The Department of Justice has supported the legislation of a proposal in the House of Representatives seeking the creation of a Land Development Authority.
In a three-page legal opinion rendered last Dec. 16, the DoJ said there is nothing legally objectionable in House Bill No. 6004 as proposed by brothers Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Abante Mindanao party-list Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr.
“We believe it is well within the Congress’ power and prerogatives to create such an office to eradicate poverty as a follow-through to the accomplishments of the comprehensive agrarian reform program,” the DoJ through Undersecretary Zabedin Azis stated.
The DoJ said the proposed measure is consistent with provisions in Article II, Section 21 and Article XIII, Sections 1 and 6 of the Constitution pertaining to rural development and agrarian reform.
It noted that H.B. 6004 “falls under the nature of a social legislation which the Constitution mandates to be given the highest priority.”
The LDA aims to develop land and relocation with the objective of poverty eradication through cultivation of various cash crops.
Under the bill, the proposed body can carry out projects of land development and agricultural activities, industrial and commercial social economy.
