Tourism players ink pact to protect reef

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza leads the signing of the commitment to protect Lapu-Lapu City’s coral reefs. (CDN PHOTO/NORMAN MENDOZA)

TOURISM stakeholders in Cebu yesterday signed a covenant to protect Lapu-Lapu’s coral reefs.

The covenant signing was triggered after a plate coral at the Kontiki Wall in barangay Maribago was vandalized.

“We are here to protect and preserve the wonders of our seas so that those who will come after us will also be able to enjoy nature’s bounty,” said Mayor Paz Radaza, who described the gathering’s aim   as a very important task for this generation and the generations to come.

Because of its priceless underwater treasures, Lapu-Lapu City has become a famous dive spot in Cebu.  The Kontiki Wall, at Barangay Maribago, boasts of diverse corals and fish species that have become precious gems to the divers, to the city and the environment, she said.

commitments

The covenant included four commitments which are an information campaign, active participation of tourism stakeholders in coastal conservation and protection, law enforcement, and enactment of local ordinances.

“Let us all work together to safeguard our environment, to conserve our underwater resources, and to protect our diving industry against some irresponsible individuals and organizations.

Let us join forces to ensure that this will not happen again.  I believe this activity will result in a  strong partnership towards a sustainable underwater conservation and protection commitment,” she said.

Among those who signed the pact were Lapu-Lapu City officials headed by Radaza, representatives from the Tourism Department, Fisheries and Resources Bureau, Environment Department, Education Department, Hotels Resorts and Restaurants Association in Cebu, Dive shop owners, Korean Travel Assocaiton and Scuba diving enthusiasts.