SP intercedes with Pugo-Tuba boundary dispute, Calls for in-depth survey, settlement between parties
By: Rafael C. Mosuela, GPC-SP | Photos By: GPC-SP | Date: March 23, 2022
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of La Union under the Committee on Boundary dispute joint with the Committee on Laws, Rules, and Privileges conducted an ocular inspection on the disputed area at Barangay Palina, Pugo, La Union on March 23, 2022.
The said inspection aims to establish the appropriate boundary being claimed by both municipalities of Pugo, La Union and Tuba, Benguet, likewise to verify the political map by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Regional Office I as compared to that of the map possessed by the Municipality of Pugo, La Union.
The Inspection Team is composed of SP Member Alyssa Kristine B. Sibuma, Pugo Vice Mayor Jose B. Basallo and Pugo Sangguniang Bayan Members. Also part of the team are DENR Officials and Department Heads of the Provincial Government of La Union under the Assessors Office and Legal Office.
During the inspection, the officers traveled through the sites from the Rotary Wheel Marker in Pugo to the upper section of Sitio Caucalan, Barangay Palina, Pugo, La Union where they gathered information with regards to the ownership of the land.
Based on the Focus Group Discussion convened right after the inspection, it was recommended to conduct a locational survey on the disputed area through handheld GPS and push through on the informal meeting between the two concerned municipalities.
Meanwhile, Pugo Municipal Mayor Priscilla M. Martin assured the Inspection Team that they will conduct a meeting with the other parties to thresh out the issues and possibly arrive at an amicable settlement.
Further, this issue stemmed from the letter of the Benguet Provincial Vice Governor requesting the revival of the boundary dispute between the two provinces which was unsettled for almost two decades.
