Bernaldo

Number 3
Executive order no. 71 (1993)
DEVOLVING THE POWERS OF THE HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD TO APPROVE SUBDIVISION
PLANS TO CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES PURSUANT TO R.A. NO. 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991.
• WHEREAS, RA 7160 provides that the sangguniang bayan or sangguniang panlungsod, respectively, shall,
subject to national law, process and approve subdivision plan for residential, commercial, or industrial
purposes or other development purposes.
• WHEREAS, Presidential Decree 933, Executive Order 648, series of 1981, as amended by Executive Order 90,
series of 1986, and Presidential Decree No. 957, and other related laws provide for the rule-making standard
setting, enforcement and monitoring and adjudication and settlement of disputes over subdivision,
condominium and other estate development projects.
• WHEREAS, RA 7279, otherwise known as the Urban and Housing Development Act of 1992, in effect,
reaffirms the above powers and functions of the HLRB.
• WHEREAS, there is a need to ensure the effective and efficient devolution of powers to local government
units, and provide for an orderly and smooth transition as well as definition of future interrelationships
between the national and local government units.
Executive order no. 71 (1993)
• SEC. 1. – Cities and municipalities shall heretofore assume the powers of the Housing and Land Use
Regulatory Board (HLRB) over the following:
• (a) Approval of preliminary as well as final subdivision schemes and development plans of all subdivisions,
residential, commercial, industrial and for other purposes of the public and private sectors, in accordance
with the provisions of P.D. No. 957 as amended and its implementing standards, rules and regulations
concerning approval of subdivision plans.
• (b) Approval of preliminary and final subdivision schemes and development plans of all economic and
socialized housing projects as well as individual or group building and occupancy permits covered by BP
220 and its implementing standards, rules and regulations.
• (c) Evaluation and resolution of opposition against the issuance of development permits for any of the said
projects, in accordance with the said laws and the Rules of Procedure promulgated by HLRB incident
thereto.
• (d) Monitoring the nature and progress of land development of projects it has approved, as well as housing
construction in the case of house and lot packages, to ensure their faithfulness to the approved plans and
specifications thereof, and, imposition of appropriate measures to enforce compliance therewith.
Executive order no. 72
PROVIDING FOR THE PREPARATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLANS OF
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS PURSUANT TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 AND OTHER PERTINENT
LAWS
• WHEREAS, RA 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) provides that local
government units (LGUs) shall, in conformity with existing laws, continue to prepare their respective
comprehensive land use plans enacted through zoning ordinances which shall be the primary and dominant
bases for the future use of land resources.
• WHEREAS, the LGC further provides that the requirements for food production, human settlements, and
industrial expansion shall be taken into consideration in the preparation of comprehensive land use plans.
• WHEREAS, PD 933 and EO 648, S. of 1981, as amended by EO 90, S. of 1986, empower the Housing and Land
Use Regulatory Board (HLRB) to review, evaluate and approve or disapprove land use plans of cities and
municipalities.
Executive order no. 72
SECTION 1. Plan formulation or updating. – (a) Cities and municipalities shall continue to formulate
or update their respective comprehensive land use plans, in conformity with the land use planning
and zoning standards and guidelines prescribed by the HLRB pursuant to national policies.

• (b) The comprehensive land use plans of component cities and municipalities shall be formulated,
adopted, or modified in accordance with the approved provincial comprehensive land use plans.
• (c) Cities and municipalities of Metropolitan Manila shall continue to formulate or update their
respective comprehensive land use plans, in accordance with the land use planning and zoning
standards and guidelines prescribed by the HLRB pursuant to EO 392, S. of 1990, and other
pertinent national policies.
• (d) Provinces shall formulate and update their respective comprehensive land use plans in
accordance with the national standards and guidelines.
Memorandum circular 54 (1993)
PRESCRIBING THE GUIDELINES GOVERNING SECTION 20 OF RA 7160 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 AUTHORIZING CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES TO RECLASSIFY AGRICULTURAL
LANDS INTO NON-AGRICULTURAL USES
• WHEREAS, RA 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC), provides that cities
and municipalities may reclassify agricultural lands into non-agricultural uses within their respective
jurisdictions, subject to the limitations and other conditions prescribed under Section 20 of the LGC.
• WHEREAS, the implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the LGC provides that cities and
municipalities shall continue to prepare their respective comprehensive land use plans, enacted through
zoning ordinances, subject to applicable laws and rules and regulations.
• WHEREAS, the IRR also prescribes that such plans shall serve as the primary and dominant bases for
future use of land resources and reclassification of agricultural lands.
• WHEREAS, the IRR further provides that the requirements for food production, human settlements,
ecological balance, and industrial expansion shall be considered in the preparation of comprehensive
land use plans.
Philippine constitution of 1987
Often called the "Freedom Constitution,"
What is the Philippine Constitution of 1987?
this constitution was only intended as a temporary constitution to ensure
the freedom of the people and the return to democratic rule.

