Talibon, Bohol – The town of Talibon was the venue for the launch and first meeting of the Protect Danajon Project, a collaborative effort to conserve the Danajon Bank, the only double barrier reef in the Philippines and one of the six in the world.
The event, held on August 30, 2023, was attended by Talibon Mayor Janette Aurestila-Garcia, who is also the vice chairman of the Bohol Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef Management Council (BDDBRMC).
The council is composed of local chief executives of 10 towns along the Danajon Bank, namely Tubigon, Clarin, Inabanga, Buenavista, Getafe, Talibon, Trinidad, Bien Unido, Ubay and Carlos P. Garcia (Pitogo).
The project is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Gerry Roxas Foundation, Coastal Conservation & Education Foundation Inc. (CCEF), and the Provincial Government of Bohol.
According to Mayor Garcia, the Protect Danajon Project aims to preserve the unique geological formation of the Danajon Bank and promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable landscape.
She said that the project will help protect the marine resources and livelihoods of the coastal communities that depend on the reef.
“We are very happy and proud that we are the chosen town where the launch and first meeting of the council will be held,” Mayor Garcia said. “We are committed to work together with our partners and stakeholders to ensure the success of this project.”
The Danajon Bank is a 130-kilometer long coral reef system that stretches from northern Bohol to southern Leyte. It is home to a rich diversity of marine life, including endangered species such as sea turtles, dugongs and whale sharks. It also provides food security and income for millions of people in the region.
However, the reef is facing various threats such as overfishing, illegal fishing, pollution, climate change and coastal development. These have resulted in the degradation of the reef’s health and productivity.
The Protect Danajon Project seeks to address these challenges by implementing various interventions such as establishing marine protected areas, strengthening law enforcement, promoting sustainable fishing practices, enhancing community participation and awareness, and improving governance and coordination among stakeholders.
The project is expected to run for five years and will cover 50 barangays in 10 municipalities along the Danajon Bank.