SEC. 32. Any native of the Philippine Islands now an occupant and cultivator of unreserved, unappropriated agricultural public land, as defined by the Act of Congress of July first, nineteen hundred and two, who has continuously occupied and cultivated such land, either by himself or through his ancestors, since August first, eighteen hundred and ninety-eight or who, prior to August first, eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, continuously occupied and cultivated such land for three years immediately prior to said date, and who has been continuously since July fourth, nineteen hundred and two, until the date of the taking effect of this Act, an occupier and cultivator of such land, shall he entitled to have a patent issued to him without compensation for such tract of land, not exceeding sixteen hectares, as hereinafter in this chapter provided.
SEC. 33. Any person desiring to obtain the benefits of this chapter must, prior to January first, nineteen hundred and seven, file is an application for a patent with such officer as may be designated by law as local land officer, or in case there be no such officer then with the Chief of the Bureau of Public Lands. Said application must be executed under oath, and must show the following facts: The name, age, and post-office address of the applicant; that he is a native of the Philippine Islands; the location of the land desired, stating the province, municipality, and barrio in which the same is situated, and as accurate a description as may be given, showing the boundaries of the hind, having reference to natural objects and permanent monuments, if any; that the land is not claimed or occupied by any other person: a statement as to the date when the applicant or his ancestor, giving the name of ancestor and stating his relationship to the applicant, entered into occupation and began cultivation, and a description of the improvements which have been made the first occupation and cultivation is claimed through an ancestor, the applicant must show the name of such ancestor and must file satisfactory evidence of the date and place of his death and burial, in which case the patent shall issue in the name of the heir or heirs of such ancestor as defined by the laws of the Philippine Islands.
SEC. 34. Upon receipt of said application it shall be the duty of the Chief of the Bureau of Public Lands to cause a careful investigation to be made in such manner as he shall deem necessary for the ascertainment of the truth of the allegations therein contained, and if satisfied upon such investigation that the applicant comes within the provisions of this chapter, he shall cause a patent to issue for the tract to such applicant, or to the heirs of his ancestor, as provided in the next preceding section, not exceeding sixteen hectares in extent: Provided, That no application shall be finally acted upon until notice thereof has been published in the municipality and barrio in which the land is located, and adverse claimants have had an opportunity to present their claims: And provided further, That no patent shall issue until the land has been surveyed under the direction of the Chief of the Bureau of Public Lands and an accurate plat made thereof.
SEC. 35. Lands acquired under the provisions of this chapter shall be inalienable and shall not be subject to incumbrance for a period of seven years from the date of the issuance of the patent therefor, and shall not be liable for the satisfaction of any debt contracted prior to the expiration of that period.
Source: Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines — Philippine laws are public documents (works of the government).
