Streamlined procedures and improvement in the quality of land administration seen
The Department of Trade and Industry, head of a government interagency group to promote Ease of Doing Business reported that reforms in registering property has been made which significantly reduced the processing time.
“Registering a property is a significant part of doing business, and we recognize the efforts of the Land Registration Authority (LRA), Quezon City Registry of Deeds, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and the Local Government of Quezon City to improve their services. Because of reforms that were put in place, registering a property is now easier and faster”, said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.
DTI cited the Land Registration Authority (LRA) for pursuing automation. LRA, through its Land Titling Computerization Project (LTCP) developed the Philippine Land Registration System (PHILARIS) and migrated from a “paper-based” to a “paperless system” of land property registration. The System provides a standard procedure for both Real and Personal property registration and online access to information particularly on land titles. One of LTCP’s components is the Geo-Spatial Information Services (GIS) and the parcel map database that can help users identify the location of properties and identifying its registered owners within specified parameters or areas of interest.
The main feature of the LTCP is the conversion of paper-based land titles to electronic titles (e-Titles). Since titles are already digitized, users can now check a title’s encumbrance information electronically through the Registry of Deeds’ electronic database.
During the EODB Task Force meeting, the DTI acknowledged the reforms initiated by the LRA headed by Administrator Renato D. Bermejo, Deputy Administrator Ronald A. Ortile, Information and Communications Technology Division Head, Engr. Ser John C. Pastrana, QC Acting Registrar of Deeds Atty. Sedfrey H. Garcia and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), which made it easier for businesses to verify land titles and automated verification of the BIR Certificate Authorizing Registration (E-CAR) through the PHILARIS. Now all transfer and conveyance of the property is assured that Government taxes are paid and collected.
Registering Property is an indicator included in the WB survey on Doing Business. Under the RP Indicator, the Philippines ranks 114th out of 190 economies in the 2018 Doing Business Report. This topic examines the steps, time and cost involved in registering property assuming a standardized case of an entrepreneur who wants to purchase land and building in Quezon City that is already registered and free of title dispute.
The DB Survey Registering Property Indicators also measures the quality of land administration system of an economy. This has five dimensions: reliability of infrastructure, transparency of information, geographic coverage, land dispute resolution, and equal access to property rights.
More on the ease of doing business reforms on registering property.♦
Date of release: 30 April 2018