RIGHT-OF-WAYFORINFRASTRUCTUREPROJECTSRepublicActNo.8974RepublicActNo.8975

REPUBLICACTNO.8974

ANACTTOFACILITATETHEACQUISITIONOFRIGHT-OF-WAY,SITEORLOCATIONFORNATIONALGOVERNMENTINFRASTRUCTUREPROJECTSANDFOROTHER

PURPOSES

Section1Section2Section3Section4Section5Section6Section7Section8Section9Section10Section11Section12Section13Section14Section15

Approved:November7,2000

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REPUBLICACTNO.8974

Section1.DeclarationofPolicy.-ArticleIII,Section9oftheConstitutionstatesthatprivatepropertyshallnotbetakenforpublicusewithoutjustcompensation.Towardsthisend,theStateshallensurethatownersofrealpropertyacquiredfornationalgovernmentinfrastructureprojectsarepromptlypaidjustcompensation.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8974

Section2.NationalGovernmentProjects.-Theterm"nationalgovernmentprojects"shallrefertoallnationalgovernmentinfrastructure,engineeringworksandservicecontracts,includingprojectsundertakenbygovernment-ownedandcontrolledcorporations,allprojectscoveredbyRepublicActNo.6957,asamendedbyRepublicActNo.7718,otherwiseknownastheBuild-Operate-and-TransferLaw,andotherrelatedandnecessaryactivities,suchassiteacquisition,supplyand/orinstallationofequipmentandmaterials,implementation,construction,completion,operation,maintenance,improvement,repair,andrehabilitation,regardlessofthesourceoffunding.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8974

Section3.ModesofAccountingRealProperty.-Thegovernmentmayacquirerealpropertyneededasright-of-way,siteorlocationforanynationalgovernmentinfrastructureprojectthroughdonation,negotiatedsale,expropriationoranyothermodeofacquisitionasprovidedbylaw.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8974

Section4.GuidelinesforExpropriationProceedings.-Wheneveritisnecessarytoacquirerealpropertyfortheright-of-wayorlocationforanynationalgovernmentinfrastructureprojectthroughexpropriation,theappropriateimplementingagencyshallinitiatetheexpropriationproceedingsbeforethepropercourtunderthefollowingguidelines:(a)Uponthefilingofthecomplaint,andafterduenoticetothedefendant,theimplementingagencyshallimmediatelypaytheownerofthepropertytheamountequivalenttothesumof(1)onehundredpercent(100%)ofthevalueofthepropertybasedonthecurrentrelevantzonalvaluationoftheBureauofInternalRevenue(BIR);and(2)thevalueoftheimprovementsand/orstructuresasdeterminedunderSection7hereof;(b)Inprovinces,cities,municipalitiesandotherareaswherethereisnozonalvaluation,theBIRisherebymandatedwithintheperiodofsixty(60)daysfromthedateoftheexpropriationcase,tocomeupwithazonalvaluationforsaidarea;and(c)Incasethecompletionofagovernmentinfrastructureprojectisofutmosturgencyandimportance,andthereisnoexistingvaluationoftheareaconcerned,theimplementingagencyshallimmediatelypaytheownerofthepropertyitsprofferedvaluetakingintoconsiderationthestandardsprescribedinSection5hereof.

Uponcompliancewiththeguidelinesabove-mentioned,thecourtshallimmediatelyissuetotheimplementingagencyanordertotakepossessionofthepropertyandstarttheimplementationoftheproject.Beforethecourtcanissueawritofpossession,theimplementingagencyshallpresenttothecourtacertificateofavailabilityoffundsfromtheproperofficialconcerned.Intheeventthattheownerofthepropertyconteststheimplementingagencysprofferedvalue,thecourtshalldeterminethejustcompensationtobepaidtheownerwithinsixty(60)daysfromthedateoffilingoftheexpropriationcase.Whenthedecisionofthecourtbecomesfinalandexecutory,theimplementingagencyshallpaytheownerthedifferencebetweentheamountalreadypaidandthejustcompensationasdeterminedbythecourt.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8974

