PB to hold inquiry on Osmeña, Kandungaw Peaks dispute

A legislative inquiry on the disputed Osmeña and Kandungaw Peak will be done after the municipal government of Badian sent a resolution requesting Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale as the chairperson of the Provincial Tourism Commission to take action on the "widespread misinformation" through various media forum that both peaks are part of the jurisdiction of Dalaguete town.

Both peaks, which served as eco-tourism destinations, are located on the border of Badian and Dalaguete town.

The resolution passed by the Sangguniang Bayan(SB) of Badian was referred to the Committee on Tourism and International Affairs for study, comment, and recommendation and was carried unanimously during the Provincial Board (PB) session.

Meanwhile, the family which claims to be the legal steward of Osmeña Peak met with Magpale and said they were not consulted when a tourism office was erected by the municipal government of Dalaguete, which collected entrance fees.

Cia Nepomuceno from Barangay Mantalongon in Dalaguete presented a document issued by the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) giving their family the authority to manage the peak for 25 years .

The agreement expired on November 29, 2015 and was renewed last year.

Only a certificate of stewardship was awarded because the area is classified as a forest land.

Nepomuceno said that although their family lives in Dalaguete, she claimed that Osmena Peak is part of Barangay Patong in Badian town.

Furthermore, Nepomuceno said that they will be taking part in the dialogue between the representatives from the two towns concerned.