SIXTEENTH CONGRt;ESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
) 
) 
) 
Senate Bill No. 1 S S 2' 
'\3 Sf? 16 P3 :29 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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. Women, who comprise roughly 
half the world's population, and 70 percent (70%) of whom live in poverty, own 
less than one percent (1%) of the world's wealth. This stat~stics only highlights 
the role of a good land administration system, not only to boost economic growth, 
improve access to land but also for sustainable development. 
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 eleclaration 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 bei~g provided by these 
agencies are not contributing to address our domestic problems on slJstainable 
development, much more to the global concerns. 
The proPlem is largely 
contributed by fundamental legal and institutional defects in both the structure 
and operations of the I~.md administration system. For one, there are many laws 
governing the land administration functions including 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. 
These, 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 


" 
l 
.. 
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; 
• 
J:.nable 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; 
• 
Create scope to achieve significant savings through the elimination over 
time of duplicated administrative support services and other costs 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 overall reforms. 
The proposed Land Administration Reform Act seeks to enable the land 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. 
Y EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


" 
i 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLI 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
Selmtr 
{I}ff,;,.r iiI' j",.t .. ~ 
First Regular Session 
'13 
SE? 16 P 3 :29 
Senate Bill No. 
SENA.T 
1682 
RECEIVED By;--r-
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGO EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING REFORMS IN LA D ADMINISTRATION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House 
Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE 
GENERAL PRO ISIONS 
SECTION 1. 
Short Title. -
This 
ct shall be known as ,"The Land 
Administration Reform Act of 2013" . 
. 
SEC. 
2. 
Declaration of Policy. 
It is the policy of the State to 
institutionalize reforms in land administration in order to optimize and rationalize 
their contribution to the goals of national dev lopment, the eradication of poverty, 
and the attainment of social, economic, and cultural justice. Towards this end, 
the State shall: 
(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
(e) 
(f) 
(g) 
(h) 
(i) 
Promote efficient and effective 
apping, land survey, classification, 
disposition, registration, 
and 
anagement of private and public 
lands; 
Undertake a comprehensive 
nd continuing land administration 
program that will make the p ocesses and procedures on land 
registration and titling affordabl and expeditious; 
Assist in the attainment of the g vernment's asset reform programs; 
Accelerate and complete the dl tribution, titling, and registration of 
alienable or disposable lands to provide security of land tenure; 
Undertake reforms in land a ministration and management to 
ensure equitable distribution an full utilization and development of 
alienable or disposable lands; 
, 
Improve 
the 
efficiency, 
e ectiveness, 
transparency, 
and 
accountability of land administr tion services; 
Establish a sustainable and vi ble administra~ion of land through 
computerization of functions and removal of overlaps and 
duplication in the delivery of Ian administration services; 
Establish an administrative sys m for the cancellation of duplicate 
and fake titles and the eradicati n of land grabbing activities; 
Provide accessible, efficient, 
nd affordable land administration 
services to the people throug 
the establishment of OnecStop-
Shops nationwide; 


