Some 284 agricultural free patents were distributed to beneficiaries in Villaba, Leyte through the government’s Handog Titulo Program.
The DENR, in partnership with the Registry of Deeds (ROD) and the local government unit of Villaba, invited the beneficiaries to receive their longed-for titles which made them tenured land owners.
One of them, Concordia Lamoste Wagas expressed joy for finally assuming full rights and ownership of the land her family has been occupying for years. “I commit to enrich this land and make it productive. This is mine, and this is the only legacy I have for my family”, she said.
DENR Assistant Regional Director for Management Services Arturo N. Salazar challenged the rest of the beneficiaries to also make their land productive and value the titles provided by the government. “Your titles secure your ownership over the land you occupy. Take good care of it and use it to improve your social and economic status”, he said.
Meanwhile, Atty. Emeterio D. Villanoza, Officer-in-charge of the Registry of Deeds (ROD) reminded the recipients to be mindful of their duties as title holders especially in paying their real property tax in order for the government to sustain provision of services for the people. He also reminded the beneficiaries to take extra care in handling their land titles to avoid serious legal problems while reconstituting lost or damaged titles.
He also shared that Republic Act 11231 or the Agricultural Free Patent Reform Act is a recent amendment, which makes agricultural land titles immediately bankable and tradable. This removed the prohibition from mortgaging or selling land under free patent within five years from the issuance of the patent.]
The issuance of free titles through the Handog Titulo Program is conducted pursuant to Ambisyon Natin 2040 which represents the collective long-term visions and aspirations of Filipinos for themselves and for the country.
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- Parent Category: News & Events
- Category: Press Releases
- Published: 06 March 2020