Bacolod City Councilor El Cid Familiaran appealed to president Noynoy Aquino, III thru Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Sec. Ramori Paje, to exempt Bacolod City from the DENR memorandum which directs the suspension of acceptance and processing of public land applications on lands formed by action of the sea in all waterway and accretion islets in river channels and adjacent shores, dried creeks and river beds and other lots of similar character. He cited Republic Act No. 10023, "An Act authorizing the issuance of free patents to lots nationwide, paved the way for the land tenure of poor families who are living in slum areas, coastal corridors and other areas considered as public lands." Due to a situation in Bacolod where a big chunk of population occupied the public lands for so many years , approximately 2, 000 have been applying to the DENR to own the lots they have been occupying thru such law (Republic Act No. 10023). In fact, the required processes have bee completed, just pending for appropriate title distribution to the beneficiaries. Because of the DENR memorandum, these applicants composed of informal settlers will be denied such program giving the land tenure for their homes. Bacolod has been haunted by eviction and demolition, even as it continues to offer shelter program and services. The issuance of DENR Memo to the effect that it suspends all applications relative to0 public lands covered by Republic Act No. 10023 would unnecessarily derail the city's program for the informal settlers who have been waiting for help from the government, he said.
By Carla N. Cañet Sun Star Bacolod
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