Luna, Apayao—Consultation series to settle disputes among landowners continue in Luna, Apayao today, April 19, 2023, courtesy of the Task Force LUSA (Lawful and Unified initiatives in Safeguarding Apayao lands).
TF-LUSA’s encounter with landowners in Sitio Bayugao in an effort to provide venue among parties involved in notably long-standing land disputes to peacefully resolve their issues here was led by Provincial Administrator Atty. Edmar D. Pascua.
The activity was held with the presence of Luna, Mayor Josephine Bangsil, Local Government Unit (LGU)-Luna officials, and representatives from various task-force members-agencies.
Conflicting claims to the same pieces of land have led to disputes, which in turn have caused tension among residents, the Provincial Assessors Office (PAssO) said, but Atty. Pascua hopes to properly resolve them the soonest through the task-force, in a consultative manner.
Pascua said that by means of working together, parties could save time and resources as mediation and settlement could rule out the possibility of bringing them up to the courts.
To guide each and clarify issues of the landowners, TF-LUSA task force also brought with them the province’s updated tax map, showing graphically all properties within the area including its registered owners.
Several proposals were put forward during the meeting, including the creation of a land registry and the establishment of a dispute resolution mechanism.
On the other hand, participants emphasized the need for transparency and fairness in the process of settling land ownership disputes. This was addressed by Atty. Pascua saying, "We are committed to working with all stakeholders to find a fair and equitable solution to the problem of land ownership in Sitio Bayugao," he said adding that task force LUSA was created to solve such matters.
"We hope that this is the first step towards resolving the issue of land ownership in your Barangay," he said.
The consultative meeting gained commitment from all participants in working with the Task Force in bringing appropriate solutions to their problems. Task force LUSA, led by PAssO meanwhile pledged to lead in the crafting of an action plan to be presented to the LGU Luna for their inputs.
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