a
new five (5) year period within which to take appropriate legal action for the cancellation of
officially documented titles which were acquired illegally, as provided for under Section 64 of
Republic Act No. 8371.

Section 3, This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in any newspaper
of general circulation,

Approved,