administrative order no irr of ra 10023

5/21/2015 AdministrativeOrderNo.201012

http://www.lawphil.net/administ/denr/ao_201012_2010.html 1/6

TodayisThursday,May21,2015

RepublicofthePhilippinesDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTANDNATURALRESOURCES

VisayasAvenue,Diliman,QuezonCityTel.Nos.:(632)9296626to29*(632)92962529298620*9296633to359297041to43

DENRAdministrativeOrderNo.201012

SUBJECT:RULESANDREGULATIONSFORTHEISSUANCEOFFREEPATENTSTORESIDENTIALLANDSUNDERREPUBLICACTNO.10023

Pursuant toSection7ofRepublicActNo.10023,otherwiseknownasAnActAuthorizing the IssuanceofFreePatents to Residential Lands ("RA 10023"), mandating the Director of the Land Management Bureau of theDepartmentofEnvironmentandNaturalResources to issue the implementing rulesand regulationsof thisAct,thefollowingrulesandregulationsspecificallypertainingtoresidentiallandsareherebypromulgated:

Section 1. Scope of the Implementing Rules and Regulations. This implementing rules and regulations,hereinafter referred to as the IRR, shall only cover applications for free patents pertaining to untitled publicalienableanddisposablelandswhichhavebeenzonedasresidential.Itshallalsocoverzonedresidentialareasinproclaimedtownsitereservations.

Section2.Definitionofterms.ForpurposesofRA10023,thefollowingtermsandphrasesasusedinthisIRRaredefinedandunderstoodasfollows:

2.1FilipinoCitizenasenumeratedinArticleIVSectionIofthe1987Constitution,thefollowingarecitizensofthePhilippines:

2.1.1ThosewhoarecitizensofthePhilippinesatthetimeoftheadoptionofthe1987Constitution

2.1.2ThosewhosefathersormothersarecitizensofthePhilippines

2.1.3ThosebornbeforeJanuary17,1973,ofFilipinomothers,whoelectPhilippinecitizenshipuponreachingheageofmajorityand

2.1.4Thosewhoarenaturalizedinaccordancewithlaw.

Inaddition,apersonwithdualcitizenshipasprovided for inRepublicActNo.9225and its implementingrulesandregulationsshallbeconsideredaFilipinocitizen.

2.2Actualoccupant anypersonwho,eitherbyherselforhimselfor throughherorhispredecessorininterest,isoccupying,livingin,inhabitingorstayinginastructure,theprimarypurposeofwhichistoserveas the residenceofsuchperson,situatedon theparcelof residential landandsubjectof the freepatentapplication.Thisissubjecttotherequirementsundersubsections2.11,2.12and2.13below.

2.2.1ForpurposesofthisIRR,personsemployedindistantlocations,eitherforeignordomestic,inpublic or private service, such that they are not able to stay at their place of residence for longperiodsoftime,aredeemedactualoccupants.

2.3ResidentiallandsalllandsthathavebeenidentifiedandzonedasresidentialthroughtheappropriateordinancebytheLocalGovernmentUnit(LGU)havingjurisdictionoverthearea.Theseincluderesidentiallandswithinareaszonedasmixedresidentialandcommercialormixedresidentialandindustrial.

2.4 Alienable and Disposable lands Lands of the public domain classified as agricultural that may beacquiredthroughgrantorconfirmationoftitle.

2.5TownsitereservationsproclaimedareasspecificallyreservedfortheestablishmentofanewtownasprovidedforinChapterXITitleVofC.A.141orthePublicLandActasAmended.

2.6Highly urbanized cities (HUC) as defined inRepublic Act No. 7610, otherwise known as the LocalGovernmentCode(LGC),citieswithaminimumpopulationoftwohundredthousand(200,000)inhabitants,



ascertifiedbytheNationalStatisticsOffice,andwiththelatestannualincomeofatleastFiftyMillionPesos(P50, 000,000.00) based on 1991 constant prices, as certified by the city treasurer. Provided that, anyfuturechangesinqualificationsforclassificationasHUCbytheconcernedgovernmentagencyatthetimeoffilingoftheapplicationwillprevail.

