The local government of Guimaras will be requested to suspend their arrest of Bacolod fishermen until the actual delineation of boundaries of the territorial waters of Guimaras and Bacolod City, Bacolod Councilor Caesar Distrito said yesterday.
At a public hearing at the Bacolod City Government Center, Distrito said an admission was made that when the territorial water boundaries of Bacolod and its neighboring local government was delineated, Guimaras was not involved. Distrito, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government, said he will propose that the SP request the mayor to take the initial step and for the SP of Bacolod and Guimaras to meet and delineate the territorial boundaries of the two LGU’s. He said they have suggested that fishermen continue fishing within the shorelines of Bacolod that clearly fall under its territorial waters. Barangay 1 Kagawad Cesar Jarina said they have requested the SP to suspend the apprehension of fishermen until the boundary is determined, or many will go hungry. Because they were threatened that they will be caught and jailed even if they are within the territorial waters of Bacolod, they have stopped fishing, he said. Fisherman caught are fined P2,500 each, he added. City Agriculturist Goldwyn Nifras said the fishermen who have been fishing for so long in the area somehow already know where the boundary of Bacolod and Guimaras is. They suggested that the fishermen make a formal complaint so the city can make formal representation with the mayor and with the local government of Buenavista, Guimaras. Nifras said a similar thing happened in the past years but it was resolved. But the problem surfaced again probably because the Bantay Dagat of Guimaras has new personnel, he said. Present at the public hearing yesterday were Councilors Carl Lopez, El Cid Familiaran and Em Legaspi-Ang, the Bacolod Coast Guard led by Lt. Commander Godofredo Vagilidad, Barangay 1 officials and the affected fishermen.*CGS BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan Daily Star
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