PB upbeat over proposed boundary measure

Four major boundary disputes, including that of component city Talisay and Cebu City over a portion of the South Reclamation Project, would allegedly benefit from the Boundary Dispute Ordinance of the Province once it is approved.

This after the recent positive recommendation received from the Committee on Laws headed by Provincial Board Member Antonio Almirante after reviewing the ordinance authored by Provincial Board Member Victor Maambong.

Maambong told The Freeman the ordinance would end the disputes of municipalities Borbon and Tabogon, Pinamungajan and Aloguinsan; Carmen and Catmon and that of Mandaue City and Consolacion.

Aside from that, there are several unresolved boundary disputes among barangays submitted to the municipal councils.

According to Almirante's committee report, the proposed boundary dispute ordinance is a vital measure needed in the expeditious, just and fair resolution of boundary disputes of local government units under the administrative jurisdiction of the Cebu Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Since the compensation provision of the Board of Commissioners was already amended from P50,000 to a fair computation for every case according to industry standards, it is now positively recommended.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, vetoed the ordinance the first time it was approved by the Provincial Board finding the impracticality of the amount of P50,000 as compensation for every case handled by the BOC.

The procedures for settling boundary disputes according to the ordinance include the filing of the petition with documents attached, answer of the adverse party and hearing after five days after the receipt of the answer by the Sanggunian.

There will also be a joint hearing with the respective sanggunians of both concerned local government units.

Failure to settle the dispute within 60 days from the date of referral, it shall issue a Certification for the case to be submitted to the BOC.- Ferliza C. Contratista