By Miriam G. Desacada
Tacloban City–A little more than a year today since the House of Representatives approved a bill declaring Panaon Island of Southern Leyte a protected seascape, the Senate is now moving also for the passage of its counterpart bill of similar nature.
Panaon Island, a landmass of largely coral cover in the Pacific offshore of Southern Leyte that has been home to the whale sharks, sea turtles, and a rich array of marine species, while being a sanctuary of migratory birds and the almost endangered Philippine duck.
With its unique yet rich marine biodiversity, Panaon has been a viable area for a regular source of livelihood for the locals, and fisherfolks, especially on fish harvest and tourism undertakings. Besides being known, however, as the pathway of typhoons from the Eastern seaboard, Panaon might not be able to sustain its ecological integrity unto the next generations, if nothing shall be done now.
Oceana, a leading international marine conservation organization, has been conducting consultations and capacity-building sessions with local communities across Panaon Island. Among the items discussed were the extent of illegal activities such as compressor fishing and night spearfishing, and the infestation of crown of thorns in the island waters.
According to the locals, protecting the environment of Panaon Island also means protecting their livelihood. “Malaking tulong sa amin ang nakukuhang income sa whale shark watching,” said Raul Cordova, village chief of Son-ok in Pintuyan town.
“Itong mga whale shark at corals, parte ng pinangangalagaan namin dahil pinagkakakitaan namin ito – maliban pa sa pangingisda. Dito talaga kami umaasa,” he adds. Panaon Island boasts of sustainable whale shark watching – one managed by locals in a way that does not disrupt their natural feeding cycles and seasons.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has prioritized Panaon Island as a critical area for conservation, underscoring that the coral reefs here could contribute to climate change mitigation. On 2020, Oceana visited Panaon, and found that the coral cover there exceeded 60 percent, way above the national average of 20 percent. But these ecosystems are at significant risk due to climate change impacts, and other human-induced pressures, jeopardizing not only the health of the marine habitats and biodiversity but also the island’s fishing-dependent communities.
Lawyer Jam Colas-Villaber, secretary of the Regional Development Council-Eastern Visayas and the assistant regional director of the National Economic Development Authority-8, believes that a Congressional declaration of Panaon Island as a protected seascape “is a crucial step for the preservation and sustainable management of the island’s biodiversity.”
Boris Pascubillo, assistant regional director of the Department of Tourism-8, shared a similar sentiment. “We fully support the bill to protect Panaon Island and we are optimistic this legislation will contribute to improving our tourism efforts. 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 livelihoods.”
For this matter, community leaders, regional government officials, environmental advocates, and concerned citizens had rallied Congress to put up this crucial bill declaring Panaon Island in Southern Leyte as a protected area under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act or Republic Act 11038.
“The immediate approval of this bill is crucial for the sustainable management and long-term protection of Panaon Island,” said lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana. “The local fisherfolk are well-versed in what they need to protect their own already. This legislation will empower them through local governance, stronger law enforcement, and ensure that national agencies and local governments can work together to be responsible stewards of these vital resources,” Ramos added.
After the passage of the bill in the Lower House, a Senate bill also seeking to declare Panaon a protected seascape was initiated by Senator Cynthia Villar, saying that this “would mark a pivotal step in realizing the Philippines’ commitment to the global “30×30” conservation goal: protecting 30 percent of the nation’s terrestrial and marine areas by 2030.
As of latest, the Senate was set to resume its interpellation of the bill, with 10 others all for proposed protected area designations. Advocates call on the senators to act decisively to protect Panaon Island’s marine ecosystems.