The Baguio City Council has expressed its support to Lualhati Barangay on the latter’s claim over a lot with an area of more or less 1,000 square meters which the barangay plans to convert into a parking space for its constituents.
During the regular session last Monday, the council members sought the help of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR) in ensuring that the said land will be used for barangay needs.
Engr. Ma. Rowena Caccam of the DENR-CAR said, based on a DENR memorandum circular, the lot in question shall be for public use in favor of the City Government of Baguio and its people.
Caccam revealed to the city council that there are more or less 33 applications for the said lot, some of these applications were subjects of court cases. Of these 33 applications, 8 have already been cleared by the AO 504 Clearing Committee as of 2004.
She disclosed that there were ancestral land titles covering the property but were canceled by the Supreme Court.
Linda Uyan, one of the land claimants with a tax declaration, said she is waving her claim over the property.
“I think it’s better that the lot be used by everybody. These land disputes have been going on for a long time. I have been attempting to have the land be titled under my name for 15 years. But I would rather turn it over to the barangay for everyone to use,” Uyan exclaimed.
Engr. Elias Aoanan of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) said the lot had been identified for barangay use after their office conducted land identification in the area.
Councilor Fred Bagbagen said the needs of the city should be prioritized, stressing that the land is for public use.
He cited the second paragraph of Chapter 8, Section A of the DENR Memorandum Circular (DMC) 207-11 which states that “the Townsite Sales Application shall not be acted or processed until after the needs within the Barangay affected shall have been identified and surveyed.”
However, Caccam said the DENR-CAR may not be able to issue an authority survey due to the presence of another case which is now pending before the central office.
Caccam advised the council to write to the central office signifying their intention for the conduct of a survey.
The city council’s Committee Urban Planning, Lands, and Housing chaired by Bagbagen shall further study the matter in order to find out other means on how to properly assist the barangay in legitimizing its claim over the property. **Jordan G. Habbiling
