Biologists assess marine life in Toledo City coast

There are clear signs of marine life  despite the presence of silt along the bay of barangay Poblacion, Toledo City.

This was the initial finding of volunteer divers of the group Sea Knights and Oceana Philippines yesterday morning.

The group started the assessment to try to determine the impact of a proposed 11-hectare reclamation project in barangay Poblacion where  Toledo City Mayor John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña plans to put up a mixed-use complex.

Beyond ten meters deep the water is no longer visible, said lawyer Mary Joan Dulhao, Sea Knights’ vice president during a  briefing.

They saw mostly sea grass in the bay and the port area.

Seagrass beds found at the proposed site of the Toledo reclamation project.

Puffer fish and sea horses were also spotted.  There  was silt and sand, but very few corals or other distinct species.

Seahorses are abundant in the area. This one is visible even from the surface.

“Let us give this marine life a chance.  Let’s do our part and rehabilitate it,” said Danny Ocampo, Oceana Philippines’ campaign manager.

Oceana, an  international marine conservation group, has firmly come out against reclamation in Toledo city.

Sixteen divers were divded into four groups.

The first dive was at 8 a.m with the second dive at 10:30 a.m.

A third dive would have taken place, but Toledo city police stopped the operation.

FACEOFF. PO3 Elbert Dolino of Toledo City Police Station (left) tells lawyer Mary Joan Dulhao of Sea Knights to stop their diving activity for a marine assessment in barangay Poblacion. Someone from Toledo City Hall gave the order, he said. (CDN photo Michelle Joy L. Padayhag)

After  the second dive, PO3 Elbert Dolino of Toledo City Police Station arrived at the bay and told  Dulhao that police  were under orders from Toledo City Hall to stop the diving activity because it was not coordinated with the local government.

Dulhao, however,  insisted that they had sent letters notifying the barangay officials, Department of Environment and Natural (DENR-7), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Toledo city government about the marine assessment.

Poblacion barangay captain Faustino Barcenas, who has refused to give Toledo City Hall his consent to the recalamation project, said  he supports the marine assessment.

He said the Poblacion barangay council opposes the 11-hectare reclamation project of the city government.

“This activity (diving) is properly coordinated with us,” Barcenas told reporters.

These are just among the many species that were found during the visual assessment of the marine biodiversity in Toledo City.

Small fishes take shelter in the corals at the Toledo bay.

Barangay councilor Erick Laspoña said they  held a consultative assembly with  200  affected residents from the coastal areas.

“We are not against development. But as what we can see, it is not yet the right time to implement the reclamation project. There are other projects that the city needs to prioritize like a hospital and market,” Laspoña said.

“I already expected the resistance. I already anticipated this.”

Mayor Osmeña said he does not know the divers and was not aware of a letter to the DENR.

“Regarding the divers at Poblacion, I don’t know who they are. What is their competence to conduct a “marine” assement.  As to the so-called marine biologist let him/her submit the report with the credentials,” Osmeña said in a text message.

He denied ordering a stop to the diving.

Augustinian priest Fr. Tito Soquiño of Sea Knights said they have to look at it from an ecosystem perspective beyond politics.

“We are speaking in behalf of the sea horses,” he said.

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Dulhao, the head of Sea Knights,said that even if they were not able to finish the third dive, they can still make a report of their findings and come up with recommendations.

“If that is their decision (to stop the dive) then we will respect that. We are here to help not to fight,” she told  reporters.

Ocampo said   Oceana Philippines will go as far as their resources can allow to oppose the project using legal means.

“We want to let them know that we oppose the project,” he said.