The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued a new memorandum to speed up residential land titling, addressing delays in infrastructure projects and land disputes.
Department Administrative Order No. 2025-35 updates the implementation of the Residential Free Patent Act, allowing actual occupants to apply for free patent titles even when temporarily absent due to work, marriage, or natural disasters.
The policy now also covers heirs, spouses, returning Filipinos, and those whose occupation was interrupted by force majeure, fraud, or intimidation.
DENR said the move brings fairness to households that previously struggled to secure land titles due to rigid rules or limited access to government services.
Millions of Filipinos living on untitled land may now apply, which could help reduce delays in rebuilding after typhoons and ease inheritance and land disputes nationwide.
Source: PhilNews24 | February 18, 2026
DENR UPDATES GUIDELINES FOR RESIDENTIAL LAND TITLE APPLICATIONS
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