Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 305)
The Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources is the Chairman of PACLAP. In the Secretary's absence, the Undersecretary for Agriculture shall chair the Committee.
PACLAP has exclusive jurisdiction over all cases involving public lands and other lands of the public domain.
The Committee's functions include investigating, coordinating, and resolving land disputes; streamlining administrative procedures; adopting measures to solve public land problems; coordinating activities of government agencies related to public lands; studying and recommending new land policies; evolving systems for speedy land dispute resolution; receiving complaints from settlers and small farmers; and settling conflicts between Christians and non-Christians or between corporations and small settlers.
Yes, the Chairman has the power and authority to appoint or designate officers and staff members, prescribe their rates of emoluments and/or allowances, and create necessary positions and subcommittees.
The Committee is authorized to subpoena witnesses and documents (subpoena duces tecum), and to call for assistance or detail personnel from any government department, office, agency, including government-owned or controlled corporations and local government instrumentalities.
Yes, special releases of funds for the Committee's functions that cannot be funded from regular appropriations are authorized under this Executive Order.
Executive Order No. 238 dated June 18, 1970, as amended by Executive Order No. 246 dated July 16, 1970; and Memorandum Circular No. 352, dated May 15, 1970, were revoked by Executive Order No. 305.
The Order aims to protect and assist small settlers and cultural minorities by ensuring speedy justice in land conflicts, streamlining administrative procedures, coordinating government agencies for effective land administration, and promoting social justice consistent with government policy.
Members include the Small Farmers Commission Chairman, Action Officer, Deputy Governor of Land Authority, Undersecretary of Justice, Undersecretary of National Defense, PANAMIN Chairman, Chief of Constabulary, Commissioner on National Integration, Director of Lands, Director of Forestry, Agrarian Counsel, and Land Registration Commissioner.