CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The proverbial Sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of 21 public schools for the longest time has finally been removed with the grant of the sites’ original certificates of title to the schools through the Provincial Government of Pampanga and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office.
On March 18, Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda and DENR-PENRO officer-in-charge Roger Incarnacion turned over the land titles to the school heads and principals and officials of the Department of Education–Schools Division Office of Pampanga at the Kingsborough Convention Center here.
The processing of documents leading to Wednesday’s issuance of the certificates of title was initiated by then-Pampanga 2nd District board member Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab.
“Dekada na kasing kani-kanino pa nakatitulo ang mga lupa. Kaya naisip ko na dapat mailipat na ang mga ito sa pangalan ng DepEd, mga national government agencies, o ng LGU. Kung may mga pribadong pag-aari, saka na lang natin sosolusyunan ang mga isyu roon,” said Governor Pineda, noting that strengthened coordination with LGUs and the enactment of relevant local ordinances will help expedite the processing and transfer of titles to DepEd.
Data from the provincial assessor’s office show that DepEd–SDO Pampanga manages a total of 535 school sites across the province. Of these, 59 sites remain without documentation, 237 are titled or tax-declared under local government units, 60 are titled under DepEd, 123 are privately owned, and 56 are titled under various national government agencies.
The DepEd expressed its appreciation to the Provincial Government of Pampanga, noting that securing land titles is a critical step in unlocking national funding for the construction of additional school buildings. The initiative is expected to help address the province’s classroom shortage and enhance learning conditions for students.
The Provincial Government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the education sector through sustained programs that promote infrastructure development and secure property ownership for public schools. Pampanga PIO/Photos: Daniel Ombina
