DENR report on final land survey urged amid Baguio folk’s confusion

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Amid confusion among residents on whether they can have alienable and disposable lands titled, the city council is set to request the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Cordillera to report on the Townsite Survey conducted here for final lot survey and adjustment of old surveys in the city.

The body approved the proposed resolution of Councilor Isabelo Cosalan Jr. for said purpose.

Cosalan said the survey project which was divided into eight modules was conducted beginning 2009 by geodetic engineers Jose Fernandez, Philip Piluden and with other modules conducted by engineer Jo Raymund Fernandez.

He said the contract for the said survey project which cost P10 million has lapsed and the contractors submitted the accomplishments to the DENR-CAR for verification and approval.

“In view of the constant inquiry of barangays officials on the status of the project and their being requested to issue barangay resolutions relative to the project, the city needs to be apprised on the development and other matters in regards the conduct, process and approval of the project for proper information and guidance,” Cosalan noted in his resolution.

Last year, Mayor Mauricio Domogan clarified that the survey conducted over alienable public lots in the city does not guarantee the issuance of titles to occupants of the surveyed lots after Councilor ErdolfoBalajadia raised alarm over growing misconceptions that the survey would lead to the occupants’ ownership and entitlement over the lots.

Balajadia said the confusion has emboldened lot speculators to take advantage of the situation by selling the lots they are occupying to innocent buyers on a pretext that the lots are ready for titling as a result of the survey.

Balajadia said the city should clarify that the survey being undertaken should not be considered as cadastral survey wherein occupants can be issued the title after the survey is undertaken.

Cosalan also earlier said the report on the survey is needed to avoid confusion arising from misconceptions that the survey is linked with the Free Patent law.

Cosalan said many residents are inquiring on the results of said survey particularly whether the result will be used in their applications for Free Patent.

Cosalan said people coming to his office said they were told by DENR personnel who went to the barangays presenting the cadastral plans and maps that said maps can be used for their Residential Free Patent Applications (RFPAs).

“Linking the TS CAR Baguio City–Final Lot Survey and Adjustment of Old Surveys Project to the (RFPA) would create confusion among public land occupants/claimants considering that the results of the survey have yet to be approved,” Cosalan said.

Add to this, Republic Act 10023 or “An act authorizing the issuance of Free Patents to residential lands” has set certain requirements and has its limitations, he said.