Carles seawaters eyed as marine reserve
DENR Regional Executive Director Lormelyn
Claudio meets with Gov. Neil D. Tupas Sr.,
Barotac Viejo Mayor Raul Tupas, Atty. Antonio
Oposa, Jr., and Carles Vice Mayor Rodolfo
Dumayas.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) joined in the inaugural installation of Bamboo Pole Markers around Gigantes Island in Carles, Iloilo last January 19, 2008.
The said activity was sponsored by Iloilo Governor Neil D.Tupas, Sr., while Atty. Hector P. Teodosio, team leader of Visayan Sea Squadron facilitated the conduct of a short program in Brgy. Lantangan, Carles, Iloilo.
Also present to grace the event was Atty. Antonio A. Oposa, Jr., National Team Leader, Visayan Sea Squadron, Mayor Raul Tupas of Barotac Viejo, Rear Admiral Basilio of Philippine Navy, representing the Department of National Defense, Iloilo Police Provincial Director Senior Supt. Ricardo Dela Paz, Atty. Lino Losañes, representing the Mayor Arnold Betita of Carles, Dr. Rodolfo Boy Dumayas, Vice-Mayor of Carles, representatives from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and other officials both in the coastal Barangays of Gigantes Island and the Municipality of Carles.
The program aims to protect, conserve and restore the degraded coastal and marine resources of the municipality of Carles specifically the areas around Gigantes Island.
According to international studies, the Philippines belong to the Coral Triangle, which is the Center of Biodiversity in the whole world. Furthermore, in the research conducted by Carpenter and Springer in 2005 the Visayan Sea, which encompasses the municipal waters of Carles is considered as the "Center of the Center" of Marine Biodiversity.
During the program, Atty. Oposa, a well-known environmental lawyer and advocate committed to spearhead the move to declare the municipal waters of Carles as Marine Reserve within this year to ensure long-term and sustainable protection of the diverse marine ecosystem.
Gigantes Island is rich not only in marine resources but it also has a long stretch of white sand beaches, small islands to explore, caves, and archaeological resources.
As such, DENR Regional Executive Director Lormelyn E. Claudio, in her message, informed the public that they have to be proactive in the protection of the environment and natural resources particularly that Gigantes Island could be the next tourism destination in Western Visayas.
She also emphasized that there is a need to develop an Environmental Master Plan for the Island to avoid environmental problems as that of Boracay.