By Marisol Bo-oc, Helen Castaño, Inocencia Inojales | 09:09 PM September 04, 2024
The controversial Estaca Snorkeling Site off Virgin Island, a top diving spot on Panglao Island, is now closed for diving and snorkeling activities effective on Monday until further notice.
Panglao Mayor Edgardo “Boy” Arcay ordered the temporary closure on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024.
“Severe damage was done on the said corals and there is a need for it to regenerate and the affected marine biodiversity be given a chance to regain its footing,” said Arcay in his Executive Order No. 5 dated Sept. 2.
Since the Estaca Snorkeling Site at Virgin Island is within the territorial jurisdiction and municipal waters of the municipality of Panglao, Arcay said the municipal government has the police power to regulate and control the diving and snorkeling activities in the area concerned.
He said Estaca Snorkeling Site at Virgin Island, which is abundant with colorful corals and marine life, is a protected area being managed by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) and run by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) under the Panglao Island Protected Seascape (PIPS).
Arcay said abundant and colorful corals of Panglao are one of its great tourism prides and attracts foreign and local visitors alike for snorkeling and diving activities.
It was discovered that several names were etched onto table corals as shared by dive master and reef ranger and Danilo “Don Don” Menorias on Facebook.
Arcay said vandalism of corals and destruction of coral reefs is a violation of the environmental laws of the Philippines.
After the investigation made by a composite team from the Office of the Menro, Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office (BPEMO) , and DENR-CENRO, it was found that two table corals (Acropora sp.), both approximately 11 meters in circumference and 3.71 and 2.3 meters in diameter, respectively, were identified with anthropogenic vandalism writings were done on it).
On Monday, Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado recommended for temporary closure of the dive site off Virgin Island during the meeting on the assessment and investigation.
“Mao na karun lisud i-tudlotudlo nga kinsay manubag. Para mahay ang tanan i-sarado nalang na kay kahibaw ko ang nakaguba ana pangwarta lang gipangita ana. Pero wala naghunahuna sa kanindot ug kaanyag sa mga corals maoy naghatag og panginabuhian. Pero sila rapud nakaingon kay ilang giabusahan. So ngano atong i-consider ilang panginabuhian kung mismo wala nila ampingi ang naghatag nila og panginabuhian,” Aumentado said.
Board Member Jamie Aumentado Villamor, chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Protection and interim chairman of the Committee on Tourism, said that she would call for another meeting with the mayors, dive shop owners and tourism stakeholders.
“We fully support the actions and moves of the governor not because it is the directive of the governor but because it is good for the governance,” Villamor said.
