QuestionsQuestions (IRR of Republic Act No. 11210)
To speed up the free distribution of agricultural lands of the public domain to landless Filipino tenants and farm workers and to encourage migration to sparsely populated regions to promote production, employment, and living standards.
NARRA is a corporation created to perform specific duties under the supervision and control of the President of the Philippines, through the Office of Economic Coordinator.
NARRA was tasked, under the President’s supervision through the Office of Economic Coordinator, to perform the duties and functions of the Bureau of Lands under Commonwealth Act No. 691, as amended.
(1) Settler Selection and Screening, (2) Translation and Supplies, and (3) Settlement Assistance and Community Work.
To adopt/alter/use an official seal; make contracts to lease or own and dispose of real and personal property; sue and be sued; and make necessary regulations to execute its functions.
Examples: (1) give land to qualified landless citizens for tilling; (2) facilitate settlement and cultivation; (3) acquire portions of landed estates as directed by the President; (4) reclaim swamps and marshes and obtain titles where feasible for conversion into agricultural lands; (5) borrow money from credit institutions; (6) survey/subdivide/set aside lots and dispose of farm lands and townsite lots; (7) secure assistance from other agencies (irrigation, credit, cottage industries, processing/warehousing/marketing).
Landless citizens of the Philippines who are bona fide farmers capable of tilling the land on family-operated farms; they must (among others) not own land of five hectares or more, have not owned any homestead, and have not secured homestead rights from any homesteader.
(a) actual bona fide tenants or occupants of the land; (b) surrendered dissidents who take an oath and show sincere desire to support the Constitution; (c) graduates of agricultural schools/colleges; (d) trainees who have completed military training; (e) veterans and members of guerrilla organizations; and (f) other qualified applicants.
NARRA must assist settlers in transporting themselves and their belongings/equipment and provide subsistence until credit can be provided by ACCFA or other credit institutions. The loans for such purposes are non-interest bearing, secured by a lien on the land, amortized over 10 years, payable annually beginning after the third year from arrival, with a right to prepay.
To help provide housing/accommodations upon arrival by locating settlers in properly surveyed/subdivided lots; organize community activities; cooperate with government agencies (agricultural extension, health, public schools, etc.) for community facilities and collective efforts essential to development.
The Board has a Chairman and five members appointed by the President with consent of the Commission on Appointments for a 3-year term; vacancies are for the unexpired term. Regular meetings are held and special meetings may be called by the Chairman or any three members; total board meetings may not exceed four per month. Per diem is Php 25 per meeting actually attended.
To prescribe/amend/repeal by-laws and rules governing NARRA’s operations, including land subdivision and distribution, initial aid to settlers, and committees to facilitate disposition and issuance of titles; to appoint and fix terms/compensation of the General Manager and Assistant General Manager (subject to approvals); and to approve NARRA’s annual and supplemental budgets.
LASEDECO is abolished; its obligations (except commercial accounts to be paid as provided) are transferred to the Treasury to be amortized over 15 years. Its assets are turned over to a Board of Liquidators for sale at public auction; proceeds go first to paying accounts with commercial firms, then net proceeds are transferred to ACCFA for loans to settlers/cooperatives.
For fiscal year 1954-55: Php 5 million. Thereafter: not less than Php 8 million per fiscal year for 10 years, to be included in the General Appropriations Acts.
ACCFA loans must follow the conditions in Section 6(2) but modified so that the lien is on the borrower’s produce, and amortization begins one year after the date of the loan (instead of the arrival-based schedule in the NARRA loans).
It prohibits NARRA officers/employees from acquiring any land within NARRA settlement projects, directly or indirectly. Violators are immediately removed and punished with imprisonment of not less than 1 year nor more than 5 years and a fine of not less than Php 1,000 nor more than Php 5,000. If a dummy is used, the same penalties apply to the dummy.
Officials/employees may not be financially interested in any contract with the corporation or in any special privilege granted by it during their term. Violation results in dismissal and a fine of up to Php 5,000 and imprisonment of up to 5 years.