Preamble
WHEREAS, it is imperative that the agrarian reform program of the government be implemented with maximum efficiency and speed; WHEREAS, in the implementation of the program there are many legal problems that have arisen requiring the continuous and dedicated service of the lawyers; WHEREAS, the Bureau of Agrarian Legal Assistant (BALA) of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is charged with the functions, among others, of giving legal assistance and services to be beneficiaries of the agrarian reform program; WHEREAS, it has been ascertained that several lawyers had left the BALA and other regional offices of the DAR and still others are intending to leave due to the low salary being provided for lawyers positions and the reason why several lawyer positions remain unfilled while other agencies, including the private sector, continue to attract applicants to their offices because they offer higher salaries and many fringe benefits; and WHEREAS, if the present situation is allowed to continue the speedy termination of thousands of agrarian cases pending before DAR and the various courts will be adversely affected and this will be remedied by giving the remaining lawyers in the BALA and in the DAR regional and field offices monthly incentive allowances to augment their low salaries and at the same time attract new lawyer applicants. NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the constitution, do hereby order and decree: