New land titling law to benefit 39 million Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines – Environment Secretary Horacio Ramos had ordered the Land Management Bureau (LMB) to speed up the drafting of the implementing rules and regulations of a new law that would grant to homeowners disposable public land which they have been occupying for 10 years.

Republic Act 10023, the new Residential Free Patent Law, is expected to provide 39 million Filipinos titles to land on which their homes stand.

Ramos said the LMB is expected to complete the IRR by the first week of May, and that their field offices can start processing and issuing free patents on residential lots before President Arroyo steps down on June 30.

“The passage of RA 10023 is a giant step forward in reforming the land administration and management program of the country,” he said.

“Likewise, it will bolster the approval of other land-related laws like the Land Administration and Reform Act, which will lay the foundation for a responsive and efficient land administration and management system in the country.”

Prior to RA 10023 authored by Sen. Richard Gordon and Rep. Antonio Cerilles, free patents were only issued to agricultural lands under Commonwealth Act 141, the Public Land Act.

LMB director Allan Barcena said the IRR will guide field offices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in implementing the provisions of RA 10023.

“The beauty of the law is that it has simplified the requirements as well as the procedures of land titling,” he said.

“In effect, this will redound to the benefit of millions of Filipinos as it secures their rights to their residential lots.”

Barcena said the new law will spur entrepreneurial activity as it facilitates the buying and selling of lands. — Michael Punongbayan