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But the boundary of Baloi and Iligan City plotted on the survey map of Iligan creates a worse scenario. It aggravated the
current boundary dispute of Baloi and Iligan City. The map of Iligan City shows encroachment upon vast area of the
territory of Baloi affecting the entire land area of Barangay Maria Christina of Baloi (which is even older than Iligan City),
portion of Barangay Nangka and Barangay Buenavista. If Iligan will insist on the survey map, it does not only raise a
question of boundary dispute, but it also brings about an abolition of barangays within the territory of Baloi. I repeat, this is
a worse scenario.
Although the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is not the proper forum to litigate this issue as it
does not have the power to settle boundary dispute, I will take this opportunity to raise our vehement objection to
the result of the survey, let alone its lack of actual taking. Territorial occupation and sovereignty, history, ancient
documents, and landmarks would readily show that the present land area of Barangay Maria Cristina of Baloi is the
old Maria Cristina of the then Municipal District of Momungan. Since its creation as one of the first four barangays
of Momungan, it was never under the jurisdiction of Iligan City, even under the former Municipality of Iligan. Ever
since, the people therein are voting for the election of officials of the then Momungan and now to Baloi; Residents
are paying taxes in the Municipality of Baloi; Almost all lands therein are registered in the Office of the Register of
Deeds of the Province of Lanao del Norte, except the contestedtitle of NPC, which is the Lot 2036, which is
allegedly registered in Iligan City. Verily, the good people of Baloi will not allow anyone to trample their native soil.
By all means necessary, the Municipality will protect its territory.
With this initial background, I find difficulty to see any factual and legal basis that would inspire Iligan City to
claim the areas enclosed and encroached by its survey map. I am afraid, however, that if your office will not rectify
the indication in the map, this might encourage actual occupation, if not encroachment.
After the completion of the report and recommendation of the task force, we will submit a more exhaustive
discussion together with all the pieces of evidence supporting the vested and historical rights of Baloi over the
affected barangays. Anent, I am asking your office to give us not later than 30 days from this writing to submit the
official position paper of the local government of Baloi .
Please accept my indulgence.
Sincerely yours,