By Rey Anthony Chiu
Cooler heads finally prevailed after two town dads diplomatically banged the hammer to seal an age-long irritant dispute between Inabanga and Clarin towns.
After bearing with problems of alleged boundary incursions and unprotected white sand poaching in disputed Macalingao islet, Mayors Jose Jono Jumamoy and Hermogenes Diezon of nearby Clarin have finally come to the table to talk likereal gentlemen about the issue.
Finally coming up with a win-win solution, both towns agree co-ownership, some parts belonging to Inabanga and the part, to Clarin.
Mayor Jumamoy, in a recent interview bared that Macalinao, an islet off Clarin and Inabanga has been a venue for white sand poaching by enterprising people who see the business of supplying Cebu resorts with white sand for their beaches very lucrative.
The islet, technically an uninhabited sand bar disappears during high tides, but has a teeming sea grass environment and would rather be very helpful in sustaining local fisheries, Jumamoy stressed.
Besides, he added, making it known that the island is co-owned by two towns doubles up its chances of protection, especially in the implementation of the resource and coastal law enforcement measures.
“Protecting Macalingao from poachers now is ascertained, unlike before when towns implementing coastal and island resource protection is uncertain over disputed claims,†Mayor Jumamoy said.
Sources close to both towns agree that the islet, like Puntod and Bugatoson also fall as victims.
Earlier Clarin Mayor Diezon also said his town is happy that they have finally sealed the co-ownership of the islet.
He said his town council has allowed him to initiate settlement proceedings with Inabanga over the disputed islet.
Both mayors reportedly met at Macalinago islet Thursday to finally sign the agreement papers and start co-ownership proceedings. (rachiu/PIA)
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