Title
Admin and Disposition of Transferred Properties
Law
Republic Act No. 477
Decision Date
Jun 9, 1950
Republic Act No. 477, enacted in 1950, outlines the administration, subdivision, sale, and reimbursement processes for properties transferred to the Republic of the Philippines, with a focus on rehabilitating the abaca industry.
A

Disposal of Commercial and Industrial Lots

  • Commercial and industrial lots from public domain must be leased in accordance with Commonwealth Act No. 141 (as amended).
  • If land is patrimonial property of the Republic, lease governed by Act No. 3038.

Sale of Subdivided Agricultural and Other Lots

  • All subdivided lots, except commercial/industrial, are sold by NAOFC without the usual requirements of sales application, publication, or public auction per sections 24-26 of Commonwealth Act No. 141.
  • Past sales done without these requirements are ratified.
  • Preference given first to bona fide occupants as of December 12, 1946.
  • Second preference to veterans, guerrilla members, and qualified persons who occupied from Dec. 13, 1946 to Dec. 31, 1948, limited to improved and maintained area.
  • Unoccupied subdivided lots disposed of by drawing lots among qualified applicants.

Administration and Sale of Buildings

  • Buildings transferred under the Philippine Property Act and Republic Act No. Eight are administered by the Director of Public Works.
  • Director authorized to sell such buildings at public auction with veterans given the right to match highest bid.
  • If buildings are on land subject to this Act, their sale is conducted by NAOFC as per sections 2 and 3.

Payment Terms and Price Appraisal

  • Minimum 10% down payment before signing contract.
  • Balance payable in full or up to ten equal annual installments with 5% interest per annum on unpaid balance.
  • Price appraisal committees for agricultural lands and improvements: NAOFC, Philippine Veterans Legion, and Provincial/City Assessor.
  • For urban homesites/residential: NAOFC, Auditor General, and Provincial/City Assessor.

Transfer of Records and Retention of Land for Model Plantations

  • Other government branches must immediately transfer records, titles, plans, surveys, and income affected to NAOFC.
  • NAOFC may retain up to 2,500 hectares for model plantations, experimental stations, and seedling purposes.

Reimbursement of Administrative Expenses

  • NAOFC entitled to reimbursement for all expenses and investments from proceeds of land sales.

Restrictions on Encumbrance and Alienation

  • Lands acquired and improvements cannot be encumbered or alienated, nor liable for debts, from award or contract date for ten years after title issuance.
  • Any transfer of rights before award or sale contract signature is null and void.
  • Those transferring rights before these dates lose the right to apply for another lot.

Governing Laws on Land Disposition

  • Commonwealth Act No. 141, as amended, Act No. 3038, and related rules govern dispositions unless otherwise provided.

Expenses for Subdivision Survey

  • Subdivision survey expenses must be paid by occupants proportionate to land area.
  • NAOFC may delegate survey work to bonded deputy public land surveyors with occupants’ consent.

Use of Proceeds for Abaca Industry Rehabilitation

  • Proceeds, after administrative expenses, form a special fund for abaca industry rehabilitation, at the President's disposal.

Supervisory Powers of NAOFC

  • NAOFC authorized to supervise all lands disposable under this Act to protect the abaca industry.

Appropriation for Implementation

  • Php 200,000 appropriated to NAOFC for accelerating subdivision survey and land disposition.
  • This is in addition to amounts reimbursed by occupants.

Effectivity

  • The Act took effect immediately upon approval on June 9, 1950.

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