, 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regulllr Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 2114 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
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. 
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 declaration 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 being provided by 
these agencies are not contributing to address our domestic problems on 
sustainable development, much more to the global concerns. The problem is 
largely contributed by fundamental legal and institutional defects in both the 
structure and operations of the land 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 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; 
• 
Enable 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, 
l:egistration 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 over all reforms. 
The proposed Land Administration Reform Act seeks to enable the lands 
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. 


2 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OFTHE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.I3. No. ?114 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING REFORMS IN LAND ADMINISTRATION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of RepresentatIVes of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
3 
SECTION 1. Short Title.-
This Act shall be known as "The Land 
4 
Administration Reform Act". 
5 
6 
SEC. 2. Declaration of l'olicy.- It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
7 
institute continuing reforms in land administration and management in order to 
8 
optimize and rationalize their contribution to the goals of national development, 
9 
tenure security, eradication of poverty, and attainment of social, economic, and 
10 
cultural justice. Towards this end, the State shall: 
11 
12 
(a) Integrate and rationalize the structure, powers, functions, and responsibilities of 
13 
the different agencies involved in land administration and management in order to 
14 
increase the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, accountability and expedite the 
1 S 
delivery of services. 
16 
17 
(b) Undertake reforms in land administration and management to ensure equitable 
18 
distribution and full utilization and development of land resources. 
19 
20 
(c) Provide an efficient and effective classification, mapping, surveying, disposition, 
21 
registration and management of land resources; and 
22 
23 
(d) Develop, establish and maintain an up-to-date, open, accessible, integrated and 
24 
computer-based land information, records and database system. 
2S 
26 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms.- For the purpose of this Act, the following terms 
27 
shall, unless the context indicates otherwise, have the following meanings: 
28 
29 
(a) "Alienable and disposable lands" refers to agricultural lands of the public domain 
30 
which have been delineated, classified, and certified as available for disposition 
31 
under the public land act. 
32 


(b) "Agricultumllands" refers to lands devoted to or suitable for the cultivation of the 
2 
soil, planting of crops, or growing of trees, and not classified as mineral land, forest 
3 
land, or national park, or sub-classified as residential land, commercial land, or 
4 
industrial land. 
5 
6 
(c) "Aut~mated l\egistralion System" refers to a system using appropriate technology 
7 
for scar\ning, recording, and land registration using electronic devices to store the 
8 
copy of certificates of title and other documents relative thereto. 
9 
10 
(d)" Ciassijicrztion and l\eclassification" refers to the Act of Congress in setting the 
II 
specific limits of forestlands and national parks and increasing or decreasing their 
12 
boundaries by law, as provided for in Article XV, Section 4 of the 1987 Philippine 
13 
Constitution. 
14 
15 
(e) "Consulta" refers to the procedure wherein the issue of registrability of certain 
16 
instruments is resolved in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 1529. 
17 
18 
(f) "Director General" refers to the person occupying the position of Director General 
19 
of the Land Administration Authority created by this Act. 
20 
21 
(g) "L,rmd" refers to resources, both man-made and natural, found on the surface, 
22 
below and above the ground, including inland waters and the air therein. 
23 
24 
(h)" Land Administration and Public Land Management" refers to the administration of 
25 
all functions, powers and activities related to the mapping, land survey, 
26 
classification, ownership, disposition, and registration of land titles and deeds, and 
27 
the management of public lands. 
28 
29 
(i) "Land Information System" refers to a system of linking textual attributes (such as 
30 
ownership, .identity, location and value) of land into spatial reference designed to 
31 
facilitate access to information and assist in planning and decision making. 
32 
33 
Gl "Land Management Bureau (L.MB)" refers to the staff Bureau of the Department of 
34 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 
35 
36 
(k) "Land Management Services [LMS)" refers to the land management sector or 
37 
offices of the DENR at the regional, provincial, and district level. 
38 
39 
(1)" Land registmtion case" refers to the proceeding, either administrative or judicial, 
40 
for registering the title to, or interest in, a land so that such title or interest becomes a 
41 
matter (or public record, and all persons who have interest in the land may be 
42 
informed thereof, actually or constructively, and be bound thereby if they make no 
43 
objections thereto within a specific time. 
44 
45 
(m)" Land l\egistrntion Authority (LRA) " refers to the attached agency of the 
46 
Department of Justice (DO]), including the Registers of Deeds (ROD). 
47 
48 
(n)" National Mapping and l\esource Information Authority (NAMl\IA)" refers to the 
49 
agency known by that name attached to the DENR. 
50 
51 
(0) "President" refers to the President of the Philippines. 
52 
2 


