Rights of Actual and Bona Fide Settlers to Purchase Occupied Lands
- Actual and bona fide settlers on friar lands at the time the land reverted to government ownership have the right to purchase the land they occupy.
- Purchase price is set at the government's actual cost for the land.
- Payment may be made in equal annual or semiannual installments.
- Installment payments must be completed, including interest, at least one year before the maturity of the "friar lands bonds" (no later than February 1, 1933).
- Payment terms are agreed upon between the purchaser and the Director of Lands, with the Secretary of the Interior's approval.
- Deferred payments accrue interest at a rate of 4% per annum.
Procedures for Sale of Vacant Friar Lands
- Prior to the sale of vacant lands, the Director of Lands must notify the municipal president(s) where the land is located.
- Municipal president(s) must publish the notification for three consecutive days using "bandillos" (public posters) in the poblacion and affected barrios.
- The municipal president(s) certifies the publication acts back to the Director of Lands.
- Sales may only proceed after this certification.
- Preference in purchases shall be given to tenants or bona fide occupants, with priority to the most recent occupant when more than one exists.
- Any sale without the required publication by bandillos is invalid and has no effect.
Effective Date
- The Act became effective immediately upon its passage on June 3, 1908.