Environmental advocates and local officials are urging the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to temporarily close the dive site at Virgin Island in Panglao, Bohol, following allegations of vandalism committed by divers on the coral formations.
The area, a protected site under the expanded National Integrated Protected Area (E-NIPAS) law, falls under the jurisdiction of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), which includes DENR officials. This gives the agencies the authority to impose a closure order on the protected area.
The call for closure comes after reports surfaced of damage inflicted on corals in the area, provoking worries about the long-term impact on the marine ecosystem.
Corals, classified as invertebrate animals, can die as a result of human interaction, and their growth can take years to recover.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Bohol has echoed the calls for closure, with the panel on environment and natural resources expressing support for the measure.
The SP’s backing adds to the growing pressure on the DENR and PAMB to take action against the alleged vandals.
In a related development, a tour guide, a boatman, and a tour agency have surrendered to authorities in connection with the alleged vandalism.
The tour guide, reportedly from Sagbayan, Bohol, allegedly admitted to vandalizing the coral formations at the request of a Korean tourist.
The identities of the alleged vandals have been withheld pending the outcome of the investigation.
The local government unit (LGU) of Panglao has no jurisdiction over the dive site, as it falls under the DENR’s auspices, reports said.
PAMB is set to meet to decide on the fate of the tour guide.
Earlier, the provincial government had offered a P200,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the alleged vandals.
The incident has triggered public demands about the need for stricter measures to protect the marine ecosystem and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The temporary closure of the dive site would allow for rehabilitation efforts and give authorities time to investigate the allegations and take necessary action against those responsible, environment advocates said.