Talisay aims to fix fishermen's woes

CEBU, Philippines - In the hope of ending the animosity that exists between fishermen and bantay dagat personnel from other local government units, a Talisay City minority councilor yesterday filed a motion requesting for a dialogue with Cordova and Cebu City.

Talisay Councilor Romeo Villarante filed his proposed Resolution No. 2022-03-2 during the council's regular session requesting Mayor Socrates Fernandez "to hold a dialogue" with the two local government units "on the plight of the fishermen of Talisay City in connection with the right to enjoy the municipal waters within their respective territories."

"There has been a prevalent complaint from the fishermen of Talisay City regarding the arrests made in different municipalities in relation to their fishing activities within their respective municipal waters," read Villarante's proposal.

Villarante was referring to what happened to local fishermen Luis Fernandez and Dongcoy Yongco, who were alleged to have killed Cordova Marine watchman Rudy Sultan last month, reportedly because the two were seen fishing in the Cordova waters, which under the law of Cordova is illegal.

Villarante said the situation has caused "a negative effect" on the livelihood of the local fishermen, has resulted to "untold sufferings by their families," especially several families still rely on fishing to make a living.

Alfie Fernandez, member of the environment group Knight-Stewards of the Sea, Inc. and a resident of the coastal barangay Poblacion, said years back, the city's waters was abundant with fishes but this has become a thing of the past due to dynamite fishing.

And lately, he said, commercial fishing has remained uncurbed especially in the part of Poblacion where a fish sanctuary can be found, thereby decreasing a local fisherman's catch each day.

Because of this, despite the threats, local fishermen have no choice but to go to some places to fish, he said.

"There is a need to immediately act on the plea and problems of the fishermen and to take concrete steps and actions to protect the interests of the fishermen from the coastal barangays of the City of Talisay," read the proposal.

The measure was referred to the committee on Environment for further study. — (FREEMAN)