Bohol dive site off limits after graffiti incident

UNDERWATER GRAFFITI Several names are etched onto corals in the waters around Virgin Island in Panglao town, a top diving spot in Bohol, that divers from the private sector, the DENR and the local governments found during an assessment on Aug. 31. —Photo courtesy of Danilo Menorias

TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL, Philippines — The mayor of Panglao, Bohol, has ordered the temporary closure of a snorkeling site on Virgin Island for diving and other activities following the discovery of graffiti etched on corals in the area.

Mayor Edgardo Arcay said his order covering the Estaca snorkeling site took effect on Monday and would continue until further notice.

“Severe damage was done on the said corals and there is a need for it to regenerate and the affected marine biodiversity be given a chance to regain its footing,” said Arcay in his Executive Order No. 5. The Estaca snorkeling site is a protected area being managed by the Protected Area Management Board and run by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) under the Panglao Island Protected Seascape.

READ: DENR, Bohol execs probe vandalized coral reef in top dive spot

Since the Panglao dive sites are marine protected areas, local governments are mandated by law to help oversee their management under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System (e-Nipas) Act of 2018 as well as policies, plans and programs for the efficient management of the protected areas.

On Monday, Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado recommended the temporary closure of the area where the damaged corals were discovered by divers.

The DENR, he said, would have to make a decision to close or ban any activity in the area based on the recommendation of the Protected Area Management Board.

Aumentado offered a P50,000 incentive to anyone who could give information about the people responsible for vandalizing the corals.

Dive instructor Danilo Menorias, founder of Bohol Divers Advocacy Cooperative, said they first saw graffiti on a coral on July 1. When they returned to the site on Aug. 30, there were at least 13 names etched on corals.