Declare Visayan Sea protected area –guvs November 16, 2014, Panay News By EDITH B. COLMO BACOLOD City — Four governors urged the national government to declare a huge portion of the Visayan Sea a protected area. The declaration will protect the seawaters beyond 15 kilometers from the shorelines of 23 local government units facing the Visayan Sea. Governors Alfredo Marañon Jr. of Negros Occidental, Arthur Defensor Sr. of Iloilo, Rizalina Seachon-Lanete of Masbate and Hilario Davide III of Cebu, who was represented by Ricardo Lachica, filed a resolution during the 6th Visayan Sea Summit on Friday in Sagay City. The governors noted that despite the current efforts in protecting the Visayan Sea, it is still “on the brink of collapse.” It should be saved by making it the “biggest marine-protected area” in the country, they said. “We want to ensure that the biodiversity and marine life will be protected for the next generations.” The resolution further said that once it is approved commercial fishing vessels are not allowed to operate in the protected area. With that, the governor expects it will alleviate the poverty of Visayan fisherfolks. The four governors asked support from government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Aquatic and Fisheries Resources, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, and the Department of Interior and Local Government. The resolution will be forwarded to President Benigno Aquino III for approval.(With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN )
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 02:11:24 +0000
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