PAOAY, Ilocos Norte – The massive distribution of residential free patents in Paoay Ilocos Norte recently has sparked an upswing high in the implementation of Republic Act No. 10023 otherwise known as “Residential Free Patent Act” in the Ilocos Region.
DENR Regional Executive Director Samuel Peñafiel and Hon. Mayor Bonifacio Clemente Jr. led in the distribution to recipients of 30 residential land titles and 65 free patents for agricultural lots in Paoay, Ilocos Norte recently, following the survey and titling roll out scheme under the Land Administration and Management Program (LAMP). This is in addition to the previously awarded 850 free patents in Marcos, Ilocos Norte in a span of five months (Sept. 2010 to Jan. 2011). The awarding ceremony was attended also by representatives from Register of Deeds who are in charge of registering the titles, the Regional Land Mgt. team headed by RTD Lydia S. Lopez, Ilocos Norte Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Juan delos Reyes and CENRO Laoag Staff led by CENRO Florencio Suliven.
The Residential Free patent Act is a new law (passed in May, 2010) which the DENR processes applications for titling of residential lots, and other government owned institutions/areas like city/municipal hall, school sites, public plazas, markets… Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje directed the Land Management Bureau (LMB) also to prioritize the titling of all untitled government lands to protect government lands from encroachment. The Order is in consonance with the thrust of the Aquino government to institute reforms in the country’s land administration and management.
Vice Mayor Eileen L. Guerrero, one of the recipients including that of the Vice Mayor of Marcos, Ilocos Norte, Jonel Rosqueta expressed their overwhelming gratitude for this program and in receiving their titles since for more than thirty (30) years living in that area, in so short a time. Their proof of ownership over the land is a dream come true.
Mayor Bonifacio Clemente Jr. of Paoay, in his speech encouraged his constituents to prepare their needed documents for residential free patent application in order to realize their dreams in possessing their pieces of residential lands thru administrative titles. He said he is supporting the DENR for this noble project and even recommended for training and possible deployment of two (2) of his organic personnel to work full-time with DENR-LMS personnel in accepting and processing agricultural and residential free patent applications in their municipality. This somehow showcase the start of mainstreaming the LGU’s in patent processing duplicating the STROP that was piloted in CY 2010 in the municipality of Marcos, Ilocos Norte.
RTD for Land Management Lydia S. Lopez, said all Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices are accepting applications for residential free patents and special patent for school sites. The DENR-Lands targeted this year around 6,600 lots to be processed and awarded to program beneficiaries region-wide. (ena/rpao)
