SAYING the time has come to save Panaon Island in the southern tip of Southern Leyte, lawmakers have joined hands with international nongovernment organization Oceana to mount a photo exhibit capturing the breathtaking beauty of its biodiversity, in hopes of getting it declared by law as the Panaon Island Protected Seascape .
On May 15, the House of Representative’s Committee on Natural Resources provisionally approved the consolidated bill for the proposed Panaon Island seascape law pending the submission of a minor revision to the technical description from the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority . The mapping authority committed to submitting this by next week.
They were joined by Nueva Ecija Fourth District Rep. Emerson Emeng Pascual, Cebu Second District Rep. Eduardo Roa Rama Jr., Bukidnon Fourth District Rep. Laarni Lavin Roque, Oceana Acting Vice President Atty. Rose Liza Eisma Osorio, and Assistant Director Armida Andres of Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau.
For her part, Southern Leyte First District Rep. Luz Mercado, one of the authors of the bill, said the establishment of the Panaon Island Protected Seascape is pursuant to the declared policy of the State to advance and protect the constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature of all the Filipino people of present for future generations.