LAND REFORM ACT OF

1955 (REPUBLIC ACT

NO.1400)
Introduction
Land Reform act of 1955 or the Land to the
Landless Program sought to expropriate and
redistribute large estate. The law created the Land
Tenure Administration (LTA) which as responsible
for the acquisition and distribution of a large
tenanted rice and corn lands over 300 hectares for
individuals and 600 hectares for corporations.
Intended Learning Outcomes
After having gone through lesson, the student will be able to:
1. Discuss the importance of the creation of Land Tenure
Administration;
2. Make a process map for Land Tenure Administration on
how to act on the petition; and
3. Determine loopholes if Land Reform Act of 1955.
Salient Features of Land Reform Act of 1955 (Republic Act No.
1400)
Creation of Land Tenure Administration (LTA)
The LTA shall be consisting of a Chairman and two members
who shall be appointed by the President for term of five years.
The LTA shall conduct studies on the land tenure problem and
prepare over-all long range plans to solve such problems. It may
initiate immediate indication in areas reporting land tenure
difficulties and recommend appropriate action without deley and
prepare plan for the systematic opening of virgin lands of the
public domain for distribution of tenants and other landless
citizens.
 The LTA has the following powers: (1) purchase private land
of individuals; (2) initiate and prosecute expropriation
proceeding for the acquisition of private agricultural lands in
proper cases (the power granted shall apply only to private
agricultural lands as to the area in excess of 300 hectares of
contiguous area if owned by natural persons and as to the area
in excess of 600 hectares if owned by corporations) (Section
6Paragraph 2) ; and (3) prepare a schedule of areas of family-
size farm units, not exceeding six hectares each, for different
crops in different localities.
Issuance of Negotiable Land Certificates
The President shall issue negotiable land certificates upon the
request of LTA. The negotiable land certificates shall be issued in
determination of one understand pesos or multiples of one
thousand pesos and shall be payable to the bearer on demand and
presentation at the Central Bank. The negotiable land certificates
may be used by the holder no: (1) pay for agricultural lands or
other properties purchased from the goverment:(2) pay for the
purchase of shared of stock or of the assets of any industrial or
commercial corporations owned or controlled by the goverment:
(3) pay all tax obligations or of any debt or monitary obligation of
the holder to the government or any instrumentalities or agencies:
and (4) as surety or performance bonds.
Payment (Section 14)
In negotiating for the purchase of agricultural land, the
Administration shall offer to pay the purchase price wholly in
land certificates or partyin legal tender and partly in land
certificates: Provided, That the amount to be paid in legal tender
shall no case axceed 50% of the purchase price: Provided,
further, That the landowner, if he desires and the Administration
so agrees, may be paid, by way of barter or exchange, with such
residental, commercial or industrial land owned by the
Government as may be agreed upon the parties.
Expropriation of Private Agricultural Lands

The LTA may initiate and prosecute expropriation proceeding for the
acquisition of private agricultural lands after complying with the requirements
upon petition of the majority of the tenants and after it is convinced of the
suitability of such land for subdivision into family-sized farm units and that
public interest will be served by its immediate acquisition, when any of the
following conditions exists (1) that the landowner falling within the terms of
section 6 Paragraph 2, continues to refuse to sell after all efforts have been
exhausted by the LTA to negotiate for its purchase : or (2) that the landowner is
willing to sell under the Section 11 and 12 but cannot agree with the LTA as to
the price and/or the manner of its pay.
Possession of the Land and its Procedure
The administration after commencing the expropriation suit may
take immediate possession of the land upon deposit, with the Court
which has acquired jurisdiction over the expropriation of money or
a certificate of deposit of a depository of the Republic of the
Philippines as provided in Section 3 of Rule 69 of the Rules of
Court equal to the value of the land as provisionally and promptly
determined by the Court taking into consideration the factors
mentioned Section 12, paragraph (2).
 Thereafter the procedure in the Rules of Court with
respect to eminent domain proceeding shall be followed.
Pending judicial expropriation proceedings the owner of
the land soughtbto be expropriated salhall be given
annually such allowance as his latest income from the
land. Such allowance shall be approved by the court
having jurisdiction and shall be deducted from the final
amount awarded as compensation to the owner.
Prohibition against Alienation
Upon the filing of the petition reffered to in Sections 12
and 16, the landowner cannot alienate anh portion of the
lang covered by such petition except in pursuance of the
provisions of this Act, or enter into any form of contact to
defeat the purposes of this Act, and nk ejectment
proceeding against any tenant or accupant of the land
covered by the petition shall be instituted or prosecuted
until it becomes certain that the land shall not be acquired
by the Administration.
Resale of Lands Purchased or Expropriated Subject to
Condition
It shall be a condition in all resale contracts and
annotated on the torrens titles of lands acquired and
subdivided by authority of this Act thaht said lands shall
not be subdivided, sold or in any manner transferred or
encumbered without prior consent of the Administration
and only to qualified farmers or tenants or to government
banking institutions or agencies.