GMA orders probe on land titling irregularities at Lungsod Silangan

President Arroyo has ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate alleged irregularities in the titling of lots in certain portions of the 20,312-hectare Lungsod Silangan Townsite Reservation in Rizal.

Squatter families are reportedly using these land titles to deter efforts to evict them from the townsite which straddles Antipolo City and the Rizal towns of San Mateo and E. Rodriguez (formerly Montalban).

The late former President Ferdinand Marcos, invoking his powers during the martial law regime, put up Lungsod Silangan by virtue of Proclamation No. 1637 issued on April 18, 1977. Since then, squatter families, however, have invaded the area.

The defunct Ministry of Natural Resources had verified and certified that the land had been declared alienable and disposable as early as March 11, 1927, Mrs. Arroyo noted.

The President, in Memorandum Order No. 72 dated Sept. 9, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR, also directed Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chairman Michael Defensor to explore and recommend possible tenurial arrangements for the legitimate occupants.

Except upon orders of the courts, the President imposed a "provisional moratorium" on the demolition of structures and eviction of bona fide occupants until such time that the HUDCC has determined possible tenurial arrangements for the squatter families or so-called "informal settlers."

The President also asked the DOJ and other government agencies concerned to hold in abeyance, when practicable, the issuance or conveyance of land titles for portions of the townsite where titling irregularities appear to exist, while the investigation is ongoing.

The President tasked the HUDCC to formulate a master development plan to develop Lungsod Silangan into a new government housing project to benefit about 500,000 squatter families who occupy some 5,700 hectares of the townsite.

The informal settlers, she noted, have been petitioning the government to title and award the lots they are occupying "in accordance with the pertinent provisions of existing laws."

The President said a number of the occupants have claimed to hold certificates of title, while others have no registration records.