List of internal boundary disputes in the Philippines

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The following is a list of territorial disputes between two or more local government units (LGUs) over an area in the Philippines. Section 118 of the Local Government Code of the Philippines provides mechanism to resolve boundary disputes among barangays, municipalities, cities, and provinces. ^[1]

Unresolved disputes

Territory	Claimants	Notes
Areas south of Bonifacio Global City	Pinagsama , Fort Bonifacio, Ususan, Western Bicutan Post Proper Southside (Taguig)	The area, which consists of Manila American Cemetery and villages south of it, are claimed by Barangay Post Proper Southside. Even after the barangay's transfer of jurisdiction from Makati to Taguig in 2023 as a result of the Supreme Court ruling, the dispute persisted. The claimed area overlaps with Barangays Pinagsama, Ususan, Western Bicutan, and Fort Bonifacio. Post Proper Southside's de facto territory consists of multiple exclaves across the villages in Pinagsama, and the neighborhood along Consular Road inside BGC, where its Barangay Hall and Health Center are also located. On January 11, 2024, the barangay captain of Post Proper Southside had met with the captains of Pinagsama and Ususan as well as DILG Taguig to discuss the solution for this territorial dispute. [ citation needed ]
Baesa (Caloocan–Quezon City Boundary)	Caloocan Quezon City	The boundary line in Baesa has yet to be resolved between the two cities. [2]
Caloocan–San Jose del Monte Boundary	Caloocan San Jose del Monte	Portions of Pangarap Village and Bankers Village that are once part of Tala Estate are claimed by San Jose del Monte. The lack of jurisdiction of the Commission on Settlement of Land Problems (COSLAP) resulted to the nullification of its decision. No significant updates since it was docketed on October 23, 2006. [3]
Bagac–Mariveles boundary	Bagac, Bataan Mariveles, Bataan	The boundary of two Bataan towns, Bagac and Mariveles has been the subject of a boundary dispute involving a 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi) plot of land. The land is situated between barangay Biaan of Mariveles and barangay Quinawan of Bagac. The private owner of the land reportedly pays taxes to the Mariveles local government. [4]
Bangui–Vintar boundary	Bangui, Ilocos Sur Vintar, Ilocos Sur	The boundary between the two towns involves land covering an area of 10.4996 km2 (4.0539 sq mi). In 1995, a memorandum of agreement was signed between the two towns resolving the boundary dispute in favor of Bangui. However, Vintar officials later said that there were "discrepancies" during the signing of the agreement. [5]
Benguet–Ilocos Sur boundary	Benguet Ilocos Sur	The provincial borders between the towns of Mankayan in Benguet and Cervantes in Ilocos Sur are disputed which involves 1.47 km2 (0.57 sq mi) of overlapping land. The boundaries of Sugpon, Ilocos Sur and the Benguet towns of Bakun and Kibungan are also contested. [6]
Bucarot	Adams, Ilocos Norte Calanasan, Apayao	The sitio is currently administered by Adams, Ilocos Norte but is claimed by the neighboring town of Calanasan in Apayao. Calanasan has appointed its own set of officials for the sitio and has also funded infrastructure in the contested area. [7] [8]
Calumpang	Mabalacat, Pampanga Bamban, Tarlac	Barangay Calumpang in the Sacobia area is contested by the two towns. Voter residents of the area are registered in Mabalacat and pay taxes to the town. Bamban claims Calumpang as a sitio of its San Vicente barangay and that Calumpang falls on the Tarlac side of the Sacobia River. [9]
Cavinti-Kalayaan-Lumban boundary	Cavinti, Laguna Kalayaan, Laguna Lumban, Laguna	The Barangay Map of Cavinti indicates that the northeastern portion of Cavinti extends to the areas claimed by the municipalities of Lumban and Kalayaan as part of Barangay Lumot.
Elizabeth, Ferdinand, and portions of Cacafean	Marcos, Ilocos Norte Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte	The barangays of Ferdinand, Elizabeth, and parts of Cacafean are contested by the two Ilocos Norte towns. In 2017, Nueva Era laid claim to the disputed areas before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Ilocos Norte, which later ruled that the barangays are part of Nueva Era. This decision was supported by the Supreme Court. However the ruling of the decision is yet to be implemented as of February 2018. [10]
Fort Bonifacio area (Bonifacio Global City and Embo barangays) and Barangays Buting, San Joaquin and Kalawaan	Pasig Taguig Pateros Makati (former)	Pateros lays claim to Bonifacio Global City and the Embo barangays, which were disputed between Makati and Taguig but later ruled by the Supreme Court to be under the latter's jurisdiction. Pateros also claims the same area along with three barangays in Pasig, namely Buting, San Joaquin, and Kalawaan. Pateros was allowed to pursue its claim by the Supreme Court despite its ruling involving Makati and Taguig. [11]
Liwagao Island	Caluya, Antique Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro	Bulalacao claims that Liwagao is part of its territory as per Presidential Decree No. 1801 of then-President Ferdinand Marcos and that Caluya has only "borrowed" Liwagao which was pursuing fugitives hiding in the island.
Malico	Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya San Nicolas, Pangasinan	Boundary dispute between the two municipalities. Santa Fe claims the territory of barangay Malico in San Nicolas. [12] The Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Board passed a resolution on September 21, 2022 urging San Nicolas officials to respect a memorandum of agreement between the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), Pangasinan and Nueva Vizcaya about twenty years ago. [13] Both municipalities in both provinces have a barangay named Malico. [14]
Saguitlang	Sison, Pangasinan Tuba, Benguet	The sitio of Saguitlang spans an area of 15.6 km2 (6.0 sq mi). [15]
Sitio Bagong Silang	Muntinlupa Parañaque	The sitio of Bagong Silang occupies a former property of National Power Corporation spanning an area of 4.1 km2 (1.6 sq mi). [16] It is currently under the jurisdiction of Barangay Sucat, Muntinlupa and is disputed with Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque. [17]

