Protect Double Reef says DILG

MANILA - The Department of the Interior and Local Government wants local governments around the Danajon Double Barrier Reef to protect it and to join the meetings of the Danajon Bank Management Council.

"The Danajon Double Barrier Reef which is located off northern Bohol is the only one in the country and one of six worldwide. It is known as the cradle of marine biodiversity in Central Visayas with its vast expanse of coral reefs, sea grasses and mangrove forests. But this valuable resource is being destroyed by illegal fishermen who are using banned fishing methods said Secretary Jesse Robredo.

"To manage this resource, there is a need for a collective, determined and sustainable action among the 19 municipalities and cities within four provinces and two administrative regions that encompass this reef ecosystem," he added.

Robredo said that inter-local government cooperation is essential in ensuring stakeholder participation in formulating an action plan for the Danajon Bank. This was initially agreed upon during the Danajon Bank Summit which was held last January 18-20, 2012.

"In line with the need to craft a feasible, practicable and acceptable management framework plan for the area a series of council meetings by the Danajon Bank Management Council and its technical working groups have been held said Robredo.

The target participants of the Danajon Bank Management Council meetings are the governors from the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Southern Leyte and the mayor of Lapu-Lapu City. They will be joined by mayors from the cities of Maasin and Baybay and mayors from the municipalities of Cordova, Cebu City Matalom, Bato, Hilongos and Inopacan of Leyte, Tubigon, Clarin, Inabanga, Buenavista, Talibon, Getafe, Trinidad, Bien Unido.

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