Talisay ABC to tackle boundary conflicts

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Association of Barangay Councils will assemble next week to discuss ways to resolve conflicts among residents and barangay officials over the claims of parcels of lands on political boundaries. 

ABC president and barangay Dumlog captain Charles Basillote, who is currently an ex-officio in the city council, said the 22 barangay captains will discuss the report submitted by a composite survey team of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources after going over survey archives, tracing boundary monuments, and laying down political demarcation lines. 

Among many other boundary-related issues, Bulacao has been claiming that the public school named after it belongs to the barangay.

The school however is reportedly built within the territorial jurisdiction of its neighbor, Candulawan.

Taxes and basic services are also among the issues raised by the concerned barangays.

Another boundary dispute case is between barangays San Roque and Tanke.

San Roque claims that sitios San Rafael and Kalinaw belong to the barangay contrary to records which show that these two areas are within Tanke’s boundaries.

Last year, barangay San Roque asked the city council to remove the name of Barangay Tanke in the Talisay City Fish Port at the Cebu South Coastal Road and put the name “San Roque” in its stead.

The village officials insisted that the Talisay City Fish Port is under the barangay’s territorial jurisdiction, citing the cadastral survey and tax declaration.

In 2005, a dispute also occurred between barangay Manipis of Talisay City and barangay Sinsin of Cebu City over a 12-hectare property.

Manipis claims sitio Latawan, which is now in the possession of Sinsin, encroaches the agricultural land, which is bordered by the northern part of Toledo and Cebu. 

Basillote said the resolution of boundary conflicts can help businesses and residents living within disputed areas.

For example, the residents and establishments can now determine where to go when needing barangay services or for procuring permits.  

He said barangay territories have a bearing on the IRA or internal revenue allotment for each barangay since the IRA is determined by the size of its area.  (FREEMAN)