Declaration of Visayan Sea as national treasure sought

CEBU, Philippines - The Alliance of Provinces for the Protection of the Visayan Sea (APPVS) will be requesting President Rodrigo Duterte to declare the Visayan Sea as "natural and national treasure of the Philippines that will be managed as a national marine reserve of global significance" and to assign a permanent vessel to the Visayan sea.

Yesterday, environmental legislation activist and organizer, lawyer Antonio Oposa Jr., presented the letter of request in the office of Governor Hilario Davide III.

The group said that despite the efforts made by different agencies and local governments to protect the Visayan Sea, it still remains under attack from commercial fishing.

"We (the people og the visayan sea) hold the richest marine water in the whole planet earth," Oposa said.

 "Pero unsa man atong gibuhat? Atong gipabuthan og dinamita, atong gilabayan, giihian, gilibangan. So we want to declare the entire Visayan Sea a marine reserve," he added.  

Oposa explained that a marine reserve is a body of seawaters of about 1.3 million hectares that will be subject to special management and will be divided through "zones" - such as strict protection zone, recreation zone and multiple use zone.

Provincial Information Officer Jason Monteclar, who also signed the support document, said the campaign will serve as repentance for the "sins of the Cebuanos."

"This is more of a self-redemption for us, Cebuanos, who are partly to blame over the ongoing destruction of our environment," said Monteclar.

The group also acknowledged the support from Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, as well as from Governors Alfredo Maranon Jr. of Negros Occidental and Arthur Defensor of Ilo-ilo.

"We the people of the Visayan Sea, with the support of our leaders and governors of the provinces of Cebu, Negros Occidental and Iloilo, respectfully write this letter to thank you for making coastal law enforcement as one of the priority programs under your administration," the letter reads.

The group is also asking the President for one boat that will used for research, education and monitoring. (FREEMAN)