FOR TONDALIGAN LAND

A resolution was passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) authorizing the Dagupan City government to enter into a special use agreement with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for a 1,000 square meter land within the Tondaligan Ferdinand National Park where the agency will build a Satellite Office and Forensic Facility.

Authored by Councilor Luis Samson Jr., the resolution states that the park is a property under the management of the city government, where a suitable parcel of land can be identified and allocated to NBI without compromising its use as a public rest and recreational space.

Under the National Integrated  Protected  Areas System (NIPAS) Act, as amended by Republic Act 11038, the use of a portion of a public parkland must be covered by a legal instrument such as a Deed of Usufruct or Special Use Agreement to ensure continued public ownership and proper monitoring of the project.

Samson said there is an urgent need to provide the NBI with a site for its permanent office and forensic facility in Dagupan City to ensure speedy access to investigative services, strengthen law enforcement efforts, and better service to Dagupan and nearby municipalities.

Had the SP not given the authorization for the city government to enter into usufruct with NBI, the latter would have pulled out of its present office on Poblacion Oeste, which has become too small for its operations, and move to Urdaneta City.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago came to Dagupan to talk to Mayor Belen Fernandez on the bureau’s need for adequate space.

The Sanggunian directed the City Engineer’s Office and the City Planning and Development Office to identify the exact location and prepare the technical description and site development plan, which will form part of the usufruct agreement. (Leonardo Micua)