Local Government says municipal boundaries de-lineation in Benque Viejo yet to be taken for public review

Posted: Thursday, January 26, 2023. 1:26 pm CST.

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: The Department of Local Government says that following Cabinet’s decision in July 2021, it resumed activities to complete the Municipal Boundaries Re-Delineation Exercise that began in 2012.

Under Section 2 of the Town Council Act, the Minister of Local Government is responsible for the declaration of municipal boundaries.

The Department noted that 7 of 9 municipalities are currently engaged in a process for the re-delineation of their respective municipal jurisdiction.

The clear delineation of municipal boundaries is an important element of local governance as it provides the legal basis for the provision of municipal services, collection of revenue, municipal elections, enforcement of local regulations and by-laws, and the general good governance and administration of the local space.

“In the implementation of the re-delineation exercise, the Department of Local Government with the support of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Elections and Boundaries Department is engaging with key stakeholders, including town councils, respective village councils and communities where there are no readily distinguishable boundaries or where traditional boundary lines are not definitive,” the department said.

With relations to the boundaries of Benque Viejo Town boundaries, the department said that 2 meetings between the Benque Viejo Town Council and the Succotz Village Council have been convened to review the proposed re-delineation of the Benque Viejo Town boundary.

A meeting was reportedly held on December 19, 2022 whereby the Succotz Village Council was represented by the chairperson and 3 councillors. The Benque Viejo Town Council was represented by the mayor and 3 councillors.

During this meeting, it was decided that the proposed delineation be revisited and re-proposed in consideration that all lands, dwellings, properties and other public and private assets that are traditionally known to be a part of the respective communities remain as is and/or clearly delineated for the elimination of any doubt as to which jurisdiction they belong to.

The Department further clarified that a subsequent meeting of the parties is yet to be convened to validate the revised proposition before the matter is to be taken for public review in both communities before its final confirmation.  

There is no final declaration of new municipal boundaries for any of the 7 participating municipalities, the department reiterated.

Local Government says municipal boundaries de-lineation in Benque Viejo yet to be taken for public review

The Department of Local Government says that following Cabinet’s decision in July 2021, it resumed activities to complete the Municipal Boundaries Re-Delineation Exercise that began in 2012.

Under Section 2 of the Town Council Act, the Minister of Local Government is responsible for the declaration of municipal boundaries.

The Department noted that 7 of 9 municipalities are currently engaged in a process for the re-delineation of their respective municipal jurisdiction.

The clear delineation of municipal boundaries is an important element of local governance as it provides the legal basis for the provision of municipal services, collection of revenue, municipal elections, enforcement of local regulations and by-laws, and the general good governance and administration of the local space.

“In the implementation of the re-delineation exercise, the Department of Local Government with the support of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Elections and Boundaries Department is engaging with key stakeholders, including town councils, respective village councils and communities where there are no readily distinguishable boundaries or where traditional boundary lines are not definitive,” the department said.

With relations to the boundaries of Benque Viejo Town boundaries, the department said that 2 meetings between the Benque Viejo Town Council and the Succotz Village Council have been convened to review the proposed re-delineation of the Benque Viejo Town boundary.

A meeting was reportedly held on December 19, 2022 whereby the Succotz Village Council was represented by the chairperson and 3 councillors. The Benque Viejo Town Council was represented by the mayor and 3 councillors.

During this meeting, it was decided that the proposed delineation be revisited and re-proposed in consideration that all lands, dwellings, properties and other public and private assets that are traditionally known to be a part of the respective communities remain as is and/or clearly delineated for the elimination of any doubt as to which jurisdiction they belong to.

The Department further clarified that a subsequent meeting of the parties is yet to be convened to validate the revised proposition before the matter is to be taken for public review in both communities before its final confirmation.  

There is no final declaration of new municipal boundaries for any of the 7 participating municipalities, the department reiterated.

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