DENR expedites processing of land ownership titles

By Keren Anne Bernadas

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has expedited the titling of residential lands and the issuance of agricultural free patents in the Bicol region.

This move is intended to promote effective land management and governance, according to DENR Regional Executive Director Francisco Milla, Jr.

Since 2022, the DENR has distributed 3,729 land titles to residential owners and 2,141 agricultural land rights to farmers across the region, covering a total of 69.4263 hectares of residential land and 1,829.4494 hectares of agricultural land.

“Mas pinabilis at mas binigyang prayoridad at seguridad ng ating ahensya ang ating mga kababayan sa kanilang inookupang mga lupa sa ilalim ng mas pinatibay na implementasyon ng National Land Titling Program (The DENR has given priority and security to our farmers and residents in the region regarding their lands through the enhanced implementation of the National Land Titling Program),” Milla said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on July 16.

To streamline land transactions, the DENR has collaborated with the Land Registration Authority in linking and exchanging information databases, aiming to improve land titling accuracy.

Dexter Odiver, a barangay captain in Quibongbongan, Guinobatan, who is also a farmer, shared his experience about the DENR’s processing of land titling in their area.

“Sa programa ng DENR, napadali ang pagpatitulo ng aking lupa, at napagaan naman ang pagsasaayos ng mga kabahayan sa aming komunidad. Maraming salamat sa kanilang pagtutulong-tulong at sipag,” he said.

(Through the DENR program, my land was titled quickly, thus enhancing orderliness in the cluster of houses in our community. I am grateful to the DENR personnel for their support and service.)

Jocelyn Reynoso from Bascaran, Daraga, said that in just a span of three to four months, she was able to have her land titled under her name.

“The DENR Bicol personnel were accommodating, and they facilitated our request systematically,” she said.

Looking ahead, Milla said the agency will continue to implement the strategic thrusts and direction of the DENR under the Marcos administration through evidence-informed and science-based approaches and actions toward inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development.

“We are working to strengthen and reshape our department and capacitate our people to make sure we are responsive, relevant, and fit for purpose,” Milla said.

“We look forward to strengthening our relationships with our partners and other stakeholders in the effective implementation of environmental programs,” he added. (KAB/PIA5)

DENR Regional Executive Director Francisco Milla, Jr., during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on July 16.