Reservation of Certain Lands of Public Domain on the Island of Sulu
Act No. 2722, enacted on May 16, 1917, allows the Governor-General of the Philippines to reserve up to 4,096 hectares of public land in the Sulu Archipelago for the usufruct of the Sultan of Sulu and his direct heirs. While the government retains ownership and administrative control over the reserved lands, the Sultan and his heirs will benefit from the proceeds generated. The reserved lands are exempt from taxation and cannot be alienated or encumbered. This act takes effect upon the Governor-General's proclamation of its approval by the U.S. President.
May 16, 1917
ACT NO. 2722
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE RESERVATION OF CERTAIN LANDS OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN ON THE ISLAND OF SULU, THE USUFRUCT THEREOF TO BE GRANTED TO THE SULTAN OF SULU AND HIS HEIRS
SECTION 1. The Governor-General is hereby authorized and empowered to reserve lands pertaining to the public domain within the Sulu Archipelago, Department of Mindanao and Sulu, not to exceed, in all, four thousand and ninety-six hectares, and grant the usufruct thereof to Hadji Mohamad Jamalul Kiram, Sultan of Sulu, and his direct heirs Datu Rajamuda Muhallil Wasit, Dayang-Dayang Hadji Piandau, and Putli Tarhata Atik.
SECTION 2. This grant is made subject to the condition that the lands so reserved shall be administered by the government of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu and the persons mentioned in section one of this Act shall merely receive the proceeds and revenues derived from said lands.
SECTION 3. The lands reserved as above stated shall not be subject to taxation; and the rights thereto shall not be alienated, transferred or encumbered to any other person, and the title thereto shall at all times be vested in the Government of the Philippine Islands. acd
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on the date of the Proclamation of the Governor-General announcing its approval by the President of the United States.
Approved: May 16, 1917