• Section 9. Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.
 The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the
nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full
employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.
• Section 10. No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be passed.
 Section 10 simply tell the State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development.
Urban land reform law (PD. 1517)
PROCLAIMING URBAN LAND REFORM IN THE PHILIPPINES AND PROVIDING FOR THE
IMPLEMENTING MACHINERY THEREOF

• WHEREAS, it is declared objective of the New Society to effect social, economic and political reforms attuned
to the establishment of a secure national community and to an improved quality of life for all citizens and for
all others who may sojourn our shores.
• WHEREAS, the quality of human life in our times is inescapably determined by the relationship among
population, resources, the environment, and intelligent policies.
• WHEREAS, human settlement is an integrative concept embracing the interdependence of man’s
environment, human shelters and structures, and the design and organization of human communities
consistent with a national framework plan, all for the people’s security and well-being.
• WHEREAS, land is the ultimate platform of all man’s activities, and the crucial factor in determining the
shape of human settlements.
Presidential Decree no. 957 of 1976
REGULATING THE SALE OF SUBDIVISION LOTS AND CONDOMINIUMS, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATIONS THEREOF.

• WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to afford its inhabitants the requirements of decent human settlement and
to provide them with ample opportunities for improving their quality of life.
• WHEREAS, numerous reports reveal that many real estate subdivision owners, developers, operators, and/or sellers have
reneged on their representations and obligations to provide and maintain properly subdivision roads, drainage,
sewerage, water systems, lighting systems, and other similar basic requirements, thus endangering the health and safety
of home and lot buyers.
• WHEREAS, reports of alarming magnitude also show cases of swindling and fraudulent manipulations perpetrated by
unscrupulous subdivision and condominium sellers and operators, such as failure to deliver titles to the buyers or titles
free from liens and encumbrances, and to pay real estate taxes, and fraudulent sales of the same subdivision lots to
different innocent purchasers for value.
• WHEREAS, these acts not only undermine the land and housing program of the government but also defeat the
objectives of the New Society, particularly the promotion of peace and order and the enhancement of the economic,
social and moral condition of the Filipino people.
Presidential Decree 1344
EMPOWERING THE NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY TO ISSUE WRIT OF EXECUTION IN THE
ENFORCEMENT OF ITS DECISION UNDER PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 957

• WHEREAS, under Presidential Decree No. 957, the National Housing Authority is vested with the exclusive
jurisdiction over the real estate trade and business;
• WHEREAS, the Decree did not expressly provide the means to enforce its decision in favor of the prevailing
party, thereby rendering such decisions inutile;
• WHEREAS, many subdivision lot buyers have been appalled by the inability of the National Housing Authority
to enforce decisions rendered in their favor, thereby giving rise to disillusionment and skepticism about the
noble objectives of Presidential Decree No. 957; and
• WHEREAS, it has become necessary to strengthen the powers of the National Housing Authority to enable it
to enforce and execute its decisions.
Batas Pambansa 220 (featured sect. 1 – 3)

BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 220 - AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS TO ESTABLISH AND PROMULGATE
DIFFERENT LEVELS OF STANDARDS AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIALIZED HOUSING PROJECTS IN URBAN AND
RURAL AREAS FROM THOSE PROVIDED UNDER PRESIDENTIAL DECREES NUMBERED NINE HUNDRED FIFTY-SEVEN, TWELVE HUNDRED
SIXTEEN, TEN HUNDRED NINETY-SIX AND ELEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE.

