More comprehensive policies to maximize and develop distributed lands
ANGARA PUSHES NATIONAL PROGRESS THRU LAND REFORM

Senator Edgardo J. Angara is proposing a Land Administration Reform Act to enable the

land sector to contribute to economic growth by optimizing their contribution to the goals of national development, eradication of poverty and the achievement of social, economic and cultural justice and asset reform.

As former Agriculture Secretary, Angara emphasizes, "Land is vital to the people's sense of security and quest for a better quality of life. But the security of people's land tenure can only be achieved through an efficient land administration system including efficient survey and mapping of land, first-time titling of alienable and disposable land, registration of land titles and title transfer and public land management."

The current trend of government agencies undertaking land surveys, mapping, classification, disposition and registration is hampered by fundamental legal and institutional defects in both the structure and operations of the land administration system.

Such structural defects in land administration have caused major inefficiencies including extensive delays in the disposition and titling of alienable and disposable land, inaccurate and incomplete land records, duplicate and fake titles, duplication and overlapping of activities between government agencies, and unnecessary costs to both the national and local governments and the general public.

To address these problems, Angara notes, "the Government has been undertaking a Land Administration and Management Project preparatory to a long-term program to fundamentally reform the present land administration system. The pursuit of the necessary reforms requires consolidation and streamlining within a single government agency of land administration powers and functions."

Senate Bill 68 seeks, among others, to provide leadership and management of reforms of land administration through surveys, maintaining data bases, promoting efficient and effective mapping and management of public lands, undertaking comprehensive and continuing land programs to make the acquisition and registration of real property affordable and expeditious and assist in the attainment of the government's asset reform programs.

It will also adopt workable policies and programs to accelerate and complete the titling and registration of alienable and disposable lands, ensure equitable distribution and full use and development of lands and establish a sustainable and viable land administration through a computerized administration. In addition, it will provide accessible, efficient and affordable

services to the people through a One-Stop-Shops nationwide, establish an effective information system, facilitate the abolition of judicial registration of title in favor of more simple processes, and improve the skills of and career opportunities for government employees engaged in the provision of land administration services.

"This may be a long and slow process, but it will be an important milestone for our lands and for our farmers. In the end, we all strive for a common core objective--to contribute to nation-building and further development by maximizing our resources and encouraging our farmers to cooperate with our initiatives. After all, this all starts with them and ends with them," Sen. Angara expresses with optimism.