As part of the efforts in rebuilding Bohol from the devastation brought about by last year's massive earthquake, the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) has launched a massive coral restoration program on the seas off Balicasag island in Panglao, Bohol, on May 29. Some 70 divers from the PGBh, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, 2nd Special Forces, University of San Carlos (USC), Bohol Island State University (BISU), Balicasag local divers and divers from various dive resorts in Panglao participated in this activity.  Gov. Edgar M. Chatto said that this coral restoration program is the highlight in the celebration of the Month of the Ocean and is part of the Bayani Challenge (BC) 2014 activities conducted provincewide. BC is a massive summer volunteerism program to rebuild communities affected by the recent calamities through mobilization of local, national and international volunteers in the conduct of activities to address the problems and needs brought by calamities portraying the Bayanihan spirit.

Over 500 live fragments of the Acroporasp species, a branching coral, were planted in what is now called Balicasag Marine Protected Area (MPA) and Divers Haven. These live fragments were reared corals from the four existing Coral Nursery Units managed by the Balicasag MPA.  The CNU is an activity under the Coastal Resource Management Project (CRMP) coordinated provincewide by the MPA Provincial Technical Working Group led by Liza Quirog, of the Governor's Office and the Social Economic and Environment Management Cluster head.  Quirog said that the governor has already expressed his support in the plan of expanding the existing four CNUs into ten thru the collaboration of the PGBh and LGU Panglao. But for this coral planting activity, Quirog thanks the divers and other organizations that extended their support for the success of this undertaking, bringing into realization the spirit of true Bayanihan. Technical support were extended by DOST-PCAMMRD, USC Marine Science Department, BISU, Padayon BMT for the funding in putting up the 4 CNUs and TIEZA for the accommodation and dive gears for the divers.

This coral planting program is the first big gathering of volunteers for the establishment of coral plantations to rehabilitate the Black Forest damaged by Typhoon Pablo in 2012.  Two teams were fielded for this activity. One team handled the harvesting of the CNU reared corals for transplanting to the identified area while the other team handled the collection of Corals of Opportunity (COP) to replace the live fragments taken from the CNUs for these COPs to re-grow.  The governor hopes that the restoration program being conducted last Thursday will not be too late especially in the promotion of Balicasag island as one of the world's best diving spots and tourist come-on because of the richness of its diverse marine life. Tourism has been identified as one of the economic drivers of Bohol.  (tiara torero-bulilan/GO-SEEM)