In a unified effort, officials from Eastern Visayas have joined forces with the local fishing community of Panaon Island to push for Senate approval of a bill that would designate the island as a protected seascape. This initiative aims to preserve the island’s rich marine biodiversity and support sustainable development for future generations.
Jam Colas-Villaber, who serves as both the secretary of the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council and Assistant Regional Director at the National Economic Development Authority, emphasized the urgency of the bill’s passage. She stated that it is essential for the sustainable management and preservation of the island’s unique marine ecosystem.
Boris Pascubillo, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Tourism in Eastern Visayas, highlighted the importance of protecting Panaon Island not only for its natural beauty but also for its role in sustaining local livelihoods and boosting tourism. He noted that the island, part of Sogod Bay, is a renowned dive spot and a critical asset for the region’s tourism industry.
Local residents, including Raul Cordova, the village chief of Son-ok in Pintuyan town, stressed that the protection of Panaon Island is vital for their economic well-being. They rely on income from fishing and tourism activities such as whale shark watching, which are sustainable and managed by the community to ensure minimal disruption to the natural environment.
Oceana, an international marine conservation organization, supports the legislative effort to protect Panaon Island under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act (Republic Act 11038). Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Oceana’s vice president, underscored the importance of the bill’s immediate approval for the long-term protection and sustainable management of the island. She believes that the legislation will empower local fishermen through enhanced local governance and law enforcement, fostering collaboration between national agencies and local governments.
The House of Representatives passed the bill on its third reading in November 2023, and it is now awaiting Senate approval. The bill’s passage is seen as a significant step toward achieving the Philippines’ commitment to the global “30×30” conservation goal, which aims to protect 30 percent of the nation’s terrestrial and marine areas by 2030. The Senate resumed its interpellation of this bill alongside other legislative measures for proposed protected area designations on Tuesday.