CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama received a plaque of appreciation from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources — Land Management Bureau for the city’s remarkable efforts in public land titling.
The plaque was given “in grateful recognition and sincere appreciation of the remarkable support extended on the capacity building role out on the systematic adjudication approach in public land titling in partnership with local government units.”
The city created Task Force Land for the Landless that helps solve tenurial problems among residents, provide lands to qualified families, as well as accommodate informal settlers that need relocation.
Rama was proud of the recognition, considering that Cebu has been the first LGU to be awarded such.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the DENR and the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor to make the project successful that it gained national recognition.
“They have distributed what they have committed before the end of the year” the mayor said.
Under the Land for the Landless program, at least 260 land titles have been given to the beneficiaries this year.
Rama said they are still working to achieve their commitment of titling 1,000 more lots before the end of January next year.
After January, Rama said they will further provide land titles to residents in barangays Lorega and Tejero, and in 93–1 lot in Barangay Apas since the provincial government is considering donating the lot to the city residents.
“They are the recipient of true empowerment when people can claim that they have a land on their own,” the mayor stated, as he challenged Bureau to achieve its target to turn over 2,500 titles before his term ends on 2016. — Glenda B. Tapang, USJ-R MassComm Intern/NSA (FREEMAN)