EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 129-A

This Executive Order modifies Executive Order No. 129, which was initially suspended.
It is enacted pursuant to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) established by Presidential Proclamation No. 131 and Executive Order No. 229.
The aim is to strengthen the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for effective implementation of agrarian reform policies.

Legal Principle: This Executive Order is officially referred to as the Reorganization Act of the Department of Agrarian Reform.

Legal Principle: The structural and functional reorganization of the Department of Agrarian Reform is mandated.
Key Definition: "Department" refers to the reorganized Department of Agrarian Reform.

Legal Principle: The State’s policy aims to eliminate feudalism and unjust land tenure systems.
Key Objectives:
- Establish owner-cultivated and cooperatively owned farms.
- Prohibit absentee land ownership.
- Redirect agricultural capital to industrial development.
- Support the autonomy of farmer institutions.
- Ensure land is utilized for productive and equitable purposes.
Important Requirements:
- Institutional partnerships with farmers and farmworkers.
- Adequate funding and investment support for agrarian reform beneficiaries.
- Implementation of an agricultural land tax to prevent speculation.

Legal Principle: The DAR is tasked with executing the CARP.
Key Functions:
- Acquire and distribute agricultural lands.
- Administer public lands for agricultural purposes.
- Develop alternative land tenure systems.
- Resolve agrarian conflicts and provide legal assistance.

Legal Principle: The DAR has comprehensive authority to implement agrarian reform laws.
Key Powers:
- Advise the President on agrarian reform matters.
- Issue legal processes to enforce decisions.
- Establish rules and procedures for agrarian reform.
Important Procedures:
- Decisions can be appealed but remain executory.

Legal Principle: The structural organization of DAR includes various offices and bureaus.
Key Definitions:
- Department Proper: Includes the Secretary, Undersecretaries, and specialized offices.
- Bureaus: Responsible for specific agrarian functions like land acquisition and legal assistance.

Legal Principle: The organizational hierarchy includes the Secretary, Undersecretaries, and Assistant Secretaries.
Key Requirements:
- The Secretary oversees the Department's functions, appointed by the President.
- Establishment of Public Affairs and Special Concerns Staff to communicate policies and address urgent issues.

Legal Principle: A board is established for adjudicating agrarian reform cases.
Key Functions:
- Comprises the Secretary and appointed members to handle agrarian disputes.

Legal Principle: Creation of specialized offices to handle planning, legal affairs, and beneficiary development.
Key Responsibilities:
- Planning and Project Management Office coordinates departmental projects.
- Legal Affairs Office manages legal support for agrarian reform.
- Bureau of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development focuses on community development.

Legal Principle: Establishment of regional, provincial, and municipal offices to implement agrarian reform at local levels.
Key Functions:
- Regional Offices oversee implementation across regions.
- Provincial Offices coordinate with Municipal Offices for local execution.

Legal Principle: Establishment of the Foundation for the Agrarian Reform Movement of the Philippines (FARM-Philippines).
Key Functions:
- Manage agrarian projects and alternative livelihood initiatives.

Legal Principle: Guidelines for the transition to the new structure and personnel management.
Key Requirements:
- Personnel from abolished units must be transitioned or compensated.

Legal Principle: A new staffing structure will be established within 60 days.
Key Procedures:
- Ongoing personnel in hold-over capacity until reorganization is complete.
- Separation benefits for those not retained.

Legal Principle: The Department must create a system for annual performance evaluation.

Legal Principle: Any substantial changes affecting third-party rights must comply with notice or consent requirements.

Legal Principle: Any changes to the reorganization require the President’s approval.

Legal Principle: Funding for the provisions shall come from the Department’s available resources.

Legal Principle: The Secretary is empowered to issue regulations for effective implementation.

Legal Principle: Invalid provisions do not affect the validity of remaining provisions.

Legal Principle: The Executive Order takes effect immediately upon approval.

The Executive Order reorganizes the Department of Agrarian Reform to enhance the execution of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
It establishes clear mandates, structures, and responsibilities within the DAR.
The comprehensive approach includes legal, administrative, and operational reforms aimed at achieving equitable land distribution and agricultural productivity.
The document provides specific guidelines for organizational changes and personnel management, ensuring continuity and compliance with existing laws.