Monday, July 26, 2004 DENR to disburse 602 hectares of land
THE DEPATMENT of Environment and Natural Resources is expected to distribute some 602.50 hectares of alienable and disposable (A&D) lands all over the region.
The distribution is part of the agency's national commitment to disburse of some 32,212 hectares of A&D lands in the different regions in the country.
This shall be accomplished within the first 100 days of the new administration or from July 1 to October 8 this year.
In the region, DENR-CAR is committed to apportion 787 lots covering 346 has. in Abra; 183 lots covering 76 has. in Apayao; 182 lots measuring 76 has. in Benguet; 149 lots in Ifugao; and 172 lots covering 79 has. in Mt. Province.
DENR Regional Executive Director Isaias Barongan said the implementation of this commitment has an estimated cost of P1,207,059 with at least 1,603 targeted beneficiaries.
DENR-CAR field offices are now conducting simultaneous public land surveys and regular monitoring to oversee the region's progress in the implementation.
The public lands to be distributed shall be processed through the free patent land-titling scheme. Free patent is the titling of alienable and disposable agricultural land whose applicants have occupied the lands prior to 1960 as mandated by Commonwealth Act 141 or the Public Land Act.
Free patents covering less than one hectare shall be signed by the concerned provincial environment and natural resources office (PENRO) while the RED shall sign the patents covering less than five hectares.
Environment Secretary Elisea Guzon, on the other hand, shall sign the award of free patents covering five to 12 hectares.
Each applicant shall have the maximum land application of 12 hectares for the purpose of equitable sharing of lands.
Meanwhile, Land Management Service RTD Victor Cosalan said the office needs the cooperation of concerned applicants and other agencies to facilitate the processing of lots for distribution.
"We also encourage those who want to have their lots titled to coordinate with the nearest DENR field office for the conduct of land surveys for land titling," he said.
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