Memo on land conversion process due soon

Agrarian Reform Secretary John R. Castriciones has revealed in a recent meeting of the inter-agency task force created by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte that a joint memorandum circular regarding applications for land conversion will be submitted to the Cabinet early next month.

“Our initial submission will be with the Cabinet on March 4 and after that, we will present it to the President,” Castriciones said.

The inter-agency task force has been meeting several times to abide by the President’s mandate to streamline land conversion processes to 30 days from at least 24 months.

The application process for land use conversion from agricultural to residential, commercial or industrial uses, currently concerns the following agencies: Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Agriculture, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, National Housing Authority, and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. 

The Department of Energy is also involved in the process when conversion of agricultural lands is for the purpose of energy production.

These same government agencies comprise the special task force.

“In pursuing this endeavor, it is foremost in our plans that each step are environmentally viable and socially feasible. It should also protect tillers’ rights and ensure food security,” Castriciones said.

On the latest meeting of the task force, DAR Undersecretary Luis Meinrado Pangulayan, chairman of the inter-agency task force asked each agency to look into their processes and identify the bottlenecks in each procedure.

“After identifying the obstacles, we also asked them to simplify procedures, shorten the number of days for processing and do away with redundant certifications,” Pangulayan said.

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