Legal basis and stated authority
- Republic Act No. 3844 (Agricultural Land Reform Code) provides that all agencies affected by the Code be reorganized and realigned to enable fulfillment of the land reform program objectives and requirements.
- Administrative Order No. 72 created the Special Committee on Reorganization of Agencies for Land Reform, which formulated the plan of organization for agencies to be integrated into the Code’s machinery.
- Executive Order No. 75 declares the plan to be essentially in accord with the requirements of Republic Act No. 3844 and designed for effective implementation of the reforms.
Policy objectives for the LRPA
- Section 1 assigns the Land Reform Project Administration (LRPA) primary responsibility for carrying out the State policy under Section 2 of the Preliminary Chapter of Republic Act No. 3844, including:
- Establishing owner-cultivatorship and the economic family-size farm as the basis of Philippine agriculture, and diverting landlord capital in agriculture to industrial development.
- Achieving a dignified existence for small farmers free from pernicious institutional restraints and practices.
- Creating a viable social and economic structure in agriculture conducive to greater productivity and higher farm incomes.
- Applying all labor laws equally and without discrimination to both industrial and agricultural wage earners.
- Providing a more vigorous and systematic land resettlement program and public land distribution.
- Making small farmers more independent, self-reliant, and responsible citizens, and a source of genuine strength in democratic society.
- Section 1 provides that responsibility for applying labor laws in paragraph (4) belongs to the appropriate bureaus and divisions of the Department of Labor.
Structure of the LRPA (single administration)
- Section 2 establishes the LRPA as the organization through which field operations of member agencies are undertaken by their personnel under unified administration.
- Section 2 provides that the LRPA consists of:
- the National Land Reform Council (NLRC),
- the Regional Land Reform Committee, and
- the Land Reform Project Team, together with other necessary branches for effective administration.
- Section 2 provides a binding-vote rule for certain NLRC/Regional/Team resolutions on financing:
- Resolutions on approval of loans or financing for land acquisition and resale are valid and binding for the former if the representative of the Agricultural Credit Administration votes with majority members of the Council, Committee, or Team.
- For land financing, validity requires approval of the Board of Trustees of the Land Bank, or financing in accordance with delegated authorities approved by that Board.
- Section 3 treats LRPA as a single organization for personnel pooling: personnel complement of member agencies (including legal officers of the Office of the Agrarian Counsel providing legal services to LRPA) is one personnel pool.
- Section 3 allows free assignment of persons from one agency to positions in another agency within the LRPA when the interest of the service so demands, subject to civil service laws, rules and regulations.
- Section 4 standardizes job descriptions, position classification, and wage and salary structures so that positions with the same or equivalent qualifications and equal responsibilities and effort receive the same remuneration.
- Section 5 applies civil service rules on promotions, including consideration of persons next in rank, so qualified individuals in one member agency must be considered for higher positions in another member agency within the LRPA.
National Land Reform Council (NLRC)
- Section 6 vests authority and responsibility for LRPA operations in the NLRC as the governing body providing general executive direction and control over the entire organization.
- Section 6 directs that NLRC functions and responsibilities are those set forth in Section 128 of Republic Act No. 3844.
- Section 7 sets the NLRC composition as follows:
- the Governor of the Land Authority as Chairman,
- the Administrator of the Agricultural Credit Administration,
- the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Land Bank,
- the Commissioner of the Agricultural Productivity Commission, and
- another member appointed by the President to represent the party receiving the second largest number of votes in the last presidential election.
- Section 7 designates the Agrarian Counsel as the legal counsel of the NLRC.
- Section 8 provides that the Chairman:
- acts as presiding officer with powers defined in Section 127 of the Code,
- is also the Administrator of the National Land Reform Project Administration, and
- has the rank of a Cabinet member.
- Section 8 requires that, as presiding officer, the Chairman is assisted by two staff units:
- a Secretariat, and
- a Plans and Programs Unit.
Secretariat and plans/programs units
- Subsection 8.1 requires the Secretariat to:
- serve as principal clearing house for information on land reform operations,
- keep records of all proceedings, deliberations, decisions, and resolutions,
- review member-agency budgets for proper funding of projects approved by the NLRC,
- assist in establishing uniform administrative procedures and office management in the LRPA,
- assist in implementing uniform personnel policies and keep the Chairman informed on manpower placement and utilization,
- plan, design, and supervise training for personnel assigned to land reform operations,
- assist in implementing policies and procedures governing materials and equipment administration in the LRPA, and
- perform other functions the NLRC assigns.
- Subsection 8.1 provides that the Secretariat includes sections:
- Office of the Executive Director,
- Administrative Staff,
- Budget and Logistics Section,
- Personnel Administration and Training,
- Legal Section, and
- Management Services.
- Subsection 8.2 requires the Plans and Programs Office to:
- assist formulation of overall plans and programs for implementing LRPA functions and objectives,
- evaluate and integrate specific projects and programs submitted by member agencies for NLRC consideration.
- Subsection 8.2 provides that the Plans and Programs Office contains sections:
- Office of the Director,
- Research and Statistics,
- Project Analysis and Program Preparation, and
- Program Performance Evaluation.
Deputy Administrators within LRPA
- Section 9 provides that the Chairman of the NLRC, as Administrator of the LRPA, is assisted by heads of:
- the Agricultural Credit Administration (as Deputy Administrator for Agricultural Credit),
- the Agricultural Productivity Commission (as Deputy Administrator for Agricultural Operations), and
- the Land Bank (as Deputy Administrator for Land Financing).
- Section 9 requires the Deputy Administrators to assist in supervising implementation of policies, plans, programs, and projects approved by the NLRC.
Field organization for land reform operations
- Section 10 provides that LRPA field operations are administered through:
- Regional Land Reform Committees, and
- Land Reform Project Teams, in numbers the NLRC deems necessary for effective supervision and control.
- Section 10 allows the NLRC to constitute Sub-Regional Land Reform Offices when areas are so large that effective supervision cannot be achieved through a single Regional Land Reform Committee.
- Section 11 vests regional operational authority and responsibility in the Regional Land Reform Committee.
- Section 11 provides that the Chairman of the Regional Land Reform Committee is the Administrator of regional operations and is assisted by:
- an Administrative Staff providing administrative and general services,
- Staff Assistants for extension and supervision of credit, supervision of credit collection and other accounts, and supervision of cooperative development activities, and
- supporting specialist units from non-member agencies detailed to perform supporting services like pest control, soil analysis, veterinary services, and similar functions.
- Section 12 provides that there are as many Sub-Regional Offices as necessary for efficient administration.
- Section 12 provides that each Sub-Regional Office is composed of representatives of the member agencies and is responsible for LRPA operations within its territorial boundaries.
- Section 12 provides that each Sub-Regional Office is headed by a representative of the Land Authority as Administrator, assisted by:
- an Administrative Staff,
- Staff Assistants for extension activities, credit extension and supervision, and collection supervision, and
- supporting specialist staff from non-member agencies for field-unit supporting services like pest control, soil analysis, and similar functions.
- Section 13 vests district-level operational authority and responsibility in the Land Reform Project Team, whose leader serves as Administrator of the Team.
- Section 13 requires the Team to be assisted by an appropriate number of credit and extension supervisors, farm technologists, home technologists, legal officers, and rural youth officers.
Transitory field arrangements
- Section 14 provides that in areas where Regional Land Reform Committees have not been fully constituted, field operations are conducted directly by member agencies through their performance evaluation units, but all programs and projects/activities of member agencies in those areas require NLRC approval.
- Section 14 provides that in areas where a Regional Land Reform Committee is duly constituted and organized, field operations of member agencies are undertaken through that Regional Land Reform Committee.
Land Authority (LA) organization
- Section 15 provides that the following organizational units constitute the Land Authority for accomplishing Code functions:
- the Office of the Governor,
- the Office of the Deputy Governor for Plans and Programs, and
- the Office of the Deputy Governor for Field Performance.
- Subsection 15.1 assigns the Office of the Governor to:
- administer and assume responsibility for Land Authority operations and activities implementing national policy for owner-cultivatorship and the economic family-size farm,
- act as Chairman of the National Land Reform Council, and
- act as overall Administrator of the Land Reform Project Administration.
- Subsection 15.1 provides that the Office of the Governor includes:
- Legal Staff as legal adviser to interpret laws, executive orders, rules, and regulations affecting Land Authority operations, and
- Administrative Services to plan, direct, and supervise administrative functions, including accounting and medical services.
- Subsection 15.2 requires the Office of the Deputy Governor for Plans and Programs to:
- formulate operating plans and programs,
- directly manage surveying and mapping activities,
- evaluate program implementation.
- Subsection 15.2 provides that it includes:
- an Aerial Photogrammetry Division for aerial photography for land capability survey and classification requirements,
- a Mapping Division for completion and printing of map manuscripts, and
- a Land Surveys Division for survey and subdivision of lands under the Authority.
- Subsection 15.2 also provides an Operational Planning and Statistics Division for integrated plans and programs for operations and evaluation of program/project implementation.
- Subsection 15.3 requires the Office of the Deputy Governor for Field Performance to direct and be responsible for implementation of approved plans and programs to achieve speedy and systematic distribution and settlement of dispensable land.
- Subsection 15.3 provides that it includes:
- an Engineering and Construction Division for engineering activities involving civil, mechanical, and agricultural engineering works,
- a Land Acquisition Division to recommend expropriation of landed estates and proclamation of agricultural lands of the public domain for settlement,
- a Land Distribution Division to plan, direct, and supervise allocation and disposition of private and public agricultural lands acquired by the Authority, and
- a Land Administration Division to plan, direct, and supervise proper and efficient administration of private and public lands acquired for settlement or resale.
Agricultural Credit Administration (ACA)
- Section 16 provides that the following organizational units constitute the Agricultural Credit Administration for accomplishing Code functions:
- the Office of the Administrator,
- the Office of the Assistant Administrator,
- Administrative Services,
- the Office of the Comptroller,
- the Credit and Cooperatives Department, and
- the Special Operations Department.
- Subsection 16.1 makes the Office of the Administrator the source of executive direction and control as Assistant Administrator of the LRPA for agricultural credit, including legal advisory through a Legal Staff interpreting applicable laws, executive orders, rules, and regulations.
- Subsection 16.2 requires the Office of the Assistant Administrator to advise and assist in over-all execution and administration of approved policies and programs, including:
- a Plans and Programs Staff for agricultural credit extension and agricultural cooperatives supervision plans/programs, and program implementation evaluation,
- a Management and Internal Audit Staff instituting and administering a program for efficient, effective, and economical ACA performance.
- Subsection 16.3 requires Administrative Services to plan, direct, and supervise ACA administrative functions including personnel administration, records management, medical services, and general services.
- Subsection 16.4 requires an Office of the Comptroller to plan, develop, and administer a program for fiscal and property management and control.
- Subsection 16.5 requires a Credit and Cooperatives Department to:
- develop procedures and formulate rules and regulations on credit extension and collection, and
- provide technical assistance in auditing and supervising agricultural cooperatives.
- Subsection 16.6 requires a Special Operations Department to:
- plan and direct special ACA projects for effective procurement, storage, and distribution of fertilizers, and
- ensure proper disposition and liquidation of old Virginia Tobacco stocks and accounts.
Abolition of prior board and salary fixation
- Section 17 abolishes the Board of Governors of the former Agricultural Credit and Cooperative Financing Administration.
- Section 17 transfers powers and functions for policy formulation and approval of plans and programs previously exercised under Republic Act No. 821, as amended, to the National Land Reform Council.
