Senate approves Gullas Naga bill

CEBU, Philippines - The bill which reclassifies public land in the City of Naga into alienable and disposable land was approved Tuesday on final reading at the Senate.

This means the people of the city living in these lands, believed to be around 75 percent of the entire Naga, can now have their lots titled.

It also means additional income to the city’s coffers, said proponent first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas.

“It’s ready to be enrolled to Malacañang for the President’s signature between today and June 5th, the last day of the session,” he said.

Gullas said he is glad that Senator Chiz Escudero, being chairman on Environment and Natural Resource committee, was able to hasten the approval of the bill, which has been filed in Congress for the last 10 years.

Gullas said that once House Bill 6215 becomes law, residents occupying these public lands can have their parcels of lots titled.

About 75% of Naga’s land area is either timberland or public domain, meaning it can’t be disposed of or used for agricultural, residential, commercial or industrial purposes.

The Land Management Bureau, in its website, says special patents can be issued “over alienable or disposable public lands pursuant to special laws.”

HB 6215 was first filed during the term of his brother former Congressman Jose “Dodong” Gullas in the 12th Congress (2001-2004).

It was approved in the Lower House but got stuck in the Senate following several revisions and questions from the Senators.

When Gullas was elected as congressman in 2004, he filed it again, but still it met the same opposition. (FREEMAN)