Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 251)
The President of the Philippines has the authority to create the Presidential Action Committee on Land Problems, as exercised by President Ferdinand E. Marcos in this Executive Order.
The serious problems highlighted include disputes over land between small settlers and big landowners, social unrest caused by land disputes, and the need for greater protection and assistance to small settlers, small landholders, and cultural minorities.
The policy is that the government should provide greater protection and assistance to small settlers, small landholders, and members of cultural minorities to address land disputes and prevent social unrest.
The Committee is authorized to subpoena witnesses, produce records and other documents through subpoena duces tecum, call for assistance from any government department, office, agency, including government-owned or controlled corporations and local government instrumentalities, and to access special releases of funds not covered by regular appropriations.
The Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources chairs the Presidential Action Committee on Land Problems.
The Undersecretary for Natural Resources and the Undersecretary for Agriculture serve as Action Officers in the Committee, responsible for facilitating the committee's functions and actions.
Justice Undersecretary Guillermo Santos is a member of the committee.
Yes, the Committee can call for assistance from any Department, Office, Agency, or instrumentality of the National Government, including government-owned or controlled corporations and local government instrumentalities, and such assistance shall be extended promptly.
The Executive Order recognizes the urgent need to coordinate activities of different agencies involved in land and forestry laws implementation, as well as agencies attending to the needs of small settlers and cultural minorities, to achieve immediate settlement of land problems and ensure justice.