2.7FirstclassmunicipalitiesmunicipalitieswithanaverageannualincomeofFiftyFiveMillionPesos(P55,000,000.00),asprovidedforinDepartmentOrderNo.2308oftheDepartmentofFinance,datedJuly29,2008 (DO 2008). Provided that, any future changes in qualifications for classification as first classmunicipalitybytheconcernedgovernmentagencyatthetimeoffilingoftheapplicationwillprevail.

2.8SecondclassmunicipalitiesmunicipalitieswithanaverageannualincomeequaltoormorethanFortyFive Million Pesos (P45, 000,000.00), but not exceeding Fifty Five Million Pesos (P55,000,000.00), asprovided for inDO2308.Provided that, any future changes inqualifications for classificationassecondclassmunicipalitybytheconcernedgovernmentagencyatthetimeoffilingoftheapplicationwillprevail.

2.9 Use for Public service utilization of parcels of land exclusively by the government or any of itsinstrumentalitiesinprovidingbasicservicestothegeneralpublic,suchas,butnotlimitedto,marketplacestown,city,provincial,orbarangayhallshospitals,clinics,andhealthcenterspolicestationsoutpostsjailsandthelike.

2.10Publicuseutilizationofparcelsoflandforstructureswhichareopentothegeneralpublic,including,butnotlimited,topublicplazas,parks,resort,playgrounds,publicparkinglots,andthelike.

2.11Disinterestedpersonanypersonwhohasnoclaimovertheparceloflandsubjectofthefreepatentapplication andwho does not stand to benefit from titling and registration or any other transaction oversuchparcelofland.Apersonisalsodisinterestedwhenherorhisrelationtothecauseortothepartiesissuchthatsheorhehasnoincentiveforexaggeratingorgivingfalsecolortoherorhisstatements,orforsuppressingorpervertingthetruthorforstatingwhatisfalse.

2.12Predecessorininterest a personwho, before having lawfully transferred theparcel subject of theapplicationtotheapplicant,hasheldandpossessedthesameinherorhisownrightandunderacoloroftitleacquiredthroughanyofthemodesofacquisitionrecognizedbytheCivilCode.Sheorhehasformerlyoccupied this parcel of land in the concept of an owner under a bona fide claim of ownership, butrelinquishesherorhisrightoverthesameinfavoroftheapplicant.

2.13Actual residence utilization of andpresence in a residential structure on the parcel subject of theapplicationwiththeintentiontoreside,coupledwithconductindicativeofsuchintention,eithercontinuousorinterruptedorintermittent,aslongastheapplicantpossessessuchstructureandtheparcelonwhichitstandsintheconceptofanowner.

2.14Continuouspossessionandoccupationusedeitherbytheapplicantherselforhimself,orthroughherorhispredecessorininterest,oftheparcelsubjectoftheapplicationintheconceptofanowner.Thismaybeactualpossessionoroccupation,or constructivepossession thatprovides fornonresidence,butwiththe desire to come back as soon as practicable. The possession and occupation, whether actual orconstructive, must be without interruption, except when prevented by force majeure or circumstancesbeyondhumancontrol,ornotof intermittentcharacterwhile itcontinues.Apersonwho lawfully recoverspossessionunjustlylost,shallbedeemed,forallpurposeswhichmayredoundtoherorhisbenefit,tohaveenjoyeditwithoutinterruption.

2.15 Bona fide claim of acquisition of ownership claim for the parcel subject of the application that islegally adequate as proof of possession and as acceptable to the community to separate that particularparcel asbeingownedby theapplicant to theexclusionof others. Itmeans that theapplicant holds thepropertybyvirtueoforthroughanyofthemodesofacquisitionrecognizedbytheCivilCode.Italsoreferstoastateofmindwhich ismanifestedby theactsof theapplicant,donewithhonest intention toabstainfrom takinganunconscionableor unscrupulousadvantageof another. It is theopposite of fraudand itsabsenceshouldbeestablishedbyconvincingevidence.

