CAPAS, TARLAC — The long wait ended Wednesday, July 04, 2018 for 465 residents of former O’Donnell Resettlement Area who finally received their land titles from the local government in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Under the Republic Act No. 10959 or An Act Creating a barangay to be known as Barangay Cristo Rey in the municipality of Capas, province of Tarlac enacted last year, the O’Donnell Resettlement Area lawfully advanced to be an official barangay of the municipality.

“Masaya ako at nagagalak na ngayon ay may hawak nang mga lehitimong titulo ang higit apat na raang residente nang Cristo Rey at matatamasa na nila ang kasarinlan bilang isang opisyal na residente ng Capas.” Capas Municipal Mayor Reynaldo L. Catacutan says.

As separated from Barangay Aranguren in 2003, O’Donnell Resettlement Area was constituted as a distinct and independent barangay under the (Tarlac) Provincial Ordinance No. 004-2003 and later been called as Barangay Cristo Rey.

Bounded by Barangay Lawy on the Northwest, Aranguren on the Northeast and Southwest, and by a provincial road on the Southeast, Barangay Cristo Rey is now recognized as the largest barangay in Capas in terms of landmass and population and houses Capas Bahay Pagbabago Drug Reformatory Center, well-known for leading the transformation of a thousand drug victims in the Philippines’ fight against illegal drugs.
“Ngayon ay makakahinga na rin sila ng maluwag at mapapanatag dahil sa seguridad ng isang land title na kanilang pinanghahawakan,” Mayor Catacutan added.

Dubbed as “Handog Titulo:” the Distribution of Land Titles in Barangay Cristo Rey, the successful event was held at Cristo Rey High School and was graced by Vice President Leni G. Robredo and Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV.