KORONADAL CITY — The remaining land records of Cotabato City have been received by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) – BARMM from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Region 12 on 7 December 2021, which concludes the turnover of all land-related documents of the City.

Since the ceremonial transfer of the management and administration of land-related concerns from DENR-12 to MENRE last December 2020, the former has gradually turned over the concerned land records in three batches to the Bangsamoro Government through the MENRE. The third and final turnover was conducted today, 7 December.

MENRE Land Management Services Director Eshan Karl O. Mabang led in representing the Ministry during the turnover. He was accompanied by Engr. Salipada H. Quituar, Jr., Engr. Athena Daryl O. Camsa, Engr. Bolkiah A. Mamadsual, and Engr. Norodin Abdulmalik.

“Now that Cotabato City is officially a part of the Bangsamoro region, we commit to deliver efficient land administration and management services to our Cotabateño clients,” Mabang said.

DENR-12 Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Engr. Mama G. Samaon, LMRS Chief Sittie Mairah K. Abduladsis, Assistant Chief Saripa Macasapal, and Arnold Salva, AAI RS, SMD were present during the final turnover of land records, which included the approved survey plans and survey records.

In January 2022, the documentation and inventories of the 63 North Cotabato barangays land records will also commence.

As the LMS already began implementing the Document Tracking and Archiving of Land Records and Patent Applications (DALPA), the office took the chance to check out the DENR-12’s operation for their Land Administration and Management System (LAMS), which is ideally the main program for the DALPA.

The MENRE, through the LMS, aims to join the 16 other DENR Regional Offices that have already adopted and implemented the LAMS, an information system designed to provide effective management of land records and efficient delivery of land transactions and information services to the public.