Republic of the Philippines

Congress of the Philippines

Metro Manila
Fourteenth Congress
Third Regular Session
Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day
of July, two thousand nine.
Republic Act No. 9700 August 7, 009
AN ACT STR!N"T#!N$N" T#! C%&PR!#!NS$'! A"RAR$AN
R!F%R& PR%"RA& (CARP), !*T!N+$N" T#! AC,-$S$T$%N
AN+ +$STR$.-T$%N %F A// A"R$C-/T-RA/ /AN+S,
$NST$T-T$N" N!C!SSAR0 R!F%R&S, A&!N+$N" F%R T#!
P-RP%S! C!RTA$N PR%'$S$%NS %F R!P-./$C ACT N%.
1127, %T#!R3$S! 4N%3N AS T#! C%&PR!#!NS$'!
A"RAR$AN R!F%R& /A3 %F 5966, AS A&!N+!+, AN+
APPR%PR$AT$N" F-N+S T#!R!F%R
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Philippines in ongress asse!bled""
Section5. Section # of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended,
otherwise )nown as the o!prehensive $grarian Refor! *aw of
+,--, is hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. #. 0eclaration of Principles and Policies. - 1t is the policy of
the State to pursue a o!prehensive $grarian Refor! Progra!
2$RP3. 4he welfare of the landless far!ers and far!wor)ers will
receive the highest consideration to pro!ote social 5ustice and to
!ove the nation toward sound rural develop!ent and
industriali6ation, and the establish!ent of owner cultivatorship of
econo!ic-si6e far!s as the basis of Philippine agriculture.
.4he State shall pro!ote industriali6ation and full e!ploy!ent
based on sound agricultural develop!ent and agrarian refor!,
through industries that !a)e full and efficient use of hu!an and
natural resources, and which are co!petitive in both do!estic
and foreign !ar)ets" Provided, 4hat the conversion of agricultural
lands into industrial, co!!ercial or residential lands shall ta)e
into account, tillers7 rights and national food security. 8urther, the
State shall protect 8ilipino enterprises against unfair foreign
co!petition and trade practices.
.4he State recogni6es that there is not enough agricultural land
to be divided and distributed to each far!er and regular
far!wor)er so that each one can own his9her econo!ic-si6e
fa!ily far!. 4his being the case, a !eaningful agrarian refor!
progra! to uplift the lives and econo!ic status of the far!er and
his9her children can only be achieved through si!ultaneous
industriali6ation ai!ed at developing a self-reliant and
independent national econo!y effectively controlled by 8ilipinos.
.4o this end, the State !ay, in the interest of national welfare or
defense, establish and operate vital industries.
.$ !ore e:uitable distribution and ownership of land, with due
regard to the rights of landowners to 5ust co!pensation,
retention rights under Section & of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as
a!ended, and to the ecological needs of the nation, shall be
underta)en to provide far!ers and far!wor)ers with the
opportunity to enhance their dignity and i!prove the :uality of
their lives through greater productivity of agricultural lands.
.4he agrarian refor! progra! is founded on the right of far!ers
and regular far!wor)ers, who are landless, to own directly or
collectively the lands they till or, in the case of other far!wor)ers,
to receive a 5ust share of the fruits thereof. 4o this end, the State
shall encourage and underta)e the 5ust distribution of all
agricultural lands, sub5ect to the priorities and retention li!its set
forth in this $ct, ta)ing into account ecological, develop!ental,
and e:uity considerations, and sub5ect to the pay!ent of 5ust
co!pensation. 4he State shall respect the right of s!all
landowners, and shall provide incentive for voluntary land-
sharing.
.$s !uch as practicable, the i!ple!entation of the progra! shall
be co!!unity-based to assure, a!ong others, that the far!ers
shall have greater control of far!gate prices, and easier access
to credit.
.4he State shall recogni6e the right of far!ers, far!wor)ers and
landowners, as well as cooperatives and other independent
far!ers; organi6ations, to participate in the planning,
organi6ation, and !anage!ent of the progra!, and shall provide
support to agriculture through appropriate technology and
research, and ade:uate financial, production, !ar)eting and
other support services.
.4he State shall recogni6e and enforce, consistent with e<isting
laws, the rights of rural wo!en to own and control land, ta)ing
into consideration the substantive e:uality between !en and
wo!en as :ualified beneficiaries, to receive a 5ust share of the
fruits thereof, and to be represented in advisory or appropriate
decision-!a)ing bodies. 4hese rights shall be independent of
their !ale relatives and of their civil status.
.4he State shall apply the principles of agrarian refor!, or
stewardship, whenever applicable, in accordance with law, in the
disposition or utili6ation of other natural resources, including
lands of the public do!ain, under lease or concession, suitable to
agriculture, sub5ect to prior rights, ho!estead rights of s!all
settlers and the rights of indigenous co!!unities to their
ancestral lands.
.4he State !ay resettle landless far!ers and far! wor)ers in its
own agricultural estates, which shall be distributed to the! in the
!anner provided by law.
.By !eans of appropriate incentives, the State shall encourage
the for!ation and !aintenance of econo!ic-si6e fa!ily far!s to
be constituted by individual beneficiaries and s!all landowners.
.4he State shall protect the rights of subsistence fisher!en,
especially of local co!!unities, to the preferential use of
co!!unal !arine and fishing resources, both inland and
offshore. 1t shall provide support to such fisher!en through
appropriate technology and research, ade:uate financial,
production and !ar)eting assistance and other services. 4he
State shall also protect, develop and conserve such resources.
4he protection shall e<tend to offshore fishing grounds of
subsistence fisher!en against foreign intrusion. 8ishwor)ers shall
receive a 5ust share fro! their labor in the utili6ation of !arine
and fishing resources.
.4he State shall be guided by the principles that land has a social
function and land ownership has a social responsibility. =wners of
agricultural land have the obligation to cultivate directly or
through labor ad!inistration the lands they own and thereby
!a)e the land productive.
.4he State shall provide incentives to landowners to invest the
proceeds of the agrarian refor! progra! to pro!ote
industriali6ation, e!ploy!ent and privati6ation of public sector
enterprises. 8inancial instru!ents used as pay!ent for lands shall
contain features that shall enhance negotiability and acceptability
in the !ar)etplace.
.4he State !ay lease undeveloped lands of the public do!ain to
:ualified entities for the develop!ent of capital-intensive far!s,
and traditional and pioneering crops especially those for e<ports
sub5ect to the prior rights of the beneficiaries under this $ct..
Section . Section > of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. >. 0efinitions. - 8or the purpose of this $ct, unless the
conte<t indicates otherwise"
.< < <
.2f3 8ar!er refers to a natural person whose pri!ary livelihood is
cultivation of land or the production of agricultural crops,
livestoc) and9or fisheries either by hi!self9herself, or pri!arily
with the assistance of his9her i!!ediate far! household,
whether the land is owned by hi!9her, or by another person
under a leasehold or share tenancy agree!ent or arrange!ent
with the owner thereof.
.< < <
.2+3 Rural wo!en refer to wo!en who are engaged directly or
indirectly in far!ing and9or fishing as their source of livelihood,
whether paid or unpaid, regular or seasonal, or in food
preparation, !anaging the household, caring for the children,
and other si!ilar activities..
