Tanke, San Roque boundary dispute goes to city council

CEBU, Philippines - The boundary dispute between the barangays of Tanke and San Roque has now been brought to the attention of the Talisay City council.

Barangay Tanke chief Perla Cabanes, in her personal appearance before the council last week, said they only want to make things clear especially that the problem has “disturbed” them.

Cabanes, however, clarified that by bringing the issue to the council they have no intention of severing ties with the officials of San Roque.

“Tungod sa pangangkon sa San Roque sa sitio (sub village) San Rafael ug sitio Kalinaw, naisturbo ang among kahimtang,” Cabanes said.

“Pero among klaruhon nga wa mi intensyon nga makipag-away sa San Roque, gusto lang namo nga butangan og marker kung asa kutob ang among boundary para maklaro na tanan,” she said.

Cabanes said the two sub villages belong to Tanke.

She claimed that residents living in San Rafael and Kalinaw pay taxes to Tanke and get their clearances there; and in return they receive basic services from said barangay.

Also, residents of these areas vote in Tanke during elections, she said.

Cabanes said they would like to request the council to define their territorial boundary to solve the problem.

Last week, Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, during their session, directed the city planning and legal officers to come up with reports in relation to the issue.

He also had referred Cabanes’ concern to the committees on Laws and Barangay Affairs, which are expected to submit their report to the council within this week.

Meanwhile, in August 2010, the council approved a resolution filed by then Association of Barangay Councils President Osmundo Manreal Jr. for the re-establishment of the barangay boundary monuments (BBM) of the city’s 22 villages.

The purpose of which is to “to arbitrate the boundary disputes.”