[ Manila Bulletin Online ] June 28, 2008
Mike U. Crismundo
PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur — In the continuing effort of the government to give the region’s poor easier access to land ownership and security, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) stepped up its land patents distribution to poor people in the countryside particularly to highlanders. Todate, about 2,600 landless farmers in the different areas of the Caraga Region had been awarded with free patents, it was learned here.
In Agusan del Sur alone, DENR-Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Sixto C. Badua reported that at least 1,500 already received free land patents.
Bunawan DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Eutiquio Bade Jr. and Specialist Victor Sabornido are set to distribute another 500 land patents this year in the municipalities of Sta. Josefa, Trento, Rosario, and Bunawan.
Talacogon-CENR Officer Jovencio Munoz also distributed at least 107 land patents in the municipalities of San Luis and Talacogon.
The distribution of free land patents is closely coordinated by the provincial government led by Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo "Ompong" Plaza and her younger sister Gov. Ma. Valentina G. Plaza, Badua said.
Northeastern Mindanao DENR Officer-In-Charge Forester Director Edilberto S. Buiser said the continuing distribution of titles was spread in the different provinces of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and the Dinagat islands that began last June 11, this year.
The awarding of titles is a major activity under Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program of President Arroyo through the "Handog Titulo ng Pangulo" being initiated by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Jose "Lito" L. Atienza so that farmers, after careful evaluation may own the land they are tilling for many years.
Atienza, who led the distribution of some 18,000 patents nationwide, said the DENR will continue to distribute free patents to the farmers being one of the top priority programs of his administration.
He said " President Arroyo wants that thousands of our countrymen be liberated from the clutches of poverty by giving them a piece of land which they can proudly call their own."
In Agusan del Sur, DENR and provincial officials distributed several land patents to poor families during the celebration of "Naliyagan Festival" early this week.
The region’s environment chief, along with Rep. Plaza, Gov. Plaza, Badua and five Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers had awarded the land patent certificates to Mayor Isaias Masendo (Talacogon), Mayor Salimar Mondejar (Veruela), Mayor Irenea S. Hitgano (Trento), Mayor Gilbert Ilorder (Bunawan), Mayor Carl Elias P. Lademora (San Francisco), and Mayor Glen Plaza (Sta. Josefa), all in Agusan del Sur.
Other land distribution activities were also held simultaneously in Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte and the Dinagat Province by the DENR supervised by the Regional Technical Director for Land Management Services (LMS) Atty. Paquito R. Rosal.
The lists of the free patents were already distributed to the farmers in Tandag City, and the municipalities of Marihatag, Linging, Lanuza, all in Surigao del Sur; Placer, Socorro and Dapa, all in Surigao del Norte; Veruela, Talacogon, Bayugan City, Bunawan, Sta. Josefa and Patin-ay, all in Agusan del Sur and Cabadbaran City.
President Arroyo also led the distribution of more than 600 titles in Tandag Surigao del Sur on Thursday (June 19).
______________________________________________________________________
