CEBU CITY – The provincial government of Bohol is investigating damaged corals in Barangay Tangnan, Panglao, one of the province’s prime diving destinations.
AUMENTADO (FB)
Reiterating the province’s commitment to protecting its marine life, Gov. Aris Aumentado issued a memorandum forming an inter-agency team to conduct a joint site inspection of the reported coral damage in the Napaling area.
The team’s primary goal is to verify the extent of the coral damage initially reported through social media on Jan. 4.
The team consisted of representatives from the Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office (BPEMO), Bohol Provincial Legal Office, DENR-CENRO Tagbilaran, DENR EMB-PEMU Bohol, BFAR, Department of Tourism (DOT)-Region 7, Panglao Municipal Tourism Office (MTO), and Panglao Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO).
Panglao MENRO head Abelio A. Arbilo said he was unaware of the damaged corals until the social media post started circulating.
The Panglao MENRO office conducted a dive on Jan. 5 and found out that the damaged table coral was located outside the Neptune Garden dive site near the Almira Resort and Alturas Hatchery.
The underwater assessment team conducted an investigation on Jan. 10.
Findings of the assessment showed damaged corals were found at a depth of 11 to 13 meters. Three large broken table corals and three smaller ones were discovered, some resting on fabricated steel bars and rocks.
Coral rubble was found near the steel structures, and the team observed signs of coral regeneration, suggesting the damage occurred some time ago.
The assessment team recommended several actions, including the regular monitoring of the rehabilitated coral area, evaluation of the stability of the fabricated steel structures, and relocation of the structures if found unstable.
The team also proposed placing marker buoys to prevent further disturbances caused by divers, boats, or other activities.
Arbilo urged the public to report environmental issues to the proper authorities instead of posting them on social media. He stressed that reports should be verified first to ensure that appropriate action can be taken.
Coral vandalism and destruction of coral reefs are violations of Philippine environmental laws.