DOH reduces fees on school titling certification

Wednesday 16th of May 2012

MANILA, May 16 -- The Department of Health (DOH) has substantially reduced the certification fee charged to the Department of Education (DepEd), a requirement in securing land titles for public schools, many of which remain untitled for many years.

“We fully appreciate the move of the DOH which means that we could cover more public schools and secure more titles because of the big reduction in certification fees,” said Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro.

In an Administrative Order signed by DOH Secretary Enrique Ona, the fees for the issuance of certification on site suitability of public schools had been reduced from P2,800 to P500.

One of the requirements for the issuance of the certificate pursuant to Presidential Memorandum No. 28 dated January 29, 1993 includes recommendation and clearance from the regional health director and the DOH secretary himself in the case of public school sites.

A certification can be issued if the site has been used exclusively for educational activities for a long period of time, the DOH order said.

DepEd has on its list public school sites which are either untitled or unregistered. Although covered by Deeds of Donation, these properties without its own title remain vulnerable to encroachment, illegal titling and adverse claims from private as well as public entities.

Luistro explained, “It is important that we have legal ownership of school sites to protect public schools from adverse claims and ensure that classes are not disrupted.”

DepEd has earlier entered into an agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to facilitate the reservation of public school sites through the issuance of special patents or presidential proclamations. A Land Management Bureau was created purposely for the task of school title processing. (DepEd)