DAVAO CITY — Results of the 2015 Cadastral Survey, particularly the output for the Province of Lanao del Sur, were presented by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) – BARMM through the Land Management Services (LMS) on 25 August 2022.

Local Chief Executives from the 46 Local Government Units (LGUs) in Lanao del Sur took part in the presentation and were oriented on their respective delineated boundaries as provided in the survey program.

“The main flagship platform of the government of the day is moral governance and the very important element of it is consultation, so we want to consult and involve you in the process by presenting to you the output of the cadastral survey and eventually soliciting inputs and comments,” said Bangsamoro Director General Atty. Badr E. Salendab.

The presentation was programmed by the LMS to create a space for these LGUs to air their comments and feedbacks, which should be written formally through the LMS before forwarding to the Land Management Bureau (LMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Environment Minister Akmad A. Brahim shared that “As we move forward, we envisioned creating a just and efficient resolution of land issues that is central to sustainable peace and security in the region.”

Engr. Genalyn E. Verbo presented the background of the 2015 Cadastral Survey Program. She, along with LMB Assistant Director Engr. Romeo P. Versoza, Geodetic Survey Assistant Division Chief Engr. Beato L. Cefre, Jr., and Atty. Romarie L. Abrazaldo represented the LMB in the panel discussion while Engr. Renato Esperanza represented the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) and presented the Technical Validation of 2019 LMB-Certified Masterlist of Land Areas.

Engr. Salipada H. Quituar, Jr. presented the 2015 Cadastral Survey output in the province of Lanao del Sur containing the actual delineated political boundaries and their contested areas.

The Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur, through Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid Raki-in Adiong, assured that they support this endeavor which will be beneficial to the constituents of the province. “It may put an end to our long concern on boundary issues within the province and between our neighboring provinces,” underscored by Vice Governor Adiong. However, as fully backed by the local chief executives, the province of Lanao del Sur requests for a revalidation of the cadastral survey which should be inclusive and participatory to ensure validated response from the participants.

“The purpose of the Cadastral Survey, which has been undertaken, is to define boundaries of each LGU, and if cases may arise, the Local Government Code of 1991 or Republic Act No. 7160 may prevail,” shared by LMB Assistant Director Engr. Romeo P. Versoza.

LMS Director Eshan Karl O. Mabang assured the LGUs that the Environment Ministry will do its utmost efforts and said that “The MENRE-LMS and DENR-LMB are your allies in this undertaking, and if it requires revisiting the technical description of your respective LGUs, we will work together on this.”

PENRE Officer For. Asmarie M. Labao concurred with the messages of Minister Brahim, BDG Atty. Salendab, and LMS Director Mabang and emphasized that “We should work together as partners as this will benefit the future generations of Lanao del Sur.”

This is the second scheduled presentation of the 2015 Cadastral Survey Results after the Maguindanao province.