The Iloilo City Council has commenced an investigation in aid of legislation into homestead patent titles covering more than 50 hectares of mangrove forests in the barangays of Hinactacan, Balabago, and Bito-on in Jaro, following initial findings that the documents were likely fabricated. City Councilor Romel Duron, chair of the Committee on Environmental Protection, said the patent numbers do not match records in Iloilo and instead correspond to numbering sequences from distant land registries, raising serious questions about their authenticity.

Castor, R. Z. (2026, January 31 -February 1). Dubious land titles: City Council probe flags likely fake Jaro mangrove patents. DailyGuardian, pp. 1, 11.