Capiz, Iloilo conduct ocular inspection on territorial boundary
Representatives from both provinces of Iloilo and Capiz conducted an ocular inspection Wednesday, September 20, 2006, literally right on top of the hill of Brgy. Layogbato, claimed to be part of the town of Dumarao, Capiz, to determine the extent of territorial boundary separating both provinces.
Iloilo Board Members Niel "Junjun" Tupas, Jr. and Domingo Oso, Jr. accompanied by Atty. Lorenzo Tubola Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Board Secretary Catalina Palmares joined the trek going to the site.
Whereas, Capiz provincial government was represented by Vice-governor Victor Tanco Sr. and three Board Members Enrique Martin, Henry Echen and Gilbert Ardivilla. They were accompanied by Dumarao vice-mayor Edgardo Arancillo and his ten municipal councilors who came in full force namely Victor Tanco, Jr., Leslie Warren Benjamen, Abner Basillano, Rogel Llamas, Fortunato Hare, Arnel Hallarda, Marrieta Hiñola, Carlos Factolerin, Isidro Matiling and Tyrone Bañares.
A convoy of cars leading to the site originating from Lemery Municipal Town Hall was led by its Mayor Lowell T. Arban and barangay captains of the six affected barangays and other local officials.
The ocular inspection was covered by members of the local media for documentation.
A map brought by the local officials of Dumarao played center stage in the discussion of identifying the demarcation line between the two provinces.
For Dumarao, the Presidential Proclamation in early 60s under the late President Diosdado Macapagal, father of incumbent Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, proclaiming the affected barangays as inhabitable became their basis to include as part of the town's jurisdiction which eventually led to a land dispute.
At a distance, about more than 500 meters away was an old marker accordingly planted in a hill since 1925 in which an inscription revealed that Lemery, before it became a town, was just a barangay of the town of Sara.
Tupas suggested, however, that Lemery should exercise territorial political sovereignty so as not to disrupt basic services to the residents of the five affected barangays namely, Marapal, San Diego, San Antonio, Yawyawan, Alcantara and Layogbato.
Arban explained that residents in the affected barangays are in quandary and confused of their obligations as taxpayers. Though, they are officially registered residents in Lemery, yet the Municipality of Dumarao required them to pay directly their real estate taxes and other obligations for reason they are occupying lots within the territorial jurisdiction of the said town.
At the end of the discussion both parties concerned decided to have their third hearing on October 11, 2006 at Capiz Provincial Capitol to iron out further in determining the territorial boundaries.
Both concerned parties were amenable to a "status quo" under present condition so as not to disrupt basic services to the six barangays.
A gentleman's agreement between the two parties was mutually established. Rather than resorting to a formal hearing which may take time and waste unnecessary expenses and resources and other form of legal and technical processes, a consensus was adopted which could be a win-win solution to both parties.
Meanwhile, both parties also suggested producing necessary documents from the Bureau of Lands and other concerned government agencies to serve as their legal basis for identifying the provincial territorial boundaries to solve this long overdue land disputes.
(Capitol News)