SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – Thirty beneficiaries from the far-flung barangays of Maliclico and Duplas in Sudipen town received their free residential and agricultural patents during an awarding led by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) La Union on September 26.

The activity is part of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Handog Titulo program, a convergence program with the Registry of Deeds and local government units that enables the efficient and swift processing and disposition of lands.

Engr. Cezar Manuel A. Cabansag, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENR) Officer of PENRO La Union underscored in his message during the awarding the importance of the swift processing of land titles by bringing DENR’s Handog Titulo program to far-flung barangays that do not have access to near and readily available offices for the registration of land titles.

“Kami sa PENRO ay nagsasagawa ng mga information drives at doon ay tumatanggap na rin kami ng mass acceptance ng mga applications para hindi na nila [applicants] kailangang pumunta sa amin at gumastos sa pamasahe,” Engr. Cabansag said.

Engr. Cabansag also added that prospective applicants for the land title patents need not worry about the requirements as the agency partners with local government units in order to produce the needed documents.

Mr. Jhonny Alilang, one of the beneficiaries of the free patents from Brgy. Maliclico, meanwhile expressed his gratitude to the assistance provided through the free patents, noting how the awarding fulfills a desire he has been hoping to happen for years.

“Masaya ako na mayroong ganitong programa at sila pa ang pumunta sa lugar namin upang maibigay ito. Sana mas marami pa pong mabigyan ng ganitong serbisyo,” Mr. Alilang said.

The PENRO La Union also held an information drive after the awarding of free patents, accepting queries on land registration as well as other concerns with regards to land titling. (JCR/MJTAB/CCMT, PIA La Union)