Section 7. Section ? of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. ?.Scope. -4he o!prehensive $grarian Refor! *aw of
+,-- shall cover, regardless of tenurial arrange!ent and
co!!odity produced, all public and private agricultural lands as
provided in Procla!ation %o. +>+ and /<ecutive =rder %o. ##,,
including other lands of the public do!ain suitable for
agriculture"Provided, 4hat landholdings of landowners with a
total area of five 2'3 hectares and below shall not be covered for
ac:uisition and distribution to :ualified beneficiaries.
.More specifically, the following lands are covered by the $RP"
.2a3 $ll alienable and disposable lands of the public do!ain
devoted to or suitable for agriculture. %o reclassification of
forest or !ineral lands to agricultural lands shall be
underta)en after the approval of this $ct until ongress,
ta)ing into account ecological, develop!ental and e:uity
considerations, shall have deter!ined by law, the specific
li!its of the public do!ain@
.2b3 $ll lands of the public do!ain in e<cess of the specific
li!its as deter!ined by ongress in the preceding
paragraph@
.2c3 $ll other lands owned by the Aovern!ent devoted to or
suitable for agriculture@ and
.2d3 $ll private lands devoted to or suitable for agriculture
regardless of the agricultural products raised or that can be
raised thereon.
.$ co!prehensive inventory syste! in consonance with the
national land use plan shall be instituted by the 0epart!ent of
$grarian Refor! 20$R3, in accordance with the *ocal Aovern!ent
ode, for the purpose of properly identifying and classifying
far!lands within one 2+3year fro! effectivity of this $ct, without
pre5udice to the i!ple!entation of the land ac:uisition and
distribution..
Section 8. 4here shall be incorporated after Section & of Republic $ct
%o. &&'(, as a!ended, new sections to read as follows"
.S/. &-$. /<ception to Retention *i!its. - Provincial, city and
!unicipal govern!ent ,units ac:uiring private agricultural lands
by e<propriation or other !odes of ac:uisition to be used for
actual, direct and e<clusive public purposes, such as roads and
bridges, public !ar)ets, school sites, resettle!ent sites, local
govern!ent facilities, public par)s and barangay pla6as or
s:uares, consistent with the approved local co!prehensive land
use plan, shall not be sub5ect to the five 2'3-hectare retention
li!it under this Section and Sections (B and (>2a3 of Republic $ct
%o. &&'(, as a!ended" Provided, 4hat lands sub5ect to $RP
shall first undergo the land ac:uisition and distribution process of
the progra!" Provided, further, 4hat when these lands have been
sub5ected to e<propriation, the agrarian refor! beneficiaries
therein shall be paid 5ust co!pensation..
.S/. &-B. Review of *i!its of *and Si6e. - Cithin si< 2&3 !onths
fro! the effectivity of this $ct, the 0$R shall sub!it a
co!prehensive study on the land si6e appropriate for each type
of crop to ongress for a possible review of li!its of land si6es
provided in this $ct..
Section 2. Section ( of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. (. Priorities. - 4he 0$R, in coordination with the
Presidential $grarian Refor! ouncil 2P$R3 shall plan and
progra! the final ac:uisition and distribution of all re!aining
unac:uired and undistributed agricultural lands fro! the
effectivity of this $ct until June >B, #B+?. *ands shall be ac:uired
and distributed as follows"
.Phase =ne" 0uring the five 2'3-year e<tension period hereafter
all re!aining lands above fifty 2'B3 hectares shall be covered for
purposes of agrarian refor! upon the effectivity of this $ct. $ll
private agricultural lands of landowners with aggregate
landholdings in e<cess of fifty 2'B3 hectares which have already
been sub5ected to a notice of coverage issued on or before
0ece!ber +B, #BB-@ rice and corn lands under Presidential
0ecree %o. #(@ all idle or abandoned lands@ all private lands
voluntarily offered by the owners for agrarian refor!" Provided,
4hat with respect to voluntary land transfer, only those sub!itted
by June >B, #BB, shall be allowed Provided, further, 4hat after
June >B, #BB,, the !odes of ac:uisition shall be li!ited to
voluntary offer to sell and co!pulsory
ac:uisition" Provided, further!ore, 4hat all previously ac:uired
lands wherein valuation is sub5ect to challenge by landowners
shall be co!pleted and finally resolved pursuant to Section +( of
Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended" Provided, finally, as
!andated by the onstitution, Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as
a!ended, and Republic $ct %o. >-??,as a!ended, only far!ers
2tenants or lessees3 and regular far!wor)ers actually tilling the
lands, as certified under oath by the Barangay $grarian Refor!
ouncil 2B$R3 and attested under oath by the landowners, are
the :ualified beneficiaries. 4he intended beneficiary shall state
under oath before the 5udge of the city or !unicipal court that
he9she is willing to wor) on the land to !a)e it productive and to
assu!e the obligation of paying the a!orti6ation for the
co!pensation of the land and the land ta<es thereon@ all lands
foreclosed by govern!ent financial institutions@ all lands ac:uired
by the Presidential o!!ission on Aood Aovern!ent 2PAA3@
and all other lands owned by the govern!ent devoted to or
suitable for agriculture, which shall be ac:uired and distributed
i!!ediately upon the effectivity of this $ct, with the
i!ple!entation to be co!pleted by June >B, #B+#@
.Phase 4wo" 2a3 *ands twenty-four 2#?3 hectares up to fifty 2'B3
hectares shall li)ewise be covered for purposes of agrarian refor!
upon the effectivity of this $ct. $ll alienable and disposable public
agricultural lands@ all arable public agricultural lands under agro-
forest, pasture and agricultural leases already cultivated and
planted to crops in accordance with Section &, $rticle D111 of the
onstitution@ all public agricultural lands which are to be opened
for new develop!ent and resettle!ent" and all private
agricultural lands of landowners with aggregate landholdings
above twenty-four 2#?3 hectares up to fifty 2'B3 hectares which
have already been sub5ected to a notice of coverage issued on or
before 0ece!ber +=, #BB-, to i!ple!ent principally the rights of
far!ers and regular far!wor)ers, who are landless, to own
directly or collectively the lands they till, which shall be
distributed i!!ediately upon the effectivity of this $ct, with the
i!ple!entation to be co!pleted by June >B, #B+#@ and
.2b3 $ll re!aining private agricultural lands of landowners with
aggregate landholdings in e<cess of twenty-four 2#?3 hectares,
regardless as to whether these have been sub5ected to notices of
coverage or not, with the i!ple!entation to begin on July +,
#B+# and to be co!pleted by June >B, #B+>@
.Phase 4hree" $ll other private agricultural lands co!!encing
with large landholdings and proceeding to !ediu! and s!all
landholdings under the following schedule"
.2a3 *ands of landowners with aggregate landholdings above ten
2+B3 hectares up to twenty- four 2#?3hectares, insofar as the
e<cess hectarage above ten 2+B3 hectares is concerned, to begin
on July +,#B+# and to be co!pleted by June >B, #B+>@ and
.2b3 *ands of landowners with aggregate landholdings fro! the
retention li!it up to ten 2+B3 hectares, to begin on July +, #B+>
and to be co!pleted by June >B, #B+?@ to i!ple!ent principally
the right of far!ers and regular far!wor)ers who are landless, to
own directly or collectively the lands they till.
