CAPAS, Tarlac (PIA) -- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) awarded a special patent to the Capas National Shrine as part of its Handog Titulo program. 
 
DENR Undersecretary for Legal, Administration, Human Resources and Legislative Affairs Ernesto Adobo Jr. said the move is in accordance with the marching order of Acting Environment Secretary Jim Sampulna to prioritize the issuance of land titles to all military, naval, and air force military camps and reservations. 
 
Through this [special patent], we are helping our fellow public servants from the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to achieve their mission of winning lasting peace for sustainable development by protecting their military camps from illegal occupation and adverse claims of ownership,” he said. 
 
For his part, DENR Regional Executive Director Paquito Moreno Jr. said the awarding of special patent is a fundamental component of the DENR’s thrust to improve land administration and management. 
 
“It would be fundamental in strengthening and sustaining the government’s greening programs, particularly in conserving 31,000 trees planted within the Capas National Shrine that symbolize 25,000 Filipinos and 6,000 Americans who died in the concentration camp,” Moreno said.
 
For his part, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Administrator Ernesto Carolina thanked DENR for the special patent, which he said will assure security not only to the shrine, but to the spirit of heroism and nationalism that transpired there. 
 
Tarlac Governor Susan Yap also thanked DENR for facilitating the processing of the land title that would be instrumental in strengthening their programs to promote sustainable tourism through history appreciation. 
 
The Capas National Shrine is a memorial built by the Philippine government in Barangay Aranguren, Capas in honor of all the Filipino and American soldiers who endured the Bataan Death March. 
 
By virtue of Proclamation No. 842, President Corazon Aquino proclaimed Camp O-Donnell as the Capas National Shrine on December 7, 1991. (CLJD/MJSC-PIA 3)