Emotions flare in talks to settle boundary dispute

By Roger Sacyaten

BONTOC, Mountain Province - The aim to settle the boundary conflict between barangays Gonogon of this town and Lagan in Sabangan through the cadastral survey has been marred by claims including emotional outbursts from both sides.

Last June 22, the provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources sponsored a forum at the municipal multi-purpose hall here to facilitate settlement of the boundary dispute between the two barangays.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Manuel Pogeyed said the cadastral survey had been funded by the agency upon the request of Sabangan municipal government.

During the forum, Bontoc Mayor Pascual Sacgaca traced the delineation of the boundary citing facts handed down for generations.

He propounded on the claim of Gonogon as a former barangay captain and long time resident of the barangay.

With the support of some residents and officials led by Gonogon Barangay Captain Rudy Gittabao, the claim of the mayor for the jurisdiction of Gonogon was emphasized to be at the ridge in Palingao.

“The ridge is the boundary since the time when Sabangan belonged to the sub-province of Lepanto and Bontoc belonged to the sub-province of Bontoc. That had been the political boundary,” he said.

On the other hand, the officials and elders of Lagan insisted that the boundary is at Kendalit which is well inside the territory of Gonogon.

Former vice mayor and now Councilor Florencio Sudicalan claimed that “mohon” were installed at the boundaries but he conceded that the earlier “cadastral survey” pegging the boundary at Kendalit was canceled in 1990.

The reason was reportedly due to the fact that no consultation was ever conducted.

The insistence of both sides to maintain their stance has caught some of the participants to flare up during the discussions.

Gittabao challenged the Isabangans led by Lagan Barangay Captain Mariano Teng-eg, Jr. to perform “Sapata” among the parties to ascertain who was telling the truth.

Vice Mayor William Aspilan reiterated that “Sapata” was the best option if the parties failed to arrive at a consensus in the absence of documentary evidence or firsthand knowledge on the boundary.

But cooler heads prevailed for the sober settlement of the boundary conflict urging both parties to consider other proposals.

However, neither party attempted to concede revision as both maintained their respective stand to the end.

It was proposed instead that the matter to settling the boundary conflict be elevated to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan per provisions of the Local Government Code.

Vice Mayor Aspilan informed the participants that they had already referred the matter the provincial board.

Pogeyed proposed a solution. The DENR will continue the conduct of cadastral survey and declare the conflict area as a common ground.

“Since we cannot settle the boundary now, we will continue the survey activities and regard the conflict area not belonging to either side,” he said.