Davao Norte, Compostela settle legal issues on separation

DAVAO CITY – Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley have finally settled three pending legal issues that would complete the full separation of the two provinces.

Compostela Valley was carved out of Davao del Norte in 1998 through Republic Act 8470, but there were certain issues that remained unresolved.

Compostela Valley Gov. Arthur Uy said the two provinces forged agreements the other day, resolving issues on the proprietorship of a piece of land in Monkayo town, the setting up of a separate provincial rehabilitation center, and the cost of devolved functions.

“This is to perfect the transfer from Davao del Norte to Compostela Valley. We finally feel relieved because now the existence of our province has finally been legitimized with all those issues finally resolved,” Uy said.

Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario told The STAR that there had been a delay in forging the agreements since the details had to be thoroughly reviewed.

“There were other concerns that had to be settled simultaneously with the transfer of the jail facilities, aside from just the turnover of the 90-hectare agricultural development facility in Barangay Pasian in  Monkayo,” Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario said the members of the Davao del Norte provincial board were instrumental in drawing up the details of the agreements, including the deed of donation for the Pasian property.

Uy said the provincial government would continue developing an agricultural and food production facility in the Barangay Pasian property.

“Now, we will be solely responsible for Pasian,” Uy said.

Del Rosario also cited the importance of the turnover of the cost of devolved functions in the internal revenue allotment (IRA), specifically on shares from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“The sharing had to be reviewed. Nothing happened in the last three years. And when I came back I advised Gov. Uy that we should work on it already,” he said.

Uy said he also welcomed the long-delayed transfer of inmates with cases in Compostela Valley from the Davao del Norte Provincial Rehabilitation Center in Tagum City.

“As to the jail, the Local Government Code provides that local government units must establish their own (detention facilities) within two years. We shall start the construction of a new jail facility in the province early next year,” Uy said.

Uy said he can now work on the full development of Compostela Valley, especially now that the legal issues with Davao del Norte have finally been settled.

“We could now move forward with everything in place now and nothing is left hanging with Davao del Norte,” he added.