A proposed ordinance introduced by Councilor Jose Molintas seeks to fast-track the issuance of Residential Free Patents in Baguio City through coordinated cadastral survey assistance to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), giving priority to Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and MSA/TSA holders.
Under the proposed measure, a City Land Titling Task Force (CLTTF) will be created to coordinate and expedite cadastral surveys and residential land titling activities in the city. The task force will be chaired by the City Mayor, with the City Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) and any CENRO-Baguio representative serving as co-chairpersons. Its members will include the City Legal Officer, City Assessor, representatives from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), the Liga ng mga Barangay President, two nominated IP elders, and a representative from an accredited civil society organization (CSO).
The CLTTF will assist the CENRO-Baguio in zone-by-zone cadastral mapping of residential areas and help cluster communities that will be prioritized for Residential Free Patent Application (RFPA). It will also mediate overlapping land claims through IPMR-led councils or barangay tribunals and recommend tax relief measures to the Baguio City Council. These may include real property tax amnesty for low-income households earning below P15,000.00 per month and exemptions or discounts for households maintaining at least 50 square meters of pine or fruit trees.
The implementation of the ordinance will be jointly supervised by the co-chairpersons. CENRO-Baguio will handle technical operations to ensure compliance with national standards, while the City IPMR will validate ancestral domain boundaries and address IP-related conflicts. Priority will be given to areas within ancestral lands, MSA/TSA clusters such as Quirino Hill and Guisad, and RFPA clusters where actual occupants can delineate their lots, including space for alleys, drainage, and green zones.
Under the ordinance, the CLTTF is mandated to submit bimonthly reports to the city council, co-signed by all co-chairpersons. It will also submit quarterly tax relief proposals, detailing the scope, duration, and criteria for qualified beneficiaries. Approved measures will be implemented by the City Treasurer’s Office and reflected in official real property tax records.
The proposed ordinance has been approved on first reading by the city council and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Governmental Affairs, and personnel for review. **Jordan G. Habbiling