G) 
Establish an effective land information system and provide easy 
and affordable access to land information by members of the public; 
(k) 
Rationalize and clarify the entitlements of persons to land titles to 
make the process of issuing original titles fast and low-cost; 
(I) 
Promote and support the development of a national land 
administration and management education system; 
(m) 
Identify and reduce disincentives to the registration of property 
transactions; 
(n) 
Mainstream gender in all aspects of the land administration system; 
and 
(0) 
Recognize, respect, ensure participation, and assist in the 
enforcement of land related rights of men and women of the basic 
sectors, as defined in Republic Act No. 8425, otherwise known as 
the "Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act." 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, the following 
terms shall, unless the context indicates otherwise, have the following meanings: 
(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
(e) 
(f) 
(g) 
(h) 
"Director General" refers to the person occupying the position of 
Director General of the Land Administration Authority created by 
this Act including any person appointed as Acting Director General. 
"Land Administration and Public Land Management" refers to the 
administration of all functions, powers and activities related to the 
mapping, land survey, claSSification, ownership, disposition, and 
registration of land titl s and deeds, and the management of public . 
lands. 
"Lands Management ureau (LMB)" refers to a staff Bureau of the 
Department of Environ ent and Natural Resources (DENR). 
"Lands 
Management Services (LMS)" 
refers 
to the 
land 
management sector 
r offices of the DENR· at the regional, 
provincial, and district eve!. 
"Land Registration Au ority (LRAY' refers to an attached agency of 
the Department of Ju ice (DOJ) , including the Registers of Deeds 
(RoD). 
"National Mapping an Resource Information AuthOrity (NAMRIA)" 
refers to the agency k own by that name attached to the DENR. 
"Land Administration nd Management Project (LAMP)" refers to 
the project office prov ding technical and administrative support to 
the interagency ende vor of the Philippine government to identify 
strategic directions. t ward land administration reform in land 
institutions, laws, taxe and fees, and valuation. 
"Classification and Re lassification" refers to the Act of Congress in 
setting the specific Ii its of forestlands and national parks and 
increasing or decreasi g their boundaries by law, as provided for in 
Article XII, Section 4 0 the 1987 Philippine Constitution .. 
ARTICLE II 
CREATION OF THE L NO ADMINISTRATION AUTHORITY 
SEC. 4. Creation of the L nd Administration Authority (LAA). - To 
carry out the purposes of this Act, the Land Administration Authority (LAA) is 
hereby created and placed under he Office of the President. 
It shall be the 
primary government agency respo sible for land administration and public land 
management. 


SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the LAA. - The LAA shall exercise 
the following powers and functions: 
(a) 
Conduct, integrate and regulate the functions of geodetic and 
geophysical surveys, land classification surveys, mapping, aerial 
photography, remote sensing, management of resource information 
needed by both public and private sectors, and research 
development thereof in accordance with existing laws and 
internationally accepted norms, procedures, and standards; 
(b) 
Survey, map and maintain data base to support the determination 
of specific limits of forest lands and national parks by Congress as 
provided under Section 4, Article XII of the Constitution; 
(c) 
Survey, map, maintain database on, administer, manage and/or 
dispose of all alienable and disposable lands of the public domain 
and other lands, including foreshore and marsh lands, under the 
provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 141, as amended, otherwise 
known as the Public Land Act, and in accordance with existing laws; 
(d) 
Manage, sell, and/or dispose the remaining Friar Lands under the 
provisions of Act No. 1120, as amended, and in accordance with 
existing laws; 
(e) 
Manage and dispose lands of patrimonial property of the National 
Government under the provisions of Act No. 3038, or such other 
Government lands as 
have 
not been 
placed 
under the 
administration, management, control or exclusive use of any other 
government agency by legislative or executive issuance; 
(f) 
Register original titles to land issued pursuant to Commonwealth 
Act No. 141 and subsequent dealings of registered lands under the 
provisions of Act No. 496 and Presidential Decree No. 1529, 
otherwise known as the Land Registration Act and the Property 
Registration Decree, respectively; 
(g) 
Conduct, regulate and approve all types of land surveys including 
surveys intended for the implementation of Commonwealth Act No. 
141, Republic Act No. 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform 
Law (CARL), Republic Act No. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples 
Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA) and Republic Act No. 7279 or the Urban 
Development and Housing Act (UDHA); 
(h) 
Prepare, issue, and register all titles to land issued pursuant to 
Commonwealth Act No. 141 and subsequent dealings of registered 
lands including all types of tenure instruments intended for the 
implementation of the CARL, UDHA and the IPRA; 
(i) 
Determine, fix, and collect reasonable amounts to be charged as 
administration 
fees, 
fines, 
and 
penalties 
relative 
to 
the 
implementation of this Act; 
(j) 
Formulate land administration and management policies in 
accordance with existing national laws; 
(k) 
PromUlgate rules, regulations, circulars and other administrative 
issuances as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this 
Act; 
(I) 
Such other functions undertaken by the LRAlRoD, LMB/LMS, 
NAMRIA, 
DENR-Comprehensive 
Agrarian 
Reform 
Program 
(DENR-CARP) National Secretariat under P.O. 1529 and CA 141, 
. as amended; and 
• 
(m) 
Such other functions as are necessary, proper, and incidental to 
implement the provisions of this Act. 


