Title
Creation of Land Problems Settlement Commission
Law
Executive Order No. 561
Decision Date
Sep 21, 1979
Executive Order No. 561 establishes the Commission on the Settlement of Land Problems in the Philippines to address land conflicts and streamline administrative procedures, transferring the functions of the abolished Presidential Action Committee on Land Problems and repealing inconsistent laws.
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Composition and Appointment

  • Commission composed of one Commissioner and two Associate Commissioners.
  • Members appointed by the President.
  • Salaries equivalent to Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals and Judge of the Court of First Instance.

Powers and Functions

  • Coordinate investigation activities among government offices regarding land disputes.
  • Streamline administrative procedures to reduce delays and costs for stakeholders.
  • Refer land problems to the appropriate agency, with authority to assume jurisdiction over critical and explosive cases involving occupants/squatters, leaseholders, government grantees, and public land claimants.
  • Promulgate rules to ensure expeditious resolution of urgent land problems.
  • Decisions made by the Commission on critical cases are binding, final within 30 days, and appealable only by certiorari to the Supreme Court.
  • Recommend measures for correcting illegal or erroneous land titles.
  • Develop procedures for speedy investigation and resolution of disputes at the provincial level.
  • Conduct comprehensive studies on causes of land disputes, especially squatting.
  • Review and recommend policy reforms and priorities for public land grants.
  • Maintain systematic records of all land disputes.
  • Issue subpoenas for witnesses and documents and seek assistance from other government bodies.

Organizational Structure

  • Supported by a technical staff led by an Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director.
  • Technical staff and senior leaders appointed by the President, other personnel appointed by the Commissioner.

Provincial Offices

  • Provincial offices may be established as warranted to perform delegated powers and functions.

Abolishment of Previous Committee

  • Abolishment of the Presidential Action Committee on Land Problems.
  • Transfer of its functions, appropriations, records, properties, equipment, and necessary personnel to the newly created Commission.

Funding and Appropriations

  • Initial funding transferred from the abolished committee.
  • Additional funds authorized from the National Treasury for operation through current and succeeding years.
  • Future funding to be included in the annual general appropriations law.

Legal and Administrative Provisions

  • All inconsistent laws and regulations are repealed, amended, or modified.
  • Separability clause ensures validity of remaining provisions if any part is declared unconstitutional.

Effectivity

  • Immediate effectivity upon issuance of the Executive Order.

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