Question & AnswerQ&A (PROCLAMATION NO. 172)
The main purpose of Proclamation No. 172, series of 1955 is to revoke Proclamation No. 387, series of 1953, which established the townsite reservation in the municipality of Digos, province of Davao, and to declare that any land parcels within that townsite reservation which have not been disposed of, reserved, or earmarked for public use are open for disposition under Chapter IX of the Public Land Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 730.
Revoking Proclamation No. 387 nullifies the previous establishment of a townsite reservation in Digos, and allows the disposal of the remaining land parcels under the public land laws, thus potentially opening those lands for private acquisition or other forms of disposition.
The disposition of lands declared open is governed by Chapter IX of the Public Land Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 730.
Chapter IX of the Public Land Act generally covers the disposition, classification, and administration of public agricultural lands including sales, homesteads, and other modes of acquisition.
The Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources recommended the revocation of Proclamation No. 387 to the President, which led to the issuance of Proclamation No. 172.
These terms refer to lands that have already been allocated, either by sale, lease, dedication, or other legal means, or set aside for government or public use such as parks, schools, or infrastructure.
It potentially allows individuals or entities to apply for ownership or interest in the land parcels formerly under townsite reservation if those lands are not already disposed of or reserved, subject to the provisions of public land laws.
The proclamation is authenticated and made official by the President of the Philippines setting his hand and affixing the seal of the Republic of the Philippines, as done in Manila on July 18, 1955.