DENR closes PIPS, Puntod

Islet from human activity

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Sept 6 (PIA)—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has indefinitely closed the unique and bio-diverse seas within the protected area, from human activities except for gleaning and boat passage towards Balicasag Island, in the Panglao Island Protected Seascapes (PIPS), effective September 9, 2024.

The closure of the PIPS came about after deliberations by the environment agency and its Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) considering also the recommendation of the governor, in a meeting Friday, even as Governor Erico Aristotle has also recommended for the closure of the protected area to unregulated human activity which has led to massive coral destruction in the area.

Although without the DENR Regional Director present, the meeting had Mayors Edgardo Arcay (Panglao) and Roman Bullen (Dauis), people’s organizations officers, government and tourism stakeholders.

Last week, videos of snorkeling swimmers and their local guide reveling at their names getting written in table corals; a blatant abomination of the environment, surfaced, to the ire of Boholanos who know the critical roles the corals play.

The unregulated human activity in the snorkeling site near the Virgin island, in Pungtod and in Gak-ang, has shown the different degrees of destruction of corals and the damage of the reef areas caused by human touch, accidental breaking off of the corals by snorklers using long fins or getting trampled by them or by boatmen who drop their anchors anywhere in the shallows.

Exempted however from the order are the fishcage operators of Danao United Fisherman’s Association (DUFA), which has its fish cage in the area.

Last week, following the viral post of corals getting ruined by a group of snorkelers, Gov Aumentado issued an alert asking for information about the identity of the snorkeling guide and the boatman who were bringing in the guests that led to the coral damage.

Not two days later, with a reward money reaching P200K, the local police in Panglao reported of the surrender of the snorkeling guide, and the impending meeting of the PAMB, to take up management details of the protected area.

PIPS as well as the biodiversity of the seas off Panglao and all over Bohol have been among the reasons why the UNESCO enrolled Bohol into the global system of geoparks.

Another important addition to the unique tourism come-ons of Bohol, the geopark designation however operates on the sustainable practices implemented by communities for the perpetuation of the resource.

To this, Bohol Provincial Tourism Office (BPTO) also issued advisory to all dive shop operators, dive guided and snorkeling guides to own up the responsibility of protecting corals and the zero tolerance for coral damage and vandalism.

As stewards of our precious marine resources, it is our collective responsibility to ensure the protection and preservation of the coral reefs that are vital to the biodiversity and sustainability of our marine environment, the advisory stated.

We are reminding all dive shops, operators and snorkeling guides of the critical importance of orienting both divers and dive guides to strictly adhere to absolute no-touch policy on corals and marine life, and zero tolerance for vandalism.

“Corals are sensitive and can be easily damaged by human contact, leading to long-term harm or death of the organism,” the BPTO said.

On the other hand, the office reminded everyone that defacing or vandalizing corals is a violation of the environmental laws of the Philippines like section 96 of the Philippine Fisheries Code, section 20 of the expanded National Integrated Protected Areas Systems Act (RA 11038) as well as Section 33 of the Panglao Environment Code.

The BPTO also reminded dive and marine activities stakeholders to implement mandatory orientations in the form of pre-dive briefings emphasizing of the importance of protecting coral reefs, while dive masters must actively monitor divers and intervene at the first sign of non-compliance.

While the BPTO calls on dive guides to lead by example and demonstrate proper behavior underwater, it also directs them to ensure that all divers and snorkelers under their care are aware of the diving protocols and environmental guidelines.

Finally, as the direct agents of environmental protection, dive stakeholders own the prime responsibility of reporting any observed violation to relevant authorities.

Maintaining the integrity of our reefs is a shared responsibility and timely reporting can prevent further damage, the authorities stressed in the advisory. (PIABohol)

CLOSURE TO ALLOW REGENERATION. Bohol Gov Erico Aristotle Aumentado has earlier recommended for the closure of Virgin Island snorkeling site, place cordoning buoys to make the limits, and allow the DENR to install mooring buoys so that future visiting boats would just have to tie their boats on the buoys than drop anchors and ruin the reef in the process. (PIABOhol)