BAGUIO CITY – The municipality of Bokod in Benguet is seeking an amicable settlement of its boundary disputes with neighboring towns, which could unlock at least PHP30 million in additional annual national tax allocation (NTA).
Mayor Erik Donn Ignacio said Tuesday the unresolved boundaries have prevented municipalities from benefiting from revenues that could support infrastructure projects and other government programs.
“In the financial aspect, it is a huge amount and none of the involved municipalities are benefiting because of the dispute. It is a waste of money which can benefit our town. We can build schools, multipurpose buildings and other programs for our people,” Ignacio said in a phone interview.
Bokod has boundary disputes involving about 15,000 hectares with Itogon; around 2,000 hectares each with Atok and Kabayan; and about 900 hectares with Tublay.
Ignacio estimated that about PHP60 million to PHP70 million in potential funds remain unutilized because of the disputes, with the amount expected to grow as NTA allocations increase annually.
“We realized that if we make these disputes last longer, the next generation will have more difficulty with historical backgrounds, stories and information already lost as knowledgeable persons pass away,” he said.
During the recent meeting of the mayor’s league, Ignacio said the 13 member municipalities agreed to prioritize the settlement of boundary disputes.
“We hope to settle the boundary disputes during this term so that we do not have to pass it on to the next leaders of our towns,” Ignacio, on his first term as mayor, said.
He said the municipalities are open to a win-win approach instead of prolonged legal proceedings.
“It will not be about who gets the bigger area, but we will prioritize the desire of the affected residents. Where they see themselves and where they are happy to belong to, that is what we will follow,” he said.
Ignacio said Bokod is grateful to Atok officials for expressing the same commitment to resolve their boundary issue.
The town is also scheduled to meet with Kabayan officials, followed by discussions with Itogon, where the dispute has already reached the Benguet Provincial Board. **Liza Agoot