.4he schedule of ac:uisition and redistribution of all agricultural
lands covered by this progra! shall be !ade in accordance with
the above order o f priority, which shall be provided in the
i!ple!enting rules to be prepared by the P$R, ta)ing into
consideration the following" the landholdings wherein the far!ers
are organi6ed and understand ,the !eaning and obligations of
far!land ownership@ the distribution of lands to the tillers at the
earliest practicable ti!e@ the enhance!ent of agricultural
productivity@ and the availability of funds and resources to
i!ple!ent and support the progra!" Provided, 4hat the P$R
shall design and conduct se!inars, sy!posia, infor!ation
ca!paigns, and other si!ilar progra!s for far!ers who are not
organi6ed or not covered by any landholdings. o!pletion by
these far!ers of the afore!entioned se!inars, sy!posia, and
other si!ilar progra!s shall be encouraged in the i!ple!entation
of this $ct particularly the provisions of this Section.
.*and ac:uisition and distribution shall be co!pleted by June >B,
#B+? on a province-by- province basis. 1n any case, the P$R or
the P$R /<ecutive o!!ittee 2P$R /D=M3, upon
reco!!endation by the Provincial $grarian Refor! oordinating
o!!ittee 2P$R=M3, !ay declare certain provinces as priority
land refor! areas, in which case the ac:uisition and distribution
of private agricultural lands therein under advanced phases !ay
be i!ple!ented ahead of the above schedules on the condition
that prior phases in these provinces have been co!pleted"
Provided, 4hat notwithstanding the above schedules, phase three
2b3 shall not be i!ple!ented in a particular province until at least
ninety percent 2,BE3 of the provincial balance of that particular
province as of January +, #BB, under Phase =ne, Phase 4wo 2a3,
Phase 4wo 2b3,,and Phase 4hree 2a3, e<cluding lands under the
5urisdiction of the 0epart!ent of /nviron!ent and %atural
Resources 20/%R3, have been successfully co!pleted.
.4he P$R shall establish guidelines to i!ple!ent the above
priorities and distribution sche!e, including the deter!ination of
who are :ualified beneficiaries" Provided, 4hat an owner-tiller
!ay be a beneficiary of the land he9she does not own but is
actually cultivating to the e<tent of the difference between the
area of the land he9she owns and the award ceiling of three 2>3
hectares" Provided, further, 4hat collective ownership by the
far!er beneficiaries shall be sub5ect to Section #' of Republic $ct
%o. &&'(, as a!ended" Provided, further!ore, 4hat rural wo!en
shall be given the opportunity t o participate in the develop!ent
planning and i!ple!entation of this $ct" Provided, finally, 4hat in
no case should the agrarian refor! beneficiaries7 se<, econo!ic,
religious, social, cultural and political attributes adversely affect
the distribution of lands..
Section 1. 4he title of Section +&of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as
a!ended, is hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. +&. Procedure for $c:uisition and 0istribution of Private
*ands..
Section 7. Section +(of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. +(. 0eter!ination of Just o!pensation. - 1n deter!ining
5ust co!pensation, the cost of ac:uisition of the land, the value
of the standing crop, the current" value of li)e properties, its
nature, actual use and inco!e, the sworn valuation by the owner,
the ta< declarations, the assess!ent !ade by govern!ent
assessors, and seventy percent 2(BE3 of the 6onal valuation of
the Bureau of 1nternal Revenue 2B1R3, translated into a basic
for!ula by the 0$R shall be considered, sub5ect to the final
decision of the proper court. 4he social and econo!ic benefits
contributed by the far!ers and the far!wor)ers and by the
Aovern!ent t o the property as well as the nonpay!ent of ta<es
or loans secured fro! any govern!ent financing institution on
the said land shall be considered as additional factors to
deter!ine its valuation..
Section 6. 4here shall be incorporated after Section ## of Republic
$ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, a new section to read as follows"
.S/. ##-$. =rder of Priority. - $ landholding of a landowner shall
be distributed first to :ualified beneficiaries under Section ##,
subparagraphs 2a3 and 2b3 of that sa!e landholding up to a
!a<i!u! of three 2>3 hectares each. =nly when these
beneficiaries have all received three 2>3 hectares each, shall the
re!aining portion of the landholding, if any, be distributed to
other beneficiaries under Section ##, subparagraphs 2c3, 2d3, 2e3,
2f3, and 2g3..
Section 9. Section #? of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. #?. $ward to Beneficiaries. - 4he rights and responsibilities
of the beneficiaries shall co!!ence fro! their receipt of a duly
registered e!ancipation patent or certificate of land ownership
award and their actual physical possession of the awarded land.
Such award shall be co!pleted in not !ore than one hundred
eighty 2+-B3 days fro! the date of registration of the title in the
na!e of the Republic of the Philippines"Provided, 4hat the
e!ancipation patents, the certificates of land ownership award,
and other titles issued under any agrarian refor! progra! shall
be indefeasible and i!prescriptible after one 2+3 year fro! its
registration with the =ffice of the Registry of 0eeds, sub5ect to
the conditions, li!itations and :ualifications of this $ct, the
property registration decree, and other pertinent laws. 4he
e!ancipation patents or the certificates of land ownership award
being titles brought under the operation of the torrens syste!,
are conferred with the sa!e indefeasibility and security afforded
to all titles under the said syste!, as provided for by Presidential
0ecree %o. +'#,, as a!ended by Republic $ct %o. &(>#.
.1t is the !inisterial duty of the Registry of 0eeds to register the
title of the land in the na!e of the Republic of the Philippines,
after the *and Ban) of the Philippines 2*BP3 has certified that the
necessary deposit in the na!e of the landowner constituting full
pay!ent in cash or in bond with due notice to the landowner and
the registration of the certificate of land ownership award issued
to the beneficiaries, and to cancel previous titles pertaining
thereto.
.1dentified and :ualified agrarian refor! beneficiaries, based on
Section ## of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as, a!ended, shall have
usufructuary rights over the awarded land as soon as the 0$R
ta)es possession of such land, and such right shall not be
di!inished even pending the awarding of the e!ancipation
patent or the certificate of land ownership award.
.$ll cases involving the cancellation of registered e!ancipation
patents, certificates of land ownership award, and other titles
issued under any agrarian refor! progra! are within the
e<clusive and original 5urisdiction of the Secretary of the 0$R..
Section 50. Section #' of Republic $ct So. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/.#'. $ward eilings for Beneficiaries. - Beneficiaries shall be
awarded an area not e<ceeding three 2>3 hectares, which !ay
cover a contiguous tract of land or several parcels of land
cu!ulated up to the prescribed award li!its. 4he deter!ination
of the si6e of the land for distribution shall consider crop type,
,soil type, weather patterns and other pertinent variables or
factors which are dee!ed critical for the success of the
beneficiaries.
.8or purposes of this $ct, a landless beneficiary is one who owns
less than three 2>3 hectares of agricultural land.
.Chenever appropriate, the 0$R shall encourage the agrarian
refor! beneficiaries to for! or 5oin far!ers7 cooperatives for
purposes of affiliating with e<isting cooperative ban)s in their
respective provinces or localities, as well as for!ing blocs of
agrarian refor! beneficiaries, corporations, and partnerships and
5oining other far!ers7 collective organi6ations, including irrigators7
associations" Provided, 4hat the agrarian refor! beneficiaries
shall be assured of corresponding shares in the corporation, seats
in the board of directors, and an e:uitable share in the profit.
