Philippines-Australia Land Administration and Management Project –Phase II

The LAMP Phase 2 Project finished the year on a high note with the reaching of the year two target for issuance of land titles, and the continued increase in formal land transactions processed through the Leyte Province One Stop Shop (OSS). In addition, the mass data capture of all land titles in the province Register of Deeds (1/4 million titles) is underway and complements the parallel data capture of all approved survey plans which was commenced earlier.

It is planned that both data capture programs will be done by June 2008, allowing a further improvement in OSS services to the public and business as well as the identification of any inconsistent records between the two agencies.

The Department of Finance manages the property valuation component. The objective of creating a valuation base at true market levels was achieved at Naga City and is well advanced in Iloilo City which is the fourth largest city in the country. These are two of a planned four example sites for demonstrating the application of international standards in valuation. LEI provided advisers to assist in designing the methodologies, creating a database system for holding and disseminating sales information and training of assessor’s staff. Since existing schedules are well below market levels, LEI also provided technical assistance on ways to phase in the valuation increases for the purpose of annual property taxation. To ensure sustainability of technology transfer to assessor offices, the Secretary of Finance created a new Valuation Office at central level within the Bureau of Local Government Finance and LAMP has started a change management program.
Staff in all locations celebrated a successful year, ahead of the holiday season and are looking forward to the New Year and the upcoming project mid term review. The review will allow an opportunity to refine the project design to ensure that the best use is made of the resources towards attaining the project objectives. In 2008 it is envisaged that two more provinces will commence mass titling and creation of OSS’s, and the Bohol Province OSS will be made operational. In addition, two more valuation sites will receive technology transfer and commence compiling a valuation base at market levels. And further, the 10 Local Government Units under the Innovation Support Funds will receive training and technology to implement their own projects in land administration and management. Of great interest will be the processing by the Congress on the four Bills which would lead to major reform in the sector.

– Provided by Ian Lloyd