The marine resource-rich Danajon Double Barrier Reef (DDBR) strategically situated in Central Visayas covering four provinces is on the brink of extinction due to “destructive and unsustainable actions.” This stark reality has prompted local government units concerned for a collaborative efforts to push for concrete steps in managing and salvaging the unique coral eco-system and geologic formation from further damage because there’s so much at stake at it. The so-called CeLeBoSoLe (for Cebu, Leyte, Bohol and Southern Leyte provinces) is now in full swing in reactivating the reef’s management council initiated by Bohol provincial government led by Gov. Edgar Chatto in collaboration with the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF). Chatto’s administration is committed to ensure and strengthen environmental protection and management through effective partnership with the stakeholders and good governance. Initial meetings of the stakeholders have been held in this city and recently in Lapu-lapu City to tackle the proposed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) forming the DDBR Management Council, said the Danajon Provincial Working Group. Next step will be a three-day visit to Leyte and Southern Leyte provinces next week to confer with officials concerned.

Small group discussion among the representatives has “focused on the revision of the MOA” and salient points, such as streamlining of the existing organizational structure, council membership and committee composition and other activities, explained executive director Atty. Rose-Liza E. Osorio of the CCEF in her letter to Gov. Chatto. DDBR is “one among only six worldwide, this unique geologic formation has been carved for over 6000 years of coral ecosystem development. Historically known as the seed of marine diversity in this ecoregion, with its vast expanse of mangrove forests and extensive coral reef systems,” said the CCEF website. It encompasses the four provinces and independent Lapulapu City, Mactan island along with Baybay City, municipalities of Inopacan, Hindang, Hilongos, Matalom and Bato of Leyte and Maasin City, Southern Leyte. In Bohol, it also covers the towns of President Carlos P. Garcia, Ubay, Trinidad, Bien-Unido, Talibon, Getafe, Buenavista, Inabanga, Clarin and Tubigon. (RVO)