The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines in partnership with the Australian Aid (AusAid), The Asia Foundation (TAF), and Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF), held a Focus Group Discussion/Workshop on Section 4 of the Residential Free Patent Act (RA10023) last August 28, 2015 at Max’s Restaurant, Elliptical Road, Circle, Quezon City.
Councilor Kirk Asis, ULAP Assistant Secretary General, welcomed a total of 45 participants from 14 provinces and 6 cities across Regions II, III, IV-A, IV-B, V, and NCR in the workshop. Section 4 of RA10023 deals with untitled lands actually occupied and possessed by the Local Government Units and National Government Agencies for public use and/or purpose. Since the passage of the law in 2010, two Implementing Rules and Regulation were effected concerning residential public lands and untitled lands occupied and possessed by public school institutions. The purpose of the workshop is to gather initial data on the untitled lands occupied by the LGUs and NGA and to discuss possible issues and concerns that can be reflected in the draft IRR. The proposed IRR shall enable the LGUs and NGA to have these lands titled in their respective names.
ULAP Executive Director Czarina Medina-Guce moderated the workshop. ULAP was able to gather initial data (list of untitled lands) from the participating LGUs and issues concerning the implementation of the law from the participants. ULAP will consolidate the issues and concerns from the LGUs and will be forwarded to DENR and FEF for the development and finalization of the proposed IRR on untitled LGU and NGA lands for public use and/or purpose.