Ilocos Sur, La Union settle boundary dispute

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Philippines – The neighboring provinces of La Union and Ilocos Sur on Thursday ended their century-old boundary feud, after their officials signed a settlement agreement at the capitol here.

Officials of the two provinces agreed that their boundary would be the borderline established along the Amburayan River, which divides the towns of Sudipen in La Union and Tagudin in Ilocos Sur.

The borderline was put up by a composite team led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“The technical description of the DENR, together with the proposed map of the borderline along the river separating the two towns were accepted and adopted by the parties as the true and correct boundary,” the agreement said.

Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Singson said the agreement was a win-win solution to the boundary dispute.

“The agreement will bring economic gains for both provinces and avoid the long process in court,” Singson said.

Aside from Singson, those who signed the agreement were La Union Gov. Manuel Ortega, Tagudin Mayor Jose Bonua, Sudipen Mayor Wendy Joy Buquing and DENR regional director Paquito Moreno.

“We are glad that the dispute has been resolved. We have no more problems on quarrying and fishing. We already know our boundaries,” Buquing said.