Legal Basis and Authority
- The proclamation is issued pursuant to section 45 of Commonwealth Act No. 141, as amended by Republic Act No. 107.
- The recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources underpins the issuance of this proclamation.
- The authority to fix such period lies with the President of the Philippines.
Scope and Coverage
- The proclamation applies to all provinces, cities, municipalities, municipal districts, or regions in the Philippines.
- It includes, explicitly, the Provinces of Agusan, Cotabato, Bukidnon, Lanao, Davao, Sulu, and the Mountain Province.
- The scope encompasses tracts of land that are disposable under the free patent form of land grant.
Definition of Entitled Persons
- Persons entitled to file applications for free patent are those who have the legal right to claim ownership over disposable public lands under the provisions of the law.
Purpose and Effect
- The proclamation sets a clear deadline to regulate and organize the process of filing applications for free patent.
- By fixing the period, it ensures orderly management of land grants and land ownership transitions.
- This legal measure aims to prevent open-ended or indefinite claims for free patents.
Formalization and Enforcement
- The proclamation is formalized by the President’s signature and the affixing of the seal of the Republic of the Philippines.
- This formal execution gives the proclamation full force and effect as a directive from the highest executive authority.
Official Publication and Execution
- The proclamation was executed at the City of Manila on June 3, 1948.
- The document is signed by President Elpidio Quirino and attested by Executive Secretary Emilio Abello.