Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 6516)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 6516 is to provide for the sale of agricultural public lands and authorize district land officers in every province of the Bureau of Lands to sign patents or certificates covering lands not exceeding five hectares, amending Commonwealth Act No. 141 accordingly.
Actual occupants who do not own any parcel of land or whose total landholdings do not exceed five hectares and who have resided on the land applied for at least two years prior to the date of application are qualified to buy agricultural public lands under this Act.
Public agricultural lands eligible for sale must not be located within ten kilometers from the boundaries of the city proper in chartered cities or within five kilometers from the municipal hall or town plaza of any municipality.
No bid shall be considered if it is less than the appraised value of the land. All bids must be sealed and must include a cash or certified check deposit amounting to at least ten percent of the bid price, payable to the Director of Lands.
The land is awarded to the highest bidder. If two or more highest and equal bids exist and one is from the applicant, the applicant's bid is accepted. If the applicant's bid is not among the highest, the land will be offered for public auction to the highest bidder, and the applicant can raise his bid to match the highest bidder to win.
Any sale or encumbrance within ten years from the grant of title is null and void, annulling the acquisition and reverting the property and all rights to the government. All purchase payments made shall be forfeited.
The President of the Philippines may delegate the power to sign patents or certificates covering lands exceeding 144 hectares to the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources or the Undersecretary for Natural Resources.
District land officers in every province are empowered to sign patents or certificates covering lands not exceeding five hectares, provided their office is properly equipped and subject to approval of the Director of Lands.
No, applicants are not allowed to split the area applied for exceeding the allowed limit among relatives within the sixth degree of consanguinity or affinity, except for the applicant's married children who are actually occupying the land.
The Director of Lands must act upon all surveys within ninety days after receipt and return them to the district land officer, stating reasons in case of disapproval.
They may be punished by a fine of one thousand pesos or imprisonment for four years, or both, upon conviction.
Notices must be posted for not less than thirty days in at least three conspicuous places in the municipality, including the municipal building and the barrio council building where the land is located.
Any person aggrieved by the decision or action of the district land officer may appeal to the Director of Lands within thirty days from receipt of said decision.
Yes, if the land offered does not exceed twenty-four hectares, the Director of Lands may delegate these powers to the district land officer, who must still submit recommendations for final decision.