Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 477)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 477 is to provide for the administration and disposition of properties, including the proceeds and income thereof, transferred to the Republic of the Philippines under the Philippine Property Act of 1946, Republic Act No. 8, and properties transferred to the National Abaca and Other Fibers Corporation under Executive Orders No. 29 and 99.
The National Abaca and Other Fibers Corporation is responsible for subdividing the lands into convenient-sized lots, except portions reserved by the President for national or local use or for government-controlled corporations or entities.
Agricultural subdivision lots shall not exceed five hectares for coconut lands, ten hectares for improved abaca lands, and twelve hectares for unimproved lands.
Commercial and industrial lots of the public domain shall be disposed of by lease only in accordance with provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 141, as amended. If the land is patrimonial property of the Republic, leases shall follow Act No. 3038.
No. All subdivided lands except commercial and industrial lots shall be sold by the National Abaca and Other Fibers Corporation without sales application, publication, and public auction as otherwise required under sections 24, 25, and 26 of Commonwealth Act No. 141.
Preference is given first to bona fide occupants on or before December 12, 1946, second to veterans of the last war, members of guerrilla organizations, and other qualified persons who entered after December 12, 1946 but not later than December 31, 1948, limited to the area they have improved and maintained.
At least 10% of the purchase price must be paid before signing the contract of sale, and the balance shall be paid in full or in not more than 10 equal annual installments with 5% annual interest on the unpaid balance.
A Committee composed of the Chairman and General Manager of the National Abaca and Other Fibers Corporation, and representatives of the Philippine Veterans Legion and the Provincial or City Assessor's Office appraises and determines the price for agricultural lands.
No. Lands and permanent improvements shall not be subject to encumbrance or alienation from the date of award or issuance of the certificate of title and for a term of 10 years thereafter, except in favor of the Government.
Any transfer of rights before award or contract signing is considered null and void, and the transferor shall not be entitled to apply for another piece of land or residential lot from the National Abaca and Other Fibers Corporation.
Proceeds, after deducting expenses and investments by the National Abaca and Other Fibers Corporation, shall accrue to a special fund available to the President for the rehabilitation of the abaca industry.
The Director of Public Works administers such houses and buildings and is authorized to sell them at public auction when no longer needed for public purposes, giving veterans an option to equal the highest bid.
Yes, the Corporation may assign or delegate subdivision surveys to bonded deputy public land surveyors upon written agreement of all occupant-applicants within a subdivision.
Other government branches or agencies must immediately turn over all records, titles, plans, surveys, and proceeds affecting such lands to the National Abaca and Other Fibers Corporation for administration and disposition.
Two hundred thousand pesos is appropriated from the National Treasury to accelerate the subdivision survey and disposition under this Act.