.1n general, the land awarded to a far!er- beneficiary should be
in the for! of an individual title, covering one 2+3contiguous tract
or several parcels of land cu!ulated up to a !a<i!u! of three
2>3 hectares.
.4he beneficiaries !ay opt for collective ownership, such as co-
wor)ers or far!ers cooperative or so!e other for! of collective
organi6ation and for the issuance of collective ownership titles"
Provided, 4hat the total area that !ay be awarded shall not
e<ceed the total nu!ber of co-owners or !e!bers of the
cooperative or collective organi6ation !ultiplied by the award
li!it above prescribed, e<cept in !eritorious cases as deter!ined
by the P$R.
.4he conditions for the issuance of collective titles are as follows"
.2a3 4he current far! !anage!ent syste! of the land
covered by $RP will not be appropriate for individual
far!ing of far! parcels@
.2b3 4he far! labor syste! is speciali6ed, where the
far!wor)ers are organi6ed by functions and not by specific
parcels such as spraying, weeding, pac)ing and other si!ilar
functions@
.2c3 4he potential beneficiaries are currently not far!ing
individual parcels hut collectively wor) on large contiguous
areas@ and
.2d3 4he far! consists of !ultiple crops being far!ed in an
integrated !anner or includes non- crop production areas
that are necessary for the viability of far! operations, such
as pac)ing plants, storage areas, di)es, and other si!ilar
facilities that cannot be subdivided or assigned to individual
far!ers.
.8or idle and abandoned lands or underdeveloped agricultural
lands to be covered by $RP, collective ownership shall be
allowed only if the beneficiaries opt for it and there is a clear
develop!ent plan that would re:uire collective far!ing or
integrated far! operations e<hibiting the conditions described
above. =therwise, the land awarded to a far!er-beneficiary
should be in the for! of a n individual title, covering one 2+3
contiguous tract or several parcels of land cu!ulated up to a
!a<i!u! of three 2>3 hectares.
.1n case of collective ownership, title to the property shall be
issued in the na!e of the co- owners or the cooperative or
collective organi6ation as the case !ay be. 1f the certificates of
land ownership award are given to cooperatives then the na!es
of the beneficiaries !ust also be listed in the sa!e certificate of
land ownership award.
.Cith regard to e<isting collective certificates of land ownership
award, the 0$R should i!!ediately underta)e the parceli6ation
of said certificates of land ownership award, particularly those
that do not e<hibit the conditions for collective ownership
outlined above. 4he 0$R shall conduct a review and
redocu!entation of all the collective certificates of land
ownership award. 4he 0$R shall prepare a prioriti6ed list of
certificates of land ownership award to be parceli6ed. 4he
parceli6ation shall co!!ence i!!ediately upon approval of this
$ct and shall not e<ceed a period of three 2>3 years. =nly those
e<isting certificates of land ownership award that are collectively
far!ed or are operated in an integrated !anner shall re!ain as
collective..
Section 55. Section #& of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. #&. Pay!ent by Beneficiaries. - *ands awarded pursuant to
this $ct shall be paid for by the beneficiaries to the *BP in thirty
2>B3 annual a!orti6ations at si< percent 2&E3 interest per
annu!. 4he annual a!orti6ation shall start one 2+3 year fro! the
date of the certificate of land ownership award registration.
However, if the occupancy too) place after the certificate of land
ownership award registration, the a!orti6ation shall start one 2+3
year fro! actual occupancy. 4he pay!ents for the first three 2>3
years after the award shall be at reduced a!ounts as established
by the P$R" Provided, 4hat the first five 2'3 annual pay!ents
!ay not be !ore than five percent 2'E3 of the value of the
annual gross production as established by the 0$R. Should the
scheduled annual pay!ents after the fifth 2'th3 year e<ceed ten
percent 2+BE3 of the annual gross production and the failure to
produce accordingly is not due to the beneficiary7s fault, the *BP
shall reduce the interest rate and9or reduce the principal
obligation to !a)e the repay!ent affordable.
.4he *BP shall have a lien by way of !ortgage on the land
awarded to the beneficiary@ and this !ortgage !ay be foreclosed
by the *BP for non-pay!ent of an aggregate of three 2>3 annual
a!orti6ations. 4he *BP shall advise the 0$R of such proceedings
and the latter shall subse:uently award the forfeited landholding
to other :ualified beneficiaries. $ beneficiary whose land, as
provided herein, has been foreclosed shall thereafter be
per!anently dis:ualified fro! beco!ing a beneficiary under this
$ct..
Section 5. Section #( of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. #(. 4ransferability of $warded *ands. - *ands ac:uired by
beneficiaries under this $ct or other agrarian refor! laws shall
not be sold, transferred or conveyed e<cept through hereditary
succession, or to the govern!ent, or to the *BP, or to other
:ualified beneficiaries through the 0$R for a period of ten 2+B3
years" Provided, however, 4hat the children or the spouse of the
transferor shall have a right to repurchase the land fro! the
govern!ent or *BP within a period of two 2#3 years. 0ue notice
of the availability of the land shall be given by the *BP to the
B$R of the barangay where the land is situated. 4he P$R=M,
as herein provided, shall, in turn, be given due notice thereof by
the B$R.
.4he title of the land awarded under the agrarian refor! !ust
indicate that it is an e!ancipation patent or a certificate of land
ownership award and the subse:uent transfer title !ust also
indicate that it is an e!ancipation patent or a certificate of land
ownership award.
.1f the land has not yet been fully paid by the beneficiary, the
rights to the land !ay be transferred or conveyed, with prior
approval of the 0$R, to any heir of the beneficiary or to any
other beneficiary who, as a condition for such transfer or
conveyance, shall cultivate the land hi!self9herself. 8ailing
co!pliance herewith, the land shall be transferred to the *BP
which shall give due notice of the availability of the land in the
!anner specified in the i!!ediately preceding paragraph.
.1n the event of such transfer to the *BP, the latter shall
co!pensate the beneficiary in one lu!p su!p for the a!ounts
the latter has already paid, together with the value of
i!prove!ents he9she has !ade on the land..
Section 57. Section >& of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. >&. 8unding for Support Services. - 1n order to cover the
e<penses and cost of support services, at least forty percent
2?BE3 of all appropriations for agrarian refor! during the five 2'3
year e<tension period shall be i!!ediately set aside and !ade
available for this purpose" Provided, 4hat the 0$R shall pursue
integrated land ac:uisition and distribution and support services
strategy re:uiring a plan to be developed parallel to the land
ac:uisition and distribution process. 4he planning and
i!ple!entation for land ac:uisition and distribution shall be
hand-in-hand with support services delivery" Provided, further,
4hat for the ne<t five 2'3 years, as far as practicable, a !ini!u!
of two 2#3 $grarian Refor! o!!unities 2$Rs3 shall be
established by the 0$R, in coordination with the local
govern!ent units, non-govern!ental organi6ations, 7co!!unity-
based cooperatives and people7s organi6ations in each legislative
district with a predo!inant agricultural
population" Provided, further!ore, 4hat the areas in which the
$RS are to be established shall have been substantially covered
under the provisions of this $ct and other agrarian or land refor!
laws" Provided, finally, 4hat a co!ple!entary support services
delivery strategy for e<isting agrarian refor! beneficiaries that
are not in barangays within the $Rs shall be adopted by the
0$R.
