Bill seeks to reclassify city shoreline lands

Iloilo City Rep. Julienne “Jam” Baronda has filed House Bill No. 4298 seeking to repeal Republic Act No. 4767, which declared shoreline areas in Molo and Arevalo as Iloilo City Park in 1966.

The measure proposes to reclassify the lands as alienable and disposable, allowing occupants to apply for titles and register ownership under existing land registration laws.

The bill’s explanatory note said the designation of the area as a city park has for decades restricted its use and disposition, even though many portions have long been occupied and developed for residential, commercial, and other purposes.

“With Iloilo City’s sustained socio-economic growth and rapid urban expansion, it is both practical and equitable to revisit this outdated designation,” the bill’s explanatory note added.

The bill seeks to allow titling and registration through Commonwealth Act No. 141 or the Public Land Act and Presidential Decree No. 1529 or the Property Registration Decree.

Under the proposal, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will conduct cadastral surveys and determine boundaries before awarding titles to qualified applicants.

Actual occupants who have possessed or cultivated the lands in good faith before the law takes effect will be given priority in applying for land disposition, subject to proof of occupation and compliance with requirements.

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, the Iloilo City government, and other agencies will coordinate with the DENR in drafting implementing rules within 60 days of the law’s effectivity.

Baronda said the reclassification will regularize existing beneficial ownership, enable lawful titling, and generate new revenues for the city government through real property taxes and related fees.

The revenues are expected to fund public infrastructure and social services while supporting the city’s ongoing urban development.

By invoking the Public Land Act, the bill makes the affected properties subject to government disposition as alienable and disposable public domain lands.

This means qualified occupants may secure titles following established procedures for public land applications.

The Property Registration Decree ensures that once titles are granted, they will be conclusive and indefeasible after registration, providing legal certainty to landowners.

Together, these measures will allow occupants to move from informal or unregistered claims to full, lawful ownership recognized by Philippine courts and registries.

Baronda said the initiative will not only address decades of uncertainty over land tenure but also align Iloilo City’s urban planning with present-day development needs.