, , 
Whenever any reference is made to the LRAlRoD, LMB/LMS, NAMRIA, 
DENR-Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (DENR-CARP) National 
Secretariat under E.O. 192, P.D. 1529, and C.A. 141, as amended, pertaining to 
a duty, power, purpose, responsibility, or jurisdiction transferred to the LAA by 
this Act, it shall be deemed to be a reference to, and to mean, the Land 
Administration Authority and the Director General of the LAA, as the case may 
be. 
SEC. 6. Stak~holders' Advisory Committee.· 
The LAA shall be 
assisted by a Stakeholders' AdVisory Committee composed of the following: 
(a) 
Six (6) Representatives from the Basic Sectors (farmers, fisherfolk, 
urban poor, workers in the informal sector; indigenous peoples and 
NGOs) chosen through the nomination process of the National Anti-
Poverty Commission (NAPC); 
(b) 
Two (2) Representatives from the NAPC Women's Sectoral Council; 
(c) 
Three (3.) representatives from the private sector such as, but not 
limited to, real estate, professionals/practitioners, and academe to 
be appointed by the President; and 
(d) 
The LAA Director General, as ex-officio member. 
The President shall designate the chairperson from among the members 
of the Committee. The members of the Committee, except the LAA Director 
General. shall not hold office in the LAA nor receive any salary but shall be 
entitled, for actual attendance during meetings, to such allowances and honoraria 
as are allowed by rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission on Audit. 
SEC. 7. Functions of the Stakeholders Advisory Committee.· The 
Committee shall advise the LAA on the formulation of policies and policy 
development pertaining to land administration and public land management and 
shall monitor their implementation. It shall submit, within three months following 
the end of each calendar year, a report to the President on its advisory and 
monitoring activities. 
SEC. 8. Meetings of the Commii1ee. • 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 Chairperson or at the initiative of at 
least three (3) members. 
. 
SEC. 9. Secretariat and Logistical Support. - The Office of the Director 
General shall provide secretariat and logistical support to the Committee. 
ARTICLE III 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISM 
SEC. 10. Structure and Organization. - The LAA shall consist of: 
(a) 
The Office of the Director General; 
(b) 
The Offices of the Deputy Director Generals; 
(c) 
The Offices of the Assistant Director Generals; and 
(d) 
Field Offices 


SEC. 11. The Director General. - The authority and responsibility for the 
exercise of the mandate of the LAA, the accomplishment of its objectives, and 
the discharge of its powers and functions shall be vested in the Director General, 
a cabinet rank, who shall exercise control and supervision over the LAA and shall 
be appOinted by the President. For such purposes, the Director General shall 
have the following functions: 
a) Advise the President on the promulgation of rules, regulations, and other 
issuances relative to land administration and public land management; 
b) Exercise appellate jurisdiction of all cases arising from conflicting land 
surveys; 
c) Establish pOlicies and standards for the efficient and effective operations 
of the LAA in accordance with the programs of the Government; 
d) Promulgate rules, regulations, and other issuances necessary in carrying 
out the LAA's mandate, objectives, policies, plans, programs and project; 
e) Exercise control and supervision over all functions and activities of the 
LAA; 
f) Delegate authority over all powers, functions and activities of the LAA; and, 
g) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by 
the President. 
' 
SEC. 12. Office of the Director General. - The Office of the Director 
General shall consist of the Director General, his immediate staff, and the Office 
of the Legal Services. 
SEC. 13. Deputy Director Generals. - The Directpr General shall be 
assisted by at least three (3) Deputy Director Generals who shall likewise be 
appOinted by the President. 
The Director General is hereby authorized to 
delineate, assign, and/or reassign the respective functional areas of responsibility 
of the Deputy Director Generals: Provided, That no Deputy Director General shall 
be assigned primarily administrative responsibilities. Within his functional area of 
responsibility, a Deputy Director General shall have the following functions: 
(a) 
Advise the Director General in the promulgation of administrative 
orders and other issuances with respect to his area of responsibility; 
(b) 
Exercise supervision over the offices, departments, or operating 
units and officers and employees under his responsibility; 
(c) 
Promulgate rules and regulations that will efficiently and effectively 
govern the activities of units under his responsibility; 
(d) 
Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under his 
responsibility with those of other units under the responsibility of 
other Deputy Director Generals; 
(e) 
Exercise authority on substantive and administrative matters 
related to the functions and activities, of units under his 
responsibility as may be delegated by the Director General; and 
(f) 
Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by 
the Director General. 
SEC. 14. Assistant Director Generals. -
The Director General and 
Deputy Director Generals shall be assisted by five (5) Assistant Director 
Generals in the formulation, management, and implementation of land 


