Tourism damage

Boholanos were quick to react to the vandalized coral reefs found at the Estaca snorkeling point near Virgin Island in Panglao. The graffiti, which appeared to be Korean names and characters, was recently highlighted. A few days ago, Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado posted a video showing foreign tourists at the same location. The footage revealed that they were touching the coral reefs, and the graffiti was clearly visible. As of now, the pump boat operator and his crew have surrendered to the local government unit and are under investigation, but the tourists involved have yet to be identified.

It is disheartening to see foreigners damaging our marine treasures. Having visited Panglao and interacted with the locals, I can attest that they are committed to preserving their environment, as it is now their primary source of livelihood. There seems to be an over-accommodation of foreign visitors, with requests going beyond mere sightseeing to touching and defacing our beautiful corals. It seems like they are first-class citizens in our own land.

While environmental laws are in place to protect these natural wonders, enforcing them can be challenging. I commend the Bohol Provincial Government for their swift response and concern. However, more action is needed to address these wrongdoings in the name of tourism. Promoting our destinations should not come at the cost of their preservation. The local government must enhance its oversight of tour guides and operators, and this incident should serve as a warning to other tourist spots in the country.

Moreover, the impact of such actions extends beyond tourism --it affects our environment. Coral reefs play a crucial role in producing the oxygen we breathe and maintaining ecosystem balance. The damage done today will have long-term consequences. I support the temporary closure of the affected area until it can fully recover its beauty. In the meantime, tourists can visit other dive sites in Bohol and should respect our regulations.

It is time to overcome the mentality of inferiority towards foreign visitors. They are in our territory and must adhere to our rules. We cannot compromise our environmental standards for financial gain. We must remember that before pursuing economic benefits, we were stewards of the environment. I advocate for stricter tourism regulations in Bohol and other areas in the region. If we abide by the laws of other countries as tourists, visitors to our country should do the same. We have a responsibility to preserve these natural wonders for future generations. It is imperative that we protect them at all costs.

Bohol cannot suffer another environment-related blow and even one that is not their fault, at that. Their citizens should also be wary of the effects of being lenient to foreigners. This action will never be tolerated. I look forward to another Bohol visit, one where I can look at the pristine coral reefs beneath the clear blue sea. It is indeed a beautiful sight to take in