August 21, 1975

GENERAL ORDER NO. 53

DECLARING A MORATORIUM ON THE EJECTMENT OF TENANTS OR LESSEES IN AGRICULTURAL AND RESIDENTIAL LANDS CONVERTED OR TO BE CONVERTED INTO SUBDIVISIONS OR COMMERCIAL CENTERS AND ESTABLISHMENTS

WHEREAS, there have been reports that many owners of agricultural and residential lands converted or to be converted into subdivisions have indiscriminately ejected their tenants or demolished their homes without orders from courts or other competent authorities;

WHEREAS, this unwholesome practice of landlord-speculators contravene the human settlement program of the government;

WHEREAS, there is a necessity to stop all practices that subvert our developmental efforts:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, do hereby declare a moratorium on the ejectment of bona-fide tenants or lessees in agricultural and residential lands converted or proposed to be converted into subdivisions or commercial centers and establishments. To obviate the proliferation of social problems and to allow a humane settlement of the problem, all orders for the ejectment of tenants or the demolition of their homes are hereby suspended until further orders.

The National Housing Authority and the Department of Agrarian Reform are hereby directed to study and make recommendations in connection with the housing problems of agricultural tenants and lessees.

Done in the City of Manila, this 21st day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-five.