- Section 17 provides that implementation of functions, powers, and duties of the administration is exercised by the Administrator, who is the Chief Executive of the ACA.
- Section 17 fixes the Administrator’s salary at P24,000.00 per annum.
Agricultural Productivity Commission (APC) organization
- Section 18 provides that the following organizational units constitute the Agricultural Productivity Commission:
- the Office of the Commissioner,
- a Director for Plans and Programs,
- a Director for Administration,
- a Director for Field Performance.
- Subsection 18.1 requires the Office of the Commissioner to provide executive direction and control as Assistant Administrator of the LRPA for agricultural operations and includes:
- a Management and Internal Audit Unit for internal audit in fiscal affairs and studies on organization and methods,
- Communications Media Division for information and education activities, and
- an Agricultural Tenancy Office to plan and recommend dissemination of information on legal rights and obligations of landholders, tenants, and lessees under the Code.
- Subsection 18.2 requires the Director for Plans and Programs to prepare and recommend integrated plans and programs for the Commission’s operations and evaluate program implementation, including:
- a Plans and Programs Division for agricultural extension services plans and programs, and
- an Evaluation Division for evaluating effectiveness of program implementation.
- Subsection 18.3 requires the Director for Administration to plan, develop, and coordinate administrative services, including:
- a Administrative Services Division for supply and records management, security, transportation, building maintenance, including medical and legal services,
- a Budget and Cash Division for budget preparation, execution, and reporting,
- a Personnel Services Division for sound personnel administration practices and advice to management on personnel matters, and
- an Accounting Division for establishing and maintaining an accounting system and program.
- Subsection 18.4 requires the Director for Field Performance to assist the Commissioner by formulating and setting general guidelines for execution of agricultural plans and programs previously approved by the NLRC, including:
- an Agricultural Division for agricultural extension programs on farm management,
- a Home Economics Division for home extension services,
- a Rural Clubs Division for rural youth development,
- a Cooperatives Division for promotion and organization of agricultural cooperatives, and
- an Applied Research and Specialist Division conducting applied researches and rendering staff advice to operations units of the LRPA.
Office of the Agrarian Counsel (OAC)
- Section 19 provides that the following organizational units constitute the Office of the Agrarian Counsel:
- the Agrarian Counsel and
- a Deputy Agrarian Counsel.
- Subsection 19.1 makes the Agrarian Counsel the chief executive of the OAC, responsible for operations to strengthen legal assistance to agricultural lessees and owner-cultivators, and also acts as legal counsel of the NLRC.
- Subsection 19.1 provides that the OAC includes:
- a Special and Appealed Cases Division to plan, direct, and review modification of theory of cases and trial techniques for regional and branch offices, and
- a Technical Staff providing legal advice to the Agrarian Counsel on policies, enforcement, and administration of laws and undertaking consultation liaison work with land reform agencies.
- Subsection 19.2 provides that the Deputy Agrarian Counsel coordinates Agrarian Counsel staff activities relating to:
- legal research,
- administrative,
- management services for the main office and field units.
- Subsection 19.2 provides that the Deputy Agrarian Counsel includes:
- an Administrative Division for personnel, supply, records management, budget and accounting, secretarial, duplicating, security, transportation, janitorial, and building maintenance and repair, and advising on administrative services matters,
- a Legal Research and Statistics Division for legal research and drafting legal opinions on agrarian disputes and administrative proceedings, plus supervision of maintenance of a library and statistical data on contracts, and
- a Management Staff for improving organization, methods, and procedures of the OAC.
NLRC-created units and notice to agencies
- Section 20 authorizes the NLRC to create, upon recommendation of the head of member agencies, such units, divisions, or departments as may be necessary to carry out responsibilities, functions, and duties of member agencies consistent with the LRPA organization.
- Section 21 requires the Executive Order to serve as notice to all government agencies concerned to render necessary assistance to carry the plan into effect.