Probe on LRA’s land titling errors sought

MANILA, Philippines - A senior administration lawmaker has asked the House special committee on land use to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation into the worsening problem on the issuances of erroneous land titles by the Land Registration Authority (LRA) brought about by its current computerization program.

Albay Rep. Al Francis Bichara called for the inquiry through House Resolution 1667, saying the manifest errors in the LRA-issued land titles have resulted in confusion and court litigations to the detriment of legitimate land owners and businesses.

“The inquiry would help provide relief and stop further deterioration in the climate of business and land ownership,” said Bichara, chairman of the committee on foreign affairs.

“Error-filled official issuances can bring havoc to our entire land registration system which will directly affect the economy,” he said.

He said LRA personnel have pointed to some technical glitches in their computer system, which they said is being upgraded.??

“These errors in the newly issued land titles have destroyed the otherwise peaceful business climate and investor confidence as well as private land ownership,” he said.

He said the LRA has for some years been applying modern technologies to improve its land records management system.

But recently, a combination of microfilm and computerized database systems has greatly improved the security, reliability and accessibility of land title information of those registries where this technology has been applied, he said.

“However, the steady introduction of new land title documents continues to challenge LRA’s ability to keep up with the microfilm operations, and the corresponding development of computerized databases,” Bichara said.