AN ACT GRANTING A PERIOD ENDING ON DECEMBER 31

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 6940

Amendments to the Public Land Act (Commonwealth Act No. 141)
- Extends the period for filing applications for free patent and judicial confirmation of imperfect title to alienable and disposable lands of the public domain under Chapters VII and VIII of the Public Land Act until December 31, 2000. (Section 1, Section 2, Section 3)
- Limits the maximum area that can be applied for under this Act to 12 hectares. (Section 1, Section 3)
- Allows natural-born Filipino citizens who have continuously occupied and cultivated agricultural public lands for at least 30 years prior to the effectivity of this Act, and have paid real estate tax on the land, to be entitled to a free patent for such land not exceeding 12 hectares. (Section 1)
- Authorizes the President of the Philippines, upon recommendation of the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, to fix the period within which applications for free patents may be filed in specific regions or areas. (Section 2)
- Extends the deadline for filing applications beyond December 31, 2000 in certain provinces, as determined by the President upon recommendation of the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources. (Section 2)
- Requires publication of the presidential proclamation fixing the application period in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected area, and posting of copies in government offices and barangay halls. (Section 2)
- Repeals any law or executive order contrary to or inconsistent with this Act. (Section 4)
- Provides for severability of provisions in case any part is held invalid. (Section 5)
- Specifies the effectivity date as 15 days after publication in two national newspapers of general circulation. (Section 6)