Caring for the ocean

I had the opportunity to go on a reporting trip with a few media colleagues to Pamilacan Island in Bohol, located more than 15 kilometers from mainland Baclayon, or a 45-minute boat ride from Panglao. The island itself is a popular tourist destination for island-hopping tours. It also presents itself as a role model as a community that strives to care for its own home.

Pamilacan used to be known for hunting whale sharks and manta rays, both rare marine wildlife species. They hunted and sold these animals to traders for a huge amount of money. It was because of strong intervention from an environmental group that this illegal activity stopped. At first, they resisted, but eventually saw how they could sustain a living if they resorted to preserving their natural resources. Today, locals boast of homestays and guided tours, including snorkeling and dolphin watching. All these are part of the huge ecosystem from the ocean.

Of course, they aren’t perfect, as political debacles between village officials and the local government units place them in a crossfire. However, they strive to maintain what they know best. The tourists are their best friends. Every newcomer would be willing to pay to see the grandiose coral garden and marine sanctuary underneath. The pay is worth it. Must I also tell you that the food on this island is equally amazing?

If Pamilacan can find its way to change their mindset on preserving marine life, I'm sure other communities can as well. Every day we are closer to the extinction of different species under the sea because of the continuous disregard humans have. One struggle is to keep plastics out of the water, which are often mistaken for food by creatures below. The seawater also continues to rise, and its temperature is different from before. These are all effects of climate change.

The key is to change one outlook at a time, one community at a time. It will take a lot of political will to impose environmental laws and standards. This means defying complacent officials and taking tremendous steps just to ensure that, apart from the land that we live on, the oceans are well-preserved. We might not be too late, hopefully.

It is our inherent right to access natural resources to their full potential. If the local government units continue to support businesses with high environmental impact we are deprived of that right. We must assert that the waters are also part of our home that gives life. I hope more islands will reflect on the current way they treat the resources around them, as these are only gifts from above. One thing is certain: there is only one planet Earth.