2.16Accomplishedapplication aproperapplication formcompletely andduly filled inwith the requisiteinformationandthatwhichdoesnotrequireanyadditionalinputsotherthanthosealreadyprovidedintheform,togetherwithallotherrequirementsenumeratedunderSection5oftheIRR.

2.17 CENRO the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of the Department ofEnvironmentandNaturalResources(DENR)having jurisdictionover theparcelsubjectof theapplication,whichshallaccepttheaccomplishedapplicationsubmittedbytheapplicant.IntheNationalCapitalRegion,theRegionalOfficeshallperformthefunctionsoftheCENRO.Whereportionsoftheparcelsubjectoftheapplicationarespreadovertwo(2)ormoreareasunderthejurisdictionofmorethanone(1)CENRO,theparcelshallbedividedsuchthattheportionsshallbethesubjectofseparatefreepatentsappliedforinthe



correspondingCENROwheretheyarelocated.

2.18PENROtheProvincialEnvironmentandNaturalResourcesOfficeoftheDepartmentofEnvironmentandNaturalResources(DENR)havingjurisdictionovertheparcelsubjectoftheapplication,whichhasthepower toapproveordisapprovesuchapplication. In theNationalCapitalRegion, theRegionalExecutiveDirectorshallperformthefunctionsofthePENRO.Uponapprovaloftheapplication,thePENROshallissuethepatentoversuchparcelofland.

Section 3.Qualifications. Applicants for the issuance of a residential free patent shall possess the followingqualifications,namely:

31.Filipinocitizenship,asdefinedinsubsection2.1.Incaseofdoubt,theCENROorthelandinvestigatorconcerned may ask for proof of citizenship such as, but not limited to, a copy of the birth certificate,passport,decreeororderofnaturalization,orcertificateofdualcitizenship.

3.2Actualoccupation,actualresidenceandcontinuouspossessionandoccupationoftheparcelsubjectoftheapplication,eitherbyherselforhimselforthroughherorhispredecessorininterest,underabonafideclaimofacquisitionofownership,foratleastten(10)yearspriortothefilingoftheapplication.

Thereshallbenoage requirement forapplicantsas longasminorapplicants,agedbeloweighteen (18)yearsold,aredulyrepresentedbytheirlegalguardians.Theheirsofadeceasedapplicantmaysubstitutetheapplicantprovided that they themselves possess the required qualifications. There shall likewise be no limit as to thenumberofapplicantswhichmaybefiledunderRA10023,providedthatthelimitationsastothesizeoftheparcelasstatedinSection4shallnotbeexceeded.

No application shall be approved for any individual whose total landholding would exceed a total of anaccumulatedtwelve(12)hectares,includingagriculturallands,shouldtheapplicationbegranted.

Section 4.Coverage. The IRR covers all residential lands that have been identified and zoned through theappropriateordinanceoftheLGUconcerned,providedthatthelandappliedforitsnotneededforpublicserviceand/orpublicuse.

4.1Forhighlyurbanizedcities,theareashallnotexceedtwohundred(200)squaremeters.

4.2Forothercities,theareashallnotexceedfivehundred(500)squaremeters.

4.3 For first class and second classmunicipalities, the area shall not exceed seven hundred fifty (750)squaremeters.

4.4Forallothermunicipalities,theareashallnotexceedonethousand(1000)squaremeters.

Inthedeterminationofthesizelimitationoftheparcelsubjectoftheapplication,theaboveclassificationsofLGUsatthetimeoffilingoftheaccomplishedapplicationshallbeconsidered.

AllCENROsshallsecureacopyofapprovalzoningordinancesofcitiesandmunicipalitieswithintheirjurisdictionfor identificationofzoned residentialareas.Theyshallsecureareacertifications from theLGUplanningofficesthattheareasidentifiedandzonedasresidentiallandsarenotneededforpublicuseorpublicservice.TheLGUzoning at the time of filing of the application shall be considered for purposes of complying with the zoningrequirement.

