Post by admin on May 9, 2015 8:45:33 GMT 8
Tacloban City, Leyte – The Region 8 office of the Department of Environment and Natural (DENR-8) is conducting an assessment on coral reefs in three identified sites in Eastern Visayas, a report from the DENR-8 said.
Coral reef assessment set for Eastern Visayas
Restituto A. Cayubit
April 29, 2015
Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca told reporters that the ongoing coral reefs assessment is part of the Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management (SCREMP), a DENR national program that plans to conduct a strategic, sustainable, and ecosystem-based approach in protecting and rehabilitating the country’s coral reef ecosystem. The move is pursuant to DENR Administrative Order 2013-12.
The program which was launched in Biri, Northern Samar on August 23, 2013, has a proposed fund support of R1.16 billion for 63 target marine key biodiversity areas (MKBA) nationwide, he added.
Sibbaluca informed reporters that the program will primarily cover all MKBAs, particularly the 33 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) established under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS).
The director also informed reporters that in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) there are three NIPAS MPAs which are the target sites for SCREMP implementation covering a total area of 106,440 hectares.
Sibbaluca said the Eastern Visayas SCREMP implementation accomplishment in the three sites from 2013-2014 include: habitat assessment have been done through coral reef visualization assessment method with a total area of 8,759.74 has of coral reef and associated habitats assessed; 1,936.25 hectares of coral reefs have been managed and protected by respective Protected Area Superintendents; pump boats (motorboats), scuba diving gears and buoy markers have been installed in the three target sites; five people’s organizations had been organized under social mobilization; five trainings conducted for MPAs strengthening and capability building; and, five livelihood programs introduced.
Sibbaluca pointed out that coral reefs are considered as “rain forests of the seas,” the Philippine coral reef ecosystem provides diverse and valuable functions and services, such as coastal protection, fisheries production, regulation services, and tourism, among others.
Coral reefs contribute 70% of the total fishery production, highly significant to human welfare, particularly to the well-being of millions of Filipinos dependents on the sea for their livelihood.
Source: www.mb.com.ph/coral-reef-assessment-set-for-eastern-visayas/#ymwCTeG2IJxJKCsl.99
Coral reef assessment set for Eastern Visayas
Restituto A. Cayubit
April 29, 2015
Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca told reporters that the ongoing coral reefs assessment is part of the Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management (SCREMP), a DENR national program that plans to conduct a strategic, sustainable, and ecosystem-based approach in protecting and rehabilitating the country’s coral reef ecosystem. The move is pursuant to DENR Administrative Order 2013-12.
The program which was launched in Biri, Northern Samar on August 23, 2013, has a proposed fund support of R1.16 billion for 63 target marine key biodiversity areas (MKBA) nationwide, he added.
Sibbaluca informed reporters that the program will primarily cover all MKBAs, particularly the 33 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) established under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS).
The director also informed reporters that in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) there are three NIPAS MPAs which are the target sites for SCREMP implementation covering a total area of 106,440 hectares.
Sibbaluca said the Eastern Visayas SCREMP implementation accomplishment in the three sites from 2013-2014 include: habitat assessment have been done through coral reef visualization assessment method with a total area of 8,759.74 has of coral reef and associated habitats assessed; 1,936.25 hectares of coral reefs have been managed and protected by respective Protected Area Superintendents; pump boats (motorboats), scuba diving gears and buoy markers have been installed in the three target sites; five people’s organizations had been organized under social mobilization; five trainings conducted for MPAs strengthening and capability building; and, five livelihood programs introduced.
Sibbaluca pointed out that coral reefs are considered as “rain forests of the seas,” the Philippine coral reef ecosystem provides diverse and valuable functions and services, such as coastal protection, fisheries production, regulation services, and tourism, among others.
Coral reefs contribute 70% of the total fishery production, highly significant to human welfare, particularly to the well-being of millions of Filipinos dependents on the sea for their livelihood.
Source: www.mb.com.ph/coral-reef-assessment-set-for-eastern-visayas/#ymwCTeG2IJxJKCsl.99