"Rescue network" formed for Cebu marine animals

CEBU, Philippines – Alarmed that Cebu "could lose forever its natural heritage" with the continued exploitation of its diverse marine resources, the Provincial Government signed an agreement with the PNP and two nongovernment organizations to jointly form the Cebu Marine Animal Rescue Network (CMARNet).

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia also yesterday entered into a separate agreement with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) for the "enterprise development unit" of the Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project (ICRMP).

On CMARNet, Garcia and Police Regional Office 7 Director Lani-o Nerez entered into a memorandum of agreement with Ocean Care Advocates, Incorporated (OCAI) headed by Jose Antonio Aboitiz and the Santo Niño de Cebu Augustinian Social Development Foundation (SNAF) led by Executive Director Rev. Fr. Tito Soquino.

In the agreement, all parties admit that exploitation of marine animals in Cebu continue either for subsistence or for profit.

"This environmental degradation is largely undetected because Cebu Province is endowed with a very long coastline," read the agreement signed in a ceremony at the Capitol yesterday.

The officials pointed out that such cases remain unreported partly because coastal communities are unaware of the status of these marine animals. Moreover, the public "do not know to whom, where and how to report incidents of stranding or exploitation."

They also stated that there are very few people from both government and nongovernment organizations who are trained or "within reasonable distance to respond."

With the agreement, the Province will facilitate the training of personnel who can respond to such incidents, and act as repository of all relevant materials and information regarding marine animal rescue in general.

The PNP, for its part, will provide 24-hour hotline numbers and take care of tapping police support units for the network. The OCAI and SNAF will mobilize "financial, logistical and technical" resources and liaise with the private sector, including the business, academe and the religious, to promote the newly organized CMARNet.

"We are not only rescuing people but giving premium protection to marine species as part of God's creation and we should promote the protection of extinct marine life and save them," said SNAF Executive Director Rev. Fr. Tito Soquino.

On the second agreement, Regional Director Andres Bojos signed in behalf of Bfar. With Capitol's entry in the implementation of the ICRMP, the aspect of providing alternative livelihoods to people so coastal and marine resources could be protected will now be taken care of.

Increasing the income of coastal communities is part of the planned "holistic approach" for the protection of marine and terrestrial resources.

While Bfar will share with the Capitol its technical knowledge, the Capitol agreed to provide an office, manpower and monetary support for the implementation of the "enterprise unit."

Also yesterday, another agreement was signed to give small businesses for women.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWD) will provide ten bags of NFA rice to Solong-on Women's Association to serve as their initial capital for their business called "Bugasan Alang sa mga Kababayen-an."

In a separate development, the Rotary Club of Mandaue North also donated 32 wheelchairs to the province yesterday for use in various district hospitals. (THE FREEMAN)