.8or this purpose, an $grarian Refor! o!!unity is co!posed
and !anaged by agrarian refor! beneficiaries who shall be
willing to be organi6ed and to underta)e the integrated
develop!ent of an area and9or their organi6ations9 cooperatives.
1n each co!!unity, the 0$R, together with the agencies and
organi6ations above!entioned, shall identify the far!ers7
association, cooperative or their respective federations approved
by the far!ers- beneficiaries that shall ta)e the lead in the
agricultural develop!ent of the area. 1n addition, the 0$R, in
close coordination with the congressional oversight co!!ittee
created herein, with due notice to the concerned representative
of the legislative district prior to i!ple!entation shall be
authori6ed to pac)age proposals and receive grants, aids and
other for!s of financial assistance fro! any source.
Section 58. Section >( of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. >(. Support Services for the $grarian Refor! Beneficiaries.
- 4he State shall adopt the integrated policy of support services
delivery to agrarian refor! beneficiaries. 4o this end, the 0$R,
the 0epart!ent of 8inance, and the Bang)o Sentral ng Pilipinas
2BSP3 shall institute refor!s to liberali6e access to credit by
agrarian refor! beneficiaries. 4he P$R shall ensure that support
services for agrarian refor! beneficiaries are provided, such as"
.2a3 *and surveys and titling@
.2b3 Sociali6ed ter!s on agricultural credit facilities@
.4hirty percent 2>BE3 of all appropriations for support
services referred to in Section >& of Republic $ct %o. &&'(,
as a!ended, shall be i!!ediately set aside and !ade
available for agricultural credit facilities" Provided, 4hat one-
third 2+9>3 of this segregated appropriation shall be
specifically allocated for subsidies to support the initial
capitali6ation for agricultural production to new agrarian
refor! beneficiaries upon the awarding of the e!ancipation
patent or the certificate of land ownership award and the
re!aining two-thirds 2#9>3 shall be allocated to provide
access to sociali6ed credit to e<isting agrarian refor!
beneficiaries, including the leaseholders" Provided, further,
the *BP and other concerned govern!ent financial
institutions, accredited savings and credit cooperatives,
financial service cooperatives and accredited cooperative
ban)s shall provide the delivery syste! for disburse!ent of
the above financial assistance to individual agrarian refor!
beneficiaries, holders of collective titles and cooperatives.
.8or this purpose, all financing institutions !ay accept as
collateral for loans the purchase orders, !ar)eting
agree!ents or e<pected harvests" Provided, 4hat loans
obtained shall be used in the i!prove!ent or develop!ent
of the far! holding of the agrarian refor! beneficiary or the
establish!ent of facilities which shall enhance production or
!ar)eting of agricultural products of increase far! inco!e
therefro!" Provided, further, 4hat of the re!aining seventy
percent 2(BE3 for the support services, fifteen percent
2+'E3 shall be ear!ar)ed for far! inputs as re:uested by
the duly accredited agrarian refor! beneficiaries7
organi6ations, such as, but not li!ited to" 2+3 seeds,
seedlings and9or planting !aterials@ 2#3 organic fertili6ers@
2>3 pesticides@ 2?3herbicides@ and 2'3 far! ani!als,
i!ple!ents97!achineries@ and five percent 2'E3 for
se!inars, trainings and the li)e to help e!power agrarian
refor! beneficiaries.
.2c3 /<tension services by way of planting, cropping,
production and post-harvest technology transfer, as well as
!ar)eting and !anage!ent assistance and support to
cooperatives and far!ers7 organi6ations@
.2d3 1nfrastructure such as, but not li!ited to, access trails,
!ini-da!s, public utilities, !ar)eting and storage facilities@
.2e3 Research, production and use of organic fertili6ers and
other local substances necessary in far!ing and cultivation@
and
.2f3 0irect and active 0$R assistance in the education and
organi6ation of actual and potential agrarian refor!
beneficiaries, at the barangay, !unicipal, city, provincial, and
national levels, towards helping the! understand their rights
and responsibilities as owner-cultivators developing far!-
related trust relationships a!ong the!selves and their
neighbors, and increasing far! production and profitability
with the ulti!ate end of e!powering the! to chart their
own destiny. 4he representatives of the agrarian refor!
beneficiaries to the P$R shall be chosen fro! the 7no!inees
of the duly accredited agrarian refor! beneficiaries7
organi6ations, or in its absence, fro! organi6ations of actual
and potential agrarian refor! beneficiaries as forwarded to
and processed by the P$R /D=M.
.4he P$R shall for!ulate policies to ensure that support
services for agrarian refor! beneficiaries shall be provided at all
stages of the progra! i!ple!entation with the concurrence of
the concerned agrarian refor! beneficiaries.
.4he P$R shall li)ewise adopt, i!ple!ent, and !onitor policies
and progra!s to ensure the funda!ental e:uality of wo!en and
!en in the agrarian refor! progra! as well as respect for the
hu!an rights, social protection, and decent wor)ing conditions of
both paid and unpaid !en and wo!en far!er-beneficiaries.
.4he Bagong Filusang Fabuhayan sa Faunlaran 2BFFF3
Secretariat shall be transferred and attached t o the *BP, for its
supervision including all its applicable and e<isting funds,
personnel, properties, e:uip!ent and records.
.Misuse or diversion of the financial and support services herein
provided shall result in sanctions against the beneficiary guilty
thereof, including the forfeiture of the land transferred to hi!9her
or lesser sanctions as !ay be provided by the P$R, without
pre5udice to cri!inal prosecution..
Section 52. 4here shall be incorporated after Section >( of Republic
$ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, a new section to read as follows"
.S/. >(-$. /:ual Support Services for Rural Co!en. - Support
services shall be e<tended e:ually to wo!en and !en agrarian
refor! beneficiaries.
.4he P$R shall ensure that these support services, as provided
for in this $ct, integrate the specific needs and well-being of
wo!en far!er- beneficiaries ta)ing into account the specific
re:uire!ents of fe!ale fa!ily !e!bers of far!er- beneficiaries.
.4he P$R shall also ensure that rural wo!en will be able to
participate in all co!!unity activities. 4o this effect, rural wo!en
are entitled to self-organi6ation in order to obtain e:ual access to
econo!ic opportunities and to have access to agricultural credit
and loans, !ar)eting facilities and technology, and other support
services, and e:ual treat!ent in land refor! and resettle!ent
sche!es.
.4he 0$R shall establish and !aintain a wo!en7s des), which will
be pri!arily responsible for for!ulating and i!ple!enting
progra!s and activities related to the protection and pro!otion
of wo!en7s rights, as well as providing an avenue where wo!en
can register their co!plaints and grievances principally related t o
their rural activities..
Section 51. Section >- of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. >-. Support Services for *andowners. - 4he P$R, with the
assistance of such other govern!ent agencies and
instru!entalities as it !ay direct, shall provide landowners
affected by the $RP and prior agrarian refor! progra!s with
the following services"
.2a3 1nvest!ent infor!ation, financial and counseling
assistance, particularly invest!ent infor!ation on
govern!ent-owned and9or -controlled corporations and
disposable assets of the govern!ent in pursuit of national
industriali6ation and econo!ic independence"
.2b3 8acilities, progra!s and sche!es for the conversion or
e<change of bonds issued for pay!ent of the lands ac:uired
with stoc)s and bonds issued by the %ational Aovern!ent,
the BSP and other govern!ent institutions and
instru!entalities@
.2c3 Mar)eting of agrarian refor! bonds, as well as
pro!oting the !ar)etability of said bonds in traditional and
non-traditional financial !ar)ets and stoc) e<changes"
and9or
.2d3 =ther services designed t o utili6e productively the
proceeds of the sale of such lands for rural industriali6ation.
