Plan to rescue dive spot raised with governor

CEBU Provincial Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia met with resort stakeholders and Local Government Units (LGUs) yesterday afternoon in Moalboal town, Cebu.

The dive shop owners had written the Provincial Government asking it to address the destruction of marine life in Pescador, Moalboal, Cebu.

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Edward Shaap, owner of Ravenala Resort, expressed his grief about the current destruction of the diving spots.

The resort owners presented their solutions for the problem. They said there should be proper implementation of rules and ordinances.

They said divers who come to see the supposed treasures under the sea are left with nothing.

Shaap said this has been very disturbing, especially when he sees the treasure sharks being slaughtered and sold in the Moalboal market the next day.

Garcia expressed appreciation for the concerns of the dive shop owners, some of whom are foreigners.

Solutions

The governor said the Province will immediately make definite guidelines and commitments, but she wanted to hear the side of the LGUs first and that of the fisherfolks.

Former mayor Titing Cabaron, who is a mayoral candidate of One Cebu, presented the LGUs side. He said that there are rules and laws, but they need help from the Maritime police.

Resolution 1077 dated December 11, 1995 enacts an ordinance in order to declare and establish Pescador Island as municipal marine park with a marine sanctuary.

The governor said she wanted immediate solutions.

She said officials should be able to define the boundaries of Pescador Island.

She said the Province will turn over one speedboat for the Maritime police. There will also be one pump boat for the fisherfolks and one more speedboat from the association of dive shop owners.

A representative from the navy said they will make their presence felt around Tañon Straight and Pescador Island.

The coastguard said it will also provide additional personnel.

There are now only four Bantay Dagat wardens overseeing the area. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, however, have trained ten more who will graduate next week.

Garcia said she will ask Cebu Provincial Police Director Erson Digal to provide more personnel.

The LGU’s were also ordered to make ordinances to punish those who buy slaughtered treasure sharks and those who sell them.

Garcia also challenged the fisherfolks who are receiving a 40% share from the resorts’ income to help out.

“You better do what you need to do!” she said.

The fishermen said those who do illegal activities are non-members of the fisherfolk organization.

With passion

The divers who were present said they are willing to help train the fisherfolks. They said they can also help by cleaning up the reefs and removing nets stuck in the corals.

Garcia said she will make an Executive Order that mandates the task force to identify what and where fisherfolks are in fact actively involved in protecting Pescador Island.

The 40% share in income will only be given to active organizations.

Lawyer Mariano Mar-tinquilla shall craft the executive order.

Garcia will be back in Moalboal next Friday to sign it.

At the same time, it will be the graduation day of the 10 fish wardens who are trained by BFAR.

She is asking them to believe in the cause.

The task force or PNP can eventually come up with an eco-tourism plan.

Also present in the meeting were One Cebu vice-gubernatorial candidate Glenn Soco, deputy speaker Pablo “Pabling” Garcia. (Gayle Tallo, UPVCC Intern)