Array
—The Department of Tourism (DOT), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), fisherfolk, and marine conservation advocates are urging the Senate to fast-track approval of a bill that would designate Panaon Island in Southern Leyte as a protected seascape.
As the Senate prepares to deliberate on December 3 the proposal to designate Panaon Island as a protected seascape — alongside 10 other measures for protected area status — advocates are calling for urgent and decisive action to safeguard its unique marine ecosystems.
A broad coalition of community leaders, regional officials, environmental advocates, and concerned citizens is rallying behind a crucial legislative effort to designate Panaon Island in Southern Leyte as a protected area under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act, Republic Act 11038.
With threats such as illegal fishing, crown-of-thorns starfish infestations, pollution, and the worsening impacts of climate change endangering the island’s biodiversity, supporters stress that swift Senate approval is essential.
Lawyer Jam Colas-Villaber, secretary of the Region 8 Regional Development Council and assistant regional director of the National Economic Development Authority, emphasized that declaring Panaon Island as a protected seascape through legislation is a vital step toward preserving and sustainably managing the island’s unique marine biodiversity for future generations.
“We fully support the bill to protectPanaon Island, and we are optimistic this legislation will contribute to improving our tourism efforts,” said DOT Assistant Regional Director Boris Pascubillo.
“Not only is it a part of Sogod Bay, it’s also a true gem among the Philippines’ dive spots and deserves much attention and protection. Protecting this area is essential to preserve its natural beauty and in sustaining local livelihood,” Pascubillo added.
Panaon Island, nestled between Visayas and Mindanao, is renowned for its thriving coral reefs, which boast up to 60 percent live coral cover — three times the national average of 20 percent. These reefs, part of the globally significant “Coral Triangle,” support diverse marine life, including whale sharks and sea turtles.
The island is also home to thriving mangrove forests, which not only provide a vital habitat and a favored stopover for the endangered Philippine duck (Anas luzonica) but also play a crucial role in protecting the coastline from storm surges.
However, Oceana, a global organization dedicated to ocean conservation, warned that these ecosystems face severe threats from the impacts of climate change and various human-induced pressures.
These challenges not only endanger the health of the marine habitats and biodiversity but also jeopardize the livelihood of the island’s fishing-dependent communities.