(p) "Public domnin" refers to lands that belong to the State, which may either be 
2 
agricultural, forest or timber, mineral or national park as provided for in the 
3 
Consti tu tion. 
4 
5 
(q)" Public lands" refer to lands which have not been subject to private property 
6 
rights or subject to sale or other modes of acquisition or concession under the 
7 
general laws, and are devoted to public use. 
S 
9 
10 
II 
ARTICLE II 
CREATION OFTHE LAND ADMINISTRATION AUTHORITY 
12 
SEC. 4. Creation of the Land Administration Authorify (LAA) - To carry out 
13 
the purposes of this Act, the Land Administration Authority (LAA) is hereby 
14 
created and placed under the Office of the President. It shall be the primary 
15 
government agency responsible for land administration and public land 
16 
management. 
17 
18 
SEC. 5. General Powers and Functions of the LAA - The LAA shall exercise 
19 
the following powers and functions: 
20 
21 
a) Land-Survey & Mapping 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
1) Execute, complete and continually update the nationwide cadastral 
surveys in accordance with the provisions of Act No. 2259 as amended, and 
update all existing cadastral maps; 
2) Conduct nationwide survey and topographic mapping to assist Congress 
in determining the specific limits of forest lands and national parks, to delimit 
the specific boundaries and classification of alienable and disposable lands of 
the public domain, and to identify the specific boundaries of environmentally 
protected areas under Republic Act 7586 otherwise known as the National 
Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). 
3) In coordination with local government units and the pertinent agencies, 
conduct and/ or approve surveys and mapping 
necessary 
In the 
implementation of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code, 
Republic Act No. 7279 or the Urban Development and I-lousing Act, Republic 
Act No. 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA), 
Republic Act 7916 or the ECOZONE Law, Republic Act No. 6657 or the 
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL), and other existing laws 
requiring survey and mapping; 
4) Verify and approve all private land consolidation, subdivision and 
consolidation-subdivision surveys intended for titling purposes; 
5) Prescribe standards, rules and regulations for the conduct of all kinds of 
geophysical surveys, mapping, aerial photography, remote sensing and 
similar activities in accordance with existing laws and internationally 
accepted principles, practices and standards; 
6) Prescribe a uniform base map that shall be used for all public and private 
mapping activities, and provide convenient and affordable public access to 
the same; and 
3 


2 
3 
4 
7) Establish and maintain an appropriate custodial and storage system that 
shall ensure the security and integrity of all survey and mapping records. 
5 
b) Land Registration 
6 
7 
1) Register original titles to land and subsequent dealings in registered lands 
8 
under the provisions of Act No. 496 and Presidential Decree No. 1529 as 
9 
amended; Provided, that prior to registering a tenure instrument and issuing 
10 
an original certificate of title based thereon, the LAA shall first verify 
II 
compliance with the conditions and requirements prescribed under the law 
12 
authorizing the issuance of said tenure instrument; 
13 
14 
2) Establish and maintain an appropriate custodial and storage system that 
15 
shall ensure the security and integrity of all registration and titling records, 
16 
subject to the provisions of Act No. 496, Presidential Decree 1529 and 
17 
pertinent laws; and 
18 
19 
3) Compile a nationwide master list of suspected spurious land titles and 
20 
tenure instruments, undertake thorough investigation of the same and, when 
21 
merited, initiate the proper proceedings for the cancellation thereof by a 
22 
competent court; Provided, that cancellation of instruments which have not yet 
23 
been registered under the Torrens system as provided under existing laws 
24 
and which are found to be spurious shall be effected by the LAA under rules 
25 
and procedures that it shall promulgate consistent with this Act and existing 
26 
laws, and provided further, that patently fake titles shall also be dealt with 
27 
administratively by the LAA. 
28 
29 
c) Public Land Administration 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
3S 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
1) Administer, manage and/ or dispose of all alienable and disposable lands 
of the public domain under the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 141 
otherwise known as the Public Land Act, as amended, Friar Lands under the 
provisions of Act No. 1120, patrimonial property of the National government 
under Act No. 3038, and such other public lands as have not been placed 
under the jurisdiction of any other government agency or instrumentality, in 
accordance with existing laws; and 
2) Coordinate with local government units and the appropriate agencies in 
releasing alienable and disposable lands of the public domain for the 
accelerated 
implementation 
of 
agrarian 
reform, 
socialized 
housing, 
resettlement and other government programs requiring land. 
44 
d) Land Records and Information Technology 
45 
'46 
1) Establish and maintain a secure, integrated, and accessible computerized 
47 
database of all survey and mapping records, registration and titling records 
48 
and other land information data, and ensure the timely updating of said 
49 
database; and 
50 
51 
52 
2) Establish and maintain an open system to provide convenient nationwide 
public access to survey, mapping, registration, titling and other land data; 
4 


