QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 355)
Executive Order No. 355 was issued pursuant to the powers vested in the President by Republic Act No. 422.
The corporation created is the Land Settlement and Development Corporation, abbreviated as LASEDECO.
LASEDECO shall exist for a period of twenty-five (25) years from the effective date of the Order.
Examples include: (1) facilitating acquisition, settlement, and cultivation of agricultural lands; (2) providing opportunities for qualified persons to own farms; (3) encouraging migration to sparsely populated regions; (4) acquiring and granting public agricultural lands, surveying/subdividing, and disposing of farm and townsite lots; (5) establishing credit agencies, utilities (electric light and water), irrigation systems, cooperatives, and related services for settlers; (6) encouraging mechanized farming and operating machinery pools/training centers; (7) assisting in establishment of agricultural/vocational schools and allocating land for eventual acquisition of title.
The Order mentions tenant farmers and small farmers from congested areas; graduates of agricultural schools and colleges; trainees who completed prescribed military training; veterans and members of guerrilla organizations; and other persons as may be determined by the Board with approval of the Secretary of Economic Coordination.
Within ten years after the final grant, the farm lands and townsite lots may not—except by inheritance—be encumbered, alienated, or transferred, nor shall they become liable to satisfy any debt contracted prior to expiration of the ten-year period; however, improvements or crops may be mortgaged or pledged to credit agencies authorized by the Board.
The National Land Settlement Administration; the Rice and Corn Production Administration; and the Machinery and Equipment Department of the National Development Company are dissolved. Their relevant duties/functions are deemed referred to LASEDECO where applicable.
LASEDECO’s capital is the net worth of the dissolved agencies mentioned, including appraised value of lands ceded to it as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, plus appropriations authorized by law, as determined in accordance with Section 13.
No. The Government is not liable for any debt, liability, obligation, or damage that might be contracted, incurred, or caused by the corporation.
It consists of a chairman and six members. They are appointed by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments.
Board members serve for terms designated by the President as one, two, and three years respectively from qualification/assumption. Successors generally serve three-year terms, but a person chosen to fill a vacancy serves only the unexpired term of the member he succeeds.
Each director receives a per diem of twenty-five pesos for actual attendance at meetings.
By-laws/rules require approval of the Secretary of Economic Coordination. The Board appoints and fixes the compensation of the General Manager subject to approval of the President. The Board may suspend/remove the General Manager with the approval of the President.
No officer or employee may acquire, directly or indirectly, any land within the territorial jurisdiction of the Corporation.
The Auditor General appoints a representative who serves as Auditor of LASEDECO and necessary personnel. Salaries/personnel are determined by the Auditor General subject to appropriations by the Board; if there is disagreement, the President’s decision is final. Audit office expenses are paid by LASEDECO.
It must include: scope of audit; statement of assets and liabilities; capital and surplus/deficit; surplus/deficit analysis; statement of income and expenses; sources and application of funds; comments/information and recommendations, including any impairment of capital; and specific programs/expenditures/transactions done without authority of law.
Appointments/promotions must be based on merit and efficiency; no political test may be prescribed/considered. Offenders found guilty of violating this requirement by the Secretary of Economic Coordination must be removed. Also, all officers/employees are subject to the Civil Service Law except positions that the President may declare policy-determining, primarily confidential, or technical upon recommendation of the Board and the Secretary of Economic Coordination.
Personnel who are transferred but not reappointed within sixty days from the effective date are considered separated from the service.
It takes effect on October 23, 1950.