Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9353)
The primary purpose of Republic Act No. 9353 is to include certain parcels of lands acquired by accretion as part of the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Sipalay, amending Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9027 which converted the Municipality of Sipalay into a component city.
The territorial jurisdiction affected by RA 9353 is that of the City of Sipalay in the Province of Negros Occidental.
The City of Sipalay is bounded on the North by the Municipality of Cauayan, on the East by the Municipality of Candoni, on the South by the Municipality of Hinoba-an, and on the West by the Sulu Sea.
Accretion refers to the gradual and natural increase of land area by the accumulation of soil or sediments along the shore or riverbanks, which in this case, results in new land parcels that become part of the City of Sipalay's territory.
RA 9353 includes three specific parcels of land acquired by accretion as part of the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Sipalay.
The parcels of land acquired by accretion, together with appurtenances, belong to the City of Sipalay and may be sold or leased under rules and regulations promulgated by the city government.
The Land Registration Authority is mandated to issue separate titles for the parcels of lands acquired by accretion within one year from the approval of the Act.
RA 9353 states that its provisions are without prejudice to the resolution by the appropriate agency or forum of existing boundary disputes or cases involving questions of territorial jurisdiction between the City of Sipalay and adjoining local government units.
Republic Act No. 9353 took effect upon its approval on September 26, 2006.
The parcels of land have reserved areas such as a 20-meter-wide salvage zone, a 40-meter-wide bank protection, environmental protection zones, and easements as noted in the detailed descriptions of each parcel.