OFFICIALS from Tuba, Benguet are mulling to file an administrative case against employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resource in Ilocos Region.
Tuba through resolution 139, s. 2017 has also called on the agency to repeal the approved cadastral survey of the municipality of Sison, Pangasinan and requested to the governor to authorize the provincial legal officer of Benguet to assist the municipality in filing for the nullification of the survey.
Board Member Florencio Bentrez said the original aspect of the Cadastral Survey of Sison took place in 2014 without prior consultation to the municipality of Tuba.
“We are posing for the nullification of cadastral survey of Sison because they have encroached, in fact, we can say there is a boundary dispute between Tuba and Sison because of the encroachment,” said Bentrez.
Bentrez, who was the town’s former mayor added there have been some discussions in 2014 but Sison was already on the verge of applying for the approval of its cadastral survey.
Bentrez added the Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR) Region 1 are liable for not ensuing due process, of which they should have consulted first with the adjacent municipality.
“We don’t understand what they are doing,” Bentrez added.
DENR Cordillera chief of surveys and mapping division Engineer Benjamin Ventura said DENR Region 1 presented a map which contradicts the meets and bounds of Tuba.
Benguet officials recently created Ad Hoc Committee spearheaded by Board Members Ruben Paoad, Bentrez, Johnny Waguis, Juan Nazarro Jr., Roberto Canuto, and Blas Dalus in determining whether there is a strong case for boundary dispute against the Municipality of Sison.
Aside from the board members, included in the committee are personnel from the Provincial Legal Office, Assessor’s Office, Engineering Office, Provincial Planning and Development Office, and the Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office who will provide legal and technical assistance.