Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 680)
The main purpose of Presidential Decree No. 680 is to reclassify certain portions of foreshore land in specified locations in the Philippines as land for commercial or industrial purposes and to convey these lands to the National Development Company.
The President exercises the authority to reclassify lands under Section 9 of the Public Land Act (Commonwealth Act No. 141), which empowers the President, upon recommendation of the Secretary of Natural Resources, to classify or reclassify alienable or disposable lands of the public domain.
The Bureau of Lands is tasked to survey the lands to ascertain their accurate boundaries, location, and whether they are reclaimed areas covered by foreshore leases.
The lands are conveyed in absolute ownership to the National Development Company for the nominal sum of One Peso (₱1.00) per parcel.
The National Development Company may transfer absolute ownership or lease portions of the lands to persons or corporations qualified to acquire land under the Philippine Constitution, but only for commercial or industrial purposes.
The decree mentions portions of foreshore land in Lo-oc, Lapu-Lapu City, Island of Mactan; Barrio Sasa, City of Davao; Barrio Punta, Municipality of Aparri, Province of Cagayan; Barrio Banago, Bacolod City, Province of Negros Occidental; and Sitio Miputak, Poblacion, City of Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte.
It repeals or modifies all laws, executive orders, proclamations, rules, and regulations or parts thereof that are inconsistent with its provisions.
The lands ceased to be foreshore lands and were recommended by the Secretary of Natural Resources to be reclassified as commercial and industrial lands under the Public Land Act.
Presidential Decree No. 668 authorized the National Development Company to acquire, hold, develop and dispose of lands formerly owned by U.S. citizens under the Laurel-Langley Agreement before July 3, 1974. This relates to PD No. 680 as it conveys lands to this company for development.
The Register of Deeds must register the conveyance and issue the corresponding certificate of title to the National Development Company.