Section5.Requirements forapplications. Theapplication formaccompaniedapplicationby the requirementsenumerated below shall constitute an accomplished application for the issuance of free patents for residentiallands.

5.1Copyofapprovalplanbasedonanactualsurveyconductedbyalicensedgeodeticengineerorcopyofcadastralmapshowingtheparceloflandappliedfor.Forpurposeofsecuringtheapprovalofasurvey,theapplicationnumberisnotnecessary.

5.2Copyoftechnicaldescriptionoftheparceloflandsubjectoftheapplication.LMBform7002AorLMBform7002Bmaybeused.

5.3 Simplified sketch of the land parcel showing the adjacent lots, corners and natural or manmadefeaturesthatdefinedtheboundariesoftheland

5.4Affidavitoftwo(2)disinterestedpersonsresidinginthebarangayofthecityormunicipalitywherethelandislocated,attestingtothetruthofthefactscontainedintheapplicationtotheeffectthattheapplicantthereofhas,eitherbyhimselforthroughhispredecessorininterest,actuallyresidedonandcontinuouslypossessedandoccupied,underabonafideclaimofacquisitionofownership,thesubjectlandforatleast



ten(10)years

5.5 For isolated applications, a certification from the Regional Trial Court that there is no pending landregistrationcaseinvolvingthelandparcelbeingappliedfor.

Section6.ProcedureintheCENROforprocessingapplications.Applicationsforresidentialfreepatentshallbefiled in the CENRO whose jurisdiction covers the area where the parcel of land subject of the application issituated. Thismay also include onsite acceptance of accomplished applications by the CENRO or any of hisauthorized representatives. The CENRO may also authorize any public office to accept applications and toprepareapplicationsanddocumentsforprocessing.

6.1Noapplicationshallbeaccepted/processedwithoutsubmittingthecompleterequirementsincludingtheapproved plan and technical description. A preliminary assessment of compliancewith the qualificationsanddocumentaryrequirementsbasedonthechecklistmaybemadebeforeacceptanceoftheapplicationandthecommencementofthe120daysperiod.

6.2PostingofNotice.Uponreceiptofanaccomplishedapplication,theCENROconcernedshallcausethepostingofnoticesfor15daysintwo(2)conspicuousplaceswithinthemunicipalityorcity,preferablyinthelocation of its office, or any other place that can be readily seen, such as, but not limited to, public billboards, public plazas, municipal/city/barangay halls and market places. The CENRO shall issue thecertificateofpostingofnoticeafterthe15dayperiodhaselapsed.

6.3 The CENRO is required to process the application, including the publication thereof, within a nonextendibleperiodofonehundredtwenty(120)daysfromthedateoffilingoftheaccomplishedapplication.The120daysperiodstartsthemomentthatanaccomplishedapplicationleavesthehandsoftheapplicantand is turnedover theCENROoranyauthorized representatives thereof.Theperiod forverificationwiththerecords(e.g.determiningwhetherornotapatenthadalreadybeenissuedfortheparcelinquestion)isincluded in the120daysperiod.TheCENROmayprovideforacceptanceandprocessingofapplicationsbybatch(bydateorbygeography)tocomplywiththe120dayprocessingperiod.

6.4 Upon approval of the CENRO, the application and the complete records of the application shall beforwardedtothePENROforherorhisapprovalandsignature.

6.5ShouldtheCENROdeterminethattheapplicationisincompleteinrequirements,sheorheshallrejecttheapplicationwithoutprejudicetorefiling.

6.6Theinvestigatorshallconductanocularinspectionontheparceloflandappliedforandshalldeterminethe qualifications of the applicant as well as verify the claims of the applicant on the land. The landinvestigator is authorized to subscribe proofs, affidavits and oaths of any kind required or necessary inconnectionwiththeapplicationforresidentialfreepatent.

6.7 In case an opposition is filed, the 120day period for processing shall be deemed interrupted. TheCENROshallnotify theapplicanton theoppositionandshallsubject theapplication to theregularclaimsandconflictproceduresoftheDENR.