2 
subject, however, to the requirements of security ad confidentiality under 
existing laws. 
3 
4 
e) Formulate and recommend policies and programs to achieve the intent and 
5 
purposes of this Act; 
6 
7 
f) Determine, fix and collect reasonable amounts to be charged as fees, fines and 
8 
penalties in the implementation of this Act; 
9 
log) Receive grants and donations; 
II 
12 
h) Enter into contracts in the implementation of this Act, subject to existing laws; 
13 
14 
i) Perform such other powers and functions as are currently lodged with the 
15 
LRA/RoD, LMB/LMS, NAMRIA, DENR-CARP National Secretariat under I'D 1529, 
16 
CA 141 as amended and other existing laws and issuances; and 
17 
18 
j) Perform such other functions as are necessary, proper and incidental to implement 
19 
the provisions of this Act. 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
ARTICLE III 
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISM 
25 
SEC. 6. Structure and Organization.- The LAA shall consist of 
26 
27 
(a) The Office of the Director General; 
28 
(b) The Offices of the four (4) Deputy Directors General; 
29 
(c) The Offices of the five (5) Assistant Directors General; and 
30 
(d) Land Offices 
31 
32 
33 
34 
SEC. 7. The Director Genera/.- The authority and responsibility for the 
35 
exercise of the mandate of the LAA, the accomplishment of its objectives, and the 
36 
discharge of its powers and functions shall be vested in the Director General, a 
37 
cabinet rank with portfolio, who shall be appointed by the President and subject to 
38 
confirmation by the Commission on Appointments. The appointment shall be for a 
39 
fixed term of four (4) years subject to reappointment for another term of four (4) 
40 
years only. Provided, That no person shall be appointed as Director General unless 
41 
he/she is a member of the Philippine Bar or Geodetic Engineer and/ or any other 
42 
person with adequate experience on matters pertaining to land administration and 
43 
[land management. 
44 
45 
The Director General shall have the following functions; 
46 
47 
(a) Advise the President on the promulgation of rules, regulations, and other 
48 
issuances relative to land administration and public land management; 
49 
(b) Establish policies and standards for the efficient and effective operations of the 
50 
LA4 in accordance with the programs of the Government; 
51 
(c) Promulgate rules, regulations, and other issuances necessary in carrying out the 
52 
LAN s n\andate, objectives, policies, plans, programs and projects; 
5 


(d) Exercise control and supervision over all functions and activities of the LAA and 
2 
its Land Offices; 
3 
(e) Delegate authority over all powers, functions and activities of the LA A; and 
4 
(f) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the 
5 
President. 
6 
7 
SEC. 8. Office of the Director General - The Office of the Director General 
8 
shall consist of the Director General and his immediate staff and the following 
9 
offices: 
10 
II 
(a) Management Services Office 
12 
(b) Planning and Monitoring Office 
13 
(c) I-I uman I~esource Office 
14 
(d) Legal and Land Adjudication Office 
15 
(e) Special Projects and Programs Office 
16 
17 
SEC. 9. Office of the Deputy Directors General- The Director General shall be 
18 
assisted by four (4) Deputies who shall be appointed by the President. The Director 
19 
General is hereby authorized to delineate, assign and/ or reassign the respective 
20 
functional administrative divisions of responsibility of the Deputy Director General, 
21 
as follows: 
22 
23 
a) Surveys - Provides all technical programs, procedures and operations 
24 
involved in the surveying and mapping activities of the LAA. 
25 
(b) Land Title Registration - Provides all technical programs, procedures and 
26 
operations in the registration functions of the LAA. 
27 
(c) Public Land Administration and Management - Provides all technical 
28 
programs, procedures and operations in the disposition, administration and 
29 
management of public lands not otherwise in the control of any other agency 
30 
or instrumentality of the government, functions of the LAA. 
31 
(e) Land Information and Technology - Provides all technical programs, 
32 
procedures and operations in the records and information technology 
33 
management functions of the LAA. 
34 
35 
No Deputy Director General shall be assigned primarily administrative 
36 
responsibilities. Within &/her functional area of responsibility, the Deputy Directors 
37 
General shall have the follOWing functions: 
38 
39 
(a) Recommend policies and programs to the Director General and advise the 
40 
Director General in the promulgation of administrative orders and other issuances 
41 
with respect to his/her area of responsibility; 
42 
(b) Issue technical and operating standards, guidelines, regulations and orders to 
43 
enforce policies with respect to his/her area of responsibility. PYO'oided, that the 
44 
Deputy Director General assigned to land title registration shall resolved issues of 
45 
registrability of instruments elevated in consuitll as provided for under I'D 1529 as 
46 
amended; 
47 
(c) Provide opinion and advise the field office on the' efficient and effective 
48 
implementation of policies, programs and projects in his/her area of responsibility, 
49 
consistent with LAA policies, that will efficiently and effectively govern its activities 
50 
and functions under his/her responsibility; 
51 
(d) Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under his/her responsibility 
52 
with those of other units under the responsibility of other Deputies; 
6 


