THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR 7) has committed to extend funding for the rehabilitation project of Pescador Island in Moalboal town, southern Cebu.
DENR 7 Assistant Regional Director Charlie Fabre made the announcement on Sunday during the kick-off of the “Dasig Pescador,” a program that aims to rehabilitate the damaged corals in Pescador Island, a famous diving spot here in Cebu.
“We will ask Penro (Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office) to allocate funds to support these efforts,” Fabre said, even telling Moalboal Mayor Paz Rozgoni to suggest how much the town would need for the project.
Fabre said he was asked by DENR 7 Regional Director Paquito Melicor Jr. to express the funding commitment to the tourism stakeholders in Moalboal, as the agency is one with the efforts of the tourism industry to preserve and rehabilitate marine resources.
Fabre also said they will ask the Penro to prepare the “work and financial plan” for the funding support, with the approval of the Protected Area Management Board.
“We fully support the effective rehabilitation and protection of Pescador Island,” he said.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, together with other professional divers, joined the diving event on Sunday to kick off what is deemed to be a crucial project for the recovery of Cebu’s diving industry.
The project involves the replanting of corals in Pescador to recover its original and natural beauty before it was devastated by Typhoon Odette (Rai) last Dec. 16.
Hundreds of professional divers from across the country are expected to be part of this ongoing effort.
Pescador is an islet off the shores of the tourist town of Moalboal.
The “Dasig Pescador” coral replanting activity has been initiated by divers, the government and local tourism stakeholders in efforts to help the diving industry in Cebu recover.