Bontoc, Mtn. Prov.– After almost six hours of impasse on the supposed customary settlement of the boundary dispute between Betwagan, Sadanga, Mountain Province and Butbot, Tinglayan, Kalinga, their authorized elders/leaders finally agreed and signed a memorandum of agreement/commitment (MOA/C) pending final resolution of the present political boundary conflict.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of both provinces through their chairs agreed at an earlier date to jointly mediate the elders/leaders of the two conflicting tribes. Thus,the conduct of the joint session last August 29, 2019 at the SP Hall, Bontoc, Mountain Province.
“During our regular session last August 13, we proposed to the body to formally invite our counterparts and other concerned stakeholders in Kalinga as follow up to the verbal agreement between our SP chairs in Manila. We are happy that they readily came for this peace process,” said Board Member Federico E. Onsat, chair, Committee on Laws, Properties and Equipment.
Both parties agreed to the following terms and conditions: 1. To authorize the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Kalinga and Mountain Provine to continue to find ways to settle the pending conflict between Betwagan and Bugnay; 2. That both parties will respect whatever decision the SPs of Kalinga and Mountain Province to be final and executory.
Witnesses and co-signatories to said MOA are the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members of both provinces led by Mountain Province Vice Governor Francis O. Tauli and Kalinga Vice Governor Dave Q. Odiem.
There were six Kalinga Board Members who were present, namely: Fredrick Pangsiw, Lester Lee Tarnate, Christian Pic-it, Roger Saba-oc, Michael Karel B. Sugguiyao and Emilio T. Kitongan. For Mountain Province, nine BMs were present: Federico E. Onsat, Randolph T. Awisan, Janice Barillo, Alexandre C. Claver, Alfonso A. Ligos, Jr., Henry D. Bastian, Jr., Joshua B. Fronda and Donato L. Danglose.
Other witnesses include Atty. Cathrine G. Apaling, Provincial Officer of National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) – Kalinga and Tribal Affairs Assistant Juan Falinchao and Engr. Carlito Y.Aiso of NCIP-Mountain Province.
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Tauli thanked the Kalinga delegates for trusting the officials of Mountain Province in resolving the dispute.
“Like our comrades, all we want is to come up with a win-win solution and a peaceful means of resolving the problem. We are sincerely thankful to the province of Kalinga for coming up with this initiative. We assure our utmost support to this endeavor,” Tauli said.
In an interview with Vice Governor Odiem, he said that the joint session was successful because of the cooperation of the concerned tribal elders and leaders and with the support of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan officials of the two provinces.
“We are thankful because the conflicting parties trusted their officials in solving the dispute. We are optimistic that the long-term boundary feud between the tribes of Bugnay and Betwagan will soon come to an end,” Odiem said.
The two Sangguniang Panlalawigan set their next joint meeting on September 12, 2019 to be held in the province of Kalinga. **Novy R. Afidchao
