EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 690, December 28, 2007

TRANSFERRING THE LAND REGISTRATION AUTHORITY (LRA) FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

WHEREAS, the Land Registration Authority (LRA) is an attached agency of the Department of Justice (DOJ);

WHEREAS, LRA is mandated to issue decrees of registration and certificates of title and register documents, patents and other land transactions for the benefit of landowners, Agrarian Reform-beneficiaries and the registering public in general;

WHEREAS, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is the government agency that exercises supervision and control over alienable and disposable public lands;

WHEREAS, there is a need to transfer LRA from DOJ to DENR in order to have a concerted and well-coordinated effort in formulating policies as well as planning and implementing programs and projects of the LRA; and

WHEREAS, under Section 31, Chapter 10, Book III of Executive Order No. 292, series of 1987, otherwise known as the "Administrative Code of 1987", the President, in order to achieve simplicity, economy and efficiency, has the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. The Land Registration Authority, an attached agency of the Department of Justice (DOJ), is hereby transferred to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Section 2. All other rules, regulations and issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 3. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 28th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Seven.

(Sgd.) GLORIA M. ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary