THE 9.5-hectare additional area of the Puguis Communal Forest joint survey will soon be out.
La Trinidad Zoning Officer Engineer Emerson Tabernero said the survey on the additional area of the communal forest is currently being prepared following the final ground survey last year.
Tabernero said the initial results of the survey show the southern boundary of the proposed additional of the Puguis Communal Forest is bounded by titled properties.
But in the actual field survey, it was revealed there is a discrepancy of titled lots in the area and the corners of approved survey lots used as reference point in establishing the southern boundary created a gap, resulting in the increase of land area.
The lot corners were established in 1953 and 1954. However, the technical description appearing in the land titles are survey reference that tends to move by an average of 50 meters northward.
At present, the party is in quandary on what survey reference to adopt, whether the records or the actual ground position, on the ways and means to settle boundary disputes among the adjoining land owners.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera Chief of Surveys and Mapping Division Engineer Benjamin Ventura said the current information is inconclusive to finally determine the status of the gap.
"As to the status of the gap, it remains to be proven more because there are some case along the boundary of the municipality of La Trinidad. There should be settlement before the final survey of the final area and release the special patent," Ventura added.
Meets and bounds of the Puguis Communal Forest have already been established with a definite area while below the communal forest is classified as alienable and disposable.
The municipality is interested in applying for the titling of the lot as part of the communal forest as Councilor Nestor Fongwan Jr. said it would be the next move of the municipality in determining the exact land area.
Ventura said titling is possible but it would be a special patent.