Registry of Deeds-13 sustains e-title distribution to agrarian reform beneficiaries
By Remil Vincent Lagumbay
Atty. Damaolao provided a significant update where as of July 2024, the LRA-ROD distributed 7,743 individual e-titles, encompassing a total of 12,206.6684 hectares to the ARBs across the Caraga region.
The Project SPLIT, a government program aimed at streamlining and improving the process of land registration and titling played a key role on the subdivision of collective land titles (Collective Certificate of Land Ownership Awards or CCLOAs) of ARBs issued under Philippines’ Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) into individual land titles after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the Republic Act No. 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, condoning all principal loans, unpaid amortizations and interests and exempting payment of estate tax on agricultural lands awarded freeing agrarian reform beneficiaries from the bondage of the soil and enhancing their security of tenure and promoting agricultural productivity.
The accomplishment highlighted the continued progress and impact of Project SPLIT in advancing land security for ARBs. The distribution of these e-titles served as a major step in streamlining land ownership documentation, reflecting the LRA’s ongoing commitment to supporting agrarian reform efforts and improving access to land for local farming communities.
Furthermore, when asked about the security of the distributed e-titles, Damaolao reassured that the e-titles distributed under the Project SPLIT are equipped with advanced security features on par with those found on current banknotes issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). This level of security ensures that the e-titles are protected against forgery and counterfeiting, providing a reliable and secure proof of land ownership.
He also seized the opportunity to urge the public to protect themselves from fraudulent property transactions. He advised potential buyers to visit the LRA-ROD office and request a Certified True Copy of the property title before making any payments. This crucial step will ensure that the property is accurately recorded in the LRA database, helping to prevent costly mistakes and safeguard against purchasing fake titles.
"Before you pay or part ways with the seller, you must go to the LRA-ROD and ask for the Certified True Copy of the title to check if the property is recorded in their database," he said.
Damaolao also urged the public to take advantage of their online platform, the LRA e-Serbisyo portal, in processing their land-related documents, individuals can easily obtain 'certified true copies' of documents accessible via the official LRA website at www.lra.gov.ph.
He further announced that LRA-ROD in Butuan City, catering also to clientele from the province of Agusan del Norte, is currently on improvement to be completed this year to provide a comfortable and convenient space for the transacting public. (RVL/PIA-Caraga)
