By Rachel Magday
BAYOMBONG,Nueva Vizcaya –“Thank you for your P200 million donation for Brgy Malico, Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya,” declared Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito in response to Governor Ramon V. Guico III of Pangasinan’s recent challenge. Governor Guico had urged Nueva Vizcaya to match the PHP 200 million allocated for development before claiming ownership of Malico, a barangay that has long been a point of contention between Sta. Fe,Nueva Vizcaya and San Nicolas,Pangasinan.
In a local media interview, Governor Gambito emphasized that the boundary dispute over Malico has already been resolved, asserting that the barangay is officially part of Nueva Vizcaya.
He pointed out that the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources(DENR) had delineated the boundaries through a mutually agreed-upon survey, formalized in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by both parties.
“There is no longer any boundary dispute to discuss,” Gambito stated firmly. “The NAMRIA delineation has settled the issue, and it was based on a memorandum of agreement that both parties fully perfected and signed.”
Gambito further defended the legitimacy of the agreement, asserting that no laws were violated during the process.
“The contract has been consummated, as the completed NAMRIA survey has already delineated the boundaries. There is nothing left to do but respect the results of this agreement. Everything is now a fait accompli.”
Highlighting the cultural significance of Malico, Gambito noted that it is an ancestral domain of the Kalanguya tribe, an Indigenous Peoples (IP) group native to Nueva Vizcaya. He stressed the importance of respecting the rights and heritage of the Kalanguya people in any discussions regarding the area.
Additionally, he mentioned that the source of electricity for Malico comes from the Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative, further solidifying the barangay’s connection to the province.
Gambito also noted that provincial officials of Nueva Vizcaya have not neglected Malico in terms of developmental projects.
He highlighted that it was under the leadership of then-Congressman Carlos M. Padilla that the initiative was taken to open and eventually concrete the Nueva Vizcaya-Pangasinan Road.
The completion of this road has paved the way for Malico’s tourism potential, making it more accessible to visitors and enhancing economic opportunities for the local community.
While Gambito expressed gratitude for the P200 million donation, he also voiced concerns regarding Pangasinan’s potential investments in Malico.
He warned that such actions could lead to allegations of technical malversation.
“If Pangasinan invests in Malico, they would be spending public funds in a territory that falls within the jurisdiction of another local government unit,” he cautioned.
“This is a friendly reminder to Governor Guico to carefully consider their plans, as they may expose themselves to legal complications.”
According to Gambito, he views the P200 million as a donation because Pangasinan cannot undertake projects in Malico, given that it is not part of their jurisdiction.
Gambito further reminded Governor Guico that engaging in projects in an area not under their administrative control could be in violation of regulations set forth by the Commission on Audit (COA)
