The classification by an international group should be a boon for tourism in the country, which is seeing the benefits of marine ecotourism in provinces such as Palawan, Sorsogon and Bohol. But the classification also entails great responsibility to preserve nature’s abundant blessings. The country is part of the so-called Coral Triangle connecting the Philippines, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. This triangle is home to 600 species of corals, 1,200 species of fish, 700 species of algae, 33 species of mangrove, 24 species of crustaceans, and five of the seven species of sea turtles. A preliminary geographical information system analysis of the triangle showed that the central Philippines had the highest marine biodiversity, with the area between Malaysia and Sumatra in Indonesia only coming in second.
That biodiversity is threatened by the poor capability of the Philippines to preserve its rich marine resources. Destructive fishing methods and gathering of corals for commercial purposes have led to the rapid depletion of coral reefs that serve as breeding grounds for marine life. Environmental advocates have moved to protect what’s left, but even marine reserves that are off-limits to regular tourists such as Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea off Palawan continue to be raided by coral collectors.
Apart from these problems, lax maritime transport safety rules have led to environmental disasters such as the oil spill in Guimaras. The people of the province and neighboring areas are learning the hard way the ugly consequences of environmental degradation. The country cannot wait for more disasters to give urgency to the preservation of marine resources. We have been blessed with the richest marine life in the world. It is our responsibility to protect that blessing.