August 22, 2024, Cebu City – The Coastal Law Enforcement Alliance in Region 7 (CLEAR 7) convened at HCGDCV, Pier 3, Cebu City, to discuss critical environmental issues and future strategies for the region. The Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF) played an active role in the meeting, where discussions focused on the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef, ecotourism potential, and challenges posed by illegal fishing and proposed infrastructure projects.
The meeting covered a range of important topics, including updates from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Fish Conservation Week, as well as reports from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on illegal logging and the status of the Tanon Strait Protected Seascape. Of particular significance was the discussion on the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef, a unique and vital marine ecosystem in the Philippines.
Ms. Villa Inguito-Pelindingue, CRM Division Head of the Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office (BPEMO), presented the ongoing efforts to protect the Danajon Bank. She highlighted the support from CCEF’s Protect Danajon Project in strengthening the governance of the 10 LGUs within the Bohol Danajon Bank.
Cebu City’s Bantay Dagat representative, Mr. Ed Karlon N. Rama, raised key questions about the development of a comprehensive ecotourism plan, emphasizing the need to balance conservation with economic opportunities for local communities. He stressed that while illegal fishing impacts coastal resources, it is also a means of survival for many, advocating for a shift in protection strategies that ensures food security for fisherfolk.
In response, Ms. Inguito-Pelindingue detailed the ecotourism management training provided to the 10 LGUs surrounding Danajon Bank, facilitated by CCEF. She acknowledged the challenges of illegal fishing and proposed integrating former fisherfolk into the ecotourism industry as guides, offering alternative livelihoods aligned with conservation goals.
CCEF Executive Director, Ms. Evelyn T. Deguit, reinforced the importance of linking conservation with economic development. She highlighted CCEF’s collaboration with local municipalities to identify ecotourism sites and develop sustainable initiatives, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach similar to the management of the Tubbataha Reefs.
Atty. Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio raised concerns about the potential impact of a proposed bridge connecting Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Leyte on the Danajon Bank. She called for rigorous environmental assessments and stronger conservation measures to safeguard the marine habitat.
The CLEAR 7 meeting underscored the need for a coordinated approach to balance conservation and development in the Danajon Bank. As stakeholders continue to collaborate, the success of these initiatives will hinge on timely action, integrated strategies, and a commitment to preserving this unique marine ecosystem.
