Tom lets Talisay fishers fish in Cebu City waters

Mayor Tomas Osmeña has allowed 71 fishermen from Talisay City to fish within the territorial waters of Cebu City.

Osmeña's decision came after former Talisay mayor Dehlia Tiu went to his office yesterday morning bringing a letter asking for consideration.

Osmeña said the city government considered the fishermen's request but they are subject to the conditions of the Cebu City Bantay-Dagat Commission. These fishermen are from barangay Tanke in Talisay.

Osmeña said Talisay was a good neighbor to Cebu City during the time of Tiu but things only turned sour when former Talisay City mayor and now Rep. Eduardo Gullas claimed a portions of the South Reclamation Project, a pet project of Osmeña.

"Ang nagkanihit nga mga isda ug kaming tanan magkahiusa aron mopadangat niining mao nga petisyon, matandog ang kasing-kasing ni Mayor Osmeña ug mohatag og konsiderasyon kanamong mga gagmay nga mananagat sa Tanke, Talisay City," read the letter that came from the Panaghiusa sa mga Gagmayng Mananagat sa Tanke.

The Fisheries Code of 1998 defines municipal water within 15-kilometer radius from the shoreline.

Osmeña has already directed the Bantay Dagat Commission to draft certain conditions for the Talisay fishermen to fish in the territorial jurisdiction of the city. - Garry B. Lao