Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 782)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 782 is to grant free patents to natural born Filipino citizens who have continuously occupied and cultivated public agricultural land since or prior to July 4, 1945, provided they do not own more than twenty-four hectares.
Any natural born citizen of the Philippines who has continuously occupied and cultivated agricultural public land either by themselves or through their predecessors in interest since or prior to July 4, 1945, and who does not own more than twenty-four hectares of land.
The maximum land area an applicant can claim under this Act is twenty-four hectares.
The application must be accompanied by a map, the technical description of the land occupied, and affidavits from two disinterested persons residing in the municipality or barrio where the land is located, proving the applicant's occupancy.
The Director of Lands shall post notices of the application in conspicuous places in the capital of the province, the municipality, and the barrio where the land is situated for two consecutive weeks, inviting objections or adverse claims.
If objections or adverse claims are filed, the Director of Lands will consider these before deciding whether to grant the patent. The Act specifies that if there are no objections or adverse claims, the patent shall be issued.
The Director of Lands must be satisfied of the truth of the statements in the application and affidavits, and that the applicant meets the provisions of the Act before issuing the patent.
Yes, the Act states that any provision of law, rules, and regulations to the contrary are notwithstanding, meaning this Act overrides conflicting provisions on this matter.
The Act took effect upon its approval on June 21, 1952.
No, the Act only applies to agricultural lands occupied continuously since or prior to July 4, 1945.