Reorganizing the Land Registration Commission Into the National Land Textiles and Deeds Registration Administration and Regionalizing the Offices of the Registrars Therein

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Executive Order No. 649

Reorganization of the Land Registration Commission
- The Land Registration Commission is reorganized into the National Land Titles and Deeds Registration Administration. (Sec. 1)
- The Administration shall have the following functions:
    1. Issue decrees of registration and cause issuance of certificates of title. (Sec. 1)
    2. Be the central repository of records for original land registration. (Sec. 1)
    3. Assist courts and agencies in land registration and reform programs. (Sec. 1)
- The Administration shall have an Administrator and Deputy Administrator. (Sec. 1)

Powers and Functions of the Administrator
- Exercise supervision over Registrars and personnel. (Sec. 1)
- Resolve cases elevated en consulta or on appeal from Registrars. (Sec. 1)
- Exercise supervision over court clerks on land registration matters. (Sec. 1)
- Implement orders, decisions, and decrees on land registration. (Sec. 1)
- Verify and approve subdivision plans of titled properties. (Sec. 1)

Departments and Divisions Created
- Administration and Personnel Management Department (Sec. 2)
    1. Administrative Services Division
    2. Personnel Management Division
    3. Docket Division
- Legal Affairs Department (Sec. 2)
    1. Clerk of Court Division
    2. Inspection and Investigation Division
    3. Law Division
- Registration Department (Sec. 2)
- Financial Management Department (Sec. 2)
    1. Accounting Division
    2. Budget and Finance Division
- Security Division under the Administrator (Sec. 2)

Creation of 13 Regional Registries of Land Titles and Deeds
- One for each administrative region, with specified coverage areas. (Sec. 3)
- Each region shall have a Regional Registrar and Assistant Regional Registrar. (Sec. 3)
- Additional Deputy Registrars may be created based on workload. (Sec. 3)
- Registrars may be assigned to any province/city within the region. (Sec. 3)

Appointment, Qualifications, Rank and Salary
- Key officials appointed by the President upon Justice Minister's recommendation. (Sec. 4)
- Other personnel appointed by Justice Minister upon Administrator's recommendation. (Sec. 4)
- Qualifications and ranks specified for Administrator, Deputy, Registrars. (Sec. 4)
- Salaries to be comparable to other Justice Ministry offices/agencies. (Sec. 4)

Regional Registry Staff and Employees
- Each region supervised by Administrator and headed by Regional Registrar. (Sec. 5)
- Regional Registrar assisted by supportive staff per staffing pattern. (Sec. 5)

Functions of the Regional Registrar
- Administrative supervision over Provincial/City Registrars in the region. (Sec. 6)
- Implement orders, decisions and decrees on land registration in the region. (Sec. 6)
- Implement policies, programs and rules of the Administration. (Sec. 6)
- Answer queries on registration of deeds. (Sec. 6)
- Coordinate with local governments, agencies and courts in the region. (Sec. 6)
- Assist in implementation of land reform programs in the region. (Sec. 6)
- Approve leaves, overtime services and official travel within the region. (Sec. 6)

Office Space and Maintenance
- Budget Ministry to provide suitable building for Regional Registries. (Sec. 7)
- Province/city to provide space for Provincial/City Registrar's Office. (Sec. 7)

Abolition of Existing Positions and Transfer of Functions
- President to issue implementing orders specifying reorganization details. (Sec. 8)
- Existing units and positions in Land Registration Commission abolished. (Sec. 8)
- Functions, appropriations, records and property transferred accordingly. (Sec. 8)

Incumbents and Vacation of Offices
- Incumbents continue until new appointees qualify for the position. (Sec. 9)
- Incumbents appointed to similar positions get higher of old or new salary. (Sec. 9)

Staffing Pattern and Appointments
- Administrator to submit staffing pattern within 90 days for approval. (Sec. 10)
- President to appoint key officials, Minister to appoint other personnel. (Sec. 10)

Payment of Gratuity
- Separated personnel granted gratuity of 1 month's salary per year of service. (Sec. 11)
- Option to select between gratuity or existing pension entitlement. (Sec. 11)
- Civil service eligibilities retained, preferential re-employment list. (Sec. 11)

Appropriation
- 1981 appropriation of Land Registration Commission to be used initially. (Sec. 12)
- Deficiency to be augmented from Justice Ministry savings/income. (Sec. 12)

Repealing and Separability Clauses (Sec. 13, 14)

Effectivity
- This Executive Order takes effect immediately. (Sec. 15)