Bontoc, Sagada, execs settle boundary dispute

SAGADA, Mountain Province – Officials of this tourist town and the capital town of Bontoc have agreed to settle the boundary dispute of the two towns.
    Achieving and maintaining peace and order in both towns is a shared goal, local and provincial officials including stakeholders agreed in a dialogue Dec. 6, here at the Municipal Hall. 
    After a series of meetings, both parties agreed to solve the long-running boundary dispute by passing Sangguniang Bayan resolutions amending the Cadastral Survey conducted by the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in 2012 in Fidelisan, Sagada and the 2014 Cadastral Survey in Dalican, Bontoc.
    The said resolutions which will be passed by the SBs of Bontoc and Sagada will then be endorsed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to the DENR for immediate action.
    The resolutions would also be in support of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) forged between the two barangays in May 2005.
    The dialogue was attended by Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., Sagada Mayor Felicito Dula and Sangguniang Bayan Members of both municipalities.
    Also in attendance were Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) Members Ezra Samson Gomez, Angel Moises Tamang, Henry Bastian, Johnson Bantog, and barangay officials and community members of Barangay Dalican, Bontoc, and Barangay Fidelisan, Sagada.
    The issue had been a controversy considering some tourist spots of Sagada were being claimed as part of Bontoc which included the famous Blue Mountain in southern part of town and the area near the Anglican Church compound which houses St. Mary’s School. 
    With the agreement between Bontoc and Sagada officials, local folks said the issue should now be put to rest.