Talisay seeks Capitol help to preserve Lagundi Reef

Talisay City deems it necessary to preserve and protect the Lagundi Reef to boost tourism in the area and is turning to Capitol for help.

A resolution, authored by Councilor Shirley Belleza, requests Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for diving equipment and Global Positioning System.

"The enchancement and promotion of the Lagundi Reef and other identified reefs such as Pungaton and Macatol will only be facilitated if the city government is equipped with devices such as diving aparatus and GPS that can be used anytime," read the resolution.

Belleza said the equipment will be used especially now that the city through the Talisay City Swimming and Life Saving Association, Inc. is undergoing the regular underwater clean-up and fish feeding.

Presently, the city provides for the maintenance of the diving equipment, which is owned by the organization.

Earlier Belleza, in a separate resolution, asked for another motorized boat to ferry visitors to diving areas and also to beef up security. Although the Lagundi Reef is just 10 minutes away from the shoreline of barangay Poblacion, which is just across the Talisay City Police Station, illegal fishing could still take place when guards are not around.

Oil spills were sighted near the Lagundi Reef a few weeks ago. Toxic waste could drive, if not kill, the marine resources. Thus, Belleza is also seeking for a floating guardhouse. The city's Fishermen Sea Ecological Care even with its desire to do its job could not possibly address illegal activities without the necessary equipment.

"The equipment is imperative in order to protect the reef that can hopefully be a source of revenue. - Liv G. Campo