CALANASAN, Apayao – Officials and leaders of the municipalities of Calanasan and Kabugao reached a settlement agreement after formally gathering on January 19, 2024 at Sitio Sugoc, Namaltugan, Calanasan, to address and resolve municipal boundary conflicts between the two towns.
Based on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) cadastral map, the conflict centered around an overlapping municipal boundary in Lower Calanasan. The affected areas were barangays Tuyangan and Dibagat in Kabugao, and barangays Namaltugan, Tubongan, Langnao, and Butao in Calanasan.
Prominent figures who attended the discussion included Apayao 1st District Board Member Vincent Tallatag, Calanasan Mayor Shamir M. Bulut, Kabugao Mayor Bensmar Ligwang, Calanasan Vice Mayor Martin Lucero B. Lawat, Kabugao Vice-Mayor Fabulous Tucjang, Hon. Sedolito Agunos of the Philippine Councilors’ League, Department Heads, Punong Barangays, elders from the Indigenous People, and affected tax declarants from both municipalities.
Following a constructive discussion, elders representing the Indigenous People of Calanasan and Kabugao signed a preliminary joint agreement which delineates the parameters for a peaceful resolution of the boundary dispute.
Key points in the agreement include the establishment of dedicated task groups by each municipal government for ground verification, joint ground verification of disputed boundaries, involvement of technical personnel from the Land Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, presentation of the joint ground delineation output in a subsequent forum, and the submission of the final agreed-upon output to relevant offices, to be honored by both municipalities as the official boundary.
Subsequent to the discussion, onsite visit and ground validation were conducted in the disputed locations and signed the agreement.
Calanasan and Kabugao expressed their commitment to abiding by the law and cooperating with relevant authorities. Both towns are optimistic that their collaborative efforts shall honor the agreement regarding the agreed precise municipal boundary.
It is anticipated that this newfound understanding will cultivate a shared identity and develop stronger social and economic relationships not only between Calanasan and Kabugao but also with all other municipalities in the province. By K. Castillo
