LMB CELEBRATES 114TH ANNIVERSARY

LMB Celebrates 114th Anniversary

The Land Management Bureau celebrated its 114th founding anniversary last September 24, 2015 at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Social Hall with the theme of “Achieving Land Management Reforms through Digital Enabling Technology”. 114 years of fulfilling its mandate of supervising the survey and distribution of public lands in the Philippines. Since technology is one of mankind’s most useful tools for doing things very well nowadays, LMB – Land Administration and Management System (LAMS) is just an example on how government spurred innovation and to better improve the management of land resources of the country.

Acting Director, Atty. Emelyne V. Talabis warmly welcomed everyone who came to the occasion. She expressed that from its creation in 1901 by virtue of Act 218, known as the Insular Bureau of Public Lands, the Bureau of Lands had evolved through the years. She focused on the achievements and milestones accomplished by the Bureau that contributed to its continued growth and success“The true mark of an organization is its ability to consistently move forward, instituting necessary adjustments to cater to the ever-changing needs of its clients and the demands of public service in general,” she emphasized.

Atty. Talabis also mentioned in her speech the innovations and reforms implemented and were aggressively pursued to fast-track the survey and titling of public lands by conducting massive cadastral survey, which completed the century old cadastral survey of the country that was mentioned by President Benigno S. Aquino III in his 6th State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 25, 2015, the forging of partnerships with the Local Government Units (LGUs) nationwide on public land disposition which gained recognition from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) a “Good Practice Award” in 2012, and the initiatives in improving the land information system through the computerization of land records to provide effective management of land records and efficient land transactions through the Land Administration and Management System (LAMS). “Indeed, the improvements realized over the years and the direction we are now pursuing are living testaments to our anniversary theme today,” she explained.

She took the opportunity to acknowledge the presence of all the retired Burlanders and showed her genuine gratitude, on behalf of LMB family for their remarkable contributions as an important part of the Land Sector’s achievements today. She also extended the gratefulness to all present dedicated agency officials and personnel for their contributions to the Bureau’s success. Director Talabis ended her remarkable speech greeting everyone and said “take pride in what we have achieved and look forward to future successes to come”.

To mark its milestones, the Burlanders were invited to talk, reminisce and relive the glory days while imparting lessons they learned through their years of experience, to serve as an inspiration to the younger generation of Burlanders. Some of the Burlanders who shared their stories were: USEC. Manuel D. Gerochi, Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and Foreign Assisted Programs, Former LMB Director and Now Regional Director of DENR-CAR, Engr. Ralph Pablo, DENR Retired Director Ramon M. Ezpeleta, LMB Former Director Ramon N. Casanova, and Justice Oswaldo Agcaoili, other guests were: Former Regional Technical Director, Lydia S. LopezEngr. Victor OlanEngr. Marisa O. MandocdocEngr. Manolito M. TalabisAtty. Edgardo R. Gerobin, among others.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary RAMON J. P. PAJE, in his anniversary message, strongly commended and acknowledged the hardwork of the bureau’s officials and employees for its success in completing the Cadastral Survey Program of the 1,634 cities and municipalities of the Philippines, a task which took more than a hundred years to finish. He also extended the congratulations of the President, Benigno S. Aquino, Jr.

Secretary Paje also mentioned that boundary delineation is almost finished through the efforts of our lawmakers, the third reading in Congress for the Bill on Final Forest Limits will soon push through, and this will complement the Cadastral Survey as the digitalization of the land survey continues which will eventually lead to a streamlined land management. He also stated that as of now, there are 24 million records already digitalized but there are still 200 million more to be finished hopefully by next year.

In line with the event’s theme, Secretary Ramon Paje had these nuggets of wisdom to say, “It’s better to lead the change and let technology follow you.”

The highlight of the celebration was the oath taking of the 68 newly promoted and appointed employees of LMB before the Secretary.

Before the celebration officially ended, Atty. Talabis once again, expressed her deep gratitude to everyone who came and celebrated the anniversary. She recognized all the employees, both past and present, for their continuous support and making the event undeniably an enjoyable and a successful one.

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Secretary Ramon. J.P. Paje giving his anniversary message

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From the left: Acting Director Atty. Emelyne V. Talabis; Former LMB Director and New Regional Director of DENR-CAR, Engr. Ralph Pablo; Former ASEC for Lands, Atty. Roberto Oliva; DENR Retired Director, Ramon M. Ezpeleta, giving their inspirational messages.

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(From the left: Ms. Alicia T. Robles; Engr. Cynthia Lozano, Atty. Emelyne V. Talabis, Engr. Henry P. Pacis, Atty. Roberto Oliva, Engr. Ralph C. Pablo, Director Ramon M. Ezpeleta) All smiles in the camera as LMB reaches its 114th anniversary.

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Sec. Paje together with the Burlanders (From the left: Director Ramon Ezpeleta, Engr. Mariza Mandocdoc, LMB Former Director Ramon Casanova with his wife, Engr. Victor Olan and, Atty. Alicia Dayrit)

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Oath taking of the 68 newly promoted employees and newly appointed personnel of LMB before the Secretary)