Cebu City Gov’t gives land titles to Tinago, Duljo homeowners

CEBU, Philippines - About 60 socialized homeowners of barangays Tinago and Duljo Fatima received a "Free Patent" from the Cebu City Government.

The distribution of land titles to the bonafide beneficiaries was the first activity since the creation of the City's Land Management Council (LMC), in December 2010. LMC is the extension office of the City Assessor.

The issuance of land titles, lawyer Jade Ponce, chairperson of LMC, said was in accordance with Republic Act No. 10023 otherwise known as the "act authorizing the issuance of free patents to residential lands or Free Patent Act".

This was enacted after then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed the Free Patent Act last March 9, 2010.

"RA 10023 provides land for the landless," he said, adding that the free patent is in coordination with the Land Management Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (LMO-DENR). 

Beneficiaries from Barangay Duljo-Fatima and Barangay Tinago extended their gratitude to the Cebu City Government after officially receiving the land title.

Virgilia Calinawan one of the beneficiaries said she was very grateful to the mayor and the city government that after 34 years of staying in Barangay Duljo, she can now call it as her own.

"Natuman na gyod akong pangandoy nga ma-amoa na ang pwesto," she said.

Pablita Pogoy, also of Barangay Duljo-Fatima, said that in more than 20 years of staying in the area, she is happy that the land where she had her family will never be taken away from her.

Also, Cornelio Viscara, a beneficiary from Barangay Tinago said like all of the beneficiaries, he is more than thankful that after the long wait, he is now a land owner.

Erlinda Erispe, 68 years old of Barangay Tinago, said she has been staying in the area since 1967.

"Sa dugay na nga panahon nga namuyo mi diha karon pami nakatitulo. Katunga na sa akong kinabuhi naa ko diha maong dako kaayo akong pagpasalamat sa city government," Erispe said.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said that giving free patents to city's homeowners is the task of the city government. "Tagaan og luna ang tanang katawhan aron mosaka ang katilingban," he told the beneficiaries during the ceremonial distribution of land titles yesterday.

Ponce said there are currently 200 to 300 applicants for the free patent from barangays Carreta and Tejero.

He said though that the applicants must meet the requirements to acquire a "free" land title. The application must be submitted to the LMC office at Cebu City hall.

Requirements for the applicants include the actual occupation or residence of the parcel subject to application for at least 10 years prior to the filing of the application and the applicant must not exceed a total accumulated property of 12 hectares landholding including agricultural lands and the area shall not exceed 200 square meters for highly urbanized cities.

According to Ponce, the said law permits the selling of the free patent compared to the Public Land Act which prohibits the selling of land title within five years.

But Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and DENR-7 Executive Director Dr. Isabelo Montejo asked the beneficiaries not to sell their titles.

"Ampingi intawon ninyo ang titulo. Ayaw ninyo i-prenda o ibaligya," Labella said. (FREEMAN)