DENR set to release 19,950 patents

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 aims to hand out around 19,950 patents covering 9,944 hectares by November 30 this year of untitled public alienable and disposable (A and D) agricultural lands under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension program in Region VII.

 Based on a report released by the Land Management Services, Bohol has the biggest target of 13,750 titles to cover about 6,862 hectares; Cebu with 5,000 patents for 2,436 hectares; Negros Oriental with 700 titles to be issued for 396 hectares; and Siquijor has to distribute 500 patents with 250 hectares.

 DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Isabelo R. Montejo said that Central Visayas has achieved the most number of patents issued with 20,486 totaling 9,443.1269 hectares last year which is supportive to the Philippine Development Plan of the Aquino administration to promote productivity of idle lands in the country.

 As the primary government agency responsible for the distribution and land disposition through the issuance of free patents or homestead patents for public agricultural A and D lands, Montejo directed all the provincial and community environment and natural resources officers to expedite the processing and approval of land titling applications.

 Similarly, DENR issued a warning to the public amid reports that some unscrupulous DENR personnel in the field offices are accepting money from land title applicants in exchange for the expeditious processing and issuance of their land titles, referral to private geodetic engineers to execute the survey, notarial services, among others.

 â€œOur field officials should make sure that no land titling applications be kept or holed up in a drawer or place them pending and the same should be acted with speed and promptness by informing the applicants on the actions taken,” said Montejo in a statement.

 In a related development, the LMS conducted a workshop with nearly 15 Land Management Officers  and other officials recently on the number of patents to be accomplished in a per month basis until its completion in November 30 this year. — (FREEMAN)