Section 1. It is hereby declared a policy of the Government to promote and encourage the development of economic and socialized housing
projects, primarily by the private sector, in order to make available adequate economic and socialized housing units for average and low-
income earners in urban and rural areas. 
Sec. 2. As used in this Act, economic and socialized housing refers to housing units which are within the affordability level of the average and
low-income earners which is thirty percent (30%) of the gross family income as determined by the National Economic and Development
Authority from time to time. It shall also refer to the government-initiated sites and services development and construction of economic and
socialized housing projects in depressed areas. 
Sec. 3. To carry out the foregoing policy, the Ministry of Human Settlements is authorized to establish and promulgate different levels of
standards and technical requirements for the development of economic and socialized housing projects and economic and socialized housing
units in urban and rural areas from those provided in Presidential Decree Numbered Nine hundred fifty-seven, otherwise known as the
"Subdivision and Condominium Buyers' Protective Decree," Presidential Decree Numbered Twelve hundred and sixteen, "Defining Open
Space in Residential Subdivision"; Presidential Decree Numbered Ten Hundred and ninety-six, otherwise known as the "National Building
Code of the Philippines"; and Presidential Decree Numbered Eleven hundred and eighty-five, otherwise known as the "Fire Code of the
Philippines" and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, in consultation with the Ministry of Public Works and Highways, the
Integrated National Police, and other appropriate government units and instrumentalities and private associations.
Executive order no. 124 (1993)
ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES AND PROCEDURES IN EVALUATING AREAS PROPOSED FOR LAND
CONVERSION IN REGIONAL AGRI-INDUSTRIAL CENTERS/REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL CENTERS,
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREAS AND SITES FOR SOCIALIZED HOUSING

• WHEREAS, EO 129-A and RA 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law empower the Department of
Agrarian Reform (DAR) to approve or disapprove land use conversion;
• WHEREAS, RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 empowers cities and municipalities to reclassify
agricultural lands to non-agricultural uses and formulate their comprehensive land use plans;
• WHEREAS, RA 7279 of the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 mandates the various local
government units to identify sites for socialized housing and their integration into Comprehensive Land Use
Plans and Zoning Ordinances of their respective cities or municipalities;
• WHEREAS, Administrative Order 20 or Interim Guidelines on Agricultural Land Use Conversion (Series 1992)
provides that all irrigated and economically irrigable lands covered by irrigation projects with firm funding
commitments shall be non-negotiable for conversion;
Republic Act. 8368
AN ACT REPEALING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 772, ENTITLED "PENALIZING SQUATTING AND
OTHER SIMILAR ACTS.“

• Section 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Squatting Law Repeal Act of 1997."
• Section 2. Repeal. – Presidential Decree No. 772, entitled "Penalizing Squatting and Other Similar Acts" is
hereby repealed.
• Section 3. Effect on pending cases. – All pending cases under the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 772
shall be dismissed upon the effectivity of this Act.
• Section 4. Effect on Republic Act No. 7279. – Nothing herein shall be construed to nullify, eliminate or
diminish in any way Sec. 27 of Republic Act No. 7279 or any of its provisions relative to sanctions against
professional squatters and squatting syndicates.
• Section 5. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of
national circulation.
Republic Act. 7924
• WHEREAS, the Congress of the Philippines enacted Republic Act No. 7924, declaring the Metropolitan
Manila as a special development and administrative region comprising of cities and municipalities in the area
under the direct supervision of the President of the Philippines, and creating the Metropolitan Manila
Development Authority to replace the Metropolitan Manila Authority which was constituted under and by
virtue of Executive Order No. 392, dated January 9, 1990; 
• WHEREAS, RA 7924 invests the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority with responsibilities for the
effective delivery of metro-wide services in Metropolitan Manila; and 
• WHEREAS, there is a need not only to effect the orderly transfer of powers and functions, officials and
employees, assets and liabilities, including changes in organizational structure, expanded jurisdiction, policy
directions and programs, but also to clarify or explain said provisions in order to achieve harmony or
congruity with other existing laws and rules and regulations. 
 REFERENCES
• http://www.mmda.gov.ph/index.php/12-legal-matters/118-irr-of-ra-7924
• https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1993/09/08/executive-order-no-124-s-1993/
• http://laws.chanrobles.com/bataspambansa/5_bataspambansa.php?id=220
• https://lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1978/pd_1344_1978.html