CEBU CITY — The Cebu Provincial Capitol will mediate in the dispute between Dalaguete and Badian towns on the jurisdiction of the local tourist spot Osmeña Peak.
Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, who chairs the Provincial Tourism Council, said Wednesday she would ask the two municipalities to send their representatives to the Capitol and discuss the issue with her.
Earlier, Badian passed a resolution questioning Dalaguete’s claim that Osmeña Peak belongs to the latter’s jurisdiction.
Although it lacked direct access or infrastructure in the area, Badian said Osmeña Peak was within its territory.
Having direct access to the tourist spot does not mean Osmeña Peak belongs to Dalaguete, as what is being projected in both the social and mainstream media, according to Badian.
Magpale said she would resolve the issue at the soonest time possible, including Dalaguete’s alleged collection of environmental fees from tourists who visited the mountain spot.
Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan Sesante, however, denied that they were collecting access fees from people going to Osmeña Peak.
Osmeña Peak, the highest mountain in Cebu, lies in a range of hills hugging the shorelines of Badian and can be accessed by bus and “habal-habal” (motorbike taxi) via Dalaguete. (Luel Galarpe/PNA)
