SALIENT FEATURES OF R.A.

10023 (An Act Authorizing The Issuance of Free Patents

to Residential Lands)

Requirements for Issuance of Free Patents:

1. Must be a Filipino Citizen

2. Must be the actual occupant of the residential land
3. The land must not exceed:
 200 square meters - highly urbanized cities
 500 square meters - other cities
 750 square meters - first class and second class municipalities
 1,000 square meters - all other municipalities
4. That the subject land is not needed for public service and/or public use
5. The applicant (or his predecessor-in-interest) must have actually resided on and
continuously possessed and occupied the land, under a bona fide claim of ownership for
at least 10 years.

NOTE: The act applies only to residential zoned lands.

Supporting documents for application:

1. Map based on an actual survey conducted by a licensed engineer duly approved by

DENR
2. Technical description of the subject land
3. Affidavit of two disinterested person attesting to the fact that the applicant (or his
predecessor-in-interest) has actually resided on and continuously possessed and occupied
the land, under a bona fide claim of ownership for at least 10 years.

SPECIAL PATENTS: A special patent may be issued over public lands occupied and used for
public schools, municipal halls, public plazas or parks other government institutions for public
use or purpose.

Where to apply: Application shall be filed before the Community Environment and Natural
Resources (CENRO) of the DENR.