(e) Exercise authority on monitoring and evaluation of technical and operating 
2 
standards related to the functions and activities of units under his/her responsibility 
3 
in the land offices of the LAA; 
4 
(f) Exercise supervision over the offices, services, operating units and officers and 
5 
employees under his direct responsibility; 
6 
(g) Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned appropriately by 
7 
the Director General. 
8 
9 
Provided that the Deputy Director General for Land Title Registration should 
10 
be a member of the Philippine Bar with experience on land registration and the 
II 
Deputy Director General for Survey shall be a Geodetic Engineer. 
12 
13 
. Provided further, that aside from the functions above-stated, the Deputy 
14 
Director General for Land Title Registration shall exercise executive supervision 
15 
over all clerks of court and personnel of the regular courts throughout the 
16 
Philippines, with respect to the discharge of their duties and functions in relation to 
17 
the registration of lands. 
18 
19 
SEC. 10. Assistant Director General. 7 The Director Gener:al and the Deputies 
20 
shall be assisted by five (5) Assistant Directors General appointed by the Director 
21 
General. They shall oversee the general administration of the LAA and shall be 
22 
responsible for the following: 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
(a) Management Services Office 
(b) Planning and Monitoring Office 
(c) j-juman Resource Office 
(d) Legal and Land Adjudication Office 
(e) Special Projects and Programs Office 
30 
SEC. 11. Land Offices. -Permanent field offices at the city and provincial 
31 
levels are hereby established and shall be called Land Offices. The LA1\ may also 
32 
establish additional Land Offices in a city or province as it may be determined for 
33 
the efficient and effective delivery of its services. Provided, that provinces and cities 
34 
with existing Registry of Deeds upon approval of this Act shall automatically 
35 
establish Land Offices. 
36 
37 
The Land Offices shall be headed by an Executive Land Officer. He/She shall 
38 
exercise general supervision on land survey, land registration, public land 
39 
administration and 
record 
and information management within his/her 
40 
jurisdiction. He/She shall also implement such other functions of the LAA in 
41 
his/her respective area of responsibility as may be delegated by the Director 
42 
General to proVide a more efficient and effective delivery of services. Provided, that 
43 
the registration personnel shall continue to exercise its other registration functions in 
44 
accordance with existing laws. 
45 
46 
1)1e Land Offices at the provincial and city levels shall be comprised of the 
47 
following offices: (a) local surveys and mapping unit; (b) local registration and 
48 
titling unit; (c) local public land administration unit; (d) local records and 
49 
information technology unit (e) administrative support unit; (f) legal unit, and (g) 
50 
such other units as may be established thereat by appropriate directive of the 
51 
Director-General; Provided, that the Land Offices herein created shall co-locate in a 
52 
One-Stop-Shop concept as soon as the necessary infrastructure is made available. 
53 
7 


ARTICLE IV 
2 
LAND ADJUDICATION BOARD 
3 
4 
SEC 12. Creation of the Land Adjudication Board (LAB).- There is hereby 
5 
created a Land Adjudication Board (LAB). The LAB shall be the quasi-judicial body 
6 
of the LAA and shall have the following functions: 
7 
8 
(a) 
Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction over all matters involving the 
9 
implementation of laws, rules and regulations on land administration and public 
10 
land management, and all cases and / or controversies arising therefrom; Provided, 
11 
that all petitions for the correction of clerical or typographical errors committed in 
12 
writing, copying, transcribing, or typing of an entry in the maps, survey plans, and 
13 
certificate of land titles should be administratively addressed by the LAA Land 
14 
Offices. 
15 
16 
(b) 
Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction on conflicts arising from the 
17 
determination and adjudication in land administration and public land 
18 
management matters, except cases falling under the jurisdiction of the Department 
19 
of Agrarian Reform (DAR) under the CARP law and the National Commission on 
20 
Indigenous Peoples under the PRA law unless specifically provided herein. Provided, 
21 
that jurisdiction over conflicts and cases arising from ownership of private lands 
22 
shall remain with the regular courts. Provided further, that existing cases on land 
23 
ownership and conflicts pending in the regular courts shall remain under the court's 
24 
jurisdiction unless otherwise remanded by the courts to the LAA or LAB for 
25 
disposition subject to the pertinent provisions of this Act. 
26 
27 
The LAB shall be under the administrative supervision of the Director 
28 
General and shall be divided into three divisions. Each division shall exercise equal 
29 
powers, independently resolving cases raised on appeal from the decisions of the 
30 
Local Land Adjudication Boards, created pursuant to Section 14 hereof, from Luzon, 
3 I 
Visayas, and Mindanao: Provided, That the divisions assigned to handle cases from 
32 
Visayas and Mindanao shall hold permanent office in any of the cities therein. 
33 
34 
SEC 13. Composition - Each division of the LAB shall be composed of three 
35 
(3) members who shall be appOinted by the President for a fixed term of (4) years 
36 
and can be reappointed for another term of four (4) years. 
37 
38 
All members of the Land Adjudication Board shall be members of the 
39 
Philippine Bar with at least ten (10) years experience in property and land 
40 
administration and management related matters. 
41 
42 
The members of each division shall elect their Presiding Officer who shall 
43 
serve for a term of four years. 
44 
45 
SEC 14. Local Land Adjudication Board - Local Land Adjudication Boards 
46 
(LLAE) are hereby created in all provincial and city Land Offices that shall serve as 
47 
first level board. The 1,LA13 shall be composed of four (4) members. The Presiding 
48 
Officer shall be the Executive Land Officer, the two other members shall be the head 
49 
of the local surveys unit and the head of the local registration unit while the fourth 
50 
member shall be a representative deSignated by the Chief Executive of the Local 
51 
Government Unit where the LLAB sits. 
52 
8 


