LGUs join hands to save Danajon Reef

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines  – The marine resource-rich Danajon Double Barrier Reef (DDBR) strategically situated in Central Visayas covering four provinces is on the brink of peril due to “destructive and unsustainable actions.”

This stark reality has prompted local government units around the reef to collaborate in pushing for steps in managing and salvaging the unique coral eco-system and geologic formation from further damage.

The so-called CeLeBoSoLe (for Cebu, Leyte, Bohol and Southern Leyte provinces) is now in full swing in reactivating the reef’s management council initiated by the Bohol provincial government, led by Gov. Edgar Chatto in collaboration with the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF).

Chatto’s administration told The FREEMAN that it has committed to ensure and strengthen environmental protection and management through good governance and effective partnership with the stakeholders.

Initial meetings of the stakeholders were held in this city and recently in Lapu-Lapu City to tackle the proposed memorandum of agreement forming the DDBR Management Council, according to the Danajon Provincial Working Group.

Next step will be a three-day visit to Leyte and Southern Leyte provinces next week to confer with officials concerned, the group added.

Executive director Rose-Liza Osorio, of the CCEF, in her letter to Chatto, said small group discussion among the representatives has “focused on the revision of the MOA” and on salient points, such as streamlining of the existing organizational structure, council membership and committee composition and other activities.

The CCEF website said that DDBR is “One among only six worldwide, this unique geologic formation has been carved for over 6000 years of coral ecosystem development. Historically known as the seed of marine diversity in this eco-region, it has vast expanse of mangrove forests and extensive coral reef systems.”

The Danajon Bank encompasses Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan island, Baybay City in Leyte and Maasin City in Southern Leyte. Also included are the towns of Inopacan, Hindang, Hilongos, Matalom and Bato in Leyte and the towns of President Carlos P. Garcia, Ubay, Trinidad, Bien-Unido, Talibon, Getafe, Buenavista, Inabanga, Clarin and Tubigon in Bohol. (FREEMAN)