.$ landowner who invests in rural-based industries shall be
entitled to the incentives granted to a registered enterprise
engaged in a pioneer or preferred area of invest!ent as provided
for in the =!nibus 1nvest!ent ode of +,-(,or to such other
incentives as the P$R, the *BP, or other govern!ent financial
institutions shall provide.
.4he *BP shall redee! a landowner7s agrarian refor! bonds at
face value as an incentive" Provided, 4hat at least fifty percent
2'BE3 of the proceeds thereof shall be invested in a Board of
1nvest!ents 2B=13-registered co!pany or in any agri-business or
agro-industrial enterprise in the region where the $RP-covered
landholding is located. $n additional incentive of two percent
2#E3 in cash shall be paid to a landowner who !aintains his9her
enterprise as a going concern for five 2'3 years or )eeps his9her
invest!ents in a B=1- registered fir! for the sa!e period"
Provided, further, 4hat the rights of the agrarian refor!
beneficiaries are not, in any way, pre5udiced or i!paired thereby.
.4he 0$R, the *BP and the 0epart!ent of 4rade and 1ndustry
shall 5ointly for!ulate the progra! to carry out these provisions
under the supervision of the P$R" Provided, 4hat in no case
shall the landowners7 se<, econo!ic, religious, social, cultural and
political attributes e<clude the! fro! accessing these support
services..
Section 57. Section ?+ of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. ?+. 4he Presidential $grarian Refor! ouncil. - 4he
Presidential $grarian Refor! ouncil 2P$R3 shall be co!posed
of the President of the Philippines as hairperson, the Secretary
of $grarian Refor! as Gice-hairperson and the following as
!e!bers" Secretaries of the 0epart!ents of $griculture@
/nviron!ent and %atural Resources@ Budget and Manage!ent@
1nterior and *ocal Aovern!ent@ Public Cor)s and Highways@
4rade and 1ndustry@ 8inance@ and *abor and /!ploy!ent@
0irector-Aeneral of the %ational /cono!ic and 0evelop!ent
$uthority@ President, *and Ban) of the Philippines@ $d!inistrator,
%ational 1rrigation $d!inistration@ $d!inistrator, *and
Registration $uthority@ and si< 2&3 representatives of affected
landowners to represent *u6on, Gisayas and Mindanao@ si< 2&3
representatives of agrarian refor! beneficiaries, two 2#3 each
fro! *u6on, Gisayas and Mindanao" Provided, 4hat at least one
2+3 of the! shall be fro! the indigenous
peoples" Provided, further, 4hat at least one 2+3of the! shall
co!e fro! a duly recogni6ed national organi6ation of rural
wo!en or a national organi6ation of agrarian refor! beneficiaries
with a substantial nu!ber of wo!en !e!bers" Provided, finally,
4hat at least twenty percent 2#BE3 of the !e!bers of the P$R
shall be wo!en but in no case shall they be less than two 2H3..
Section 56. Section 'B of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. 'B. Iuasi-Judicial Powers of the 0$R. - 4he 0$R is hereby
vested with pri!ary 5urisdiction to deter!ine and ad5udicate
agrarian refor! !atters and shall have e<clusive original
5urisdiction over all !atters involving the i!ple!entation of
agrarian refor!, e<cept those falling under the e<clusive
5urisdiction of the 0epart!ent of $griculture 20$3 and the 0/%R.
.1t shall not be bound by technical rules of procedure and
evidence but shall proceed to hear and decide all cases, disputes
or controversies in a !ost e<peditious !anner, e!ploying all
reasonable !eans to ascertain the facts of every case in
accordance with 5ustice and e:uity and the !erits of the case.
4oward this end, it shall adopt a unifor! rule of procedure to
achieve a 5ust, e<peditious and ine<pensive deter!ination of
every action or proceeding before it.
.1t shall have the power to su!!on witnesses, ad!inister oaths,
ta)e testi!ony, re:uire sub!ission of reports, co!pel the
production of boo)s and docu!ents and answers to
interrogatories and issuesubpoena, and subpoena duces
tecu! and to enforce its writs through sheriffs or other duly
deputi6ed officers. 1t shall li)ewise have the power to punish
direct and indirect conte!pts in the sa!e !anner and sub5ect to
the sa!e penalties as provided in the Rules of ourt.
.Responsible far!er leaders shall be allowed to represent
the!selves, their fellow far!ers, or their organi6ations in any
proceedings before the 0$R Provided, however, 4hat when there
are two or !ore representatives for any individual or group, the
representatives should choose only one a!ong the!selves to
represent such party or group before any 0$B proceedings.
.%otwithstanding an appeal to the ourt of $ppeals, the decision
of the 0$R shall be i!!ediately e<ecutory e<cept a decision or a
portion thereof involving solely the issue of 5ust co!pensation..
Section 59. Section 'B of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended by adding Section 'B-$ to read as follows"
.S/. 'B-$. /<clusive Jurisdiction on $grarian 0ispute. - %o court
or prosecutor7s office shall ta)e cogni6ance of cases pertaining to
the i!ple!entation of the $RP e<cept those provided under
Section '( of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended. 1f there is an
allegation fro! any of the parties that the case is agrarian in
nature and one of the parties is a far!er, far!wor)er, or tenant,
the case shall be auto!atically referred by the 5udge or the
prosecutor to the 0$R which shall deter!ine and certify within
fifteen 2+'3 days fro! referral whether an agrarian dispute e<ists"
Provided, 4hat fro! the deter!ination of the 0$R, an aggrieved
party shall have 5udicial recourse. 1n cases referred by the
!unicipal trial court and the prosecutor7s office, the appeal shall
be with the proper regional trial court, and in cases referred by
the regional trial court, the appeal shall be to the ourt of
$ppeals.
.1n cases where regular courts or :uasi-5udicial bodies have
co!petent 5urisdiction, agrarian refor! beneficiaries or identified
beneficiaries and9or their associations shall have legal standing
and interest to intervene concerning their individual or collective
rights and9or interests under the $RP.
.4he fact of non-registration of such associations with the
Securities and /<change o!!ission, or ooperative
0evelop!ent $uthority, or any concerned govern!ent agency
shall not be used against the! to deny the e<istence of their
legal standing and interest in a case filed before such courts and
:uasi-5udicial bodies..
Section 0. Section '' of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. ''. %o Restraining =rder or Preli!inary 1n5unction. -/<cept
for the Supre!e ourt, no court in the Philippines shall have
5urisdiction to issue any restraining order or writ of preli!inary
in5unction against the P$R, the 0$R, or any of its duly
authori6ed or designated agencies in any case, dispute or
controversy arising fro!, necessary to, or in connection with the
application, i!ple!entation, enforce!ent, or interpretation of
this $ct and other pertinent laws on agrarian refor!..
Section 5. Section &> of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. &>. 8unding Source. - 4he a!ount needed to further
i!ple!ent the $RP as provided in this $ct, until June >B, #B+?,
upon e<piration of funding under Republic $ct %o. -'># and
other pertinent laws, shall be funded fro! the $grarian Refor!
