Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 251)
The Presidential Action Committee on Land Problems (PACLAP) was created by President Ferdinand E. Marcos by virtue of the powers vested in him by law.
The Order addresses disputes over land between small settlers and big landowners, protection and assistance to small settlers, small landholders, members of cultural minorities, and the coordination of land and forestry law enforcement to prevent social unrest.
PACLAP is authorized to subpoena witnesses, produce records and documents through subpoena duces tecum, and call for assistance from any department or agency of the government.
The Committee is composed of high-ranking officials including the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Chairman), undersecretaries for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice Undersecretary, Defense Undersecretary, and chairpersons or heads of several agencies such as PANAMIN, PC, CNI, SFC, LA, Agrarian Counsel, Lands Director, Forestry Director, Mines Director, and Fisheries Commissioner.
The Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources acts as the chairman and leads the PACLAP in coordinating and expediting the resolution of land problems.
The Committee is authorized special releases of funds for its functions that cannot be funded by regular appropriations.
Land disputes create tension between small settlers, cultural minorities, and other claimants, often resulting in social unrest.
Coordination is necessary to effectively implement land and forestry laws, attend to the needs of small settlers and cultural minorities, and to achieve immediate settlement of land problems ensuring justice.
Yes, the Committee can call for assistance from any department, office, agency, including government-owned or controlled corporations and local government units, in performing its tasks and such assistance shall be promptly provided.