Section5.StandardsfortheAssessmentoftheValueoftheLandSubjectofExpropriationProceedingsorNegotiatedSale.-Inordertofacilitatethedeterminationofjustcompensation,thecourtmayconsider,amongotherwell-establishedfactors,thefollowingrelevantstandards:(a)Theclassificationanduseforwhichthepropertyissuited;(b)Thedevelopmentalcostsforimprovingtheland;(c)Thevaluedeclaredbytheowners;(d)Thecurrentsellingpriceofsimilarlandsinthevicinity;(e)Thereasonabledisturbancecompensationfortheremovaland/ordemolitionofcertainimprovementonthelandandforthevalueofimprovementsthereon;(f)Thissize,shapeorlocation,taxdeclarationandzonalvaluationoftheland;(g)Thepriceofthelandasmanifestedintheocularfindings,oralaswellasdocumentaryevidencepresented;and(h)Suchfactsandeventsastoenabletheaffectedpropertyownerstohavesufficientfundstoacquiresimilarly-situatedlandsofapproximateareasasthoserequiredfromthembythegovernment,andtherebyrehabilitatethemselvesasearlyaspossible.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8974

Section6.GuidelinesforNegotiatedSale.-Shouldtheimplementingagencyandtheownerofthepropertyagreeonanegotiatedsalefortheacquisitionofright-of-way,siteorlocationforanynationalgovernmentinfrastructureproject,thestandardsprescribedunderSection5hereofshallbeusedtodeterminethefairmarketvalueoftheproperty,subjecttoreviewandapprovalbytheheadoftheagencyordepartmentconcerned.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8974

Section7.ValuationofImprovementsand/orStructures.-TheDepartmentofPublicWorksandHighwaysandotherimplementingagenciesconcerned,incoordinationwiththelocalgovernmentunitsconcernedintheacquisitionofright-of-way,siteorlocationforanynationalgovernmentinfrastructureproject,areherebymandatedtoadoptwithinsixty(60)daysuponapprovalofthisAct,thenecessaryimplementingrulesandregulationsfortheequitablevaluationoftheimprovementsand/orstructuresonthelandtobeexpropriated.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8974

Section8.EcologicalandEnvironmentalConcerns.-Incasesinvolvingtheacquisitionofright-of-way,siteorlocationforanynationalgovernmentinfrastructureproject,theimplementingagencyshalltakeintoaccounttheecologicalandenvironmentalimpactoftheproject.Beforeanynationalgovernmentprojectcouldbeundertaken,theagencyshallconsiderenvironmentallaws,landuseordinancesandallpertinentprovisionsofRepublicActNo.7160,asamended,otherwiseknownastheLocalGovernmentCodeof1991.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8974

Section9.SquatterRelocation.-ThegovernmentthroughtheNationalHousingAuthority,incoordinationwiththelocalgovernmentunitsandimplementingagenciesconcerned,shallestablishanddevelopsquatterrelocationsites,includingtheprovisionofadequateutilitiesandservices,inanticipationofsquattersthathavetoberemovedfromtheright-of-wayorsiteoffutureinfrastructureprojects.Wheneverapplicable,theconcernedlocalgovernmentunitsshallprovideandadministertherelocationsites.

Incasetheexpropriatedlandisoccupiedbysquatters,thecourtshallissuethenecessary"WritofDemolition"forthepurposeofdismantlinganyandallstructuresfoundwithinthesubjectproperty.TheimplementingagencyshalltakeintoaccountandobservediligentlytheprocedureprovidedforinSections28and29ofRepublicActNo.7279,otherwiseknownastheUrbanDevelopmentandHousingActof1992.FundsfortherelocationsitesshallcomefromappropriationsforthepurposeundertheGeneralAppropriationsAct,aswellasfromappropriateinfrastructureprojectsfundsoftheimplementingagencyconcerned.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8974

Section10.AppropriationsforAcquisitionsofRight-of-Way,SiteorLocationforAnyNationalGovernmentInfrastructureProjectinAdvanceofProjectImplementation.-Thegovernmentshallprovideadequateappropriationsthatwillallowtheconcernedimplementingagenciestoacquiretherequiredright-of-way,siteorlocationforanynationalgovernmentinfrastructureproject.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8974

Section11.Sanctions.-ViolationofanyprovisionsofthisActshallsubjectthegovernmentofficialoremployeeconcernedtoappropriateadministrative,civiland/orcriminalsanctions,includingsuspensionand/ordismissalfromthegovernmentserviceandforfeitureofbenefits.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8974

