Moalboal regulates diving, snorkeling

CEBU, Philippines - The municipal government of Moalboal in southern Cebu has begun regulating the conduct of snorkeling and other island hopping activities within Pescador Island and other protected marine and coastal areas within the municipal waters.

The municipal ordinance passed last June also establishes the environmental user’s fee (EUF) system in the popular tourist destination in southern part of Cebu province.

In 2015, the Department of Tourism in Central Visayas identified Moalboal as one of the fastest-growing countryside destinations in Cebu, the other two being San Fernando and Medellin.

Moalboal is a 4th income class municipality with a population of 31,130 as of 2015 census.

In the 2016 electoral roll, it had 19,821 registered voters.

The town is located on the southwestern tip of Cebu, extending as a peninsula. It is bordered to the west by the Tañon Strait. Negros Island can be seen from the western shoreline.

Moalboal is between the towns of Alcantara and Badian, and situated 89 kilometers from the capital Cebu City or a ride of about two and a half hours by bus.

After reviewing the ordinance, the Provincial Board of Cebu approved it last Tuesday, August 22, upon the recommendation of the Committee on Environmental Conservation and Natural Resources chaired by PB Member Thadeo Jovito Ouano.

“The committee lauds the effort of the local government unit of municipality of Moalboal in its continuous endeavor and initiatives to promote environmental sustainability programs,” Ouano said.

He said the ordinance is well within the competent powers of the municipality to help protect its own fishery resources – particularly those areas where fishes seek refuge – from degradation due to snorkeling and island hopping activities.

“It addresses the sustainable management, utilization, development and conservation of municipal waters and its coastal and fishery resources,” added Ouano.

The ordinance provides that prior to diving or snorkeling activities, tourist and other non-resident guests shall obtain and purchase an EUF ticket/ID. The fee shall amount to P100 per person per trip of snorkeling or island hopping.

The municipality of Moalboal shall strictly implement a “no ticket, no snorkeling/island hopping/scuba diving policy” as matter of strategy to protect its coral reef and other related marine habitat.

The Implementing and Monitoring Council chaired by Mayor Inocentes Cabaron has been mandated to create a Bantay Dagat team coming from the deputized fish wardens who shall serve as organic field-personnel that will be tasked to collect, monitor, regulate island hopping activities within the municipal waters.

The Municipal Treasurer’s Office shall also establish a trust fund for revenues generated from the implementation of the EUF, of which net revenue to be shared as 30 percent to the municipality, 30 percent to the barangay, and 40 percent to the fisherfolks organization.

Violation of any of the provisions of the ordinance shall be penalized by an administrative fine of P2,500 per person per violation.

If upon during the conduct of snorkeling and/or island hopping, a damaged to the marine habitats shall have been inflected by any person, the latter shall be responsible for the cost of the restoration or reparation, if the damage has been inflected and such damage has been duly established by a witness. (FREEMAN)