About 200 families in Barangay 35 in Bacolod City who used to be classified as informal settlers recently got the titles to the lots where they are residing.

The families were the latest beneficiaries of residential free patents in Bacolod City from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya, provincial officer-in-charge of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, said.

“It has been a long process,” said Rep. Evelio Leonardia, who recalled how the residents began working for their lot titles when he was still mayor of the city. The city government then provided them with financial assistance in 2012 so they can process their documents, he said.

The residents got their RFP under Republic Act 10023 that gives titles to public lands to those who have actually occupied them for at least 10 years, Gerangaya said.

Some 450 families in Barangays 1 and Banago were also issued lot titles by the DENR under similar circumstances when Leonardia was  mayor, the CENRO added.

Rep. Neri Colmenares assisted in the processing of the Barangay 35 titles and about 100 titles more are still being processed.

Present at the distribution of titles organized by Barangay Capt. Maui Huelar  were Leonardia, Colmenares, Councilors Carl Lopez and El Cid Familiaran, as well as former Bacolod vice-mayor Thaddy Sayson and former councilor Dindo Ramos.*

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