2 Talisay villages fall out over sign

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay Tanke and San Roque in Talisay City aren’t on friendly terms, even needling each other over apparently a petty matter that has something to do with boundaries.

The barangay San Roque council has asked the city council to remove the “Tanke” sign that hangs below the Talisay City fish port sign at the South Road Properties (SRP) and replaced with “San Roque.”

Barangay San Roque captain Antonio Cabrera Jr. and council members went last Tuesday to the session hall to deliver a barangay resolution, which alleges that “The barangay council of Tanke had long claimed the lot, however, this had not been approved nor decided.”

Based on the per cadastral survey and per Tax Declaration, San Roque said the fish port belongs to San Roque and not to Tanke, as earlier claimed by Tanke officials. 

The resolution was unanimously approved by the council last July 14. 

In the resolution, officials of San Roque pointed out that “since the property belongs to barangay San Roque, it is just fair to remove the sign “Tanke” and be replaced with a “San Roque” sign.” 

The city council, through Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, approved the request. 

However, Talisay City Councilor Romeo Villarante said the sign “Tanke” should not be replaced with a “San Roque” sign.

Villarante asked San Roque officers, who were present during the session, to decide later on the sign issue until the boundary dispute had been resolved.

Last January, the issue reached the city council. 

Barangay Tanke chief Perla Cabanes said her barangay only wants to make things clear especially that the problem has “disturbed” officials.

Cabanes said by bringing the issue to the council, they have no intention of severing ties with San Roque.

Cabanes claimed that two sitios in Tanke, San Rafael and Kalinaw, are being claimed by San Roque. 

Cabanes said residents who reside in San Rafael and Kalinaw pay taxes to Tanke and where they get their clearances.

In return, they enjoy basic services from the barangay, she said.

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

In August 2010, the council approved a resolution filed by then Association of Barangay Councils president Osmundo Manreal Jr. for the reestablishment of the barangay boundary monuments (BBM) of the city’s 22 villages.

The purpose of which is “to arbitrate the boundary disputes,” Manreal Jr. said.