[ Manila Bulletin Online ] August 25, 2008
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) distributed last Aug. 22 land patents to 78 poor residents of Iloilo.
The land patents were individually awarded by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Jose "Lito" L. Atienza Jr. during the launching of the Regional People’s Hour in Iloilo City last Aug. 22 as part of President Arroyo’s poverty alleviation efforts.
The recipients still recovering from the destruction of typhoon "Frank" proudly and gladly raised their documents certifying that they are recipients of land patents or owners of pieces of land that they can call their own.
"Every Filipino aspires to have a piece of land where they can build their dreams. This aspiration is sacred to us and we are therefore fast tracking the processing of land patents in all parts of the country," Atienza said.
"We are likewise working for the speedier resolution of land cases in the country to unlock the potential of land as a dynamo of national development."
During his visit to Iloilo, Atienza distributed four checks totalling P2 million or P500,000 each to local officials representing the provinces of Iloilo, Antique, Aklan, and Capiz.
It will be used by the provincial governments in their rehabilitation efforts.