.' 
administration and public land management laws, policies, plans, programs, and 
projects. 
SEC. 15. Field Offices . • The LAA shall establish permanent field offices 
at city and provincial levels. The LAA may also establish additional field offices 
in a city or province as it may determine for the efficient and effective delivery of 
its services subject to the approval of th.e President: Provided, That said 
additional field offices may be abolished by the Director General when no longer 
necessary. 
The field offices shall undertake, among others, the following functions: 
(a) 
Implement laws, policies, plans, programs, projects, rules and 
regulations of the LAA on !'and administration and public land 
management; 
(b) 
Provide efficient and effective delivery of services to the people; 
(c) 
Coordinate with field or branch offices of bther agencies of the 
government in the region and with local government units in the 
enforcement of land administration and public land management 
laws and regulations and in the formulation and implementation of 
programs and projects; 
(d) 
Recommend and, upon approval, implement programs and projects 
on land administration and management and related concerns; 
(e) 
Conduct a comprehensive inventory of alienable and disposable 
lands of the public domain and of patrimonial properties and 
formulate 
districUprovinciallregional 
short 
and 
long 
term 
development plans for the management, administration, utilization, 
and disposition of such lands toward national development; and 
(f) 
Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Director 
General and/or as provided by law. 
ARTICLE IV 
LAND ADJUDICATION BOARD 
SEC. 16. Creation of the Land Adjudication Beard (LAB).· There is 
hereby created a Land Adjudication Board (LAB) that will exercise primary 
jurisdiction to determine and adjudicate land administration and public land 
management matters and shall have exclusive original jYrisdiction over all 
matters involving the implementation of laws, rules and regulations on land 
administration and public land management including petitions for the correction 
of clerical or typographical errors committed in writing, copying, transcribing, or 
typing of an entry in the maps, survey plans, and certificate of land titles, except 
those cases falling under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agrarian Reform 
unless specifically provided herein. 
SEC. 17. Composition •• The LAB shall be composed of five (5) members 
who shall be nominated by the Stakeholders AdviSOry Committee and to be 
appointed by the President. 
The Presiding Officer shall be selected by the 
members from among themselves. 
SEC. 18. Local Land Adjudication Board .• The Board shall create a 
Local Land Adjudication Board in the provincial or city office which shall be 


" 
composed of five members who shall be appointed by the LAB. 
Decisions, 
orders, and resolutions of the Local Land Adjudication Board shall be raised on 
appeal to the LAB. 
SEC. 19. Budget and Administrative Support . • The LAB shall 
determine and propose its budgetary requirements and ·shall be submitted as 
part of the LAA's budget request. 
Disbursements of the approved budget 
resources shall be the sole responsibility of the LAB. Secretariat services shall 
be provided by the LAA. 
SEC. 20. Proceedings and Procedures.· The LAB shall not be bound 
by technical rules of procedure and evidence but shall proceed to hear and 
decide all cases, disputes, or controversies in a most expeditious manner, 
. employing all reasonable means to ascertain the facts of every case in 
accordance with justice and equity and the merits of the case. Toward this end, 
it shall adopt a uniform rule of procedure to achieve a just, expeditious, and 
inexpensive determination of merits: Provided, That it shall endeavor to settle 
disputes and controversies amicably. 
In the exercise of its functions, the LAB shall have the power to summon 
witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, require submission of reports, 
compel the production of books and documents and answers to interrogatories, 
issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum, and enforce its writs through 
sheriffs or other duly deputized officers. 
It shall punish direct and indirect 
contempt in the same manner and subject to the same penalties as provided for 
in the Rules of Court. 
. 
Responsible persons shall be allowed to represent themselves or their 
organizations in any proceedings before the LAB: Provided, however, That when 
there are two or more representatives for any individual or group, the 
representatives should choose only one from among themselves to represent 
such party or group before any LAB proceedings. 
. SEC. 21. Finality of Determination.· Any case or controversy before 
the LAB shall be decided within thirty (30) days after it is submitted for resolution. 
Only one (1) motion for reconsideration shall be allowed. Moreover, any order, 
award, ruling, or decision shall be final after the lapse of fifteen (15) days from 
receipt by the parties of a copy thereof. 
• 
SEC. 22. 
Frivolous Appeals. -
To discourage frivolous or dilatory 
appeals from the decisions, awards, rulings, or orders, the LAB may impose 
reasonable penalties including, but not limited to, fines or censures upon erring 
parties. 
.. 
ARTICLE V 
JUDICIAL REVIEW 
• 
SEC. 23. Certiorari. - Any decision, order, award, or ruling of the LAA on 
any dispute or on any matter pertaining to the application, implementation, 
enforcement, or interpretation of this Act and other pertinent laws on land 


