DENR, Visayas State U to pilot-test graduate program on land administration management next school year

Publishing date: Friday, August 7, 2009 (2:00 PM)

Degree and non-degree courses in land administration and management (LAM), the first in the history of education in the country, will be pilot-tested at the graduate school of the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City in Leyte next school year (2010-2011), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced yesterday.

DENR Secretary Lito Atienza said the pilot testing of the graduate programs in VSU is in preparation for the regular offering of the LAM degree and non-degree courses in other academic institutions to provide scientific knowledge and skills to students and help strengthen land administration and management in the country.

"Through the new education program in land administration, we will be able to address LAM-related problems in the country, which have been identified as a stumbling block in our economic growth," Atienza said.

Atienza added that the rationalization of the country's land administration and management is a priority thrust of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the over-all effort to provide for land security to Filipinos particularly those in urban areas who depend largely on land for their livelihood.

Atienza said faculty members of VSU tasked to handle the courses are now undergoing training in Australia to prepare them for the piloting of the program in the coming school year.

According to the DENR Chief, the development of the graduate program on land administration and management was a result of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) forged between the DENR through its Second Land Administration and Management Project (LAMP2) and VSU last March 23.

LAMP2 Executive Director Samuel L. Penafiel and University President Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo, signed the memorandum in behalf of their respective institutions.

The state university developed the LAM curriculum in accordance with the agreement, following a ladderized scheme such that after completion of the first year, a Diploma in Land Administration and Management (DLAM) will be granted leading to either a Master in Land Administration and Management (MLAM) or Master in Science in Land Administration and Management (MSLAM).

VSU will also promote and advocate reforms to strengthen the practice of land administration and management in the Philippines through the conduct of workshop-seminars and symposia, among others; participate in long-term planning and other LAMP2 planning activities; and provide quarterly reports to LAMP2 on progress and implementation issues.

The MOU also provides that LAMP2 will allocate resources for the training of faculty members both here and abroad, programs and course materials for specific subjects, information campaigns and seminars to promote interest in the new curriculum and scholarship program to support the pilot run of the program.

LAMP2 is an inter-agency project jointly being implemented by the DENR, as the lead agency, Department of Justice (DOJ)/Land Registration Authority (LRA) and the Department of Finance (DOF). It seeks to promote land security and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the land administration system. (lmm)