QUEZON CITY, 19 December 2024 – In an effort to expedite construction of school buildings and facilities, the Department of Education (DepEd) formalized a partnership with the Land Registration Authority (LRA) to address long-standing issues with untitled properties that often hinder infrastructure projects.

The partnership, led by Secretary Angara and LRA Administrator Gerardo Panga Sirios, aims to convert manually issued land titles under DepEd into electronic titles —a pivotal step in addressing the perennial issue of classroom backlog.

By securing land titles, DepEd aims to eliminate bureaucratic delays, ensuring that schools can be built on legally secured properties.

“Nakikita natin that the lack of title signifies lack of security or [lack of] a secured future because dito nade-delay ang pag-construct ng panibagong classrooms,” Secretary Angara said during the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with LRA.

“Mahalaga at makasaysayan ang araw na ito, especially sa DepEd. Ang lupa o titulo ng isang eskwelahan, ‘yan ang puso ng komunidad dahil hindi lang diyan nag-aaral ang mga bata, diyan din nagtitipon-tipon ang barangay [council], [at] ang komunidad,” Secretary Angara emphasized.

LRA Administrator Sirios underscored the partnership’s importance in safeguarding assets for future generations.

“This event will help not only the Department of Education in securing its assets but also securing the future of our youth because with these assets, this is where schools will be located, and with the schools, we can provide quality education to our youth,” he said.

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