Question & AnswerQ&A (DAR JOINT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 05)
Conversion is the act of changing the use of agricultural land into non-agricultural use/s.
Conversion is deemed illegal if undertaken after June 15, 1988, without the required order of conversion from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
Sections 73 (c) and 73 (e) of RA 6657 penalize acts relating to illegal conversion.
Section 73(c) penalizes the conversion by any landowner of agricultural land into non-agricultural use with intent to avoid the application of RA 6657 and to dispossess tenant farmers of the land they till.
It prohibits the sale, transfer, conveyance, or change of the nature of lands outside urban centers and city limits either in whole or in part after the effectivity of RA 6657 without compliance with the law.
For tilled lands, it is the date of registration of the deed of conveyance in the Register of Deeds; for unregistered lands, it is the date of issuance of the tax declarations to the transferee.
To monitor cases of illegal conversion of agricultural lands in provinces and cities.
The DAR Chief Legal Officer in the province and the Provincial or City Prosecutor jointly head the task force.
Members include the Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer (CARPO), Assistant Provincial/City Prosecutors designated by the Provincial/City Prosecutor, and two Municipal Agrarian Reform Officers (MAROs) designated by the Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO).
They conduct field investigations and case build-up, file complaint-affidavits with supporting documents, investigate all ongoing projects and conversion of agricultural lands, monitor the conversion situation in their areas, report to the National Task Force, and perform other related functions as assigned.
They conduct inquest or preliminary investigations, recommend and file criminal cases against those involved in illegal conversion, submit monthly progress reports to the National Task Force, and perform other related functions as assigned.
The order took effect immediately upon its adoption on April 22, 1994.