ALBURQUERQUE, Bohol. More than 600 land titles have been issued to land-owners who now would have more than enough proof of their land ownership as the government hands in land titles for Alburanons. Mayor Efren Tungol said the activity held at the gymnasium Friday, April 29 is the third in the batch of land title distribution. This as the Land Administration and Management Program (LAMP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was implemented here since August 5, 2010. The project offers free or hassle free titling to increase land tenure security and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the land titling and administration system. The overall goal of the LAM program is to alleviate poverty and enhance economic growth by improving land tenure security and fostering the development of efficient land markets in rural and urban areas through the development of an efficient system of land titling and administration based on clear, transparent, coherent and consistent policies and laws and supported by an appropriate institutional structure, said Eduardo Inting of the local LAMP here.

The government has piloted the LAMP in Bohol, and two other provinces in the country, and according to the DENR, Bohol model could probably be the best example for national template. Bohol pegs a high success rate in its LAMP implementation, said DENR sources. 180 and more than 500 land titles given during the first and second batches which precede this latest handing over of the land titles. Local officials believe that giving their people the assurance of their land claims would prop up and facilitate the town's revenue collection, the one which funds most of their initiatives. Tungol however said he regrets that he was not able to attend the ceremony due to a pressing official function to attend to in Cebu. The mayor also said he still has about 1450 residents whose applications for land titles are pending at the Register of Deeds and awaiting DENR screening. Tungol also said he believes the program as key to his town's social and economic development.

Meanwhile, as the town feastday nears, local officials led by Tungol and Vice Mayor Jet Ugduracion revealed that the town's 11 barangays are duly represented in the search for Miss Alburquerque 2011. The activity is just one of the highlights of the town as it prepares to celebrate the feastday of Santa Monica on May 3. In fact, Mayor Tungol added that in the building spirit of participation, even the Sangguniang Kabataan, Youth for Christ and their public high school put in separate candidates to heighten the level of competitions. Competition heated up Friday night as the Talents Night which would easen up the search which would build to a climax on May 2. Tungol said the winner would automatically represent the town in the annual search for Miss Bohol Sandugo which happens in July in Tagbilaran. Novenas for the patroness opened as the traditional nightly entertainment also drew the crowds starting with the ABC Night. Also showcased were the Loboc Ambassador Band for the DepEd Night, Bohol Quality Ciorporation Night, Variety Show, Parish Pastoral Council Night, Miss Aburquerque Beauty Pageant after the SK fireworks display on the last night of the novenario. Exhibition basketball games roll on thenight of May 3 with Alburquerque selection playing against Paring Bol-anon and LGU Alburquerque selection playing against Bohol HEAT Caravan Basketball Team.