LEGAZPI CITY, June 12 -- After 20 long years, at least 70 residents of this city are now holders of land titles following the execution of a deed of donation and the awarding of titles for the Taysan resettlement site.

In an interview, lawyer Raphaela Albor, chief of Legazpi City's Resettlement, Housing, and Community Development Office, said the beneficiaries are residents who have lived in the area for about 20 years and long held certificates of award from the City Government of Legazpi but had yet to receive their actual land titles.

"It has been 22 years since they were affected by the devastation of Typhoon Reming and subsequent volcanic eruptions. Now we are realizing their right to freely occupy the lots that are truly theirs,"...