BY: LEANDRIA P. PAGUNSAN
DUMAGUETE CITY, July 30 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Negros Oriental makes some steps for the immediate rehabilitation of damaged coral reefs in Apo Island in Dauin, Negros Oriental.
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer, Charlie Fabre said that the Protection and Management Board (PAMB) in partnership with Silliman University and local government unit of Dauin are now working on the restoration of Apo Island's marine sanctuary which was badly damaged by typhoons Sendong in 2011 and Pablo in 2012.
Silliman University that conducted a related study on the preservation of marine sanctuary in Siquijor Island and other places revealed that fish sanctuary structure can be reconstructed again by mixing the corals with cement to get back to its original form and let it stabilize for some time before rehabilitating them.
DENR regional director Isabelo Montejo said he will make a proposal to DENR Manila for additional funding to fast track the recovery of the damaged marine reserve.
PENRO Fabre on the other hand cited that cooperation and support of the people living in the Island is very important for the success of this undertaking.
If Apo Island gets over populated there is a possibility that people's wastes and garbage will destroy the marine sanctuary which will later on lose its popular destination as one of the tourist attractions in Negros Oriental, revealed Fabre.
Along this line, Fabre recommended that there is a need to regulate the operation of businesses and monitor the actual population in the area to preserve the cleanliness and orderliness of the environment around the sanctuary.
In response to this, Montejo ordered PAMB to make a study on the ideal population ratio as basis for barangay officials of Apo Island and local government unit of Dauin in formulating laws to regulate the issuance of business and building permits in the island. (mbcn/lpp/PIA-7/Negros Oriental)