Question & AnswerQ&A (DAR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2)
The Order governs the processing and approval of applications for land use conversion under Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 1990.
Applications must be submitted to the Municipal Agrarian Reform Office (MARO) where the property is located.
The MARO reviews documents for completeness, conducts field verification on various factors such as the agricultural use of the land, posts notices for at least two weeks, handles protests, and prepares reports with recommendations to the Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO).
The MARO has twenty (20) working days to perform its duties.
The MARO must verify the veracity of information in the application, agricultural suitability of the land based on Department of Agriculture classification, compliance with land use or town plans, existence of tenancy or farmworker relationship, agreement on disturbance compensation, and other relevant information.
PARO evaluates the MARO report for completeness, conducts supplemental investigations if needed, and endorses any protest/opposition to the Provincial Agrarian Reform Adjudicator or Hearing Officer.
The RARO approves or disapproves conversion applications of lands five (5) hectares and below, and for lands exceeding five (5) hectares, it evaluates and forwards the application with recommendations to the Undersecretary for Legal Affairs.
The Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform approves applications for conversion of lands exceeding fifty (50) hectares.
The MARO monitors compliance by the developer with the terms and conditions of the Order and submits periodic reports to the Regional Director.
The RARO submits a quarterly report to the Secretary of all pending or approved/disapproved land use conversion applications.