QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 87)
To legalize the use and occupancy of farm lots by bona fide native Igorot (cultural minorities) vegetable farmers who were already occupying and cultivating areas within the two reservations, while promoting soil, water, and forest conservation; and to direct the eviction and prosecution of alien occupants and Filipino dummies for violations of public land, anti-dummy, and internal revenue laws.
Beneficiaries are “native Igorot” Filipino vegetable farmers—defined in the final proviso as including cultural minorities within the Mountain Province. “Non-Native” includes Filipino nationals who do not belong to or come within the term native Igorot. Alien and non-native occupants are treated separately under the eviction and prosecution provisions.
They may continue occupancy and use for 10 years under existing forestry permit or tax declaration. After 10 years, they may file for the corresponding application for the grant of title, subject to compliance with specified conditions and the Public Land Act.
The claimant must completely improve and terrace the parcel within three (3) years from the date of the Order (no extension). Unimproved and unterraced portions remaining at the end of the period automatically revert to the public domain; vegetation deliberately tended or cared for counts as improvement.
If the hilltop is flat/level but slopes are steep/rocky, terrace and improve/cultivate the top and plant steep hillsides to trees and/or paspallum grass and other vegetation cover. If slopes are gentle but hilltop is steep/pointed, terrace the sides and plant peaks to trees and/or paspallum grass and other vegetation cover.
The lot under claim must be surveyed immediately upon promulgation. Completion must occur not later than three (3) months from January 1, 1968. The claimant bears the expense, and the survey area is limited to the land actually occupied and cultivated as found/confirmed jointly by inspectors (per EO 87) and further confirmed by photogrammetric surveys by the Philippine Air Force and the Division of Surveys, Bureau of Lands.
They are notified accordingly and forthwith ejected from the premises.
EO 87 covers extensions/expansions already done after May 10, 1956 but before June 30, 1966, but it imposes a strict ban: all new claims, clearings, openings, and any further extension/expansion are absolutely banned and prohibited after the Order.
MPDA is the principal implementing office. It determines (any time after the three-year compliance period and within the next seven consecutive years) whether conditions for continued occupancy and eventual grant of patent/title are being complied with; if yes, occupancy permits and eventual titles may be issued; if not, possession is declared illegal and the claimant is evicted.
EO 87 creates a screening committee consisting of resident representatives from specified government offices (e.g., Forestry, Parks and Wildlife, MPDA, Reforestation Administration, Bureau of Public Highways, National Power Corporation). Its function includes determining whether applicants for title are legally entitled to parcels within the reservations, and it is also linked to confirmation/inspection for survey verification.
Strict soil, water, and forest conservation is required so that draining waters from the farms should not carry grain/particles of soil into rivers and should be as clean and pure as spring water.
The titled parcel is not disposable except by right of succession within 15 years from issuance of patent/title. Even after legal disposition following the 15-year period, it remains subject to repurchase by the direct heirs of the direct patentee within 10 years from disposition.
Any attempt at bribery by the claimant or exacting of bribes by a public officer upon discovery by screening committee members and verification by the Municipal Court causes immediate cancellation of the application or forfeiture of the land of the culpable applicant, without prejudice to criminal actions.
Aliens and non-native occupants are given until December 31, 1967 to vacate, without prejudice to prosecution, together with Filipino dummies, for violations of public land, anti-dummy, and internal revenue laws. Agencies directed to work jointly include the NBI, Anti-Dummy Board, and the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Non-compliance results in the lot reverting to the public domain. EO 87 requires that conditions be expressly stated in the patent/title and must be exacted even after title issuance.
It repeals or nullifies any inconsistent directives/executive orders to the extent of inconsistency, ensuring EO 87 governs the matters it covers within the specified reservations.