Past disputes

Territory	Claimant	Dispute started	Dispute settled	Notes
Boston–Lingig boundary	Boston, Davao Oriental Lingig, Surigao del Sur	1992	2020	Davao Oriental and Surigao del Sur settled a boundary dispute between their two towns; Boston (Davao Oriental) and Lingig (Surigao del Sur). The dispute was resolved through a common ordinance passed by the two provincial governments which delineate the boundaries between the two towns ceding territory in favor of Boston excluding existing build-up areas under Barangay Rajah Cabungsuan of Lingig, Surigao del Sur. 26 km2 (10 sq mi) out of the 60 km2 (23 sq mi) disputed territory is determined to be under Davao Oriental. [18] [19]
Bagu–Cabiten boundary	Bagu, Bakun, Benguet Cabiten, Mankayan, Benguet	–	2015	Border dispute between the barangays of Bagu in Bakun town and Cabiten in Mankayan town. Both of the towns are part of Benguet province. Efforts to resolve the dispute date as early as 1999 during the tenures of Bakun Mayor Tico Dalmones of Bakun and Mankayan Mayor Manalo Galuten. [20] Five corners were identified in as demarcating points of the barangay borders. The dispute was resolved in 2015. [21]
Cabagsac–Pinpin boundary	Cabagsac, Pampanga Pinpin, Pampanga	–	1700s	Two towns in Pampanga province had a land dispute which was settled in court in favor of Cabagsac. Cabagsac was renamed as San Luis after the wife of the lawyer which represented the town in the land dispute. Pinpin is now known as Santa Ana. [9]
Caloocan–Malabon boundary	Libis Baesa, Caloocan Potrero, Malabon	2001	2014	Both the city governments of Caloocan and Malabon agreed to develop 80 hectares (200 acres) of disputed land, preempting any court decisions. This dispute began when Malabon became a highly urbanized city, taking over the lands formerly part of Caloocan. [22]
Sudipen–Tagudin boundary	Sudipen, La Union Tagudin, Ilocos Sur	–	2015	A century-old boundary dispute between the towns of Sudipen, La Union and Tagudin, Ilocos Sur was resolved in 2015. The towns agreed on a boundary established along the Amburayan River. [23]
Bicutan Market and Interchange (Parañaque–Taguig boundary)	San Martin de Porres, Parañaque North Daang Hari, Taguig	2001	2001?	The area has been under the de facto administration of Parañaque since the dialogue. [24]
Cotabato City	Bangsamoro Cotabato City (claims not to be part of Bangsamoro)	2019	2023	Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi has opposed the inclusion of Cotabato City (formerly part of the Soccsksargen region) in the Bangsamoro after most of its residents favored to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law in the 2019 plebiscite which created the autonomous region. Guiani-Sayadi filed an electoral protest seeking to nullify the results claiming that residents who opposed the law were prevented to vote due to threats and intimidation from supporters and attempted to delay the turnover of the city to the Bangsamoro regional government. [25] Guiani-Sayadi lost to Bruce Matabalao in the 2022 mayoral elections. [26] The new city council under the Matabalao's administration formally affirmed Cotabato City's inclusion while the petition by the former city administration was pending. [27] The Supreme Court affirmed the city being part of the autonomous region in January 2023 and found insufficient evidence to support fraud which allegedly happened during the plebiscite. [28]
Fort Bonifacio area (Bonifacio Global City and Embo barangays)	Taguig Makati	1993 [29]	2023	Includes the Bonifacio Global City and the EMBO (Enlisted Men's Barrio) barangays, which is recognized by the Supreme Court of the Philippines as part of Taguig.
Ambos Camarines-Tayabas Boundary (East Quezon) Kagtalaba Plaridel (also called Macahadoc) Kabuluan (also spelled as Cabuluan following Tayabas Tagalog) Don Tomas Guitol Tabugon Maulawin Patag Ibaba Patag Iraya (also spelled Ilaya in Tayabas Tagalog)	Santa Elena, Camarines Norte Calauag, Quezon	1930s	2001	In October 1991, Quezon Governor Eduardo Rodriguez and Calauag Mayor Julio Lim caused the removal of the marker. Throughout the proceedings, Government agencies including the Department of Budget and Management, COMELEC, and the National Statistics Office recognized the jurisdiction of the town of Santa Elena, Camarines Norte over the 9 barangays. In 2000, Judge Regino held Governor Rodriguez and Mayor Lim guilty of contempt, with a maximum imprisonment of 6 months as well as a fine of ₱1,000 for the erection of a new boundary marker. [30] Gateway to Bicolandia Boundary Arch was constructed to replace the former boundary mark.

