IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay (PIA) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-9 underscored its achievements and outlined future initiatives during the recent Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas in Zamboanga Peninsula.
A key initiative discussed was the “Handog Titulo” program, through which 42 agricultural patents were awarded to residents of Zamboanga del Sur in 2022.
In 2023, DENR-9 distributed 138 agricultural land titles to residents of Zamboanga Sibugay; and in 2024, 15 residential free patent titles were given to qualified beneficiaries in Zamboanga del Norte.
Regional Executive Director Arturo Fadriquela emphasized the importance of the program for the beneficiaries, highlighting its significant impact on their lives by providing legal ownership and security.
“The ‘Handog Titulo’ program is a rewarding endeavor and seen as a gauge for hope, fostering harmonious relationships within our communities, reducing land disputes and fostering trust and cooperation,” he said.
Zandro Pormento, a resident of Rizal town in Zamboanga del Norte, and a recipient of the title, expressed his appreciation for the program and hopes that more people will benefit from it.
“We are immensely thankful to DENR. We have finally received the long-awaited titles to our lands. We hope that this is not just a single occurrence but rather the beginning of more programs like this to benefit more people,” Pormento said.
The “Handog Titulo” program is an initiative of DENR aimed at distributing land titles to qualified beneficiaries. The main goal of the program is to address land tenure issues by providing secure land tenure to landless farmers and other eligible individuals, promoting social justice and economic development.
The program is implemented under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and the Public Land Act (Commonwealth Act No. 141), which allow for the distribution of public lands to qualified beneficiaries.
Through collaboration with local government units, the Register of Deeds and various stakeholders, DENR is demonstrating its commitment to expedite the processing and issuance of land titles, uplifting the lives of the beneficiaries. (EDT/JPA/RBI/PIA9)
