EDITORIAL - Dwindling resources

That was a nice pose by President Arroyo at Amos Reef in Palawan. She had to practice for that dive 82 feet down, reminding the nation about the wonders of Tubbataha Reef, a world natural heritage site. Environ-mentalists, however, pointed out that the President was not supposed to touch the corals, which are the breeding grounds of marine life.

Touching by curious divers is the least of the problems bedeviling what’s left of the country’s coral reefs. Once one of the most extensive in the world, Philippine coral reefs are being destroyed at an alarming pace. Even Tubbataha, which is a marine preserve and off-limits to fishermen and tourists, has not escaped destruction. A recent report said poachers, most of them foreigners coming from countries around the South China Sea, have been using dynamite and cyanide to catch fish in the 10,000-hectare Tubbataha area. The poachers also harvest rare corals and meat from endangered giant clams.

Palawan, which takes pride in its natural attractions and biodiversity, must also contend with the depletion of its rainforests. A recent report said extensive illegal logging continues on the northern island of Matinloc, which is part of the 33-hectare protected area in El Nido. The deforestation is also threatening the area’s freshwater supply. Environ-mentalists said lumber from the illegally cut trees were being sold not only in Palawan but also in Mindoro, Batangas and Cavite.

The reasons for environmental degradation are well known. Public ignorance is one. This problem is not easily solved when governments have no funds for an effective information campaign on environmental protection. Another reason is the lack of funds and personnel to guard protected areas. This archipelago of 7,100 islands has one of the longest coastlines in the world. It is easy for poachers to sneak in, especially when Philippine Coast Guard vessels don’t even have enough fuel to pursue intruders. The toughest hurdle, however, is government corruption. Public officials will make no effort to protect the environment when they themselves benefit from illegal logging and destructive fishing. Unless the graft problem can be addressed, the country will continue losing its natural resources.