The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP; represented by ULAP Secretary General and Liga ng mga Barangay National President Board Member Atty Edmund Abesamis) in partnership with The Asia Foundation, Foundation for Economic Freedom, and the AustralianAID held its partnership signing agreement with the municipality of Javier, Leyte led by Mayor Leonardo Javier, on February 27, 2015 at Milkyway Cafe, Makati City.
The project aims to increase and expedite the land titling process with the implementation of the Residential Free Patent Act (RA10023). Through the initiative of Mayor Leonardo Javier and with the help of the DENR, LMB, PENRO, and other agencies involved, land titles will start to be awarded in April 2015. As a result, residents of untitled land will have full ownership of their residential lands. The project will also help increase the revenue of the municipality from additional real estate taxes to be collected. Mayor Javier, as the incumbent president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, will encourage all the municipalities under his leadership to adapt the project as well.
Also present during the signing agreement are: Geoff King, Counsellor at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Ky Johnson, Senior Deputy Representative of The Asia Foundation; Calixto Chikiamco, President of the Foundation for Economic Freedom; Jaime Faustino, Program Director of The Asia Foundation; Engr. Winston Solitee, Director of DENR Region VIII; Engr. Ralph Pablo, Director of the Land Management Bureau; and the support staff from ULAP, The Asia Foundation, Foundation for Economic Freedom, Australian Aid, and the LGU of Javier, Leyte.