MAYOR Mauricio Domogan welcomed the recent status quo orders from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) on ancestral land titles covering Wright Park and Casa Vallejo.
Domogan said the local government is hopeful the NCIP has realized the implications of their previous decisions on several important lots covering parks, forest reservations and areas occupied by national line agencies.
This, he hopes, will start the future cooperation among agencies such as the Registry of Deeds and the NCIP with the City Government.
He said the City Government holds the assurance of the Land Registration Authority (LRA) that no Transfer Certificate of Title will be issued to spurious ancestral land claims until these are proven to be legal.
The NCIP regional hearing office on January 10 denied the writ of preliminary injunction filed by an Ibaloi family against the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which is constructing a building of government broadcast station People’s Television Network.
Meantime, the NCIP’s Commission En Banc also ruled a status quo should be maintained by all parties to the ancestral land title covering Casa Vallejo and other buildings comprising then the Government Center area.
The city mayor maintains Republic Act 8731 or the Indigenous People’s Rights Act covers city in special situations.
The city government has not wavered in filing adverse claims and protest titles deemed spurious especially those covering identified forest reservations and parks.
Domogan also added the City Government will not issue any business permits to holders of spurious ancestral land titles or businesses within these areas.
The mayor has earlier asked the Baguio-Boracay Technical Working Group to fast track the resolution of some of these contested titles even as he stressed the city will continue to recognize legitimate ancestral land claims. (JM Agreda)