Gov. Edgar Chatto is securing the environmental integrity of Panglao island for a sustainable tourism development in the advent of the modern, world-standard new Bohol airport. The governor on Friday inked for the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), represented by Southeast Asia Division 5 Director Yoshifuma Omura on Sustainable Environment Protection Project for Panglao (SEPPP). Overall, the project intends to achieve sustainable tourism development after the completion of the construction of the new airport, which Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III vowed shall rise before the end of his term in 2016. Its purpose is to protect the environment of Panglao island from the estimated dramatic tourist increase once the giant air terminal operates and to improve the “on-site systems” such as the existing wastewater systems.

Even at the start of the talk, Chatto already insisted for ecological respect as a major concern and an uncompromising part of the social preparation for the airport on Panglao island. One of the main points discussed was the cooperation with the Silliman University – Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management (SU-AKREM), PADAYON Bohol Marine Triangle, and Bohol Island State University (BISU) on monitoring the marine ecosystem. The province and JICA also explored on establishing an inter-agency team for the management of on-site systems, another body called the Panglao Island Executive Committee and a scientific council. The JICA has a ready P90-million grant for the two-year environment-focused SEPPP activities under the MOU which are set to start in January or February of 2013, the same year set for the start of the airport concrete works.

The new airport is to be built according to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for safety and convenience under the condition of increasing air traffic demand. It is expected to accommodate rising demand on a green-orientated basis. Enlarging tourist inflows are to likely have negative effects on the environment around Panglao island, especially on the marine ecosystem. It is, therefore, necessary to establish an effective environmental management system for the marine ecosystem to achieve sustainable ecotourism development, Chatto said. As projected, there is a high possibility of beach areas to be heavily occupied with hotels, restaurants and other facilities onward to the seashores as tourists steadily multiply because of the airport. Currently, the performance of existing on-site wastewater treatment systems such as septic tanks seems ineffective enough to deal with the increasing wastewaters from hotels, restaurants and households.

It is thus required, too, under the SEPPP agreement to investigate these issues for best ways improving the current on-site systems. Last August, the JICA dispatched to the Philippines a survey mission to develop a detailed plan for the sustainable environment protection of Panglao island. During its stay, the JICA mission exchanged views and held a series of of discussions with the representatives of relevant organizations in the country. Then the JICA and Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) agreed to implement the airport construction and sustainable environment project. The JICA mission and the provincial government vowed sincere cooperation which can greatly contribute toward smoothly executing and enhancing the development effect of the project. Under the SEPPP agreement, the JICA side has to provide experts and necessary equipment while the PGBH provides counterpart personnel, office and necessary facilities, and information/data needed to implement the project.

OUTPUTS

Environment monitoring for the protection of tourism resources and improvement of on-site systems are lead outputs expected of the SEPPP activities under the agreement. These activities involve the possible appropriate framework for implementing an “adaptive management system” under which usage control is established and applied in Panglao. As part of the scope of works, data on existing monitoring surveys of environmental conditions will be collected to examine the maximum carrying capacity and, if necessary, additional monitoring surveys will be done. This will be in coordination with the SU-AKREM, PADAYON, BISU and other relevant organizations and institutions. As agreed, assistance will be provided to assist the creation of the yet tentatively called Panglao Island Executive Committee consisting of related stakeholders to make decision on the protection plan of the prime tourism island. The Bohol government will ensure that the technologies and knowledge acquired as a result of the SEPPP contribute to economic and social progress and stability as years fly with the dream airport in operation. Meanwhile, senatorial candidate JV Ejercito Estrada courteously acknowledged in a press conference here on Friday his three “friends” Chatto, Rep. Rene Relampagos and Trinidad Mayor Roberto Cajes and committed to help materialize the new Bohol airport once he is elected to the highest legislature of the land. (Ven rebo Arigo)