A total of 311 land patents were issued to at least 119 recipients on Wednesday at Robinsons Place in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte.

The distribution is part of the ongoing implementation of the provincial government of Ilocos Norte’s Handog Titulo program, which began in 2011 to address long-standing land ownership concerns in the province.

Provincial Assessor Evalaudia Duyor said in an interview Wednesday that some beneficiaries received five to 10 land titles, and the Provincial Assessor’s Office covered their patent registration fees.

Through the Revenue Generation and Land Administration Reforms project and the free land titling program, local government units in Ilocos Norte have since developed a more systematic land information system and improved efficiency in real property transactions.

“We are so thankful for this program of the provincial government. We now have proof that the lot is ours,” said Glory Agron-Labrador, who accompanied his 90-year-old father Manayon as he got hold of the land patent for the agricultural lot the Agron family had been cultivating in Vintar, Ilocos Norte.

Meanwhile, for the third time, the heirs of Andres Ubasa, a registered landowner of a parcel in Barangay Burayoc, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, secured their inherited land after he passed away at 82.

“Our father was still alive when the patent registration started, and it took us a long time to wait for it. This is now the third patent we received through the provincial government’s Handog Titulo program,” Money Grace Ubasa said during the land patent distribution led by Ilocos Norte Gov. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos.

In her speech, the governor expressed her gratitude to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Land Registration Authority for partnering with the provincial government in administering land acquisition under the free patent law.

“Your continued collaboration has made this possible for many families to finally secure their long-awaited land title,” Marcos said.

To fast-track land titling, the DENR has recently introduced new rules to help millions of Filipinos living on untitled public land apply for land titles if they are qualified.

The updated rules define who qualifies as an occupant, including heirs, spouses, returning Filipinos, and those with interrupted possession due to work, marriage, or disasters. (PNA)