History of Land Surveying in the Philippines

Questions and Answers

Who was the first Filipino to head the Bureau of Lands?

Gen. Manuel Tinio

What was the primary objective of the cadastral survey?

Land titling through Torrens System

When did American surveyors exclusively conduct the cadastral survey?

From 1909 to 1915

What was the outcome of the passage of Cadastral Act No. 2259?

The formalization of the cadastral survey program Signup and view all the answers

What was the total number of patents issued by the Bureau of Lands before the start of the war?

93,694 patents Signup and view all the answers

What was the main output of the cadastral survey?

A line map and the metes and bounds of each parcel surveyed Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason why not a single municipality had initiated its cadastral survey nearly ten years after the passage of the Local Government Code of 1991?

Lack of technical manpower and financial resources of the LGUs Signup and view all the answers

What prompted the DENR to reacquire the devolved functions to execute, supervise, and manage land surveys?

The lack of progress in the cadastral survey program Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of introducing cadastral surveying in the Philippines?

To expedite public land distribution Signup and view all the answers

When did the actual inauguration of cadastral survey projects under the present numbering system begin?

1909 Signup and view all the answers

Who introduced cadastral surveying in the Philippines?

Chas H. Sleeper Signup and view all the answers

What was established in Manila High School (MHS) in 1908 to train Filipino surveyors?

The Surveying School Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Early History of Cadastral Survey in the Philippines

In 1902, the American Civil Government in the Philippines acquired 410,000 hectares of friar lands and surveyed them, leading to the beginning of the cadastral survey program.
The first cadastral survey project, numbered as Cadastral Project No. 1, commenced in November 1909, covering the town of Pilar, Province of Bataan.

Development of the Surveying School

In 1908, Director of Lands Chas H. Sleeper established the first Surveying School in Manila High School (MHS) to train Filipino surveyors.
The Surveying School was later transferred to the Philippine School of Arts and Trades (PSAT) and eventually to the University of the Philippines (UP), College of Engineering in 1925.

Filipino Participation and the Cadastral Act

American surveyors conducted the cadastral survey exclusively from 1909 to 1915, but Filipino participation gradually increased until 1921, when the execution of land surveys was solely handled by Filipino surveyors.
The Cadastral Act No. 2259, passed on February 11, 1913, formalized the cadastral survey program and authorized the Director of Lands to conduct cadastral surveys.

Land Titling and the Torrens System

The primary objective of the cadastral survey is land titling through the Torrens System.
The main output of the survey is a line map and the metes and bounds of each parcel surveyed, as well as data related to land ownership or land tenure.

Post-War Period and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

Prior to World War II, the Bureau of Lands issued 93,694 patents and conducted 289 cadastral surveys.
With the passage of Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991) in 1992, the functions of conducting cadastral surveys were devolved to local government units (LGUs).
However, due to lack of technical manpower and financial resources, not a single municipality had initiated its cadastral survey by 2001.
In response, DENR Administrative Order No. 2001-23 was issued on August 29, 2001, decentralizing the devolved functions back to the DENR.