Section12.RulesandRegulations.-AcommitteecomposedoftheSecretaryoftheDepartmentofPublicWorksandHighwaysaschairperson,andthesecretariesoftheDepartmentofTransportationandCommunications,theDepartmentofEnergy,andtheDepartmentofJustice,andthepresidentsoftheleaguesofprovinces,citiesandmunicipalitiesasmembersshallpreparethenecessaryrulesandregulationsfortheproperimplementationofthisActwithinsixty(60)daysfromitsapproval.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8974

Section13.SeparabilityClause.-IfanyprovisionofthisActisdeclaredunconstitutionalorinvalid,otherpartsorprovisionshereofnotaffectedshallcontinuetobeinfullforceandeffect.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8974

Section14.RepealingClause.-Alllaws,decrees,orders,rulesandregulationsorpartsthereofinconsistentwiththisActareherebyrepealedoramendedaccordingly.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8974

Section15.EffectivityClause.-ThisActshalltakeeffectfifteen(15)daysfollowingitspublicationinatleasttwo(2)newspapersofgeneralcirculation.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8975

ANACTTOENSURETHEEXPEDITIOUSIMPLEMENTATIONANDCOMPLETIONOFGOVERNMENTINFRASTRUCTUREPROJECTSBYPROHIBITINGLOWERCOURTS

FROMISSUINGTEMPORARYRESTRAININGORDERS,PRELIMINARYINJUNCTIONSORPRELIMINARYMANDATORYINJUCTIONS,PROVIDINGPENALTIESFORVIOLATIONS

THEREOF,ANDFOROTHERPURPOSES.

Section1Section2Section3Section4Section5Section6Section7Section8Section9Section10

Approved:November7,2000

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REPUBLICACTNO.8975

Section1.DeclarationofPolicy.-ArticleXII,Section6oftheConstitutionstatesthattheuseofpropertybearsasocialfunction,andalleconomicagentsshallcontributetothecommongood.

Towardsthisend,theStateshallensuretheexpeditiousandefficientimplementationandcompletionofgovernmentinfrastructureprojectstoavoidunnecessaryincreaseinconstruction,maintenanceand/orrepaircostsandtoimmediatelyenjoythesocialandeconomicbenefitstherefrom.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8975

Section2.DefinitionofTerms.-(a)"Nationalgovernmentprojects"shallrefertoallcurrentandfuturenationalgovernmentinfrastructure,engineeringworksandservicecontracts,includingprojectsundertakenbygovernmentownedandcontrolledcorporations,allprojectscoveredbyRepublicActNo.6957,asamendedbyRepublicActNo.7718,otherwiseknownastheBuildOperateandTransferLaw,andotherrelatedandnecessaryactivities,suchassiteacquisition,supplyand/orinstallationofequipmentandmaterials,implementation,construction,completion,operation,maintenance,improvement,repairandrehabilitation,regardlessofthesourceoffunding.(b)"Servicecontracts"shallrefertoinfrastructurecontractsenteredintobyanydepartment,offficeoragencyofthenationalgovernmentwithprivateentitiesandnon-governmentorganizationsforservicesrelatedorincidentaltothefunctionsandoperationsofthedepartment,officeoragencyconcerned.

Uponcompliancewiththeguidelinesabove-mentioned,thecourtshallimmediatelyissuetotheimplementingagencyanordertotakepossessionofthepropertyandstarttheimplementationoftheproject.Beforethecourtcanissueawritofpossession,theimplementingagencyshallpresenttothecourtacertificateofavailabilityoffundsfromtheproperofficialconcerned.Intheeventthattheownerofthepropertyconteststheimplementingagencysprofferedvalue,thecourtshalldeterminethejustcompensationtobepaidtheownerwithinsixty(60)daysfromthedateoffilingoftheexpropriationcase.Whenthedecisionofthecourtbecomesfinalandexecutory,theimplementingagencyshallpaytheownerthedifferencebetweentheamountalreadypaidandthejustcompensationasdeterminedbythecourt.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8975

Section3.ProhibitionontheIssuanceofTemporaryRestrainingOrders,PreliminaryInjunctionsandPreliminaryMandatoryInjunctions.-Nocourt,excepttheSupremeCourt,shallissueanytemporaryrestrainingorder,preliminaryinjunctionorpreliminarymandatoryinjunctionagainstthegovernment,oranyofitssubdivisions,officialsoranypersonorentity,whetherpublicorprivate,actingunderthegovernmentsdirection,torestrain,prohibitorcompelthefollowingacts:(a)Acquisition,clearanceanddevelopmentoftheright-of-wayand/orsiteorlocationofanynationalgovernmentproject;(b)Biddingorawardingofcontract/projectofthenationalgovernmentasdefinedunderSection2hereof;(c)Commencement,prosecution,execution,implementation,operationofanysuchcontractorproject;(d)Terminationorrescissionofanysuchcontract/project;and(e)Theundertakingorauthorizationofanyotherlawfulactivitynecessaryforsuchcontract/project.

Thisprohibitionshallapplyinallcases,disputesorcontroversiesinstitutedbyaprivateparty,includingbutnotlimitedtocasesfiledbybiddersorthoseclaimingtohaverightsthroughsuchbiddersinvolvingsuchcontract/project.

Thisprohibitionshallnotapplywhenthematterisofextremeurgencyinvolvingaconstitutionalissue,suchthatunlessatemporaryrestrainingorderisissued,graveinjusticeandirreparableinjurywillarise.

Theapplicantshallfileabond,inanamounttobefixedbythecourt,whichbondshallaccrueinfavorofthegovernmentifthecourtshouldfinallydecidethattheapplicantwasnotentitledtothereliefsought.Ifafterduehearingthecourtfindsthattheawardofthecontractisnullandvoid,thecourtmay,ifappropriateunderthecircumstances,awardthecontracttothequalifiedandwinningbidderororderarebiddingofthesame,withoutprejudicetoanyliabilitythattheguiltypartymayincurunderexistinglaws.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8975

Section4.NulityofWritsandOrders.-Anytemporaryrestrainingorder,preliminaryinjunctionorpreliminarymandatoryinjunctionissuedinviolationofSection3hereofisvoidandofnoforceandeffect.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8975

Section5.DesignationofRegionalTrialCourts.-TheSupremeCourtmaydesignateregionaltrialcourtstoactascommissionerswiththesolefunctionofreceivingfactsofthecaseinvolvingacquisition,clearanceanddevelopmentofright-of-wayforgovernmentinfrastructureprojects.Thedesignatedregionaltrialcourtshallwithinthirty(30)daysfromthedateofreceiptofthereferral,forwarditsfindingsoffactstotheSupremeCourtforappropriateaction.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8975

Section6.PenalSanction.-Inadditiontoanycivilandcriminalliabilitiesheorshemayincurunderexistinglaws,anyjudgewhoshallissueatemporaryrestrainingorder,preliminaryinjunctionorpreliminarymandatoryinjunctioninviolationofSection3hereof,shallsufferthepenaltyofsuspensionofatleastsixty(60)dayswithoutpay.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8975

Section7.IssuanceofPermits.-UponpaymentincashofthenecessaryfeesleviedunderRepublicActNo.7160,asamended,otherwiseknownastheLocalGovernmentCodeof1991,thegovernoroftheprovinceormayorofahighlyurbanizedcityshallimmediatelyissuethenecessarypermittoextractsand,gravelandotherquarryresourcesneededingovernmentprojects.Theissuanceofsaidpermitshallconsiderenvironmentallaws,landuseordinancesandthepertinentprovisionsoftheLocalGovernmentCoderelatingtoenvironment.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8975

Section8.SeparabilityClause.-IfanyprovisionofthisActisdeclaredunconstitutionalorinvalid,otherpartsorprovisionshereofnotaffectedtherebyshallcontinuetobeoffullforceandeffect.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8975

Section9.RepealingClause.-Alllaws,decrees,includingPresidentialDecreeNos.605,1818andRepublicActNo.7160,asamended,orders,rulesandregulationsorlpartsthereofinconsistentwiththisActareherebyrepealedoramendedaccordingly.

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REPUBLICACTNO.8975

Section10.EffectivityClause.-ThisActshalltakeeffectfifteen(15)daysfollowingitspublicationinatleasttwo(2)newspapersofgeneralcirculation.

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