Text of the provision
Art. 420. The following things are property of public dominion:
(1) Those intended for public use, such as roads, canals, rivers, torrents, ports and bridges constructed by the State, banks, shores, roadsteads, and others of similar character;
(2) Those which belong to the State, without being for public use, and are intended for some public service or for the development of the national wealth.
(339a)
Civil Code of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, approved June 18, 1949, effective August 30, 1950. Reproduced in full; verified verbatim against the LawPhil and ChanRobles official-text renderings.
What this article means
Property of public dominion includes things intended for public use (roads, rivers, ports, shores) and things the State holds for a public service or to develop national wealth. Such property is inalienable and imprescriptible for as long as it remains devoted to that purpose.
Related provisions
- Article 419 — Public Dominion and Private Ownership.
- Article 421 — Patrimonial Property of the State.
Cases interpreting this article
- Authorities on this article will be added here as each is verified against primary sources.