Decisions, orders, and resolutions of the Local Land Adjudication Board shall 
2 
be raised on appeal to the LAB. 
3 
4 
SEC. 15. Budget and Administrative Support - The LAB shall determine and 
5 
propose, its budgetary requirements and shall be submitted as part of the LAA's 
6 
budget request. Disbursements of the approved budget resources shall be the sole 
7 
responsibility and accountability of the LAB. Secretariat services shall be provided 
8 
by the LAA. 
9 
10 
SEC. 16. Proceedings and Procedures.- The LAB shall not be bound by 
II 
technical rules of procedure and evidence but shall proceed to hear and decide all 
12 
cases, disputes, or controversies in a most expeditious manner, employing all 
13 
reasonable means to ascertain the facts of every case in accordance with justice and 
14 
equity and the merits o£ the case. Toward this end, it shall adopt a uniform rule of 
15 
procedure to achieve a just, expeditious, and inexpensive determination of merits: 
16 
Provided, That it shall endeavor to settle disputes and controversies amicably. 
17 
18 
In the exercise of its functions, the LAB shall have the power to summon 
19 
witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, require submission of reports, compel 
20 
the production of books and documents and answers to interrogatories, issue 
21 
subpoena and subpoena duces tecum, and enforce its writs through sheriffs or other 
22 
duly deputized officers. It shall punish direct and indirect contempt in the same 
23 
manner and subject to the same penalties as provided for in the Rules of court. 
24 
25 
Responsible persons shall be allowed to represent themselves or their 
26 
organizations in any proceedings before the LAB: Provided, however, That when there 
27 
are two or more representatives for any individual or group, the representatives 
28 
should choose only one from among themselves to represent such party or group 
29 
before any LAB proceedings. 
30 
31 
SEC. 17. Finality of Determination.- Any case or controversy before the LAB 
32 
shall be decided within thirty (30) days after it is submitted for resolution. Only one 
33 
(1) motion for reconsideration shall be allowed. Moreover, any order, award, ruling, 
34 
or decision shall be final after the lapse of fifteen (15) days from receipt by the 
35 
parties of a copy thereof. 
36 
37 
SEC. 18. Frivolous Appeals - To discourage frivolous or dilatory appeals from 
38 
the decisions, awards, rulings, or orders, the LAB may impose reasonable penalties 
39 
including, but not limited to, fines or censures upon erring parties. 
40 
41 
42 
43 
ARTICLE V 
JUDICIAL REVIEW 
44 
SEC. 19. Certioriari .- Any decision, order, award, or ruling of the LAB on 
45 
any dispute or on any matter pertaining to the application, implementation, 
46 
enforcement, or interpretation of this Act and other pertinent laws on land 
47 
administration and public land management may be brought to the Court of 
48 
Appeals by certiorari within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of a copy thereof. 
49 
50 
The findings of fact of the LAB shall be final and conclusive if based on 
51 
substantial evidence. 
52 
9 


I 
SEC. 20. Procedure on l{eview - Review by the Court of Appeals or the 
2 
Supreme Court, as the case may be, shall be governed by the Rules of Court. 
3 
4 
SEC. 21. Authenticity and Validity of Land Record and Titles - The LAA 
5 
shall have the sole authority and power to validate, authenticate and reconstitute 
6 
land titles and land ownership records and information; Provided, that existing cases 
7 
filed under the regular courts shall remain under its jurisdiction unless remanded to 
8 
the LAA. 
9 
10 
ARTICLE VI 
11 
STAKEHOLDER'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
12 
13 
SEC. 22. Stakeholders' Advisory Committee.- The LAA shall be assisted by a 
14 
Stakeholders' Advisory Committee composed of the following: 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
(a) Nine (9) representatives from the basic sectors chosen through the 
nomination process of the National Anti-Poverty Commission 
(NAPC), of whom one (1) shall be a woman; 
(b) Three (3) representatives from the private sector appointed by the 
President: Provided that one shall come from the business sector and 
another one from the Geodetic Engineer's sector. 
(c) Three (3) representatives from the League of Municipalities, Cities 
and Provinces, respectively; 
(d) The Director General, as ex-officio member. 
(e) The Executive Secretary 
31 
The Executive Secretary or his duly designated alternate shall serve as the 
32 
Chairperson of the Stakeholders' Advisory Committee. Except for the Director 
33 
General, the members of the Stakeholder's Advisory Committee shall not hold office 
34 
in the LAA nor receive any salary but shall be entitled, for actual attendance during 
35 
meetings, to such allowances and honoraria as are allowed by rules and regulations 
36 
promulgated by the Commission on Audit. 
37 
38 
SEC. 23. Functions of the Stakeholders Advisory Committee.- The Committee 
39 
shall advise the LAA on the formulation of policies and policy development 
40 
pertaining to land administration and public land management and shall monitor 
41 
their implementation. It shall submit, within three months following the end of each 
42 
calendar year, a report to the President on its advisory and monitoring activities. 
43 
44 
SEC. 24. Meetings of the Committee.- The Chairperson shall convene regular 
45 
meetings of the Committee, which shall be at least once every quarter. Special 
46 
meetings may also be called by the Chairperson or at the initiative of at least three (3) 
47 
members. 
48 
49 
SEC. 25. Secretariat and Logistical Support.- The Office of the Director 
50 
General shall provide secretariat and logistical support to the Committee. 
51 
52 
53 
10 


