Benguet-Ilocos Sur boundary dispute settled

CERANTES, Ilocos Sur, Philippines — A decades-old boundary dispute between the municipalities of Cervantes in Ilocos Sur and Mankayan in Benguet has finally been settled. This developed after a resolution to amicably settle the conflict was passed, ending the long-running dispute between the two municipalities. Officials of both municipalities hailed the settlement as a breakthrough, saying that continuous dialogues and cooperation enabled them to find a mutually acceptable solution to the problem. The settlement is expected to facilitate smoother governance in areas along the border, and strengthen relations between neighboring communities. Ilocos Sur board member Pablito Sanidad Jr., who chairs the provincial council committee on boundary disputes, described the settlement as a historic milestone. Sanidad said the resolution showed that territorial conflicts could be resolved through a “win-win” approach rather than prolonging the conflict. “I hope that we will finally resolve other boundary disputes in this manner with neighboring provinces,” Sanidad said.