DENR-7 grants free patents of untitled public alienable and disposable lands

By Hazel F. Gloria

CEBU CITY, Sept 23 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) has issued 1,295 free patents totaling 40.97 hectares (ha) of untitled public alienable and disposable lands which have been zoned as residential. 

Under Republic Act 10023 or the New Free Patent Act, DENR 7 will process free patent title application to any Filipino citizen who is an actual applicant of a residential land. 

Residential lands are identified and zoned as "residential" through the appropriate ordinance by a local government unit (LGU) having jurisdiction over the area. 

Cebu province received 274 free patents or 49,995 square meters (sq m); Bohol with 571 or 182,829 sq m ; Negros Oriental with 444 or 175,202 sq.m and Siquijor with six or 1,295 sq.m. 

A free patent on residential land covers untitled residential lands in public alienable and disposable lands that are zoned by local government units as residential areas, including townsites, public schools, municipal halls, public plazas or parks, delisted and abandoned military camps or reservations. 

Any Filipino citizen who is an actual occupant of a residential land for at least 10 years may apply for a free patent title. 

“This law directs our Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENRO) to process the application within 120 days to include compliance with the required notices and other legal requirements,” Montejo said. 

He added that within 125 days the free patent will be issued or returned as the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENRO) has five days to approve or disapprove the patent application. (mbcn/HFG-PIA-7 & DENR-7)