6.8TheCENROshallfasttracktheresolutionofallclaimsandconflictsarisingfromresidentialfreepatentapplications within 120 days and shall notify the conflicting parties within 15 days from the date ofresolution. TheCENROshall apply alternative dispute resolution (ADR)mechanisms in the resolution ofclaimsandconflicts.

6.9TheCENROshallestablishacomputerizeddatabaseandsystemofrecordkeepingwithrespecttoallpubliclandapplicationsandpatentsarisingfromtheimplementationofthisAct.

Section7.ProcedureinthePENRO.UpontherecommendationoftheCENROconcerned,thecorrespondingPENRO shall have a nonextendible period of five (5) days from receipt of such recommendation to eitherapproveandsignthepatentordisapprovetheapplication.

Incaseofapproval,thePENROshallnotifytheapplicantwithin15daysandforwardthepatenttotheRegistryofDeeds.

Incaseofdisapproval,thePENROshallnotifytheapplicantwithin15daysandremandtheentirerecordstotheCENROforappropriateaction.

ThePENROmaydisapprovetheapplicationwithoutprejudicetorefilingonthegroundsofnoncompliancewithdocumentaryrequirements.He/shemaydisapproveanapplicationwithprejudice torefillingongroundsofnonqualification of the applicant and when the land applied for should undergo claims and conflict resolutionprocedures.



The disapproval of the application by the PENRO may be appealed to the Secretary of the DENR thoughappropriatechannels.

Section8.OtherPendingApplications.PendingmiscellaneoussalesapplicationsfallingwithinthepurviewofRA10023priortotheorderofawardmaybeconvertedtoapplicationsforresidentialfreepatent.Provided,thattheapplicantisinformedandhis/herconsentisobtained.

All pending miscellaneous sales application after the order of award and those applicants thereof who havecommencedpaymentonanyoftherequiredequalannualinstallmentsshallbegiventheoptiontocontinuewiththemiscellaneoussalesapplicationor toconvert theirapplication intoanapplicationunderRA10023,providedthatanaffidavitof relinquishmentof rights to theMSAandof forfeitureofpreviouslypaid installmentsshallbeexecuted.

The conversation of pending Miscellaneous Sales Applications shall comply with the area limits specified inSection4.

TheCENRO shall issue an order cancelling themiscellaneous sales application and converting theMSA to aresidentialfreepatentapplication.

Townsite sales applications falling within the qualifications of R.A. 10023 and before the bidding has beenconducted,mayalsobeconvertedtoresidentialfreepatentapplications.Provided,thattheapplicantconsentstotheconversationandprovidedfurther,thattheapplicantrelinquishesanyothertypeofclaimthroughanaffidavit.Andprovidedfurther,thattheconversationshallcomplywiththearealimitsspecifiedinSection4.

Section9.RemovalofRestrictions.ThefollowingrestrictionsunderChapterXIII,TitleVIofCommonwealthActNo.141shallnotbeapplicabletopatentsissuedunderRA10023,towit:

"Section118.Except in favorof theGovernmentoranyof itsbranches,units,or institutions, landsacquired under free patent or homestead provisions shall not be subject to encumbrance oralienationfromthedateoftheapprovaloftheapplicationandforatermoffiveyearsfromandafterthedateof issuanceof thepatentorgrant, nor shall theybecome liable to thesatisfactionofanydebtcontractedpriortotheexpirationofsaidperiod,buttheimprovementsorcropsonthelandmaybemortgagedorpledgedtoqualifiedpersons,associations,orcorporations.

No alienation, transfer, or conveyance of any homestead after five years and before twentyfive years afterissuanceoftitleshallbevalidwithouttheapprovaloftheSecretaryofAgricultureandCommerce,whichapprovalshallnotbedeniedexceptonconstitutionalandlegalgrounds."

"Section 119. Every conveyance of land acquired under the free patent or homestead provisions,when proper, shall be subject to repurchase by the applicant, his widow, or legal heirs, within aperiodoffiveyearsfromthedateoftheconveyance."

