Survey to settle boundary row

CEBU - The towns of Aloguinsan and Pinamungajan in western Cebu have agreed to send representatives to a survey intended to finally determine the official boundary between the two municipalities.

The survey, which will be conducted by the Provincial Planning and Development Office, is necessary because the royal decree that indicates the boundaries between the two towns could not be located, said PPDO chief Adolfo Quiroga.

Aloguinsan used to be part of Pinamungajan until the early 18th Century but was later separated in 1886 through a decree from the king of Spain.

Leonardo Sibbaluca, regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said the boundary dispute could not be resolved unless the survey would be conducted.

Without establishing the official boundary, both towns could not get their Internal Revenue Allotment.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia initiated the survey after a controversy over a welcome banner arouse during the first Suroy-Suroy Midwestern Tour.

Capitol will set the date of the survey upon Garcia’s return from Swaziland where she is attending a commemoration of the country’s independence.

The point of contention is the Tutay River between the two towns with a dry part, which Pinamungajan said under its jurisdiction. However, Aloguinsan said the dry area claimed by Pinamungajan is allegedly never part of the river. — Garry B. Lao/JMO (THE FREEMAN)