Amendments to Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law

Lands used for parks, wildlife, forest reserves, reforestation, fish sanctuaries, breeding grounds, watersheds, mangroves are exempt
Private lands used exclusively for prawn farms and fishponds exempt, provided no prior CLOA distribution under CARP
If subject to CARL, majority consent of regular workers or tenants required to maintain exemption
If no prior CARL coverage, worker consent not required; Section 32-A incentives apply
Additional exemptions include lands for national defense, school sites/campuses, religious sites, burial grounds, penal colonies/farms, research centers, and lands with 18% slope or more except developed ones

Private commercial farms in saltbeds, fruit, vegetable, cut-flower farms, cacao, coffee, rubber plantations
Subject to compulsory acquisition and distribution after 10 years from effectivity of the law or first year of commercial production for new farms
Government to pay just compensation
Preferential acquisition in favor of organized cooperatives or associations managing lands for worker-beneficiaries

Owners/operators must execute incentive plan within 6 months with regular fishpond/prawn workers or their organizations
Distribute 7.5% of net profit before tax as additional compensation to workers within 60 days post fiscal year end
Owners’ financial books subject to periodic audit by worker-chosen CPAs
Provision does not apply where conversion of agricultural land to fishpond/prawn farm is within retention limit

Conversion of public agricultural lands to fishponds only allowed with provincial government and BFAR concurrence
DENR leases/develops after declaration; environmentally critical areas excluded
Approval guided by DAR and BFAR protocols; preference to small-farmer cooperatives for Fishpond Lease Agreements (FLAs)
Private land conversion capped at 5 hectares unless certified as more economically feasible, with majority worker or tenant approval
No piecemeal conversions allowed to evade limits
Section 32-A incentives apply upon approval

BFAR to complete inventory of government and private fishponds/prawn farms within 1 year
No new leases granted before inventory completion
Sustainable management to comply with pollution control, effluent standards, and water use regulations
Relevant authorities include FPA, EMB, and compliance with Water Code (PD 1067)

Existing and future FLAs must establish a buffer zone along the sea front planted with mangrove species
Guidelines and penalties for violations set by Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources

Sale or transfer of agricultural land allowed if due to bank foreclosure of mortgaged land, notwithstanding prior restrictions

Invalidity of any provision will not affect the validity of the remaining provisions

The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation