Local campaign to look after corals launched

CEBU, Philippines -  After the discovery of vandalized corals under the seawaters off Barangay Maribago in Lapu-Lapu City, barangay officials initiated their own campaign to prevent the repetition of the issue.

Maribago Barangay Councilor Arvin Abing told The FREEMAN that City Mayor Paz Radaza directed them to be actively involved in the campaign.

Mayor Radaza called a meeting with different stakeholders last week where they signed a support and commitment position to help in the preservation and protection of corals in Lapu-Lapu City waters.

The meeting was held one day after officials and tourism stakeholders separately met to discuss measures aimed at protecting corals and other marine habitats.

Stakeholders affirmed to intensify information drive, involve tourism establishments in coastal protection, strengthen law enforcement and enact more ordinances.

Abing said Barangay Captain Joseph Pangatungan for his part already asked different diver groups in Maribago to be vigilant and to help them in protecting the corals in the area.

According to Abing, a lot of visitors, mostly foreign tourists, visit Maribago and other barangays in Lapu-Lapu City because of its good undersea attractions.

Some of these tourists are divers who want to witness different kinds of corals found in the reefs of Lapu-Lapu waters.

But the discovery of corals apparently vandalized by some diver alarmed city officials and environmentalists based in Lapu-Lapu City.

Andy Berame, head of Lapu-Lapu City Task Force Kalikasan, said he was happy with the participation of barangay officials of Maribago in the campaign.

Earlier, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago is asking the Senate to conduct an inquiry into reports of vandalism in coral reefs in Lapu-Lapu City.

Santiago, who filed a Senate Resolution to investigate the matter, was reacting to reports by GMA News Online on February 18, 2014 on the underwater graffiti found in a coral reef in Lapu-Lapu City.

The report came after The Freeman photographer and diver, Ferdinand Edralin, documented the vandalism on the corals. Edralin's photo landed on page one of this paper last February 17.

Santiago stated that Congress should look into this illegal activity despite the implementation of various laws protecting marine wildlife in the country. (FREEMAN)