Silot Bay “markers” demolished
CEBU, Philippines - After their meeting with Liloan, Cebu Mayor Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco, the spokesperson of labor leader Democrito Mendoza said the "markers" in Silot Bay have been removed.
"One of the developments is we complied with the order of the mayor for the removal of the markers," said Arturo Barrit, in a telephone interview with The FREEMAN, yesterday.
The markers, he said, will be replaced by flaglets and buoy to serve as warning to swimmers that the area is not safe due to the sea current.
The Mendozas had claimed that PVC pipes filled with steel bars and cement that served to fence off a portion of the bay were meant as safety measure to keep people from swimming there, as many have already drowned in the area.
Residents, though, complained against the fence, as it deprived them of their means of livelihood.
They had already sought help from Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who vowed to aid the residents.
According to the affected residents, who were mostly fishermen, they were denied access to Silot Bay after Mendoza erected the fence and stationed armed guards.
The guards reportedly threatened to shoot anybody who gets into the bay, where the Mendoza's own recreational park Papa Kits, which connects out to the sea.
The residents had argued that the place had always been a public swimming area.
Barrit said that although the PVC pipes were removed, the Mendozas would still station a guard in the area, but at a distance, to still keep swimmers away.
He said that two years ago, a swimmer whom the Mendoza tried to rescue drowned in the area.
He reiterated that Silot Bay is around 520 hectares, while the Mendoza only owns 92 hectares of it.
"The PVC pipes filled with steel bars and cement enclosed only the 92 hectares and the remaining hectares of Silot Bay were not being barred," he said.
Barrit said the Mendoza promised to provide an area for the fisherfolks, but this would be subject to a meeting with the affected residents and the town officials./RHM (FREEMAN)
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