THE prohibited acts and carrying capacity in reviving the Puntod (Virgin) island with a stretch of white sand off Panglao town are issued to regulate for the visitors/ picnickers to enjoy. The reopening is fortified with reinforced environmental safeguards, regulated tourist visit and inter-agency coordination to guarantee safety and order all in the name of sustainable marine tourism.
The reopening of the said islet, which part is titled to a private individual is situated within the fragile Panglao Island Protected Seascape (PIPS), is reached by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) for PIPS.
DENR and PAMB, in coordination with the provincial government led by Gov. Aris Aumentado, have decided the lifting of the temporary closure following the adoption of the PIPS Marine Tourism Guidelines. The said islet was shut down by the DENR for some time after the reported vandalism of corals, question of carrying capacity and the over-charging of food stuff sold at the sandbars.
One of the regulated acts is the number of persons allowed to enjoy the islet. Allowed are just a little over 200 visitors at a time, meaning they’re given at least two hours, after which another number of visitors are sanctioned to come in, DENR Region VII Regional Director Laudemir Salac said during the Capitol reports on Friday.
There will be a single designated entry and exit points on the island apparently to abort overcrowding and strict controls on boat operations.
Among the prohibited acts no touching, chasing, riding or harassing of marine wildlife; no feeding or luring the animas with food or bait; no standing, sitting, stepping or damaging of live corals (vandalism, anchoring included); no disposing of solid and liquid wastes to marine waters, conducting o tourism-related activities without permits or accreditation; no fishing gear, extractive methods for resource collection within the area; ad no use of amplified music during the island hopping. Diving and snorkeling.
Whoever violates these banned acts within the island will face or “whoever is found guilty by a competent court of justice of any of the offenses in the preceding section shall be fined in the amount of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000) nor more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000), exclusive of the value of the thing damaged or Imprisonment for not less than one (1) year but not more than six (6) years, or both, as determined by the court: Provided, That, if the area requires rehabilitation or restoration as determined by the court, the offender shall also be required to restore or compensate for the restoration to the damage” as provided for section 21 of the said law.
Republic Act No. 7586, or the National Protected Areas Systems (NIPAS) Act of 1992 provides the legal framework for the establishment, management, and protection of critical ecological areas in the Philippines as amended by R.A. 11038 for promotion of sustainable development.
The PAMB, DENR, Department of Tourism Local Government Unit, and barangays councils people’s organizations, non-government organizations and tour operators are expected to carry out the mandate of the prohibited acts.
Aside from Salac, PENRO Colis of the DENR and President Bohol Association of Hotels Resorts and Restaurant president Doer Escoto were the resources persons of the Capitol Reports, a weekly press conference courtesy of the provincial government. (Ric Obedencio)