References

1. Sison, Jose (August 19, 2003). "Boundary disputes". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
2. "Bautista: Clear QC boundary disputes". ManilaStandard.net. December 14, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
3. G.R. No. 142601 (October 23, 2006), National Housing Authority vs. Commission on the Settlement of Land Problems, Municipality of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Sps. Angel and Rosario Cruz, Rufino Laan, Rufino Laan Santos, Andres Nepomuceno, Sps. Alberto and Herminia Hagos, Leon Guilalas, Sps. Oscar and Haydee Badillo, Lawphil, retrieved May 1, 2024
4. "Bataan wants to settle LGUs' decades-old land dispute". Philippine News Agency. February 29, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
5. Adriano, Leilanie (December 1, 2017). "2 Ilocos Norte towns told to settle boundary dispute amicably". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
6. Catajan, Maria Elena (October 16, 2017). "Hearing to resolve Benguet–Ilocos boundary dispute set". Sun Star Baguio. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
7. "Ilocos Norte board files complaint vs Apayao mayor over territorial dispute". Businessweek Mirror. April 9, 2014. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
8. Adriano, Leilanie (January 19, 2018). "A tale of two provinces: Who owns Bucarot?". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
9. Tantingco, Robby (January 13, 2014). "Tantinggo: Calumpang and other border disputes". Sunstar. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
10. Adriano, Leilanie (February 16, 2018). "Town execs want immediate implementation of boundary case decision". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
11. San Juan, Joel (12 May 2023). "Supreme Court gives Pateros say in land row". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
12. Cardinoza, Gabriel (30 September 2022). "Barangay torn between Pangasinan, NVizcaya". The Manila Times. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
13. Cardinoza, Gabriel (8 October 2022). "Pangasinan gov: We own Malico". The Manila Times. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
14. Cardinoza, Gabriel L. (5 October 2022). "Malico residents say they belong to Pangasinan". The Manila Times. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
15. Micua, Leonardo (October 23, 2017). "Pangasinan-Benguet dispute over sitio heats up". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
16. Executive Order No. 68, s. 2002 (January 20, 2002), Authorizing the National Power Corporation to Dispose of Its 4.1 Hectare Property Located in Sitio Bagong Silang, Sucat, Muntinlupa City to Its Bona Fide Occupants , retrieved August 26, 2023
17. Cueto, Francis Earl (August 19, 2023). "Muntinlupa, Parañaque in land dispute, too". The Manila Times. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
18. "Surigao, Davao provinces settle boundary dispute". BusinessWorld. February 9, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
19. Francisco, Carmelito (February 7, 2020). "DavOr, Surigao Sur finally settle decades-old boundary dispute". Mindanao Times. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
20. "Barangays settle boundary dispute". Sun Star Baguio. July 6, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
21. Catajan, Maria Elena (July 22, 2015). "PB commends Bakun-Mankayan villages". Sun Star Baguio. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
22. Bajo, Ramil; Galupo, Rey (June 18, 2014). "Caloocan, Malabon settle land row". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
23. Elias, Jun (November 7, 2015). "Ilocos Sur, La Union settle boundary dispute". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
24. Aravilla, J. (November 12, 2001). "Parañaque, Taguig to meet on Bicutan market jurisdiction". The Philippine Star . Retrieved March 12, 2020.
25. Arguillas, Carolyn (February 17, 2020). "Cotabato City seeks exclusion from BARMM until June 30, 2022". MindaNews. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
26. Unson, John (11 May 2022). "Cotabato City has new mayor, vice mayor". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
27. Rebollido, Rommel (22 July 2022). "Councilors affirm Cotabato City's inclusion to BARMM". MindaNews. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
28. "Cotabato City part of BARMM, high court affirms". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
29. San Juan, Joel (12 May 2023). "Supreme Court gives Pateros say in land row". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
30. "Province of Camarines Norte vs Province of Quezon : 80796 : October 11, 2001 : J. Sandoval-Gutierrez : En Banc". Archived from the original on 2016-10-12.