Lawmaker climbs mountain for peace

Saturday, February 11, 2012

BANGUED, Abra – To maintain peace in the province, Representative Teddy Baguilat headed the mountain climbing to resolve boundary disputes of two tribes.

Around 100 people from the municipalities of Tubo and Boliney in Abra trudged their way up in Mt. Poswoy on January 27 to conduct an ocular inspection of traditional boundaries now subject to a lingering dispute.

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Baguilat led the ocular inspection which was conducted with the presence of the representatives from the Foundation for Philippine Environment, Central and Provincial offices of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Philippine National Police of the province.

The inspection was recommended by the officials of the two fighting tribes so Baguilat could see the disputed area for himself and decide on how to find an amicable end to the dispute.

Baguilat, as chairman of the National Cultural Communities Committee of the 15th Congress, along with NCIP and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, were earlier requested by the officials of Tubo to mediate their boundary dispute with Boliney to prevent the impending tribal war between the two tribes.

The climb is a historic act for peace for the two tribes as it marks the first time in a long time which they have worked together to resolve their boundary dispute. But Baguilat stated for the dispute to be resolved, both parties have to be willing to compromise.

He added the conduct of the three-dimensional (3D) mapping to be led by the Philippine Association for Intercultural Development after the ocular inspection will give light to the dispute area in a more detailed manner as both parties will be identifying the names and specific locations of their traditional boundaries.

“My approach to this mediation process is through the application of the customary way of settling disputes coupled with the use of modern technology (3D mapping),” Baguilat said.

Another meeting on the said boundary conflict will be conducted today, Satuday, to look into solutions to the boundary disputes in Bangued, Abra. (Rubyloida Bitog)