Panaon seascape marks first year with management plan

MANILA, Philippines — The Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS) in Southern Leyte has completed its first year as a protected area, with its management board established and a plan approved to guide the protection of its marine ecosystems, conservationists said.

The milestone came as Oceana, local governments and communities marked the first anniversary of Republic Act No. 12238, which placed roughly 60,000 hectares of waters around Panaon Island under protected status.

The law, signed on Aug. 29, 2025, covers the municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan and San Ricardo.

READ: Panaon Island now a protected seascape

Oceana said the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) has been established and its executive committee has approved the Protected Area Management Plan (PAMP), which will serve as a guide for coordinated enforcement, protection of marine ecosystems and sustainable tourism in the seascape.

The PAMP was developed with the Southern Leyte State University-Bontoc Campus, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the four municipal governments, the provincial government of Southern Leyte, local communities and other stakeholders.

“One year down, a lifetime to go! The Panaon Island Protected Seascape law is coming to life, through the incredible teamwork of local governments, national agencies and stakeholders. Their passion and stewardship are the tide that will lift our fisheries, biodiversity and the coastal livelihoods for generations,” Oceana Vice President Von Hernandez said.

Marine life, livelihoods

Panaon Island is part of the Coral Triangle and is among the world’s 50 priority reefs identified as likely to withstand the impacts of climate change, according to Oceana.

A 2019 reef assessment found that parts of the island had up to 60 percent very good coral cover, compared with a national average of 20 percent.

The area is also home to whale sharks, locally known as tiki-tiki, as well as green and hawksbill sea turtles. A rare and endangered blue whale has also been sighted within the seascape.

Pintuyan, one of the municipalities covered by PIPS, is known for whale shark interactions.

Pintuyan Mayor Ricarte Estrella said protecting the marine ecosystem could also help sustain the municipality’s tourism and other community livelihoods.

“As Pintuyan is known for its whale shark interactions, the implementation of Panaon Island as a protected seascape has helped protect and maintain our marine ecosystem. A healthier ecosystem supports more plankton, which is the primary food source of whale sharks,” Estrella said.

“When the marine environment thrives, whale sharks are more likely to stay in our municipal waters, which in turn supports our community livelihoods,” he added.

READ: Panaon Island turns to ‘blue economy’ as seascape bill awaits signing

Fisherfolk have also supported community-managed marine protected areas and fishery reserves in Panaon, helping lay the groundwork for the protected seascape, Oceana said.

The DENR is set to establish a Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) on the island to oversee the day-to-day management of PIPS.

Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), through its Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency Project, have begun supporting sustainable livelihood and coastal resource management initiatives.

Possible support from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment is being explored, according to Oceana.

Speed limits for boats

A landmark provision in Republic Act No. 12238 provides for speed limits for vessels passing through PIPS waters to help protect whale sharks and other large marine animals from injury and disturbance, particularly in areas used for feeding and migration.

Section 8 of the law directs the DENR, Philippine Coast Guard and other enforcement agencies to adopt appropriate speed regulations.

Hernandez said the first year of implementation showed the importance of cooperation among government agencies and communities.

“The implementation of the Panaon Seascape plan is a testament to what happens when national agencies, local leaders and island communities paddle in the same direction to turn our vision of a living, breathing sanctuary into reality. Together, we are building a legacy of abundance and coastal resilience,” he said. /dm