Question & AnswerQ&A (PNP CIRCULAR NO. 2004-003)
The primary policy is to speed up the free distribution of agricultural lands of the public domain to landless tenants and farm workers who are citizens of the Philippines, and to encourage migration to sparsely populated regions to promote production, employment, and living standards.
NARRA is a corporation created to implement the free distribution of agricultural lands and other resettlement functions, operating under the supervision and control of the President of the Philippines through the Office of Economic Coordinator.
The three main divisions are: (1) Settler Selection and Screening, (2) Translation and Supplies, and (3) Settlement Assistance and Community Work.
NARRA may adopt an official seal; make contracts to lease or own property; sue and be sued; and make regulations necessary to execute its functions under the Act.
NARRA can give land to qualified landless citizens, facilitate settlement and cultivation, acquire landed estates by purchase, reclaim swamps for agricultural use, promote community life, borrow money, survey and subdivide lands, secure government assistance for settlers, and conduct business to achieve the Act's policy objectives.
Applicants must be bona fide farmers without ownership of five or more hectares or any homestead, capable of working the land. Priority is given to bona fide tenants or occupants, surrendered dissidents, agricultural graduates, military trainees, veterans/guerrilla members, and other qualified applicants.
NARRA helps settlers with transportation, provides non-interest-bearing loans for subsistence and relocation costs, assists in securing equipment and supplies, helps with housing and community facilities, and coordinates with government agencies for services.
The Board has a Chairman and five members appointed by the President with the Commission on Appointments' consent for a three-year term. Members filling vacancies serve only the unexpired term.
They shall be removed immediately and punished by imprisonment of one to five years and a fine of one thousand to five thousand pesos. The same applies if a dummy is used.
They are prohibited from having any financial interest in contracts or special privileges granted by NARRA during their term. Violations lead to dismissal, fines up to five thousand pesos, and imprisonment up to five years.
LASEDECO is abolished; its obligations (except commercial accounts) are transferred to the Treasury to be amortized. Its assets are liquidated and proceeds are used to pay debts and to fund loans to settlers via the Agricultural Credit and Cooperative Financing Administration.
It appropriates five million pesos for 1954-55 and mandates at least eight million pesos annually for ten years thereafter, included in the General Appropriations Act for use by NARRA.
ACCFA provides loans or financial assistance to settlers or their cooperatives to help establish independent farming, may require cooperative membership, and sets loan terms including liens on produce and amortization schedules.
They are entitled to retirement if qualified or to separation pay, accrued leave benefits, and gratuity based on service. Reinstatement in government requires refunding the gratuity value not yet amortized.
No, the remainder of the Act and the applicability of the provision to other persons or circumstances remain unaffected.