BusinessMirror
14 August 2013
Jonathan L. Mayuga

DENR Northern Mindanao Executive Director Ruth M. Tawantawan said partnerships were forged with the municipalities of Lala, Kolambugan, Kauswagan and Tubod, all of Lanao del Norte; and Gitagum town of Misamis Oriental recently.

In her report to Environment Secretary Ramon JP Paje, Tawantawan said the new partnerships bring to 15 the number of LGUs that have responded positively to the call of the DENR for a joint effort to bring land services to communities through memoranda of partnership agreements (MOPA).

The LGUs that earlier signed MOPAs with the DENR North Mindanao office included five in Bukidnon, namely the towns of Maramag, Don Carlos, Quezon, Sumilao and Impasug-ong; three in Lanao del Norte such as Kapatagan, Linamon and Bacolog; one in Camiguin which is Mambajao; and Cagayan de Oro City.

Tawantawan said the signing of the agreements was in consonance with DENR Administrative Order No. 2011-06 which seeks to facilitate the implementation of public land titling in partnership with local government.

Under the order, the LGU shall assign necessary officials and personnel required to undertake land-titling activities, including a liaison officer between the municipality and the DENR.

The DENR shall provide technical assistance to the LGU personnel, as well as materials, equipment and personnel needed to undertake agreed activities. It is also expected to provide monitoring and quick-response assistance to the municipality in all phases of titling activities.

She said a series of orientation on DAO 2011-06, as well as training on land laws and policies, land surveys and disposition, community mobilization and land adjudication were conducted with personnel of LGUs, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders.

Tawantawan said the DENR field personnel from the Land Management Service will also be mobilized to assist the LGUs.

The partnership, according to Tawantawan, will benefit both the landowners and concerned LGUs in terms of revenue generation.

Also mandated to provide support to the land-titling activities are land personnel from the DENR’s provincial and community environment and natural resources offices, according to Tawantawan.