ANGARA BATS FOR LAND ADMINISTRATION REFORM

Senator Edgardo J. Angara today called for the creation of a Land Registration Authority (LRA), a one-stop office that will consolidate the powers and functions of all the existing Land Administration Agencies like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), National Mapping & Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), to name a few.

"We really have a problem of overlapping jurisdictions. Right now, there are about six agencies handling land administration. The lack of a safe and sound system in land titling and delineation is a revolution is in the making," Angara said.

"As early as Rizal's time, Filipinos have shed blood and tears over land disputes. Key institutions in government overlap policies and procedures pertaining to land administration and reform. We need to cleanup our system to improve leadership and coalition among land sectors," he continued.

Angara noted that of the 13 million hectares of land, almost two-thirds is non-agricultural, comprised of mountains and forestry, and that private lands are probably one of the most fraudulent sectors today.

"Land is vital to people's sense of security and quest for a better life. The security of people's land tenure can only be achieved through an efficient land administration system including efficient mapping of the land, registration of land titles, and public land management," said Angara.