DENR tells public to ignore land scam posts on FB

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has urged the public to ignore and stop sharing a Facebook post claiming that a land title could be secured for a package fee of only P185 as officials disowned the misleading and erroneous information.

The post claims that those who wish to secure a land title only need to pay a P185 package fee to cover the application fee, documentary stamp and clearance.

It even cited an official of the DENR as the source of the information, probably to make the post look authentic.

Director Emelyn Talabis of the DENR’s Land Management Bureau (LMB) said the information provided was incomplete and warned the public not to share the post on social media to prevent people from being victimized by unscrupulous individuals.

“Sharing of information must be carefully verified to avoid misleading the public into having the wrong conclusion or generalization,” Talabis said.

She clarified that the cost of having a land title depends on many factors and not just the application fee, documentary stamps and clearances.

Talabis added that other factors would have to be considered, such as the type of land and patent being applied for, as well as the mode of transfer of ownership like inheritance, donation or purchase.

The applicant, she said, may also be required to pay other taxes or charges by other agencies involved in the titling process, such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Register of Deeds.

Aside from fees, Talabis said an applicant may also be required to submit documents like marriage and/or death certificates, original title, power of attorney, proof of publication, approved plan and technical description of the land, proof of occupation and judicial forms.

According to Talabis, the standard land titling application fee of P50 had been increased to P60 since 2000 during the term of president Joseph Estrada, who issued an executive order raising fees and charges in government agencies by 20 percent.

She said the P185 package fee mentioned in the Facebook post refers to the necessary fees such as documentary stamps, clearances and affidavits from other agencies which must be paid and secured during or prior to the process of filing an application.

Talabis clarified that the fake Facebook post also assured the applicants that the government would provide land surveyors who would be paid by the government.

She explained that the DENR has limited manpower and budget allocated for subdivision survey activities and the agency’s free land survey service is provided on a  “first come, first served” basis.

She said those who cannot be accommodated by the agency may opt to have their lots surveyed by private geodetic engineers.

“Geodetic engineers have tariffs that they follow and

payment for their services depends on the survey,” she pointed out.

Talabis said the LMB has been flooded with inquiries since the misleading information on land title processing fees started circulating on Facebook.

LMB is a staff bureau of the DENR responsible for

administering, surveying, managing and disposing alienable and disposable lands.