DENR Bataan through its “Handog Titulo Program ” is continuously processing land titling to provide land tenure security to rightful land occupants in the province.
PENRO Raul Mamac earlier said they are committed to implement the “Handog Titulo Program” as he has been instructing DENR Bataan personnel to efficiently act on land title applications.
To further explain the land titling program, CENRO Bagac Regulation and Permitting Section Head Mylene Chiuco and PENRO Bataan Land Management Inspector Marielle Briz guested in the radio program “Bataan at Kalikasan” at 91.1 Sikat FM on Friday. They were joined by DENR Bataan Information Officer Wendell Baldeo.
Chiuco said DENR is the government agency issuing Free Patent and Residential Free Patent titles. She added that the old Free Patent Law expired on December 31, 2020. The new Free Patent Law or RA 11573 was passed July 16, 2021 and the Implementing Rules and Regulations was released December 2021.
Briz said in the new law, those whose houses are occupying public land for at least 10 years can apply for Residential Free Patent while those who have planted trees/plants on public land for at least 20 years can apply for (Agricultural) Free Patent.
She also reported DENR has already issued 4,000 plus residential land titles in the province since 2011.
Baldeo on the other hand said, land titling is a mandate of DENR, that aside from providing land security tenure to owners, it serves as an economic stimulus for increasing land market, and as well as gives additional revenue for the government. (1Bataan)
