Improve land administration, bringing the services closer to the people

As one of the priority programs of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the “Handog Titulo Program” was held at the covered court of Hinigaran, Negros Occidental recently.

The activity aims to bring services closer to the community, and support the agency’s trust on Improved Land Administration and Management.

Forty-six certificates of land titles were distributed to the qualified recipients from Barangays 2, 4 and Ubay in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental.

Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson congratulated everyone and encouraged all recipients to be responsible land owners and hopes that the program would continue to empower the people, and eventually spur economic and social progress. Mayor Nadie P. Arceo also expressed his gratitude to everyone who led a hand in fulfilling one of the aspirations of Hinigaranons.

Provincial ENR Officer Edgardo M. Rostata acknowledged the collaboration of national agencies and local government units (LGUs) in facilitating the issuance of free land titles as a step in fulfilling AmBisyon Natin 2040 which foresees the aspiration of Filipinos to enjoy a strongly rooted, comfortable and secure life .

“Many of us stay and live in the land we do not own. Perhaps, it is also one of the many problems we encounter and this Handog Titulo Program is a means through which we help improve people’s lives,” said Regional Executive Director Francisco E. Milla, Jr.

“Despite the threat of COVID-19, they never fail to attend and they continue to support the programs and projects of the DENR,” Milla added.

Furthermore, a total of 6,083.0877 hectares (60,830,877 sq.m) with 23,030 no. of patents were since the start of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Administration in 2016 until 2020.

The following are the issued patents to wit: 8,900 Agricultural Patent issued with a total area of 5,730.8009 ha. and 14,130 Residential Patent issued with a total area of 352.2868 ha.

Agricultural free patents are land grants awarded to natural-born Filipino citizens in actual occupation and cultivation for at least 30 years of alienable and disposable lands not more than 12 hectares, and have paid the corresponding real property taxes. While the residential free patent are land grants awarded to any Filipino citizen who is in actual occupation of the residential land at least 10 years. It is issued on all land that are zoned as residential areas, including town sites as defined under the Public Land Act, provided that none of the provisions of PD 705 shall be violated.

“Handog Titulo Program” is a continued joint effort of the national government through DENR, Registry of Deeds and LGUs. The program is also a part of the government’s land disposition program by virtue of Republic Act No. 10023 or the Residential Free Patent Act. (DENR-6)