THE Virgin island, also known as (aka) Puntod Island, off Poblacion, Panglao town, is now off limits to any tourism-related activities, like snorkeling and diving, after the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) for Panglao Island Protected Seascape (PIPS) and the DENR approved its closure.
This came after the vandalism of a number of corals at Estaca dive site just within the PIPS by unscrupulous perpetrators suspected to be foreigners in cahoots with the local tour dive guide.
In an ocular visit of this writer and some media in the island last week, DENR reef rangers erected a billboard along the long stretch of its white sandbar for its closure. And now it’s being guarded 24/7.
The island, which is said to be titled, has been abandoned with some of its religious icons made of concrete, like the giant Christ on a Cross, lay grounded after the typhoon toppled them.
Gov. Aris Aumentado told a press briefing that he recommended to the DENR for its closure indefinitely.
DENR, he said, will be the one to make the decision for its closure or ban from any activity thereat based on the recommendation of the PAMB for PIPS governing the said protected area.
The said area is protected under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System law.
Vice-Gov. Tita V. Baja and Sangguniang Panlalawigan presiding chair lauded the move to close the said sand bar to also recuperate.
Former Panglao Mayor Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan told a presscon that he lauded the decision of the governor for shutting it down. He said that those found to be the culprits of the coral vandalism be meted with penalties.
The strong recommendation for closure was also recommended by provincial Board Member Atty. Jamie Villamor, Environment Committee Chairperson, in a separate interview.
The governor was appraised of what really happened a few days ago to the vandalized corals during the meeting held at his office yesterday attended by representatives of the DENR Bohol, Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office (BPEMO) and Provincial Administrator Aster Caberte and representatives of the Panglao Island Protected Seascapes team.
The recommendation for closure of the islet was said to be the unanimous decision of the said meeting.
Danilo Menoria, a dive instructor in Panglao town, said during briefing that a table coral (acropora branching) about 11 meters in circumference and 3.7 meters in diameter “was identified of anthropogenic vandalism. The sad corals were marked with “Soyun,” “Kim,” “Mojak,” “Kago,” “haro,” “Le,” “Tom” and others.
And the lettering word of the vandals is about one meter thick, the report of the investigation showed.
While the islet is closed, the governor said that dive guides should undergo orientation or training. They, after the training, must adhere to the guidelines in the conduct of the snorkeling or dive.
Among the recommendations of the Panglao PIPS team include the ban of agencies without permits issued by the local government unit concerned and accreditation apparently from the Department of Tourism.
The issue at hand is expected to be presented to the PAMB for PIPS and information and education on the importance of the corals will be conducted.
It will be recalled that the said islet was in the spotlight sometime in 2022 after a vendor charged an excessive price of its food offered to the guests. The incident went viral and the islet was closed temporarily by the LGU officials. (rvo)