ARTICLE VII 
2 
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS 
3 
4 
SEC. 26. Transfer of Powers and Transition Plan.- The powers and functions 
5 
of the LAA heretofore vested by law in the DENR, DOJ, LRA/RoD, LMD/LMS and 
6 
DENR-CARP National Secretariat Or in any office within or attached to these 
7 
agencies, are hereby transferred to and vested in the Office of the Director General. 
8 
The Director General shall be responsible for the identification, preparation and 
9 
formulation of a transition plan to ensure the smooth and seamless transfer and 
10 
assumption of powers, functions and personnel from the abovementioned agencies 
II 
to the LA A; Provided, that such transition plan shall be prepared, formulated and 
12 
developed in consultation with the affected agencies and its representative 
13 
stakeholders; Provided further, that the transition plan shall integrate such other 
14 
actions and activities necessary, including provisions under this section and as 
15 
provided for under this Act to complete the transition to the LAA. 
16 
17 
SEC. 27. Transfer of the NAMRIA as an Attacked Agency of the LAA.- The 
18 
NAMRIA is hereby attached to the LAA. It shall retain its structure, budgetary 
19 
allocation under the current General Appropriations Act, and all properties, 
20 
equipment, and other facilities necessary in the performance of its mandate. 
21 
22 
SEC. 28. Organization of the LAA - The LAA's organizational and 
23 
administrative structure and functions and staffing pattern, including the 
24 
personnel's duties and responsibilities and the appropriate compensation package 
25 
shall be submitted by the Director General within six (6) months upon approval of 
26 
this Act for review and approval of the President and shall be fully implemented 
27 
within a period of six (6) months after such approval of the President. 
28 
29 
SEC. 29. Transfer of Personnel- To ensure a smooth transition, all incumbent 
30 
personnel of the DENR's LMB/LMS, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its field 
31 
offices, the DO], s LRA/RoD shall continue to perform their present duties and 
32 
functions as interim personnel of the LAA until such time, being not later than 
33 
twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act, that the regular staff of the LA A, 
34 
based on the new staffing pattern, shall have been appointed: Provided that all 
35 
incumbent and qualified personnel of the DENR's LMB/LMS, DENR-CARP 
36 
National Secretariat and its field offices, the DO]'s LRA/RoD shall be allowed to fill 
37 
up the appropriate positions for regular personnel of the LAA and its field offices. 
38 
Provided further, that the regular personnel shall be appointed by the Director 
39 
General, or his/her duly authorized representative, on the basis of merit, previous 
40 
permanent appointment, fitness, and seniority. 
41 
42 
SEC. 30. Exemption from Salary Standardization Law- All officials and 
43 
personnel of the LAA including LAB and LLAB shall be exempted from the Salary 
44 
Standardization Law. 
45 
46 
SEC. 31. Integration of LMB/L,MS, DENR-CARP National Secretariat, and 
47 
LRA/XOD.- The DENR's Land Management Bureau, Land Management Services, 
48 
and CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, and the DO], s Land Registration 
49 
Authority and Register of Deeds, are hereby integrated into the Land 
50 
Administration Authority. 
51 
52 
SEC. .32. Separation Pay and Other Benefits.- Personnel who are not offered 
53 
appointment within twelve (12) months upon the effectivity of this Act under the 
II 


