MikeLigalig.com

LOSING TWO TOURISM GEMS IN PANGLAO

Bohol Chronicle
June 1, 2008
    

It is only when we lose a thing of true value that we know its worth.

We hope that the state of neglect of authorities and top agencies tasked to protect our marine tourism jewels in Panglao and Baclayon, namely, the Balicasag Diving Area ( One of Top 3 diving spots in the world according to the Japan Travel Inventory) and the Pamilcan seas (dolphin habitat), will not help us come to that realization.

Thanks to the grievous sin of omission, these two precious tour gems will soon slip our hands into figurative extinction.

President GMA dove into the depths of Balicasag last week to figure out what that Japs are raving over - and confirmed with amazement the marine wonders that she saw. Two prominent Manila broadsheets carried the glorious spectacle in colored print on their front pages that brought huge advertising mileage.

But wait a second. The President's escort, a diving enthusiast by the name of Rep. Roberto Antonino (Nueva Ecija) deplored the extent of the damage done to corals and the presence of suffocating, non-biodegradable plastic items in the otherwise wondrous diving spot. He lamented the lack of collection fees for tourists using the area.

And it seems there is no policeman on duty in the area. The protectors of the environment are again sleeping on their job. But who are they?

There was a time when then well-funded Bohol Marine Triangle (BMT) bannered its detailed plan to protect the spectacular marine biodiversity and the natural beauty of the Panglao seawaters. Like a phantom, it has suddenly disappeared in recent times.

Will Dauis town mayor Lulu Bongalos, who heads the BMT stand up and say whether he has the time and vigor to lead this environmental crusade?

What about the much publicized CLEC (Coastal Law Enforcement Council), functioning as one per district for greater effectiveness, composed of the LGUs along the coastlines? Another phantom?

The Capitol announced then to give one pump boat to guard the sea premises off Baclayon and Panglao which are both in the first district and under the constant glare of media and government. The Provincial Tourism Council even made representation with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) that fuel be provided for the sea patrols of the area.

What about Pamilacan? Well, reports were rife that no dolphins were seen between Monday and Wednesday last week within the normal habitat -marveled at by tourists in the past. According to the island's barrio officials - illegal fishing is again rampant in the area. They were there Saturday which explains the dolphins' scarcity in the days that followed.

The poor hapless mammals scampered for safety - to the other side of the island - off the seawaters fronting the Panglao Island Nature Resort.

The BMT and CLEC, from what we see, are now inutile forms of protection units. Who should replace them?

Shall we just close the chapter and see the end of the fabled dolphins and the world-class diving spot due to neglect?

Already even without the stupendous Panglao airport - and the so-called industrialization and commercialization that will follow and even before the actual oil drilling off Cabilao Island goes full steam, we are already seeing proofs that we can barely handle preserving our very jewels - that attracted these tourists to Bohol in the first place.

Let's stop all this lip-service about promoting tourism if we cannot perform the minimal supervision of our tourist attractions.

In 2006, a concerned Cebuano, named Jojo de la Francia joined the Visayan Fish Squadron that combined efforts of several NGOs to raid the illegal fishers off the Cebu waters - and successfully. It was the citizens, out of sheer nationalism, that got out of their comfort zones to do what government should be doing.

One day, before reaching his house, gunmen peppered Jojo with bullets and died instantly. He is a hero of the environment. His lifeless body - an indictment of those who do not match their devoted words for tourism with action.

Source: http://www.boholchronicle.com/2008/jun/1/editorial.htm

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=13086.0

I think we should not rely on volunteers alone. Since the province is actually earning from the influx of tourists to this site, the government should shell out money for guards who will patrol the place. The businesses who take these tourists to the diving site should be required to give a reminder on environmental conservation before they set out to the sea.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=13086.0

Again this can be traced back to its root cause which is "vote buying" (as repeatedly stressed by Grazie), where we gave the wrong characters the opportunity to unleash their self centered evil.

Once again, allow me to say my famous words "Eco-tourism and Industrialization can not be mixed". One false move or a simple human error could be a cause of a major oil spill that could turn our white sand beaches into black.



Moreover, it is not oil alone that comes out of the pipe, but "Natural Gas". Natural Gas is poisonous if inhaled and it can kill you instantly. It has to be contained in tanks or burned into the atmosphere. If you happen to see an oil rig, the one that is burning on top is Natural Gas being burned to neutralize it's poisonous effect, but it smells like plastic. I am fed up of the unhealthy air in Saudi. I don't want to see the same ugly Oil Rig when I come home.

Tourist comes to Bohol to breathe fresh air. Please before its too late.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=13086.0

Macky,

You have to come back to Bohol and share your first-hand experience on the deleterious effects of industrial progress before our political pimps give this paradise over to the economic opportunists.

I share your dreams. I also dream of unperturbed quiet in a native hut in Panglao, and smog-free air of Bohol. We at TB should come out from our comfortable, virtual niches and make a difference...

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=13086.0