Cebu City cited for land program

THE Land Management Bureau of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources yesterday gave recognition to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama for successfully shepherding the city government’s “Land for the Landless” program

The award was given in a ceremony at the Cityscape Hotel Tower II in Cebu City.

“In grateful recognition and sincere appreciation for his remarkable support extended on the Capacity Building Roll-out on the Systematic Adjudication Approach in Public Land Titling in Partnership with Local Government Units,” the inscription on the  plaque of appreciation given to Rama stated.

The award was signed by Ralph Pablo, director of the DENR-LMB; Rolando Pablo, chief of the Land Management Division, and Emelyne Talabis, assistant director and chief of the legal division of the LMB.

Cebu City Hall’s Land Management Council (LMC), headed by lawyer Jade Ponce has started distributing land titles to city residents this year. So far, they have already distributed 264 titles.

Ponce said the city’s program is in partnership with the Registry of Deeds and the DENR.

“We’ve been trying our best to fast track the issuance of the titles. There is no problem with the city. But we experience delays with our other partners like the RD which requires titles to be sent to Manila for processing,” Ponce said.

This is why the LMC can’t achieve the mayor’s marching order to issue 1,000 land titles this year.

Most beneficiaries of the land titles are covered by Republic Act 10023 or the Residential Free Patent law which was signed in 2010. Under the law, residents living in public lands for at least 10 years can own it. Public lands are those that have no owner or title to either private individuals or the government.

Other beneficiaries of the city’s Land for the Landless program are those under the city’s Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP)’s socialized housing sites and the Slum Improvement and Rehabilitation Program.

Unlike R.A. 10023 beneficiaries who receive Original Certificates of Titles, beneficiaries under the DWUP’s programs receive Transfer Certificates of Title from the city government which facilitates for the acquisition of the lands.

“I will be more forgiving and extend the deadline to distribute 1,000 titles before the end of January next year. After which, maybe we can give 1,000 more,” said Mayor Rama.

He said he’s receiving the award “with dignity and pride” in behalf of the people of Cebu City.

Rama also added that the DENR is looking at Cebu City’s land program as a benchmark for other local government units to follow.