new staffing pattern of the LAA on at least equivalent terms and conditions as their 
2 
present employment by reason of duplication or redundancy and those who decline 
3 
an appointment in the LAA by reason of diminution in rank and conditions shall be 
4 
entitled to all gratuities and benefits under existing laws. 
5 
6 
SEC 33. Reemployment - Government personnel who are separated as a 
7 
result of the integration of the aforecited offices may apply for positions and be 
8 
employed in other agencies or branches of the government including Government-
9 
Owned 
and/ or 
-Controlled 
Corporations 
(GOES), 
Government 
Financial 
10 
Institutions (GFIs), or local government units (LGUs). 
II 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
SEC 34. Unexpended Appropriations and Transfer of Assets.- Upon approval 
of this Act, the unexpended appropriations, assets and properties of the LRA and 
ROD, LMB, LMS, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, are hereby 
transferred to the LAA. 
, 
Such other unexpended appropriations as may be deemed appropriate by the 
Depa'rtment of Budget and Management for transfer to the LAA shall also be so 
transferred. 
21 
All real and personal properties, liabilities, records, documents, positions, 
22 
contracts, and agreements Which, upon the effectivity of this Act, are vested in, or 
23 
owned, by the LMB/LMS, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its Field Offices, 
24 
and LRA/RoD are hereby transferred to the LAA. 
25 
26 
SEC 35. Penal Provisions. - Any person who sells forms issued and 
27 
distributed gratuitously under this Act or who, being an officer charged with 
28 
distributing them refuses or fails without sufficient reason, to furnish the same, shall 
29 
be punished for each offense by a fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos 
30 
and not more than one million pesos or imprisonment of not less than six months 
31 
nor more than three years, or both, upon the discretion of the Courts. 
32 
33 
Any person, corporation, association, or partnership which, not being 
34 
qualified or no longer authorized to apply for registration purposes, files or induces 
35 
or knowingly permits another person, corporation, association, or partnership to file 
36 
an application in &/her or its behalf or for &/her or its interest, benefit, or 
37 
advantage, shall be punished for each offense by a fine of not less than one hundred 
38 
thousand pesos (~100,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of not less than five (5) years, or both, 
39 
at the discretion of the Courts: Provided, That in case the offender is a corporation, 
40 
association, or partnership, their responsible officials shall be deemed jointly and 
41 
severally liable. The application shall be cancelled. 
42 
43 
Any person who shall, by deceit or fraud, acquire or attempt to acquire lands 
44 
of the public domain or other real property or any right, title or interest, or property 
45 
right of any class to the same, and any person aiding and abetting him therein or 
46 
serving as a means or tool thereof, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of 
47 
not less than one hundred thousand pesos (~100,OOO.OO)and imprisonment of not 
48 
less than five years nor more than twelve years, or both, in the discretion of the 
49 
Courts. 
50 
51 
Any person who shall tamper or attempt to tamper any records of the LAA 
52 
that will result in the acquisition of rights, title or interest over real property and any 
53 
person aiding and abetting him therein or serving as a means Or tool thereof, shall, 
12 


upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred thousand pesos 
2 
(P500,OOO.OO) and imprisonment of not less than twelve (12) years, or both, at the 
3 
discretion of the Court. For purposes of this Act, if the offender is a public official or 
4 
government official or employee, he or she shall be, in addition to the existing 
5 
penalties, removed from office, forfeit all retirement benefits except the monetary 
6 
value of accumulated leave credits, and be perpetually disqualified from holding 
7 
any elective or appointive public office. 
8 
9 
SEC 36. Preservation of Records.- The LAA shall have possession and 
10 
control of all records, books, papers, offices, equipment, supplies, moneys, funds, 
II 
appropriations, land and other property, real or personal, held for the benefit or use 
12 
of all bodies, offices, and officers whose duties, powers, and functions have been 
13 
transferred to and conferred upon the Authority. Pending a written notice of receipt 
14 
issued by a duly authorized officer of the LA A, it shall be the duty of any and all 
15 
personnel responsible for, or in possession of records relating to the affairs of the 
16 
LMB, LMS, the DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, the LRA and 
17 
the ROD to protect and preserve such records. 
18 
19 
Without prejudice to any other penalties provided for by law, any person 
20 
who fails to fulfill his/her duty pursuant to the above paragraph, shall be guilty of 
21 
an offense against the provisions of this Act, punishable by a fine of not less than 
22 
one million pesos (Pl,OOO,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of not more than five years, or 
23 
both, upon the discretion of the Court. 
24 
25 
SEC 37. Saving Clause.-
All orders, determination, rules, regulations, 
26 
permits, certificates, licenses, and privileges which have been issued, made, or 
27 
granted effective by the for'mer LMB, LMS, LRA, ROD, DENR-CARl' National 
28 
Secretariat and its field offices, or their predecessors shall continue to be in effect 
29 
according to their terms until modified, terminated, superseded, set aside, or 
30 
repealed. 
31 
32 
No suit, action, or other proceeding commenced by or against any officer in 
33 
his official capacity as an officer of any division or unit of the former LMB, LMS, 
34 
LRA, ROD, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, the functions of 
35 
which are transferred by this Act to the LAA shall abate by reason of this Act. In like 
36 
manner, no cause of action by or against such division or unit or by or against any 
37 
officer thereof in his official capacity shall abate by reason of the enactment of this 
38 
Act. Causes of actions, suits, or other proceedings may be asserted for or against the 
39 
LAA or such official of the LAA as may be appropriate. 
40 
41 
42 
43 
ARTICLE VIII 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
44 
SEC 38. Use of Income and Other Sources of Funds.- The LAA is hereby 
45 
authorized to use one hundred percent (100%) of all revenues derived from fees, 
46 
charges, fines, penalties and other sources for capital outlay on infrastructure, 
47 
procurement of equipment and services related to the integration, updating and 
48 
maintenance of computer-based land information and database system, training and 
49 
skills upgrading including personnel capacity building of LAA. 
50 
51 
The LAA shall be allowed to receive, hold and utilize funds from grants, 
52 
donations, contributions and other gratuitous sources both foreign and local for the 
13 


