By PR | 06:52 PM March 26, 2024
Bohol 2nd District Rep. Maria Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado has filed a bill declaring the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef (DBDBR) a protected area with the category of protected landscape and seascape under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS).
House Bill 10066, filed last March 6, also provides for the management of the DBDBR and appropriating funds for this purpose.
The second district solon described the DBDBR as “a gem of unparalleled natural beauty and ecological significance.”
Situated off the coast of Bohol and stretching towards the provinces of Cebu and Leyte, she said this remarkable geological formation “is a testament to the wonders of marine biodiversity and the delicate balance of life beneath the waves.”
The DBDBR is distinguished as the only double barrier reef in the Philippines and one of merely six documented such reefs worldwide.
Its formation, characterized by two sets of large coral reefs formed offshore on a submarine ridge, is a result of a harmonious interplay of favorable tidal currents and the vibrant growth of coral colonies.
Also Bohol’s first lady, Cadorna-Aumentado said this intricate ecosystem teems with life, serving as a vital breeding ground and habitat for a plethora of marine species ranging from colorful corals to majestic marine mammals.
Encompassing an extensive area of approximately 170,563 hectares and spanning 699 kilometers of coastline, the DBDBR is a sanctuary of immense ecological value. It comprises 40 islands and encompasses 13 municipalities and 149 barangays, representing a nexus of diverse ecosystems and vibrant coastal communities.
Recognizing the importance of safeguarding this natural treasure for future generations, a Protected Area Suitability Assessment (PASA) was conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in 2023, the bill noted.
The findings underscored the vulnerability of the DBDBR to the impacts of climate change, human activities, and the pressures of burgeoning coastal populations. Despite its rich marine biodiversity and immense tourism potential, the reef faces imminent threats that necessitate urgent action.
In light of these pressing concerns, the PASA recommended the declaration of the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef as a protected area. Such a designation would afford the reef and its surrounding seascape the necessary legal safeguards to mitigate threats and ensure its long-term preservation, the bill added.
The proposed measure seeks to establish the DBDBR as a protected landscape and seascape, acknowledging its dual significance as both a natural wonder and a crucial habitat for countless species. By affording legal protection to this pristine marine environment, policymakers aim to address the myriad challenges posed by unchecked human activities, unsustainable resource exploitation, and the adverse impacts of climate change.
DBDBR’s declaration as a protected area underscores a commitment to sustainable environmental stewardship, recognizing the interconnectedness of ecological integrity, socio-cultural values, and economic prosperity.
“By safeguarding the reef and its associated ecosystems, policymakers seek to strike a delicate balance between conservation imperatives and the socio-economic needs of local communities reliant on marine resources,” said the second district solon.
In essence, the declaration of the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef as a protected area represents a profound commitment to the preservation of our natural heritage and the safeguarding of biodiversity hotspots for generations to come. It is a testament to the power of collective action and the imperative of prioritizing environmental conservation in the face of mounting ecological challenges.
An initiative of the neophyte solon, the bill, if approved, ensures the protection and preservation of Bohol Island Geopark’s rich natural heritage. (PIMO/ML)
