The proposal to make coral reefs shaped like the Chocolate Hills has received unqualified support from the Oasis Leisure Island Development Inc. (OLIDI). In a press statement, OLIDI described the move as a “master stroke” that will definitely enhance the tourism industry in Panglao. OLIDI said the move is like “hitting two birds with one stone”. “It boosts the environment and the tourism industry at the same time,” the reclamation project proponent said. Artificial coral reefs enhance the coastal resource management efforts in the town while adding yet another attraction to tourists who now have another diving attraction to visit.

The Balicasag dive spot in Panglao is one of the country's premier dive spots which is the main reason divers frequent Bohol. The Bohol Environment Management Office recently revealed that The Unique Reefs Inc. recently proposed the shaping up of embedded artificial coral reefs formed like the world-renown Chocolate Hills. This undertaking is a project of Barangay Danao, Panglao. The Unique Reefs Inc. is manned by Executive Director Danny Brumbach, a German who is married to a Filipina. It envisions to rebuild damaged reefs with the local community and offers reef management for tourism, fisherfolk, marine biologists and dive enthusiasts. Commenting on this proposal, OLIDI said that if this will materialize, it will add another dimension to the tourism industry in Panglao.

“This is definitely a welcome development primarily to existing tourism industry players,” OLIDI said. The reclamation project proponent expressed hopes that the artificial coral reefs project will take into consideration not just the environmental impact of the project but also the social aspect especially since this will involve the local community. “Based on our experience, it is better to involve the community because they provide invaluable insights in addition to the cooperation that they can offer,” OLIDI added. The project proponent noted that the lack of communication between some industry players and the local community could have been avoided if they only held dialogues with the people since the start. “When you start a project that affects the livelihood of the local community, it is best to discuss it with them to arrive at a commonly acceptable solution,” OLIDI noted.

Oasis credits its rapport with fisherfolks in the three barangays identified as project sites to its sincere efforts to reach out to them. “Their fears are primarily due to their sad experiences in the past where the coming of a resort has resulted not only to the restriction of their traditional fishing but also the landing sites for their boats,” the statement noted. OLIDI said that like its proposed project, the artificial cone-shaped coral reefs project introduces innovative ideas without posing a threat to the environment. “The key is not leaving the target areas untouched which is no longer possible at this time but responsible coastal resource management,” the statement concluded.