PIA Press Release
2008/05/04
Tacloban City (May 4) -- The League of Municipalities of the Philippines has passed a resolution questing both House of Congress to urgently and readily pass into law the Proposed Land Administration Act of 2007 so that the future generations of Filipinos will not have to suffer the negligence and distress suffered by their parents and ancestors.
In passing said resolution, LMP took notice that the proposed Land Administration Reform Act of 2007 (LARA Bill) hopes to provide the necessary foundation to jumpstart a long delayed and often times neglected but highly sensitive problems confronted by almost all Filipinos, the credibility and sanctity of the land they own.
The LARA Bill aims to improve, rationalize and systematize the land records, titling, documentation and information system into an open, updated and reliable systems; improve the delivery of land related services to the general public and reduce delays in land document processing and releasing, and enhance and improve transparency and governance in the land resource and administration system by cutting down the overly bureaucratic, technicallly-oriented land titling and registration in the system.
Among the main features of the propose LARA Bill is the integration of the functions, operations and systems of the DENR Land Management Bureau and the Land Registration Authority into single Land Administration Authority under the Office of the President with provincial and city offices.
Another feature is the establishment of regional, provincial and city-level Land Adjudication Boards as quasi-judicial bodies that would resolve and address land related conflicts and cases such as overlapping titles, ownership disputes, transfers and exchanges.
Another feature is the elevating the management and administration of land resources to the level of a Cabinet-secretary with portfolio that would be appointed by the President of the Philippines and confirmed by the Commission of Appointments.
The LARA Bill also proposes the establishment of an eight person multi-sectoral Stakeholders' Advisory Committee that shall assist the LAA in the formulation of policies on land administration and public land management and monitor its implementation.
Furthermore, the LARA Bill proposes to strengthen fiscal autonomy and eliminate graft and corruption in the lands management sector by allowing the LAA to use its income to support its operations and projects, including increases in salaries and provision of incentives to LAA personnel. (PIA 8)
_______________________________________________________________________
