“IT’S not that Capitol wants to take over Balicasag island,” but to help Panglao in its bid to manage well Balicasag island was the categorical response of provincial Board Member Atty. Jiselle Rae Aumetado Villamor, chairperson of the environment committee of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in exclusive interview.
Villamor’s statement came following DYTR’s report that the provincial government is to takeover the reign of Balicasag island, the world renown dive site.
“It is more on helping address concerns in the area. In fact, the suggestion to enter into a MOA, proposed by BM Tita, was referred to the committee so we can have a venue to consult LGU Panglao and other stakeholders,” Villamor explained. “We respect the authority of Panglao which has the primary jurisdiction on matters within its territorial jurisdiction,” she said.
Panglao Vice-Mayor Noel Hormachuelos told DYTR interview that he’s unconvinced that Capitol is to takeover Balicasag, saying probably to help Panglao.
Villamor said that the plan to help Balicasag surfaced lately after provincial BM Tita V. Baja, chairperson of tourism committee, proposed for a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that may spell out tasks of each party to do.
“The manifestation of Hon. Tita V. Baja is a wake-up call for all of us, especially the parties of the proposed MOA which started in 2009 and up to now, still remains a proposal,” BEMO head Jovencia Ganub said in her letter to the committee.
Villamor’s committee agreed with Panglao officials to “create a technical working group to address the environmental and tourism concerns in Balicasag. And if the group finds it necessary, then a MOA for a specific purpose will be entered into.”
“For now, there is still no MOA because naa pa lang sa stage na nag sabot pa lang for a possible agreement depending on where the province can extend assistance. And the proposal was in general term pa lang,” she added.
In her letter to the committee, Bohol environment management office head Jovencio Ganub said that there are a lot of issues that adversely affect 25-hectare Balicasag islet, off Poblacion Panglao.
Among them are: the increasing number of informal settlers, engaged in economic activities on and around the island; Improper solid waste and liquid (wastewater) management, treatment and disposal; Provisions of RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management are not complied: no segregation of waste at source, no burning of solid waste; No regular collection of solid waste from the island to the mainland Panglao; Unchecked wastewater seepage into the surrounding reef; Harmful and undesirable reef-damaging practices of some divers, snorkelers, boatmen and coastal dwellers; and Presence of illegal fishing activities.
Others are Indiscriminate cutting of trees; Lack of clear and legal demarcation line of the powers, duties and functions of the agencies involved, such as the PN, PCG, TIEZA and LGU; Absence of long term land use and development plan of the island; Continuing inward migration of local residents; Unlawful building of structures within the 20-meter salvage zone; Unlawful use of limited beach sand for building purposes; Unregulated arrival of guests for snorkelling and diving; aand Carrying capacity of the dive sites in the island have exceeded allowable limit per study of the Siliman University.
There have been attempts to save Balicasag from further degradation and mismanagement.
Ganub said that then Governor Erico B. Aumentado, fther of incumbent Gov. Aris Aumentado drafted MOA of th same tenor sometiMe in 2008 and 2009.
It involved the Philippine Navy, Philippine Tourism Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Tourism, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Housing Authority, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Municipal Local Government of Panglao, Provincial Government of Bohol, First Congressional District of Bohol.
“The MOA proposes for the creation of the Balicasag Island Task Force with the PGBh Department to oversee the preparation of the five-year Balicasag Island Land-use Plan, Environmental Impact Analysis Study and all related developments, among others as Panglao is part of the Bohol Marine Triangle,” Ganub said.
How Balicasag came to be:
In October 29,11OOctober 29, 1907, Governor-General James F. Smith issues Executive Order No. 42, recognizing Balicasag Island as a naval reserve for lighthouse purposes and withdrawn from sale of settlffrom sale of resettlement.
Former President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued on November 10 1979 Proclamation No. 1801, declaring Balicasag Island, among others, as tourist zone and marine reserve under the administration and control of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA). Said Proclamation further mandated that no development projects or construction for any purpose shall be introduced within the zones so declared without prior approval of the PTA. The PTA was further empowered to define geographic areas within the zones with potential tourist values and promulgates rules and regulations, subject to the approval of the President.
The Philippine Navy and the PTA entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on April 6, 1987 for the joint establishment and construction of an underwater sports and aqua marine development, which is known today as the Balicasag Island Dive Resort.
Executive Order no. 475 was issued on March 30,1998 after the effectivity of Local government Code of 1991 by the Office of the President, transferring the Philippine Coast Guard from the Philippine Navy to the Office of the President.
Executive Order No. 477 was issued on April 15, 1998, transferring the Philippine Coast Guard from the Office of the President to the Department of Transportation and Communication.
Note: In both issuances, the assets under its possession, supervision and control are deemed Philippine Coast Guard’s properties, including the lighthouse.
Executive Order No. 533 was issued on June 6, 2006 by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, providing for the adoption of an Integrated Coastal Management, a national strategy to ensure the sustainable development of the country’s coastal and marine environment and resources. (rvo)
