Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1417)
The mandate is to adopt new rules and procedures to accelerate the issuance of Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOA) to qualified beneficiaries in settlement projects administered by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), pursuant to the powers given by R.A. 6657.
It covers the titling and distribution of agricultural lands within proclaimed settlement projects under the administration of the DAR as provided by existing laws.
A beneficiary must be landless, a Filipino citizen, at least fifteen years old or head of family at the time of filing, and have the willingness, ability, and aptitude to cultivate and make the land productive.
Qualified women members of the agricultural labor force, war veterans and veterans of military campaigns, retirees of AFP and INP, returnees/surrenderees, and graduates of agricultural schools.
No. All lots shall be distributed free of cost. No survey fees or other distribution costs shall be charged to beneficiaries.
The award limit is not more than three (3) hectares, except for qualified beneficiaries who occupied and cultivated land before June 15, 1988, who may be awarded legal limits under applicable laws.
If subdividing would limit economic viability or if socio-cultural customs, such as those of tribal Filipinos, dictate collective ownership. Total awarded area must not exceed the total number of co-owners multiplied by 3 hectares, and members must agree on division mechanisms.
Absence from the resettlement project for over six months without written permission, unlawful transfer of rights, voluntary renunciation, failure to cultivate for over six consecutive months, and death without compulsory heirs.
MARO conducts physical inventory, lot verification, evaluates applications, prepares Land Distribution Folders, endorses files to the Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO), posts lists of vacant lots, identifies beneficiaries, and prepares summary data sheets.
PARO acts on cancellation orders, reviews and consolidates Land Distribution Folders, prepares CLOAs, endorses files to the DAR Secretary for approval, and records CLOAs registered by the Register of Deeds.
Appeals must be forwarded to the Regional Director within a specified period after the cancellation order. Failure to appeal means waiver of rights. The Regional Director acts on such appeals within fifteen days.
It takes effect ten days after publication in two national newspapers of general circulation as per Section 49 of R.A. 6657.
MARO, PARO, Bureau of Land Acquisition and Distribution (BLAD), Management Information System (MIS), and Bureau of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development (BARBD).
The order recommends cancellation of the Certificate of Allocation and issuance of CLOA to a qualified beneficiary, except for those physically incapacitated.