8und and other funding sources in the a!ount of at least =ne
hundred fifty billion pesos 2P+'B,BBB,BBB,BBB.BB3.
.$dditional a!ounts are hereby authori6ed to be appropriated as
and when needed to aug!ent the $grarian Refor! 8und in order
to fully i!ple!ent the provisions of this $ct during the five 2'3-
year e<tension period.
.Sources of funding or appropriations shall include the following"
.2a3 Proceeds of the sales of the Privati6ation and
Manage!ent =ffice 2PM=3@
.e3$ll receipts fro! assets recovered and fro! sales of ill-
gotten wealth recovered through the PAA e<cluding the
a!ount appropriated for co!pensation to victi!s of hu!an
rights violations under the applicable law@
.2c3 Proceeds of the disposition and develop!ent of the
properties of the Aovern!ent in foreign countries, for the
specific purposes of financing production credits,
infrastructure and other support services re:uired by this
$ct@
.2d3 $ll inco!e and, collections of whatever for! and nature
arising fro! the agrarian refor! operations, pro5ects and
progra!s of the 0$R and other $RP i!ple!enting
agencies@
.2e3 Portion of a!ounts accruing to the Philippines fro! all
sources of official foreign. aid grants and concessional
financing fro! all countries, to be used for the specific
purposes of financing productions, credits, infrastructures,
and other support services re:uired by this $ct"
.2f3 Jearly appropriations of no less than 8ive billion pesos
2P',BBB,BBB,BBB.BB3 fro! the Aeneral $ppropriations $ct@
.2g3 Aratuitous financial assistance fro! legiti!ate sources@
and
.2h3 =ther govern!ent funds not otherwise appropriated.
.$ll funds appropriated to i!ple!ent the provisions of this $ct
shall be considered continuing appropriations during the period of
its i!ple!entation" Provided, 4hat if the need arises, specific
a!ounts for bond rede!ptions, interest pay!ents and other
e<isting obligations arising fro! the i!ple!entation of the
progra! shall be included in the annual Aeneral $ppropriations
$ct" Provided, further, 4hat all 5ust co!pensation pay!ents to
landowners, including e<ecution of 5udg!ents therefore, shall
only be sourced fro! the $grarian Refor!
8und" Provided, however, 4hat 5ust co!pensation pay!ents that
cannot be covered within the approved annual budget of the
progra! shall be chargeable against the debt service progra! of
the national govern!ent, or any unprogra!!ed ite! in the
Aeneral $ppropriations $ct"Provided, finally, 4hat after the
co!pletion of the land ac:uisition and distribution co!ponent of
the $RP, the yearly appropriation shall be allocated fully to
support services, agrarian 5ustice delivery and operational
re:uire!ents of the 0$R and the other $RP i!ple!enting
agencies..
Section . Section &' of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. &'. onversion of *ands. - $fter the lapse of five 2'3 years
fro! its award, when the land ceases to be econo!ically feasible
and sound for agricultural purposes, or the locality has beco!e
urbani6ed and the land will have a greater econo!ic value for
residential, co!!ercial or industrial purposes, the 0$R, upon
application of the beneficiary or the landowner with respect only
to his9her retained area which is tenanted, with due notice to the
affected parties, and sub5ect to e<isting laws, !ay authori6e the
reclassification or conversion of the land and its
disposition" Provided, 4hat if the applicant is a beneficiary under
agrarian laws and the land sought to be converted is the land
awarded to hi!9her or any portion thereof, the applicant, after
the conversion is granted, shall invest at least ten percent
2+BE3of the proceeds co!ing fro! the conversion in govern!ent
securities" Provided, further, 4hat the applicant upon conversion
shall fully pay the price of the land" Provided, further!ore, 4hat
irrigated and irrigable lands, shall not be sub5ect to
conversion" Provided, finally, 4hat the %ational 1rrigation
$d!inistration shall sub!it a consolidated data on the location
nationwide of all irrigable lands within one 2+3year fro! the
effectivity of this $ct.
.8ailure to i!ple!ent the conversion plan within five 2'3 years
fro! the approval of such conversion plan or any violation of the
conditions of the conversion order due to the fault of the
applicant shall cause the land to auto!atically be covered by
$RP..
Section 7. Section &- of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. &-. 1!!unity of Aovern!ent $gencies fro! Kndue
1nterference. - 1n cases falling within their 5urisdiction, no
in5unction, restraining order, prohibition or !anda!us shall be
issued by the regional trial courts, !unicipal trial courts,
!unicipal circuit trial courts, and !etropolitan trial courts against
the 0$R, the 0$, the 0/%R, and the 0epart!ent of Justice in
their i!ple!entation of the progra!..
Section 8. Section (> of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. (>. Prohibited $cts and =!issions. - 4he following are
prohibited"
.2a3 4he ownership or possession, for the purpose of
circu!venting the provisions of this $ct, of agricultural lands
in e<cess of the total retention li!its or award ceilings by any
person, natural or 5uridical, e<cept those under collective
ownership by far!er-beneficiaries@
.2b3 4he forcible entry or illegal detainer by persons who are
not :ualified beneficiaries under this $ct to avail the!selves
of the rights and benefits of the $grarian Refor! Progra!"
.2c3 $ny conversion by , any landowner of his9her
agricultural7 land into any non-agricultural use with intent to
avoid the application of this $ct to his9her landholdings and
to dispossess his9her bonafide tenant far!ers"
.2d3 4he !alicious and willful prevention or obstruction by
any person, association or entity of the i!ple!entation of
the $RP@
.2e3 4he sale, transfer, conveyance or change of the nature
of lands outside of urban centers and city li!its either in
whole or in part after the effectivity of this $ct, e<cept after
final co!pletion of the appropriate conversion under Section
&' of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended. 4he date of the
registration of the deed of conveyance in the Register of
0eeds with respect to titled lands and the date of the
issuance of the ta< declaration to the transferee of the
property with respect to unregistered lands, as the case !ay
be, shall be conclusive for the purpose of this $ct@
.2f3 4he sale, transfer or conveyance by a beneficiary of the
right to use or any other usufructuary right over the land
he9she ac:uired by virtue of being a beneficiary, in order to
circu!vent the provisions of this $ct@
.2g3 4he un5ustified, willful, and !alicious act by a
responsible officer or officers of the govern!ent through the
following"
.2+3 4he denial of notice and9or reply to landowners@
.2#3 4he deprivation of retention rights@
.2>3 4he undue or inordinate delay in the preparation of
clai! folders@ or
.2?3 $ny undue delay, refusal or failure in the pay!ent
of 5ust co!pensation@
.2h3 4he undue delay or un5ustified failure of the 0$R, the
*BP, the P$R, the P$R=M, and any concerned
govern!ent agency or any govern!ent official or e!ployee
to sub!it the re:uired report, data and9or other official
docu!ent involving the i!ple!entation of the provisions of
this $ct, as re:uired by the parties or the govern!ent,
including the House of Representatives and the Senate of the
Philippines as well as their respective co!!ittees, and the
congressional oversight co!!ittee created herein@
.2i3 4he undue delay in the co!pliance with the obligation to
certify or attest and9or falsification of the certification or
attestation as re:uired under Section ( of Republic $ct %o.
&&'(, as a!ended@ and
.253 $ny other culpable neglect or willful violations of the
provisions of this $ct.
