Press Release
October 31, 2007

ENVIROMENTAL ADVOCACY:
Villar calls for the preservation of the country's coral reefs

Senate President Manny Villar filed a resolution urging the Senate to inquire into the current state of the country's marine life and biodiversity in view of its preservation.

Villar's Senate Resolution 145 stated, "The Philippines is home to some of the most splendid and spectacular marine sanctuaries particularly the Tubbataha Reefs Marine Park in Palawan, Apo Island in Negros Oriental, Apo Reef in Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental, and Verde Island Passage in Batangas."

It urges the Senate committee on environment to conduct an "omnibus inquiry" in aid of legislation on the current condition of the Philippine marine life in the light of the reported degradation of the coral reefs.

It has been reported that close to a decade after the El Nino phenomenon hit the country, the Philippine coral reefs - the second largest in Southeast Asia - remain in bad shape.

The latest statistics of Reef Check, the world's largest reef conservation organization, revealed that the Philippines' less than five percent of the estimated 27,000 square kilometers of coral reefs are considered in excellent condition and in a threatened state.

The 1998 El Nino phenomenon has caused the most serious impact in the dissipation of marine life, as it resulted in coral bleaching or the death of 20 percent of the country's coral reefs.

Human activities such as chemical-aided blast fishing and marine pollution have contributed to the degradation of coral reefs in the country, the resolution stated.

"The health of Philippine marine life and biodiversity are in danger as manifested in the density of Napoleon wrasse in Philippine coral reefs at almost zero and such sea staples as bump-head parrotfish, sweetlips, snappers and moral eels are hard to find," it said.

Villar said, "We must ensure the preservation of our marine life as part of our efforts to protect our environment as well as to promote tourism in the country."

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