GELE Cadastral Surveys & Land Laws Reviewer 2026

Answer: B. Cadastral survey

Step 1 – Recall the definition: A cadastral survey is a systematic, government-initiated survey of every parcel within a defined area (municipality or city). Step 2 – Distinguish from other types: An isolated survey covers only a single lot; a mineral survey is for mining claims; a relocation survey re-establishes existing boundaries. Step 3 – Key word: 'ALL parcels' is the defining characteristic of a cadastral survey. Step 4 – Legal anchor: Under CA 141 (Public Land Act) and implemented by DENR-LMB, cadastral surveys are conducted to support the Torrens registration system. Conclusion: The answer is 'Cadastral survey.'

Answer: C. Isolated (individual) survey

Step 1 – Identify the scope: Only one (1) lot is involved. Step 2 – Apply the definition: An isolated or individual survey surveys a single parcel for titling, transfer, or development purposes. Step 3 – Eliminate wrong options: A cadastral survey involves all parcels in a locality — far broader than one lot. A public-land survey applies to alienable/disposable lands. A mineral survey is for mining areas. Step 4 – Remember: Even though it covers one lot, the isolated survey must still be tied to existing geodetic control (BLLM) on PRS92. Conclusion: 'Isolated (individual) survey' is the correct answer.

Answer: B. Bureau of Lands Location Monument

Step 1 – Recall: BLLM is a standard abbreviation in Philippine cadastral surveys. Step 2 – Full form: Bureau of Lands Location Monument. Note: While the Bureau of Lands is now under DENR-LMB, the acronym BLLM is still used in practice and on the board exam. Step 3 – Function: BLLMs are permanent geodetic control monuments set across the country, providing the absolute coordinate reference (on PRS92) to which all parcel corners are tied. Step 4 – Wrong options analysis: None of the other expansions are used in any Philippine law or DENR regulation. Conclusion: 'Bureau of Lands Location Monument' is correct.

Answer: C. PRS92

Step 1 – Definition: PRS92 stands for Philippine Reference System of 1992. It is the official geodetic datum adopted by the Philippine government for all land surveys. Step 2 – Why not WGS84? WGS84 is the global datum used by GPS/GNSS. PRS92 is closely aligned to WGS84 but is the legally mandated national datum. Step 3 – Why not Luzon Datum 1911? The old Luzon Datum (Clarke 1866 ellipsoid) was the pre-1992 reference; it has been superseded by PRS92. Step 4 – Legal basis: DENR Administrative Orders mandate the use of PRS92 for all cadastral and land surveys. Conclusion: 'PRS92' is the correct answer.

Answer: C. DENR – Land Management Bureau (LMB)

Step 1 – Identify agency roles: DENR-LMB (formerly the Bureau of Lands) is the agency mandated under RA 8560 (Geodetic Engineering Act of 1998) and CA 141 to conduct, approve, and record land surveys. Step 2 – Eliminate DPWH: DPWH handles roads and infrastructure surveys, not land titling surveys. Step 3 – Eliminate NAMRIA: NAMRIA handles topographic mapping and hydrographic surveys — it does not approve cadastral surveys for land registration purposes. Step 4 – Eliminate LRA: LRA administers the Torrens registration system (title issuance) under PD 1529, but it does not approve survey plans — it receives them from DENR-LMB. Conclusion: 'DENR – Land Management Bureau (LMB)' is correct.

Answer: B. Lot number within a cadastral case/block

Step 1 – Recall cadastral identifiers: Every parcel surveyed in a cadastral survey is assigned a lot number within a specific cadastral block and cadastral case (e.g., 'Lot 5, Block 2, Cad-XXX, Municipality of Rosario'). Step 2 – Why not street address? Street addresses are not formal legal identifiers for land parcels; they can change with renaming of streets. Step 3 – Why not tax declaration number? Tax declarations are assessor-level administrative records, not survey identifiers — they may reference the lot number but are not the primary surveying identifier. Step 4 – Why not GPS coordinates of the house? A house location is not a parcel identifier; it is the monumented parcel corners that carry coordinates. Conclusion: 'Lot number within a cadastral case/block' is the correct answer.

