DAVAO CITY — Technical assistance is assured to be facilitated for the resolution of the contested land areas, says the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) – BARMM during the presentation of the 2015 Cadastral Survey results to the Municipal Local Government Units of Tawi-Tawi province.

The consultation on the survey results nears completion as there’s only one province left which the Land Management Services (LMS) of the MENRE has to present the 2015 Cadastral Survey to—the province of Basilan. Since the beginning, the issue on contested areas between and among municipalities has been raised and ideally calls for an amicable settlement for the parties concerned.

“Land-related issues, including conflicts over land, affect nations worldwide. Working on sustainability issues through the lens of land is key to finding integrated and long-lasting solutions to reducing poverty and boosting shared prosperity,” MENRE Minister Akmad A. Brahim said as delivered by LMS Director Eshan Karl O. Mabang.

“We all know that Cadastral Survey is crucial because it concerns the land area of a local government unit. This land area is considered in determining the allocations of the Internal Revenue Allotment by the Department of Budget and Management in pursuant to Local Government Code of 1991,” Tawi-Tawi Governor Yshmael I. Sali highlighted through a message read by Provincial ENRE Officer Jonel Mohammad I. Monel, adding that the Governor fully supports the cause of the 2015 Cadastral Survey presentation.

“Rest assured that the MENRE will facilitate technical assistance in the resolution of these concerns hounding the conduct of political boundary delineation project,” added Tawi-Tawi Community ENRE Officer Abdulmukim J. Maruji.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Land Management Bureau (LMB) Assistant Director Engr. Romeo P. Verzosa also supports the series of 2015 Cadastral Survey presentation to BARMM provinces as the DENR envisions an orderly discussion of this matter on land administration and that proper validation and guidance will be provided to the MLGUs.

The 2015 Cadastral Survey presentation to BARMM provinces is initiated by MENRE-LMS. Director Mabang reiterated that its main purpose is to consult with the participating municipalities regarding the cadastrally surveyed area versus their claimed area prior to this. It is indeed high time that this will be presented to the BARMM LGUs since it has already been about seven years since the Cadastral Survey was implemented and completed.

At the near end of September, the province of Tawi-Tawi will celebrate its 49th founding anniversary. Mayor Wasilah T. Abdurahman of Simunul Municipality hopes that “before Tawi-Tawi turns 50, we will be able to find a unified solution for all these issues and that these contested areas will be resolved.”