Question & AnswerQ&A (DENR Administrative Order No. 2015 -01)
The guidelines cover alienable and disposable public agricultural lands actually possessed, occupied, and used for public schools under the supervision of DepEd and CHED. It includes lands used for education-related services such as offices, canteens, gardens, athletic fields, and other related areas, regardless of the period of possession.
Agricultural lands refer to lands of the public domain subject to alienation and disposition by the State in accordance with the Public Land Act and other related laws.
Public lands susceptible of being disposed of to qualified beneficiaries, including all public agricultural lands covered by different deeds of conveyance but still untitled and not under any court process.
The Superintendent of the Division of Schools or any authorized officer of DepEd Central Office may request it. For schools under CHED, any authorized officer of CHED or the higher educational institution may request issuance.
For DepEd or CHED: Request letter by authorized official, historical background of possession, recent photographs showing the area, and certification of no pending land registration application from RTC/LRA. For DENR: Approved cadastral map/survey plan, technical description, and certification of land classification as agricultural.
Requests must be filed at the Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) Office or implementing PENR Office exercising jurisdiction where the land parcel is situated. For NCR, at the DENR NCR Regional Office.
The CENR Office posts notices for 15 days at the municipal or city hall, barangay hall, and public school premises. After 15 days, a certificate of posting is issued.
The CENR Office must process the request within 120 days from filing the complete request form. This period includes verification with records but excludes survey approval time.
Oppositions are entertained only if based on a Certificate of Title issued over the same parcel. Filing of opposition interrupts the 120-day period. The CENR Officer uses alternative dispute resolution and must resolve opposition within 30 days.