Land Reclassification in Cebu and Benguet

Provinces Cebu and Benguet have many lands with slopes of eighteen percent or over.
These lands have been cultivated for agriculture or developed as townsites.
Residents with improvements have difficulty acquiring legal ownership.

The decree seeks to provide a solution by allowing reclassification of certain sloped lands as alienable and disposable.
This reclassification is conditional to not endanger reforestation and conservation programs.

Applicable to lands in Cebu and Benguet with slopes of eighteen percent or over.
Reclassification possible if the land is either:
- Developed for agricultural crops with effective erosion control practices (e.g., terracing), or
- Established and developed as townsite with basic community structures (roads, schools, churches).
A land capability and suitability survey must be conducted by the Composite Land Classification Team to ensure conformity.
Claimants must prove continuous possession since on or before May 19, 1975.

The land’s existing condition at classification must be maintained and environmentally improved permanently.
Steep and rocky slopes at hilltops must be planted with trees or appropriate vegetative cover.
Peaks with steep and pointed hillsides must similarly be vegetated.
Government retains the right to administer and protect timber rights except allowing grantees or heirs to use timber for personal use.
Land use must conform to current uses; any change needs Minister of Natural Resources’ approval.
Unauthorized change of land use may lead to title cancellation and reversion to public forest.

When public interest demands, government may:
- Expropriate or cancel titles
- Reject public land applications
- Eject occupants from such lands

Signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos on November 9, 1985, in Metro Manila.
Enforced under presidential authority and based on the recommendation of the Minister of Natural Resources.