CEBU, Philippines - Isabelo Montejo, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 (DENR-7) regional executive director, said of the 2,600 residential patents targeted for this year, the DENR-7 granted 2,584 patents as of October 31, 2013 based on the consolidated reports from various field offices in the four provinces in Central Visayas.
Based on the report released, Cebu province approved 708 residential patents, Bohol 588, Negros Oriental 1,274, and Siquijor province 14.
For the agricultural patent issuance, DENR-7 information officer Eddie Llamedo said the agency issued 17, 750 patents or 89 percent accomplishment against its target of distributing 19,950 patents for 2013.
Montejo in a statement said the agency will fast track patent issuance to fully complete all its deliverables by the end of this month.
Montejo attributed the accomplishment to the efforts made by provincial officials.
Issuance of patents is in line with the implementation of Republic Act 10023, or the New Free Patent Act, which provides that DENR will process a free patent title application to any Filipino citizen who is an actual applicant of a residential land. (FREEMAN)