.1n the case of govern!ent officials and e!ployees, a conviction
under this $ct is without pre5udice to any civil case and9or
appropriate ad!inistrative proceedings under civil service law,
rules and regulations. .$ny person convicted under this $ct shall
not be entitled to any benefit provided for in any agrarian refor!
law or progra!..
Section 2. Section (? of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, is
hereby further a!ended to read as follows"
.S/. (?. Penalties. - $ny person who )nowingly or willfully
violates the provisions of this $ct shall be punished by
i!prison!ent of not less than one 2+3 !onth to not !ore than
three 2>3 years or a fine of not less than =ne thousand pesos
2P+,BBB.BB3 and not !ore than 8ifteen thousand pesos
2P+',BBB.BB3, or both, at the discretion of the court" Provided,
4hat the following corresponding penalties shall be i!posed for
the specific violations hereunder"
.2a3 1!prison!ent of three 2>3 years and one 2+3 day to si<
2&3 years or a fine of not less than 8ifty thousand pesos
2P'B,BBB.BB3and not !ore than =ne hundred fifty thousand
pesos 2P+'B,BBB.BB3, or both, at the discretion of the court
upon any person who violates Section (>, subparagraphs 2a3,
2b3, 2f3, 2g3, and 2h3 of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended@
and
.2b3 1!prison!ent of si< 2&3 years and one 2+3 day to twelve
2+#3 years or a fine of not less than 4wo hundred thousand
pesos 2P#BB,BBB.BB3 and not !ore than =ne !illion pesos
2P+,BBB,BBB.BB3, or both, at the discretion of the court upon
any person who violates Section (>, subparagraphs 2c3, 2d3,
2e3, and 2i3 of Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended.
.1f the offender is a corporation or association, the officer
responsible therefor shall be cri!inally liable..
Section 1. Congressional %9ersight Co::ittee. - $
ongressional =versight o!!ittee on $grarian Refor! 2=$R3 is
hereby created to oversee and !onitor the i!ple!entation of this
$ct. 1t shall be co!posed of the hairpersons of the o!!ittee on
$grarian Refor! of both Houses of ongress, three 2>3 Me!bers of
the House of Representatives, and three 2>3 Me!bers of the Senate
of the Philippines, to be designated respectively by the Spea)er of the
House of Representatives and the President of the Senate of the
Philippines.
4he hairpersons of the o!!ittees on $grarian Refor! of the House
of Representatives and of the Senate of the Philippines shall be the
hairpersons of the =$R. 4he Me!bers shall receive no
co!pensation@ however, traveling and other necessary e<penses shall
be allowed.
1n order to carry out the ob5ectives of this $ct, the =$R shall be
provided with the necessary appropriations for its operation. $n initial
a!ount of 4wenty-five !illion pesos 2P#',BBB,BBB.BB3 is hereby
appropriated for the =$R for the first year of its operation and the
sa!e a!ount shall be appropriated every year thereafter.
4he ter! of the =$R shall end si< 2&3 !onths after the e<piration
of the e<tended period of five 2'3 years.
Section 7. Po;ers and Functions of the C%CAR. - 4he =$R
shall have the following powers and functions"
2a3 Prescribe and adopt guidelines which shall govern its wor)@
2b3 Hold hearings and consultations, receive testi!onies and
reports pertinent to its specified concerns@
2c3 Secure fro! any depart!ent, bureau, office or instru!entality
of the govern!ent such assistance as !ay be needed, including
technical infor!ation, preparation and production of reports and
sub!ission of reco!!endations or plans as it !ay re:uire,
particularly a yearly report of the record or perfor!ance of each
agrarian refor! beneficiary as provided under Section ## of
Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended@
2d3 Secure fro! the 0$R or the *BP infor!ation on the a!ount
of 5ust co!pensation deter!ined to be paid or which has been
paid to any landowner@
2e3 Secure fro! the 0$R or the *BP :uarterly reports on the
disburse!ent of funds for the agrarian refor! progra!@
2f3 =versee and !onitor, in such a !anner as it !ay dee!
necessary, the actual i!ple!entation of the progra! and pro5ects
by the 0$R@
2g3 Su!!on by subpoena any public or private citi6en to testify
before it, or re:uire by subpoena duces tecu! to produce before
it such records, reports, or other docu!ents as !ay be necessary
in the perfor!ance of its functions@
2h3 /ngage the services of resource persons fro! the public and
private sectors as well as civil society including the various
agrarian refor! groups or organi6ations in the different regions
of the country as !ay be needed@
2i3 $pprove the budget for the wor) of the o!!ittee and all
disburse!ents therefro!, including co!pensation of all
personnel@
253 =rgani6e its staff and hire and appoint such e!ployees and
personnel whether te!porary, contractual or on constancy
sub5ect to applicable rules@ and
2)3 /<ercise all the powers necessary and incidental to attain the
purposes for which it is created.
Section 6. Periodic Reports. - 4he =$R shall sub!it to the
Spea)er of the House of Representatives and to the President of the
Senate of the Philippines periodic reports on its findings and
reco!!endations on actions to be underta)en by both Houses of
ongress, the 0$R, and the P$R.
Section 9. Access to $nfor:ation. - %otwithstanding the
provisions of Republic $ct %o. +?B' and other pertinent laws,
infor!ation on the a!ount of 5ust co!pensation paid to any
landowner under Republic $ct %o. &&'(, as a!ended, and other
agrarian refor! laws shall be dee!ed public infor!ation.
Section 70. Resolution of Case. - $ny case and9or proceeding
involving the i!ple!entation of the provisions of Republic $ct %o.
&&'(, as a!ended, which !ay re!ain pending on June >B, #B+? shall
be allowed to proceed to its finality and be e<ecuted even beyond
such date.
Section 75. $:ple:enting Rules and Regulations. - 4he P$R
and the 0$R shall provide the necessary i!ple!enting rules and
regulations within thirty 2>B3 days upon the approval of this $ct. Such
rules and regulations shall ta)e effect on July +, #BB, and it shall be
published in at least two 2#3 newspapers of general circulation.
Section 7. Repealing Clause. - Section '> of Republic $ct %o.
>-??, otherwise )nown as the $gricultural *and Refor! ode, is
hereby repealed and all other laws, decrees, e<ecutive orders,
issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with
this $ct are hereby li)ewise repealed or a!ended accordingly.
Section 77. Separabilit< Clause. - 1f, for any reason, any section
or provision of this $ct is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the
other sections or provisions not affected thereby shall re!ain in full
force and effect.
Section 78. !ffecti9it< Clause. - 4his $ct shall ta)e effect on July
+,#BB, and it shall be published in at least two 2#3 newspapers of
general circulation.
$pproved,
2Sgd.3 PR%SP!R% C.
N%"RA/!S
Spea)er of the House of
Representatives
2Sgd.3 =-AN P%NC! !NR$/!
President of the Senate
4his $ct which is a consolidation of Senate Bill %o. #&&& and, House
Bill %o. ?B(( was finally passed by the Senate and the House of
Representatives on $ugust >, #BB, and July #,, #BB,, respectively.
2Sgd.3 &AR$/0N .. .AR-A>
0AP
Secretary Aeneral
House of Represenatives
2Sgd.3 !&&A /$R$%>R!0!S
Secretary of Senate
$pproved" August 7, 009
2Sgd.3 "/%R$A &ACAPA"A/>ARR%0%
President of the Philippines