No more validation period for Baguio 211 titles – Magalong

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor-elect Benjamin B. Magalong said it is  improper for government to grant an extension of the validation period of un-validated 211 titles in the city considering the lapse of the prescribed validation period over three decades ago.

The incoming local chief executive said holders of 211 titles in the city were given sufficient time by the government to have their titles validated prior to the lapse of the prescribed validation period thus it is no longer the fault of government if there are still un-validated titles in possession of certain individuals.

Magalong said he will not support the proposed grant of 2-year extension for holders of un-validated 211 titles to have the same validated because it could complicate the situation in some properties covered by the un-validated 211 titles in Baguio.

Earlier, outgoing Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan cited the proposal in Congress to grant a 2-year extension of the validation period for un-validated 211 titles will create more problems than solutions because it will result to the massive displacement of actual occupants of the said lands covered by the un-validated titles.

He said the Supreme Court rendered a decision on the 211 titles in the city, thus, lands covered by un-validated 211 titles should revert as public lands that could be disposed by the State through various modes.

On April 12, 1912, the Director of Lands instituted in the Court of First Instance of Benguet Civil Reservation Case No. 1, GLRO Record No. 211, for the compulsory settlement and adjudication of claims to private lands within the Baguio Townsite Reservation, pursuant to Sec. 62 of Act 926, in relation to Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Act 267.

On November 13, 1922, the Court of First Instance of Benguet rendered a decision in the aforesaid case, decreeing, except areas inside established reservations and the lands claimed by and adjudicated to private claimants named therein, all lands, buildings and real rights within the Baguio Townsite Reservation, as public properties and declaring all private claims not pursued in said proceedings as barred forever.

Republic Act No. 931, as amended by Republic Act No. 2061, authorized the reopening of cadastral cases up to December 31, 1968 with respect to lands which have been previously declared public lands by the court.

On petition of interest parties, the Court of First Instance of Baguio and Benguet, citing Republic Act No. 211, set aside its decision of November 13, 1922, and adjudicated in favor of the petitioners certain parcels of land situated within the Baguio Townsite Reservation.

Proclamation No. 1271 was issued purposely to set the deadline for holders of un-validated 211 titles to have the same validated and legitimize the ownership of the lands covered by the said titles.

Since the lapse of the prescribed validation period for the un-validated 211 titles in the city, the government did not come out with any other extension for the same.