|
Monday, April 03, 2006
Processing of new townsite applications delayed anew
By Rimaliza Opiña
ACCEPTANCE and processing of new townsite sales applications in Baguio City will not resume this month as earlier announced by the environment department.
Environment Regional Director Samuel Peñafiel issued the statement last Sunday as he said although the department is ready to accept and process new townsite sales applications, Administrative Order (AO) 504 Clearing Committee could not proceed unless the city submits its list of land needs. The processing of previous applications would still continue, he added.
The City Government reportedly needs three more months before it could submit a complete report or list of city and barangay land needs.
Peñafiel said plotting of city needs could not be done on a piecemeal basis because the environment department is avoiding the previous practice of doing the plotting only when an application is submitted before the AO 504 committee. He said the move not only resulted in overlapping of claims but also in delays in the processing of applications because of protests filed either by the government or by private individuals.
Former environment secretary now Presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor suspended the processing of townsite sales applications in September last year, following complaints by the City Council that the environment department indiscriminately issued titles to private individuals despite knowledge that these were previously identified for barangay land needs.
Land Reform Undersecretary Manuel Gerochi then ordered the creation of a task force that would investigate the status of public lands here.
The task force's fact-finding investigation was terminated and courses of action have been recommended, Peñafiel said. He however declined to divulge the results of the investigation as it still has to be signed by Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes.
(April 3, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
