Pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 9285, or the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004 and DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2005-18 which calls for the adoption of the ADR principles and procedures in the resolution of conflict, PENRO Laguna through its accredited ADR Officers (ADROs), adopted and institutionalized the use of ADR as a mechanism to settle land disputes and to refrain from litigation that is often too costly and rigorous.

ADROs serve as third party facilitators of negotiation between two or more disputing parties, assisting them to come up with mutually acceptable and beneficial solutions to their dispute. The said Officers help the parties express their perspectives to the situation, understand each other’s problems, and reach mutually acceptable agreements. However, the success of negotiation still rests upon and lies in the hands of the conflicting parties.

Since 2020, all land-related cases with formal protests and land titling applications with potential conflicts received by the PENRO were subjected to ADR. However, only 10% of the lodged cases reached settlement. Still, it can be considered as a valuable accomplishment compared to zero or no settlement of cases before the adoption of ADR mechanism.

ADR process not only helps in de-clogging docketed cases in the province but significantly empowers contending parties to resolve their issues and disputes.