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Friday, June 20, 2003
44.4-ha. land swap to settle Baguio-Tuba boundary rift
By Ramon Dacawi
A GIVE-AND-TAKE arrangement covering 44.4 hectares on both sides is being worked out to finally settle the lingering boundary dispute between Baguio and Tuba, Benguet.
This was revealed Thursday by Tuba Mayor Jose Baluda, who said the delineation of the areas to be covered by a draft agreement, has been undertaken with the help of the Land Management Bureau (LMB) of the regional Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
This was confirmed by City Councilor Antonio Tabora Jr., even as Councilor Elmer Datuin filed a resolution that was aimed at granting authority to Mayor Bernardo Vergara to sign the agreement.
Should the land swap be approved by the legislative councils of both localities, Tuba's boundary would extend up to the Aspiras-Palispis (formerly Marcos) Highway, near the Baguio-Benguet smoke emission-testing center.
On the other hand, Tuba would yield its claim over portions of Pula, towards Mt. Sto. Tomas, Baluda said.
Lawyer Melchor Rabanes, officer-in-charge of the City Legal Office, was tasked by the City Council to draft the memorandum of agreement that would hopefully also settle the row over the lot in which Tuba's municipal hall stands.
Half of the town hall reportedly lies within Baguio territory.
Chris Akia, former mayor of Tuba, had to grant the plea of a municipal trial court judge to have his sala transferred to the western side of the building.
"The good judge wanted to make sure all the hearings, decisions and other actions of the court were within its jurisdiction of the building," Akia said.
Negotiations began in 1996 after the City Council adopted Resolution 456 authorizing then mayor and now Rep. Mauricio Domogan, along with other city officials, to form a task force to address the dispute.
Domogan and Baluda then convened a joint survey team to pinpoint the disputed boundaries and come up with a joint recommendation.
Tuba also has yet to resolve its turf conflicts with San Manuel and Sison in Pangasinan, Pugo in La Union and Itogon, Benguet towards the east.
The tiff with Itogon came to the fore several years ago, when officials of the two towns wrestled over shares from the national wealth and other taxes due from the gold and copper mining operations of Philex Mines.
Tuba officials claimed that the municipal share from the national wealth tax should go to its coffers. Itogon invoked a 50 percent share, arguing that the mill site is within its territory.
With the help of Gov. Raul Molintas, the two towns eventually signed an agreement providing for equally sharing arrangements until the bounday dispute has been resolved.
(June 20, 2003 issue)
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