AROUND 400 officials and representatives from various national government agencies, the private sector, civil-society groups and other stakeholders are expected to take part in the first-ever National Land Summit this month to ensure synergy and cooperation among the land management and titling agencies in the Philippines.
To be hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the participants will discuss issues and initiatives of the land-management sector and create valuable partnerships. It will be held on January 16 and 17 at the historic Manila Hotel with the theme “Forging Stronger Alliances and Bridging Networks.”
There are three main titling agencies in the Philippines—the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Land Registration Authority and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.
Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu is hopeful the summit will help address the complexity and other problems associated with land ownership with concerned government agencies working together to make land titling easier and faster.
Cimatu said improved land administration and management is one fo the major programs of the DENR this year.
“This first-ever land summit signifies our strong commitment to implement this program and bring it to fruition,” he said in a statement.
Social justice in land titling is also among the five priority programs that shall be adopted by the Program for Environment and Natural Resources for Restoration, Rehabilitation and Development (PRRD) of the DENR chief to address issues regarding the environment and natural resources and pursue the thrusts of the Duterte administration.
Cimatu said the event is pursuant to Ambisyon Natin 2040, which represents the collective long-term vision and aspirations of the Filipino people for themselves and for the country in the next 25 years.
High on their wish list is owning a medium-sized house in a lot registered under their names.
Cimatu said the government aims to achieve this by providing tenure security through land ownership and formal titles.
“Land titling is an issue that has hounded our country’s land sector for the longest time because of the number of agencies involved in the land-titling process,” Cimatu said. “We hope to solve this and create synergy among the concerned offices to make land titling faster and easier.”
The upcoming land summit supports Agenda 6 of the Duterte administration’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda, which aims to “ensure security of land tenure to encourage investments and address bottlenecks in land management and titling agencies.”
“Security of tenure is sacred for every Filipino and only a land title will seal ownership of it whether it is for personal or business use. The DENR is hitting hard on its goal to legitimize land ownership,” Cimatu said.