"Section121.Exceptwith theconsentof thegranteeand theapprovalof theSecretaryofNaturalResources,andsolelyforcommercial,industrial,educational,religiousorcharitablepurposesorfora right of way, no corporation, association, or partnership may acquire or have any right, title,interest, or property right whatsoever to any land granted under the free patent, homestead, orindividualsaleprovisionsofthisActortoanypermanentimprovementonsuchland.

The provisions of Section 124 of this Act to the contrary notwithstanding, any acquisition of such land, rightstheretoor improvements thereonbya corporation,association,orpartnershipprior to thepromulgationof thisDecreesforthepurposeshereinstatedisdeemedvalidandbindingProvided,ThatnofinaldecisionofreversionofsuchlandtotheStatehasbeenrenderedbyacourtAndProvided,further,ThatsuchacquisitionisapprovedbytheSecretaryofNaturalResourceswithinsix(6)monthsfromtheeffectivityofthisDecree."

"Section 122. No land originally acquired in anymanner under the provisions of this Act, nor anypermanent on such land, shall encumbered, alienated, or transferred, except to persons,corporations,associations,orpartnershipswhomayacquire landsof thepublicdomainunder thisActortocorporationsorganizedinthePhilippinesauthorizedthereforbytheircharters.

Exceptincasesofhereditarysuccession,nolandoranyportionthereoforiginallyacquiredunderthefreepatent,homestead, or individual sale provisions of this Act, or any permanent improvement on such land, shall betransferredorassignedtoanyindividual,norshallsuchlandoranypermanentimprovementthereonbeleasedtosuch individual,when theareaofsaid land,added to thatofhisown,shallexceedonehundredand fortyfourhectares.Anytransfer,assignment,orleasemadeinviolationhereof,shallbenullandvoid."

"Section123.No landoriginally acquired inanymannerunder theprovisionsof anypreviousAct,ordinance,royalorder,royaldecree,oranyotherprovisionoflawformerlyinforceinthePhilippines



with regard to public lands, terrenos baldios y realengos, or lands of any other denomination thatwereactuallyorpresumptivelyofthepublicdomain,orbyroyalgrantorinanyotherform,noranypermanent improvement on such land, shall be encumbered, alienated, or conveyed, except opersons,corporationsorassociationswhomayacquirelandofthepublicdomainunderthisActortocorporate bodies organized in the Philippines whose charters authorize them to do so: Provided,however,ThatthisprohibitionshallnotbeapplicabletotheconveyanceoracquisitionbyreasonofhereditarysuccessiondulyacknowledgedandlegalizedbycompetentcourtsProvided,further,Thatintheeventoftheownershipofthelandsandimprovementsmentionedinthissectionandinthelastprecedingsectionbeing transferredby judicialdecree topersons, corporationsorassociationsnotlegallycapacitatedtoacquirethesameundertheprovisionsofthisAct,suchpersons,corporations,or associations shall be obliged to alienate said lands or improvements to others so capacitatedwithintheperiodoffiveyearsotherwise,suchpropertyshallreverttotheGovernment."

Section 10.SeparabilityClause. If, for any reason, any section or provision of this ImplementingRules andRegulationsisdeclarednullandavoid,noothersection,provision,orpartthereofshallbeaffectedandthesameshallremaininfullforceandeffect.

Section11.RepealingClause.Allorders,circulars,memorandaandotherissuancesinconsistentherewithareherebyrepealedand/oramendedaccordingly.

Section12.Effectivity.Thisordershalltakeeffectfifteen(15)daysafterthepublicationthereofinanewspaperof general circulationandacknowledgement of receipt of a copy from theOfficeof theNationalAdministrativeRegister.

Approved:

HON.HORACIOC.RAMOSSecretary

RecommendingApproval:

ATTY.ALLANV.BARCENADirector,LandManagementBureau

TheLawphilProjectArellanoLawFoundation

administrative order no irr of ra 10023

Documents