Liloan fishermen want to know status of bay

CEBU, Philippines - Liloan town Mayor Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco is negotiating with the owner of a portion of Silot Bay, which has been used as a fishing ground by local folk.

This after residents of barangay Catarman asked during a forum held recently about the status of the bay.

Frasco’s legal consultant, Ely Jumao-as, said that the ownership issue has been settled by the Supreme Court, which ruled the validity of the titles and sales patent of labor leader Democrito Mendoza Sr.

The Supreme Court issued the ruling in 2007 and shortly after that, took control over the property and placed signs warning people that it is a private property.

Frasco explained that he would try to negotiate with Mendoza so people can still fish in some areas of the bay.

One way to go about the issue is to make an appeal before Mendoza to donate a portion of the bay as fishing ground for local residents.

Frasco, however, stressed that no development can be pursued at the bay without a permit from the municipal government despite it being a private property.

Medical consultant Rufo Noval said that long before his father became mayor, the place was declared a communal fishing ground. He said the municipality should take back what it rightfully owns.

But Frasco stressed that he intends to deal with the issue as peacefully as possible, saying they plan to meet with Mendoza to request that people be allowed to fish in the area.

Mendoza acquired a fishpond permit for the bay in 1954. In 1967, former president Ferdinand Marcos ordered that all fishpond areas be released by the Bureau of Forestry to the Bureau of Lands as “alienable and disposable.”

Marcos’ order aimed to accelerate the fishing industry in the country for a sustainable fish production.

In 1973, former mayor Cesar Bugtai objected to Mendoza’s application for sales patent at the disputed area. But the auction and bidding process continued, after which the secretary of natural resources recommended for the awarding of the property to Mendoza.

In 1974, with the approval of Marcos, the property was awarded to Mendoza.

In 1990, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducted an investigation and filed a case for the government to recover the property.

The Regional Trial Court ruled in 1996 in favor of the petitioners, but the Court of Appeals reversed the ruling in 2001. In March 2007, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the CA. — Garry B. Lao/LPM (THE FREEMAN)