implementation of its mandate, programs and projects, subject to existing rules and 
2 
regulations. 
3 
4 
SEC. 39. Assurance Fund.- A special account within the LAA is hereby 
5 
created for the entire proceeds of the Assurance Fund, which shall no longer be paid 
6 
to the National Treasurer as provided for in Section 94 of PD No. 1529. The existing 
7 
account of the Assurance Pund created under I'D No. 1529 held by the National 
8 
Treasurer shall be transferred to the LAA. Claims from the Assurance Pund shall be 
9 
heard, decided, and determined by the Land Adjudication Board. All pending cases 
10 
or claim,s against the Assurance Pund now being handled by the Bureau of Treasury, 
I I 
through the Office of the Solicitor General, shall likewise be transferred to the Land 
12 
Adjudication Board. Thereafter, the National Treasurer shall no longer be impleaded 
13 
as party in any action against the Assurance Pund. 
14 
15 
SEC. 40. Indemnification of OffiCials and Personnel-- The LAA shall 
16 
indemnify all officials and personnel for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred 
17 
by such persons in connection with any civil or criminal actions, suits, or 
18 
proceedings to which they may be or made a party by reason of the performance of 
19 
their functions or duties, unless they are finally adjudged in such actions or 
20 
proceedings to be liable. 
21 
22 
ln the event of settlement or compromise, indemnification shall be provided 
23 
only in connection with such matters covered by the settlement as to which the LAA 
24 
is advised by an external counsel that the persons to be indemnified did not commit 
25 
any gross negligence or misconduct. 
26 
27 
The costs and expenses incurred in defending the aforementioned action, suit 
28 
or proceeding may be paid by the LAA in advance of the final disposition of such 
29 
action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the 
30 
Director General, where in the official or employee shall repay the amount advanced 
31 
should it ultimately be determined by the LAA that such official or employee is not 
32 
entitled to be indemnified as provided in this section. 
33 
34 
SEC. 41. Implementing l{ules and Regulations.- Within sixty (60) days from 
35 
the effectivity of this Act, the LAA shall promulgate the rules and regulations to 
36 
implement the provisions of this Act. Said rules and regulations shall be submitted 
37 
to the Congressional Oversight Committee for approval. In the process of the 
38 
formulation of the IRR for this Act, consultations shall be made with the 
39 
Stakeholders' AdVisory Committee and submitted to the Office of the President for 
40 
approval, Copies of the IRR shall be distributed to the Congressional Oversight 
41 
Committee on Land Administration. 
42 
43 
SEC. 42. Congressional Oversight Committee on the Land Administration 
44 
Act.- There is hereby created a Congressional Oversight Committee composed of 
45 
seven (7) members from the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural 
46 
ResourGes and seven (7) members from the I-louse of Representatives Committees on 
47 
Natur.,l 
Resources, 
I-lousing and 
Urban Development, and 
Government 
48 
Reorganization. 
49 
50 
The Congressional oversight committee, which shall function for a period not 
51 
more than three (3) years, shall review the implementing rules promulgated by the 
52 
LAA including the procedures on claims against the assurance fund and oversee the 
53 
implementation of this Act. 
14 


The secretariat of the Oversight Committee shall be drawn from the existing 
2 
secretariat personnel of the committees of the Senate and the House of 
3 
Representatives comprising the oversight and the funding for its operations shall be 
4 
taken from the existing budget of the concerned committees. 
5 
6 
SEC 43. Separability Clause- Should any provision of this Act or any part 
7 
hereof be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a Court, the other provisions 
8 
hereof which are not affected thereby, shall remain in force and effect. 
9 
10 
SEC 44. Repealing Clause.- The provisions of PO 1529 pertaining to the 
II 
assurance fund, and their implementing rules and regulations are hereby amended 
12 
or modified accordingly. 
13 
14 
All other laws, decrees, orders, instructions, proclamations, rules and 
15 
regulations or parts thereof, including pertinent provisions of Commonwealth Act 
16 
No. 141, Act No. 496, Presidential Decree No. 1529, Executive Order No. 192 and its 
17 
related rules and regulations; Executive Order No. 469 dated February 11, 1981 and 
18 
the subsequent Presidential Memorandum Circular dated 30 September 1988 and 
19 
their related rules and regulations; and the Administrative Code of 1987, which are 
20 
inconsistent with any provision of this Act, are hereby repealed, modified, or 
21 
~mended accordingly. 
22 
23 
SEC 45. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
24 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
25 
26 
App rOlled, 
15