The Manila Times
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced Friday the issuance of 660 legal titles granting public schools permanent ownership of the land they occupy. It said the initiative is a joint project with the Department of Education (DepEd), noting special patents or presidential proclamations remove the risk of land disputes or repossession, establishing school lots as permanent government assets. DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said that clear titles allow school leaders to confidently build stronger facilities and improve classrooms without legal uncertainty. He added that the initiative is an investment in the Filipino youth, securing educational spaces that will drive social progress and economic growth. “Education is the surest path out of poverty and the foundation of national development,” said Cuna. “When we secure the land where our children study, we protect their classrooms, their playgrounds, and their future. A titled school lot means safer buildings, better planning, and more opportunities for every child to learn and grow.” The land titling process starts with identification, where DepEd provides the DENR with a list of school sites and identifies which schools need titling. According to the DENR, 44,178 school sites were on DepEd's list as of March 6. After identification, the DENR's regional field offices begin validation by conducting on-the-ground surveys, mapping boundaries, and verifying them. Field validation involves consulting representatives such as school principals, village officials, and community members. The next step is processing legal documents for applications for special patents or presidential proclamations that recognize the school sites as permanent government assets. The DENR said its Land Management Bureau oversees and monitors the entire project implementation. The titling initiative is a component of the DENR's Handog ng Pangulo: Luntian Bukas program. This four-part approach secures land titles, promotes climate-ready homes, creates public green spaces, and restores forests while supporting livelihoods. Cuna vowed to ensure a transparent and inclusive process by working alongside local government units in publishing maps and keeping communities informed about the initiative.
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