MEANING

OF
AGRICULTURAL
LAND:
LAND
DEVOTED
TO
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY AS DEFINED IN THIS ACT AND NOT
CLASSIFIED AS MINERAL, FOREST, RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL OR
INDUSTRIAL LAND.

1) Natalia Realty Inc., et al. v. Department of Agrarian Reform, et al.

GR No. 103302; Aug. 12, 1993
Bellosillo, J.

FACTS:
Natalia Realty Inc. is the owner of three (3) contiguous parcels of land located
in Antipolo Rizal. On 18 April 1979, Pres. Proc. 1637 set aside certain hectares
located in Antipolo, et al as townsite areas to absorb the population overspill
in the metropolis designated as Lungsod Silangan Townsite. Natalia properties
are situated within the areas proclaimed as townsite reservation. Estate Devt.
Corp. is the the developer of Natalia Properties. It was granted preliminary
approval and locational clearances, and likewise, it was issued development
permits. The Natalia properties later became Antipolo Hills Subd.
On 15 June 1988, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law took effect. DAR
then issued a Notice of Coverage on the undeveloped portions of Anitpolo
Hills Subd. This was objected to by Natalia Realty.

ISSUE:
Are lands already classified for residential, commercial, or industrial use, as
approved by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board and its precursor
agencies prior to 15 June 1988, covered by RA 6657 (CARL)?

HELD:

No.
Agricultural land refers to land devoted to agricultural activity as defined in
[CARL] and not classified as mineral, forest, RESIDENTIAL, commercial or
industrial land. (emphasis supplied)

Based on the foregoing, it is clear that the undeveloped portions of the

Antipolo Hills Subd. cannot in any language be considered as "agricultural
lands." These lands were intended for residential use.