DENR asked: Implement findings on boundary

CEBU, Philippines - Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Head Secretary Adelino Sitoy has asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to implement its terminal report on the boundary of the municipality of Cordova and Lapu-Lapu City.

This, after the DENR found out that the “Pilipog and Gabi Rivers are within the municipality of Cordova” but the Terminal Report Political Boundary Survey and the Final Political Boundary Map have not been implemented due to the refusal of Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza to agree and sign the document.

In his letter dated April 25, 2017 addressed to DENR-7 officer-in-charge Emma Melana, Sitoy cited the duly notarized terminal report signed by Geodetic Engineer/Contractor Fernando Gurrea on September 29, 2014 as the basis of his request.

The Preliminary Political Boundary Map was posted in the municipal hall of Cordova from June 19, 2014 to July 19, 2014 and copy of which was also furnished to the City of Lapu-Lapu for their comment, objection and or confirmation.

An exit conference was also conducted on August 28, 2014 ruled to adopt the approved cadastral survey boundary of Lapu-Lapu as the Municipal Boundary line between Cordova and Lapu-Lapu City.

However, when the final map was presented to the city for its conformity, Radaza still refused to sign for the reason that the city is not amenable to the DENR’s opinion, thus the undersigned executed an affidavit as required by DENR for the acceptance and approval of the survey.

During the appearance of DENR-7 Regional Technical Director Eduardo M. Inting before the Provincial Board on April 10, he emphatically told the PB members that there was no need for Radaza to sign or approve the survey because the result thereof is already the finding of DENR-7.

“In view of the foregoing, it is hereby requested that the aforecited Terminal Report be now fully implemented,” read Sitoy’s letter.

Radaza earlier said the city government will be making a representation with the Office of the President to further assess the matter as she has yet to update herself since she returned to work after a 90-day preventive suspension. (FREEMAN)