By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter
IF THE COUNTRY as a whole is
currently embroiled in a territorial dispute with China, here in Ilocos Norte,
a sitio in Adams is also a subject of a tug-of-war between two municipalities
of two provinces.
Sitio Bucarot, located about 10
kilometers from Adams’ town proper, has become the main issue in a dispute
between the northern Ilocos Norte town and Calanasan town in Apayao, as both
are claiming the said area.
To make matters worse, the
Calansan side has reportedly threatened local residents here to agree that they
belong to the Apayao town or face demolition of their houses.
This was discovered by
Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Vicentito “Toto” M. Lazo when he visited the 30
households in the sitio.
“Politically, it’s not sound
because there are only 60 voters in the area but we are talking about our
jurisdiction and territorial integrity here,” Lazo said as he explained that
access to this sitio from Adams town proper is only either by foot or by
two-wheeled vehicles. The road going to the sitio is a dirt road with a narrow
wooden bridge along the way that can only hold a limited capacity.
Over the past 16 years,
residents of Sitio Bucarot have been confused over the long-standing
territorial dispute that was reignited in recent years with the opening of
roads connecting to brgy. Tanglagan of Calanasan town including the recent
construction of a police outpost here.
On April 8, P/Insp. Clemente
Ceralde, acting police chief of Adams confirmed in a police blotter that a
resident of Sitio Bucarot identified as Arnel Abian, 36, reported to the police
that Calansan Mayor Elias Bulut Sr. has warned several residents in the area to
demolish their houses should they insist that they are part of Adams and not of
Calanasan.
In view of this, a provincial
resolution of protest and condemnation against the acts of the local chief
executive of Calanasan town, sponsored by SP member Atty. Da Vinci M. Crisostomo,
was passed at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall.
“I am somewhat worried. This
problem has cropped up long before. This must be a great concern of the
Sangguniang Panlalawigan as they may presume we have not done anything about
it. It’s time we take this seriously,” Crisostomo said as the reported move of
the Calanasan mayor threatening people in the area as a clear sign of “abuse of
authority.”
As of press time, Calanasan
mayor have been unavailable for comment. A placard visibly seen in Sitio
Bucarot however states: “We are here not to govern and rule. Not to lead and
serve but to help and share our love and care.” Below the statement bears the
name of the Calanasan mayor.
Also, Lazo drafted a
resolution on calling for a joint session between the province of Apayao
and Ilocos Norte to thresh out issues about the boundary dispute.
As a general procedure, Lazo
said that based on Section 118 under paragraphs C and E of the Local Government
Code, a boundary dispute involving two provinces must be endorsed to the
Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the contesting municipalities for amicable settlement.
Should there be no amicable settlement within 60 days from the date of filing,
then the aggrieved party may file a case at the judiciary.
In a separate interview with
Calanasan Vice Mayor Martin Laoat aired over a local television station in
Laoag City, he reiterated that the Calansan government have no interest in
Sitio Bucarot. “If it is owned by Ilocos Norte, so be it. You should come and
visit here to know what is happening,” Laoat said in the live interview.
Based on a civil complaint
earlier filed by the municipality of Adams against Calansan, it may be recalled
that then Calansan mayor initiated the appointment of separate officials of
Sitio Bucarot in 1998. Then in 2002, then Calanasan Mayor now Rep. Eleanor
Bulut-Begtang reappointed officials in the area, giving them at least a P500
honoraria and P200 travel allowance when attending meetings at the Calansan
town proper.
From 2002 to 2005, various
infrastructure projects were introduced by the Calanasan government which
include a Day Care center and a primary school, irrigation canal, spring
development, multi-purpose pavement and now with a road opening to Tanglagan
village including construction of a police outpost manned by the Calanasan police.
Household survey were also
conducted giving specific numbers to houses there from 2005 to 2006 which
prompted then Adams Mayor Wilma Dupagen-Daquioag to file a civil suit on March
2007 but it was later on dismissed by the court due to lack of jurisdiction
over a boundary dispute.
A pending appeal however has
yet to be resolved at the Court of Appeals.
According to Lazo, the SP
resolution calling for a joint session with the Apayao provincial board is
meant to thresh out issues concerning the boundary dispute without prejudice to
an on-going civil suit filed at the CA.
“If they will not act on it or
if they will ignore it, then we have enough reason to bring the case in court,”
Lazo said.
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