DENR gives away over 20K Free Patents in Region 8

By PURIFICACION S. DALOOS
February 19, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in region 8 has distributed 21,488 Free Patents to beneficiaries of the Handog Titulo Program at the close of 2009. The land titles distributed covers an aggregate of 18,566.153 hectares in the six (6) Eastern Visayas provinces.

Regional Technical Director Ramon Unay of the Land Management Service revealed that around 58% were generated through the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) while the Land Administration and Management Project produced around 40% of the total number of Free Patents distributed.

“A total of 12,540 Free Patents were processed and issued through the DENR-CARP,” says RTD Unay. “This covers an aggregate area of 11,711.74 hectares regionwide.”

RTD Unay further disclosed that the implementation of LAMP Phase 2 in the region has resulted in the issuance of 8,760 land titles with an aggregate of 6,847.16 hectares in the different Leyte towns were the Project is being implemented. Another 188 Free Patents were issued under the regular and downloaded funds of the Department to its field offices in the region.

Free Patents issued by the DENR through the Handog Titulo Program serves as absolute proof of ownership for it beneficiaries. The land titles are given to actual occupants of alienable and disposable lands after completing certain documentary requirements.