State Policy on Agricultural Free Patents
- The State aims to remove restrictions on free patents.
- This is to promote efficient and effective utilization of agricultural lands.
- Objectives include wealth creation, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
Removal of Restrictions on Agricultural Free Patents
- Agricultural public lands alienated or disposed in favor of qualified applicants under Section 44 of the Public Land Act (Commonwealth Act No. 141) are exempted from restrictions.
- Previous restrictions under Sections 118, 119, and 121 relating to acquisition, encumbrance, conveyance, transfer, or disposition do not apply.
- Agricultural free patents are now considered title in fee simple.
- These titles can be freely encumbered or alienated without limitation.
Retroactive Effect and Relief of Previous Restrictions
- The Act applies retroactively.
- Restrictions imposed before the Act's effectivity on agricultural free patents issued under Section 44 are lifted immediately.
- The right of redemption under Section 119 of the Public Land Act remains unaffected for transactions made in good faith prior to this Act.
Severability Clause
- If any part of the Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the rest remains effective and enforceable.
Repealing Clause
- All prior laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations, circulars, and issuances inconsistent with this Act are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.