DENR surpasses goals, issues more than 2,000 land titles

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) surpassed its target by issuing 2,204 free residential and agricultural land patents in Western Visayas in 2023, eclipsing the initial goal of 1,600 patents.

The effort has covered a considerable 882.097 hectares (ha), significantly advancing land titling initiatives in the region.

The issuance of these patents reflects an efficient and accessible approach to the administrative titling process, aiming to provide land occupants and owners of alienable and disposable lands with a strengthened sense of security.

The DENR highlighted this objective in a statement on Monday.

Thanks to the concerted efforts of the provincial and community environment and natural resources offices (PENROs/CENROs), and the dedicated work of the DENR’s licenses, patents, and deeds division, the release of 1,255 agricultural free patents was made possible, accounting for 852.7443 ha of land.

Furthermore, 949 residential land titles, amounting to 29.3527 ha, were also distributed.

The distributed agricultural patents included 508 covering 224.4297 ha in Aklan; 280 for 227.1206 ha in Iloilo; 214 for 140.2574 ha in Antique; 62 spanning 125.4067 ha in Capiz; 105 for 61.3765 ha in Guimaras; and 86 totaling 74.1534 ha in Negros Occidental.

Residential patents saw a wide distribution across the provinces as well: Aklan received 258 patents for 9.4114 ha; Antique was allotted 211 covering 6.0446 ha; Iloilo granted 199 totaling 5.9260 ha; Negros Occidental acquired 166 for 3.2754 ha; Capiz secured 57 for 1.8863 ha; and Guimaras with 58 patents encompassing 2.8090 ha.

These commendable efforts are in line with the mandates of Republic Act 10023, also known as the Residential Free Patent Act, and Republic Act 11231, the Agricultural Free Patent Reform Act, which facilitate free land titling for eligible landowners.

Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran lauded the unwavering commitment of DENR field offices in enhancing service accessibility, particularly in the issuance of free patents.

“Issuing free patents for residential and agricultural lands is one of the key services provided by DENR. We are devoted to refining our services so that more beneficiaries can avail themselves of this opportunity,” Duran said.

With 2023 targets surpassed, Western Visayas looks forward to achieving even more in 2024, continuing to serve its constituents and promoting sustainable land stewardship.