La Union, Benguet form teams to settle border dispute

SAN FERNANDO CITY — To avoid lengthy court proceedings, the provincial governments of La Union and Benguet have agreed to settle their boundary dispute amicably.

Dr. Geoffrey Tilan, La Union administrator, told The STAR that Governors Victor Ortega and Melchor Borromeo of La Union and Benguet, respectively, and the boards of the two provinces have created committees to iron out kinks in the boundary dispute.

Particularly problematic is the boundary of the two provinces between the towns of Tuba (Benguet) and Pugo (La Union), where the bust of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos is located.

"It was decided by the two governors and their respective officials that the boundary dispute be amicably settled by December this year or in the first quarter of 2006. The two committees will study and follow the necessary applicable laws such as presidential and executive orders," Tilan said.

The committees will meet in La Trinidad, Benguet on Oct. 18 for an initial assessment. — Jun Elias