YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2004 is a productive year for COSLAP.

200
The
resolve/terminate 1,478 cases
Commission was able to
which is 48% over its target of 1,000 cases . This is
4 the' highest accomplishment COSLAP has achieved for the past five
years. The bulk of cases are filed in the Central Office due to the absence
of Provincial Offices in the locality.
Of the new cases resolved, 56 new cases were amicably settled, thus
a clear indication of strong support to the government's
program on ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE
RESOLUTION.
 COSLAP resolved 1,760 cases, exceeding
For 2005,
its target of 1,500 by 17% at the end of the year. Of the

200 cases resolved, 19.49% or 343 are classified as old cases (1966 to
1996) while 80.52% or 1,417 are new cases, Of the new cases
resolved, 21 were amicably settled, which shows the'

5 significance of COSLAP on the ALTERNATIVE

DISPUTE RESOLUTION policy of the
government.
As having quasi-judicial powers, COSLAP renders decisions, orders or
resolutions, ,but may be appealed to the Court of Appeals and
subsequently to the Supreme Court, Two (2) significant appealed
cases were resolved with finality, One decided by the Court of Appeals
and the other by the Supreme, Court, There are 14 appealed cases
still pending in higher courts, eight of which were filed to the CA and
the rest, to the Supreme Court.
There are still 2,268 pending cases in COSLAP, 18 of which are
classified as significant. The criterion in determining significance is
the number of individuals/families involved and land area covered by
the dispute, The said 18 cases affect approximately 17 to 1,386
families and the rest affect homeowners associations, The land areas
involved ranges from 300 square meters to 238 hectares,
YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
 As of December 31, 2006, COSLAP has appealed nine (9)
significant cases to the Higher Courts. Of these nine cases, one
(1) was resolved in the Supreme Court and one (1) in the Court of
Appeals.
For CY 2006, COSLAP resolved 2,069 cases, exceeding its 1,500
target by 38%. 2,069 cases resolved, 1,425 (1966-1996) are
classified as old cases and 644 as new cases. Of the 644 new
cases resolved, 24 were amicably settled, a strong indication of
COSLAP's adherence to resolving land problems through
conciliatory measures as alternative modes of resolving disputes.

200 As compared to the 550 cases received in 2005, cases received in

2006 increased by 16.54% or a total of 641 cases. As of
December 2006, there are 3,340 ongoing cases. Twenty three (23)

6 are classified as significant cases affecting around 17 to 1,386

families and covers a land area of 300 square meters to 238
hectares.
COSLAP strengthened its
In the year 2006,
information campaign to make justice
more accessible to the general public.
COSLAP coordinated and consulted other government agencies
involved in the settlement of land problems and disputes to shed
light on technical matters on cases handled by the Commission.
The COSLAP met its target to establish a data bank of 1,200 case
folders. It also managed to resolve cases within 30 days from the
time these cases are submitted for resolution.
 YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

For 2007, the Commission received673

new cases and resolved
1,625 cases which
surpassed its 1,500
2007 target. Of the cases resolved, 21 case
were amicably settled, 952 adjudicated and
resolved with finality, 104 adjudicated and
resolution awaiting finality, 186
adjudicated and resolved but referred to
other agencies for implementation and/or
execution, and 362 dismissed for lack of
jurisdiction and referred to other
administrative agencies who has
jurisdiction. Brought to the higher courts
were 13 significant cases, 2 of which were
resolved in the Court of Appeals wherein
one (1) of these affirmed the decision of
COSLAP, while 11 cases are still being
heard.
 YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Commission received
For 2008, the
572 new cases and resolved
1,574 cases which surpassed
its 1,500 target. Of the cases
resolved, 46 case were amicably settled,
1,141 adjudicated and resolved with finality,
15 adjudicated and resolution awaiting
2008 finality, 39 adjudicated and resolved but
referred to other agencies for implementation
and/or execution, and 333 dismissed for lack
of jurisdiction and referred to other
administrative agencies who has jurisdiction.
Brought to the higher courts were 15
significant cases, 2 of which were resolved in
the Court of Appeals wherein one (1) of these
affirmed the decision of COSLAP, while 11
cases are still being heard. On the
overall, the COSLAP exceeded
the performance target by
about 4.7%.
YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The main thrust of COSLAP is the speedy and inexpensive
investigation, conciliation and disposition of cases.
COSLAP focuses more in enhancing the mediation process
and other alternative methods in resolving land disputes.
These involved the adjudication and mediation of some
1,507. It has resolved 1,805 cases (including cases
carried over from the previous year), over and above its
1,700 target for 2009.
Significant Cases Handled

2009 The following are the significant cases handled by the COSLAP
for the year 2009:
1. Datu Piang Daquiwas, et al vs. Bukidnon Farms
Industries involving the Manobo Tribe. This case
involved the recovery of 500 hectares of ancestral land.
As a result of COSLAP intervention, 256 hectares in the
area are now being surveyed by the DENR Region X to be
turned over to the Daguiwaas group as their resettlement
area
2. Conducted mediation to at least forty (40) families
in a Coal Mining Reservation with an area of 5,500
hectares, located at Sitio Himalian, Barangay Tinugboc,
 Semirara Island, Caluya, Antique, in processing their
claims of just compensation as occupants of said land
3. Averted the eviction of seventy-nine (79) families
in Singalong St., Malate, Manila by facilitating the
negotiation in group land acquisition
4. Declaration of 923 hectares of ancestral land in
Lanton, Apopong, General Santos City as ancestral
land of the B'laan Tribe

YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
On 28 June 2010, DBM approved the DOJ (Office of the
Secretary) Rationalization Plan pursuant to Executive Order
No. 366 dated 04 October 2004.
The goal of the Rationalization Program is to transform the
Executive Branch into a more effective and efficient government.
It aims to focus government efforts on its vital functions and
channel its resources to core public services, and improve the
2010 efficiency of services within affordable levels and in the most
accountable manner. Implementation of the DOJ Ratplan resulted
in the following organizational changes:
Deactivation of the Commission on the Settlement of Land
Problems (COSLAP)
The DBM-approved and modified DOJ Rationalization Plan
deactivated the COSLAP because according to the DBM, its
functions duplicate and are already being performed by the
courts, Land Registration Authority, Department of Agrarian
Reform, and other government agencies and offices.
Funds saved from the deactivation of the COSLAP have been re-
channeled to the priorities of the DOJ, such as the creation of the
Internal Audit Service (IAS) and strengthening of the Legal Staff
and Technical Staff.
Before the COSLAP ceased its operations, however it was
able to resolve 2,174 cases more than its target of 1,700,
exceeding the agencys performance target by
approximately 28%