· administration and public land management may be brought to the Court of 
Appeals by certiorari within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of a copy thereof. 
The findings of fact of the LAA shall be final and conclusive if based on 
substantial evidence. 
SEC. 24. Restraining Order or Preliminary Injunction . • The Court of 
Appeals and Supreme Court' of the Philippines shall have jurisdiction to issue any 
restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction against the LAA or any of its duly 
authorized or designated offices in any case, dispute or controversy arising from, 
necessary to, or in connection with the application, implementation, enforcement, 
or interpretation of this Act and other pertinent laws on land administration and 
public land management. 
SEC. 25. Procedure on Review . • Review by the Court of Appeals or the 
Supreme Court, as the case may be, shall be governed by the Rules of Court. 
The Court of Appeals, however, may require the parties to file simultaneous 
memoranda within a period of fifteen (15) days from notice, after which the case 
is deemed submitted for decision. 
ARTICLE VI 
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS 
SEC. 26. Transfer of Powers.· The powers and functions of the LAA 
heretofore vested by law in the DENR, DOJ, LRAlRoD, LMB/LMS, NAMRIA 
except the powers and functions of its Coast and Geodetic Surveys Department, 
DENR·Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program National Secretariat, LAMP, or 
in any office within or attached to these agencies, are hereby transferred to and 
vested in the Office of the LAA Director General. 
SEC. 27. Transfer of the Coast and Geodetic Surveys Department of 
NAMRIA to the Office of the Secretary of National Defense . • Within twelve 
(12) months upon the effectivity of this Act, the commissioned officers and 
enlisted and civilian technical personnel of the Coast and Geodetic Survey 
Department of NAMRIA and a complement of administrative support staff shall 
be constituted as the National Hydrographic Office directly under the Office of the 
Secretary of National Defense. The National Hydrographic Office shall be 
responsible for the hydrographic and oceanographic surveys necessary in chart 
production and safety to navigation. It shall retain its budgetary allocation under 
the current General Appropriations Act, and all properties, survey instruments 
and equipment and other facilities necessary in the performance of its mandate. 
SEC. 28. 
Organization of the LAA. • The LAA's organizational and 
administrative structure and functions and staffing pattern, including the 
personnel's duties and responsibilities and the appropriate compensation 
package shall be submitted by the Director General for review and approval to 
the Congressional Oversight Committee within six (6) months from the effectivity 
of this Act. After the oversight committee's review and approval, the proposed 
organizational structure and staffing pattern, which shall not exceed the total 
number of permanent positions that have been merged, shall be submitted to the 


President for final approval and shall be fully implemented within a period of 
three (3) months after such approval. 
SEC. 29. 
Transfer of Personnel . • To ensure a smooth transition, all 
incumbent personnel of the DENR's LMB/LMS, NAMRIA, DENR-CARP National 
Secretariat and its fielQ offices, and LAMP; the DOJ's LRAlRoD shall continue to· 
perform their present duties and 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 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: Provided, moreover, 
That except for the position of Director General and Deputy Director Generals, 
there shall be no hiring of new personnel for the LAA. 
SEC. 30. Separation and Benefits.· Personnel who are not offered 
appointment within twelve (12) months upon the effectivity of this Act under the 
new staffing pattern of the LAA on at least equivalent terms and conditions as 
their present employment by reason of duplication or redundancy and those who 
decline an appointment in the LAA by reason of diminution in rank and conditions 
shall be entitled to a gratuity at a rate equivalent to the following: 
(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
Two and one-half (2%) months basic salary for every year of 
service for the first twenty (20) years; 
Two and three-fourths (2%) months basic salary for every additional 
year of service from the twenty-first (21 st) to the thirtieth (30th) year 
of service; 
Three (3) months basic salary for every additional year of service 
from the thirty-first (31 st) year of service and onwards. 
Affected personnel shall also be entitled to other benefits as may be 
authorized by existing laws and regulations. Furthermore, they shall be entitled 
to the refund of their contributions including government share to the Home 
Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) and the Government Service Insurance 
System (GSIS) and to the commutation of their unused vacation and sick leaves 
in accordance with existing rules and regulations. 
Employees who are offered appointments under the new staffing pattern 
of the LAA without any diminution in rank and work conditions but who decline 
such appointments shall be deemed to have voluntarily resigned and shall be 
entitled only to separation benefits equal to those provided for by other laws: 
Provided, morever, That those who are qualified to retire shall be allowed to 
retire and be entitled to all the benefits provided under any of the existing 
retirement laws. 
SEC. 31. Separation Fund.· There is hereby established a "one-time" 
separation fund in the amount of Two Billion Pesos (P2,000,000,000.OO) to pay 
the separation benefits herein provided: Provided, That the fund shall be used 
exclusively to pay for separation benefits: Provided further, That within two years 
after the effectivity of this Act, any unutilized amount of the separation fund shall 
be reverted to the National Treasury. 


SEC. 32. Reemployment . • Government personnel who are separated as 
a result of the integration of the aforecited offices may apply for positions and be 
employed in other agencies or branches of the government including 
Government-Owned and/or -Controlled Corporations, Government Financial 
Institutions (GOCCs/GFls), or local government units. 
SEC. 33. Unexpended Appropriations and Transfer of Assets. - The 
unexpended balances of appropriations in the current General Appropriations Act 
and other Acts in force upon approval hereof, pertaining to, held, or used by, or 
available to the LRA and RoD, NAMRIA except the budget for its Coast and 
Geodetic Survey Department, LMB, LMS, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and 
its field offices, and the LAMP are hereby transferred to the LAA. 
Such other unexpended balances of appropriations as may be deemed 
appropriate by the Department of Budget and Management for transfer to the 
LAA shall also be so transferred. 
All real and personal properties, assets, liabilities, records, documents, 
pOSitions, appropriations, contracts, and agreements which, upon the effectivity 
of this Act, are vested in, or owned, by the LMB/LMS, NAMRIA except those 
pertaining to its Coast and Geodetic Survey Department, DENR-CARP National 
Secretariat and its Field Offices, LRAlRoD, and LAMP, are hereby transferred to 
the LAA. 
SEC. 34. Penal Provisions. -
Any person who sells forms issued and 
distributed gratuitously under this Act or who, being an officer charged with 
distributing them refuses or fails without sufficient reason, to furnish the same, 
shall be punished for each offense by ·a fine of not less than one hundred 
thousand pesos (Php100,OeO,00) and not more thalY one million pesos 
(Php1 ,000,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more than 
three (3) years, or both, at the discretion of the Court. 
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 on his/her. or its behalf or for his/her or its 
interest, benefit, or advantage, shall be punished for each offense by a fine of not 
less than one hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000.00) or imprisonment of not 
less than five (5) years, or both, at the discretion of the Court, 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 prdperty 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 th!:!reof, shall, upon conviction, be punished 
by a fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000.00) and 
imprisonment of not less than five (5) years nor more than twelve (12) years, or 
both, at the discretion of the Court. 
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 Gonviction, be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred 


