AURORA PROVINCE PUSHES DIALOGUE ON AURELCO, DINGALAN LAND CONCERNS — Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Eugene De Jesus discusses the provincial government’s initiatives to address electricity concerns involving the Aurora Electric Cooperative (AURELCO) and land tenure issues affecting communities within the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation in Dingalan during a press conference at the Governor’s Conference Hall, Provincial Capitol Building, Barangay Suklayin, Baler, Aurora, on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. The province emphasized transparency, inter-agency coordination and dialogue in addressing community concerns while balancing national security and the welfare of affected residents. (Photo by Jason de Asis)
BALER, Aurora — The provincial government of Aurora is pursuing inter-agency dialogue and legal measures to address land tenure concerns involving residents within the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation (FMMR) in Dingalan, while also seeking solutions to electricity-related complaints raised by consumers across the province.
Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Eugene De Jesus discussed the two issues during a press media conference held Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Governor’s Conference Hall of the Provincial Capitol Building in Barangay Suklayin, this town.
De Jesus said the provincial government, under Governor Isidro P. Galban, has been coordinating with concerned national government agencies and local government units to address the concerns while balancing national security interests with the rights and welfare of affected communities.
Province seeks action on AURELCO concerns
De Jesus said the provincial government conducted a consultative meeting with the Aurora Electric Cooperative (AURELCO) and local government units on July 14 at the Provincial Government of Aurora Conference Room.
The meeting tackled concerns over high electricity rates, solar net metering, fluctuations in electricity supply and the possible acquisition of solar power generators.
During the meeting, Galban emphasized the need for closer cooperation between the provincial government and AURELCO in finding concrete measures to ease the burden of high electricity costs on Aurora households.
The governor also urged AURELCO management to provide the public with clear and comprehensive explanations through social media regarding electricity rate increases and the measures being undertaken to address them.
Galban stressed that accurate and timely information is necessary to prevent misunderstanding and maintain public trust.
Land tenure concerns in Dingalan
Meanwhile, De Jesus discussed the provincial government’s efforts to address the long-standing land tenure concerns involving communities located within the FMMR in Dingalan.
The reservation was established through Presidential Proclamation No. 237, reserving portions of public domain in areas that included parts of present-day Aurora for military purposes.
Based on provincial government data presented during the conference, approximately 2,672 families occupying an estimated 7,074 hectares in five barangays of Dingalan are affected.
These include Caragsacan, with 175 affected families covering about 1,585 hectares; Butas na Bato, 385 families covering 340 hectares; Matawe, 1,100 families covering 3,164 hectares; Ibona, 1,000 families covering 1,770 hectares; and Tanawan, 12 families covering 215 hectares.
De Jesus also cited Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 17, series of 2025, which called on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through the Executive Secretary and Secretary of National Defense, to mediate the land tenure issues in the FMMR.
The resolution also sought the recognition and protection of the rights of farmers, residents, private land claimants, indigenous communities, business owners and tourism stakeholders who have long occupied, cultivated or claimed lands in the area.
Governor seeks amendment of reservation boundary
De Jesus said Galban also wrote President Marcos on Feb. 9, 2026, requesting an audience and dialogue regarding the concerns of residents within portions of the military reservation.
The governor clarified that the provincial government is not seeking the removal of the entire military reservation but is asking for a possible targeted amendment or clarification of its boundaries to recognize long-established civilian communities.
Galban said such an approach could help provide lawful land tenure to affected residents while preserving national defense interests.
The provincial government also forwarded a letter to Acting Environment Secretary Juan Miguel T. Cuna dated June 3, 2026, concerning the proposed amendment of the military reservation boundary by excluding parcels occupied by civilian residents.
De Jesus said the province has likewise coordinated with the Register of Deeds in Baler regarding a special patent issued in favor of the Department of National Defense-Armed Forces of the Philippines covering a parcel in Barangays Butas na Bato and Matawe.
The DENR requested the withdrawal of the patent from the Register of Deeds for correction of the approved survey plan after an overlap with another property was identified.
Maintain status quo, strengthen coordination
During the discussions, participants identified several matters for consideration, including maintaining the status quo in the affected area while pending concerns are being resolved and further guidance is awaited.
They also proposed a follow-up meeting with concerned offices and units to assess the situation and determine appropriate next steps.
The participants emphasized the importance of effective communication between national government agencies and local government units before implementing activities that may affect local communities.
Transparency in government transactions involving public lands and ensuring that affected stakeholders are properly informed were likewise highlighted.
De Jesus said the discussions also recognized the need to balance national security objectives with the constitutional mandate to promote the general welfare of the people.
Peace and development program
The provincial legal officer also reported on the province’s Enhanced Transformation Program Plan for 2026-2028, adopted through Resolution No. 2, series of 2026, during the joint first-quarter meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council, Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council on March 2.
The program, implemented in coordination with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Rehabilitation and Unity (OPAPRU) and other national government agencies, seeks to promote socioeconomic development, security and confidence-building, healing and reconciliation, and sustainable peace.
The resolution directed that the enhanced plan be endorsed to the Provincial Development Council and Sangguniang Panlalawigan for consideration and integration into the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan, Provincial Development and Investment Program and Annual Investment Program.
De Jesus said the province’s continuing efforts demonstrate its commitment to addressing community concerns through dialogue, inter-agency coordination and appropriate legal and administrative mechanisms.The provincial government maintained that resolving the issues requires sustained engagement among national agencies, local governments and affected communities while ensuring that legitimate national security requirements and the rights and welfare of Aurora residents are both taken into consideration. (Jason de Asis)