Sale of Agricultural Public Lands Act Amendments

Award goes to the highest bidder upon opening of bids.
In case of two or more equal highest bids where one is from the applicant, the applicant's bid will be accepted.
If the applicant's bid is not among the highest, the land will be publicly auctioned.
The applicant may match the highest bid at public auction to win the land.
A 10% deposit is required for bids at public auction.
For lands not exceeding 24 hectares, district land officers may conduct auctions, but final decisions rest with the Director of Lands.
District land officers may approve land purchases not exceeding five hectares within 60 days pending Director's approval.

For ten years after granting the land title, the purchaser cannot sell, encumber, or dispose the land without governmental consent.
Violation of this restriction results in nullification of sale and reversion of land to the State.
All payments made by the purchaser are forfeited upon violation.

Land patents or certificates are issued by the Bureau of Lands in the Government’s name and signed by the President.
The President may delegate signing powers for lands exceeding 144 hectares to the Secretary or Undersecretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
District land officers are authorized to sign patents or certificates for lands not exceeding five hectares if properly equipped.
Applicants cannot subdivide land exceeding the five-hectare limit among relatives within the sixth degree of consanguinity or affinity, except married children actually occupying the land.
Surveys must be approved by the Director of Lands before issuing patents or certificates.
The Director must act on survey approvals within 90 days, providing reasons if disapproved.
Appeals from decisions by district land officers may be made to the Director of Lands within 30 days.
Patents or certificates are effective only under land registration laws and actual conveyances follow specific procedures.

Director of Lands will assign land examiners and employees to provinces within six months.
No district land officer may be appointed or assigned to his home province.

District land officers violating the Act face fines up to one thousand pesos or imprisonment up to four years, or both.