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thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) 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 a government 
official or employee, he/she shall be, in addition to the existing penalties, 
removed from office, forfeit all retirement benefits except the monetary value of 
accumulated leave credits, and be perpetually disqualified from holding any 
elective or appointive public office. 
SEC. 35. Pret$ervation 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 offi~rs 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, NAMRIA, the 
DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, the LRA and fhe RoDs to 
protect and preserve such records. 
Without prejudice to any other penalties provided for by law, any person 
who fails to fulfill his/her duty pursuant to the above paragraph, shall be guilty of 
an offense against the provisions of this Act, punishable by a fine of not less than 
one million pesos (Php1,000,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than five (5) 
years, or both, at the discretion of the Court. 
SEC. 36. Saving Clause . • All orders, determination, rules, regulations, 
permits, certificates, licenses, and privileges which have been issued, made, or 
granted effective by the former LMB, LMS, NAMRIA, LRA, RoDs, DENR-CARP 
National Secretariat and its field offices, and LAMP, or their predecessors shall 
continue to be in effect according to their terms until modified, terminated, 
superseded, set aside, or repealed. 
No suit, action, or other proceeding commenced by or against any officer 
in his official capacity as an officer of any "division or unit of the former LMB, LMS, 
NAMRIA, LRA, RoDs, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, and 
LAMP, the functions of which are transferred by this Act to the LAA shall abate 
by reason of this Act. In like manner, no 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. 
ARTICLE VII 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
SEC. 37. Use of Income. • The LAA is hereby authorized to use twenty 
percent (20%) of all revenues derived from fees, charges, and other sources in 
the implementation of its projects. 


SEC. 38. 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. 
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 impeded as party in any 
action against the Assurance Fund. 
SEC. 39. Indemnification of Officials and Personnel. - The LAA shall 
indemnify all officials and personnel for all costs and expenses reasonably 
incurred by such persons in connection with any civil or criminal actions, suits, or 
proceedings to which they may be or made a party by reason of the performance 
of their functions or duties, unless they are finally adjudged, in such .actions or 
proceedings to be liable. 
In the event of settlement or compromise, indemnification shall be 
provided only in connection with such matters covered by the settlement as to 
which the LAA is advised by an external counsel that the persons to be 
indemnified did not commit any gross negligence or misconduct. 
The costs and expenses incurred in defending the aforementioned action, 
suit or proceeding may be paid by the LAA in advance of the final disposition of 
such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of 
the Director General, official or employee to repay the amount advanced should it 
ultimately be determined by the LAA that he/she is not entitled to be indemnified 
as provided in this section. 
SEC. 40. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the LAA shall promulgate the rules and regulations 
to implement the provisions of this Act. 
Said rules and regulations shall be 
submitted to the Congressional Oversight Committee for approval. 
SEC. 41. 
Congressional Oversight Committee on the Land 
Administration Act. - There is hereby created a Congressional Oversight 
Committee composed of seven (7) members from the Senate Committee on 
Environment and Natural Resources and seven (7) members from the House of 
Representatives Committee on Natural Resources. 
The oversight committee, which shall function for a period not more than 
three (3) years, shall review the administrative structure, functions, staffing 
pattern, duties and responsibilities of personnel, the implementing rules 
promulgated by the LAA including the procedures on claims against the 
assurance fund, and oversee the implementation of this Act: Provided, That the 
secretariat of the Oversight Committee shall be drawn from the existing 
secretariat personnel of the committees comprising the oversight and the funding 
shall be taken from the appropriations of both the House of Representatives and 
the Senate. 
SEC. 42. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act or any 
part thereof be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a Court, the other 
provisions hereof which are not affected thereby, shall remain in force and effect. 


SEC. 43. Repealing Clause. - The pertinent provisions of CARL and 
IPRA with regard to the conduct of survey, approval of survey results, 
preparation and issuance of tenure instruments, and the provisions of P.O. 1529 
pertaining to the assurance fund, and their implementing rules and regulations 
are hereby amended or modified accordingly. 
All other laws, decrees, orders, instructions, proclamations, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof, including pertinent provisions of Commonwealth Act 
No. 141, Act No. 496, Presidential Decree No. 1529, Executive Order No. 192 
and its related rules and regulations, Executive Order No. 469 dated February 11, 
1981 and the subsequent Presidential Memorandum Circular dated 30 
September 1988 and their related rules and regulations, and the Administrative 
Code of 1987, which are inconsistent with any provision of this Act, are hereby 
repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 44. Effer;tivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
genf!ral circulation. 
Approved, 
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