Philippine E-Journals

Competencies of Local Officials on Land Governance: Basis for Empowerment

Jose P. Gatus

 

Abstract:

“Empower the Local Government for Local Autonomy”, an aspiration of the government for a strong republic, so upon the enactment of RA-7160 – The Local Government Code of the Philippines in 1991, the DENR devolved its Cadastral Survey Program to the LGU. In 2009 the DENR took back the Cadastral survey because it was a failure. Among the cause that was determined was that the LGUs were not equipped or empowered, hence, this study. The study aims to determine the competency levels of the Village Officials in the administration and management of the land resources in selected urbanizing Villages in Cagayan de Oro City. The findings will be used as basis in coming up with the kind of intervention in empowering them on land governance. Basic laws on land administration and management were made part of the Survey Questionnaire to determine the extent of their knowledge and understanding on those laws. Hypothetical problems and situations were included to ascertain their knowledge and skills in settling land disputes with legal basis. Findings showed that majority are college graduates but their level of competencies on land governance is very poor, hence, the recommendation for them to undergo trainings on land governance.