BY CORIE CORPUZ
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (September 18)—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 2 and the municipalities of Aglipay and Cabarroguis in Quirino province are set to facilitate land titling after the signing of the memorandum of partnership agreement (MOPA) on Wednesday at Quirino Watersports Complex in Diffun town.
The MOPA for the Rapid Land Tenure Appraisal was signed by DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn C. Bambalan and mayors Jerry T. Agsalda and Willard V. Abuan.
“We are encouraging municipalities to have partnership with us so we can have joint efforts in the acceptance and processing of land title applications,” Bambalan said explaining the roles of both parties to fast track issuance of patents.
Under the MOPA, the DENR shall conduct land titling activities within the towns’ territorial jurisdictions; and provide technical assistance as well as materials, personnel, documents and data to the local government unit (LGU). It shall also provide quick response assistance to the municipality in the phases of titling activities and conduct necessary trainings and capacity building for LGU personnel.
The LGUs shall assign focal persons and committees required under the partnership. They shall also support in the mainstreaming of the land titling program, and shall spearhead community mobilization, preparation and organization for all agreed titling activities.
“It only takes less than P500 for the whole land titling process excluding the payment for private surveyors,” Bambalan explained adding that the DENR has allotted funds for free land survey “to help those who are really in need.”
She encouraged the LGUs to also apply for special patents, if they have schools and government offices that are yet to possess land titles.
“Masayang-masaya po kami sa Aglipay dahil sa programang ito ng DENR. May mga school, barangay hall at mga alienable and disposable land pa po kaming hindi natitituluhan,” Agsalda said expressing his gratefulness as he vowed to give their full support to the program.
Abuan also expressed his gratitude and committed to fully abide by the LGU’s responsibilities stipulated in the MOPA.