Question & AnswerQ&A (PROCLAMATION NO. 166)
The primary purpose of Proclamation No. 166 is to reserve a parcel of land belonging to the public domain situated in Isla de Balut, District of Tondo, City of Manila, for subdivision and disposition in favor of the bona fide occupants thereof.
The President of the Philippines, in this case, Diosdado Macapagal, exercises the authority to reserve the parcel of land upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources and pursuant to the authority vested by law.
The reserved land is an approximate area of 9,545 square meters, located in Isla de Balut, District of Tondo, City of Manila, formerly the delta of Estero de Sunog Apog, with specific boundaries described along private properties, streets, Estero de Vitas, and other landmarks.
The Director of Lands is responsible for subdividing the reserved land into convenient sized lots for disposition according to law.
The subdivision must exclude portions needed for opening adequate streets and alleys, construction of drainage works, and other necessary public improvements. The plan must conform to the one prepared by the National Planning Commission.
The Social Welfare Administration is tasked with screening and processing the applications of bona fide occupants to determine who are deserving and entitled to priority in acquiring the subdivision lots.
If there are not enough lots for all bona fide occupants, the lots shall be awarded by raffle. Those who fail to get lots will be given priority in other government resettlement projects.
A bona fide occupant refers to an individual or occupant who genuinely occupies the reserved land and who the Social Welfare Administration will determine as deserving and entitled to priority for acquiring lots in the subdivision.
The proclamation is made pursuant to the authority vested in the President by law and upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, following established legal procedures for public land disposition.
Yes, portions of the land reserved for subdivision are excluded from disposition for the opening of streets, alleys, construction of drainage works, and other necessary public improvements.