Answer: B. BLLM or geodetic control monument

Step 1 – Define tie line: A tie line (or connection line) is a survey line run from a corner of the parcel to a known geodetic control monument (BLLM or triangulation station). Step 2 – Purpose: This gives the parcel absolute coordinates on PRS92, making it fit into the national cadastral map without gaps or overlaps with adjoining lots. Step 3 – Why not a fence post? Fence posts are not permanent geodetic monuments and have no official coordinates. Step 4 – Why not road centerline or barangay boundary? These may be used as descriptive references but are not the geodetic control points to which survey closures are tied. Conclusion: A tie line runs to a 'BLLM or geodetic control monument.'

Answer: B. Cadastral map and lot data (bearings, distances, coordinates)

Step 1 – Recall output products: A cadastral survey produces (a) a cadastral map showing all lots in a case, and (b) individual lot data — bearings, distances, corner coordinates, areas, and technical descriptions. Step 2 – How it feeds Torrens: Under PD 1529 (Property Registration Decree), a survey plan approved by DENR-LMB is submitted to the Land Registration Authority (LRA) to support an original registration or subsequent transaction. Step 3 – Eliminate wrong options: Road profiles are for highway design (DPWH); hydrographic charts are for NAMRIA/maritime use; GNSS baselines are a method input, not the final cadastral product. Conclusion: 'Cadastral map and lot data' is correct.

Answer: C. PD 1529

Step 1 – Identify PD 1529: Presidential Decree No. 1529, known as the 'Property Registration Decree' (1978), governs the Torrens system of land registration in the Philippines — the system of indefeasible titled ownership. Step 2 – Eliminate CA 141: The Commonwealth Act 141 (Public Land Act) governs the classification and disposition of public lands, not Torrens registration. Step 3 – Eliminate RA 8560: Republic Act 8560 is the Geodetic Engineering Act of 1998, which governs the practice of geodetic engineering (licensure, scope of work). Step 4 – Eliminate RA 4374: RA 4374 is the old Geodetic Engineering Act of 1965, superseded by RA 8560. Conclusion: 'PD 1529' is the correct answer.

Answer: C. Is a systematic survey of all parcels within a municipality or city

Step 1 – Core distinction: A cadastral survey is government-initiated and systematic — it covers ALL lots in a locality (municipality/city). An isolated survey covers only ONE lot, typically private-initiated. Step 2 – Eliminate 'private geodetic engineer only': Both survey types can involve private geodetic engineers; however, cadastral surveys are typically government-directed and approved by DENR-LMB. Step 3 – Eliminate 'single lot': This describes an isolated survey, not a cadastral survey. Step 4 – Eliminate 'no tie to control': Both cadastral and isolated surveys require ties to geodetic control (BLLM) on PRS92 — no survey is exempt from this. Conclusion: The defining feature of a cadastral survey is that it covers 'all parcels within a municipality or city.'

Answer: A. Divides one parcel of land into two or more lots

Step 1 — Recall the definition: A subdivision survey splits an existing parcel into smaller, individually titled lots. Step 2 — Contrast with consolidation: Consolidation merges parcels (Option B), not splits them. Step 3 — Eliminate distractors: Elevation determination is leveling (Option C), and geodetic control establishment is a different survey type (Option D). Step 4 — Confirm: Subdivision produces new lots, each with its own technical description, plan, and (eventually) title under PD 1529.

Answer: A. Merges adjoining parcels into a single lot by removing interior boundaries

Step 1 — Definition: Consolidation combines two or more adjoining lots into one, dissolving interior (shared) boundaries. Step 2 — Key result: Only the outer perimeter of the merged area remains as the new boundary. Step 3 — Eliminate distractors: Splitting lots is subdivision (Option B); re-establishing monuments is retracement/relocation survey (Option C); bearing and distance determination is a traversing/boundary survey task (Option D). Step 4 — Confirm: The resulting consolidated lot gets a new technical description and plan.