'ONE-STOP-SHOP' SOON TO OPEN WITH AUSTRALIAN SUPPORT
A One-Stop Shop designed to streamline land administration and management transactions will soon open in Bohol following its groundbreaking ceremony last week at the New Capitol Site in Tagbilaran City.
The shop will integrate several services in one location including land surveying, mapping and registration and is designed to increase efficiency by reducing duplication.
Attending the groundbreaking ceremony, AusAID’s Counsellor in the Philippines, Sam Zappia said the shop was an innovation of the Land Administration and Management Project (LAMP).
The shop is the result of a partnership between the Philippine Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Justice and Finance. The World Bank provided funding and Australia, through its international aid agency, AusAID, provided technical assistance for the project.
“LAMP is an A$48 million 10-year project aimed at helping the Philippines Government address hindrances to development and sustained economic growth by removing duplication and fostering uniformity – in laws, policies, institutions, information and data, and standards of its land administration system,” Mr Zappia said.
“An efficient land administration and management system has the potential to unlock development, stimulate business and improve the social and economic lives of millions in the Philippines.”
In 2007-2008, Australia’s aid to the Philippines has increased to over A$100 million (Php 4 billion), making Australia one of the country’s top three aid donors. Australia’s aid program to the Philippines has grown to be its fourth largest globally, with some A$570 million in grant contributions over the past decade alone.
Australia has supported governance and economic growth projects throughout the region for many years including in Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, Laos, East Timor and Solomon Islands.
The groundbreaking ceremony in Bohol was also attended by Jose L. Atienza, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Governor of Bohol Erico B. Aumentado, Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim and World Bank Acting Country Director Jehan Arulpragasam.