Creation of the Bohol Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef Management Council (BDBDBRMC)

Last September 7, 2022- A MOA signing was held at the Provincial Capitol in Tagbilaran City on the Creation of the Bohol Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef Management Council (BDBDBRMC). This Agreement enters between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resouces (BFAR), Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) and the 10 Local Government Units of Tubigon, Clarin, Inabanga, Buenavista, Getafe, Talibon, Trinidad, Bien-Unido, Ubay and Pres. Carlos P.Garcia, Bohol.

This MOA serves as the guiding instrument of the members of the council and stakeholders in the province of Bohol in the proper management, protection, and conservation of Danajon (danawon) bank double barrier reef that has been serving as a breeding and nursery area for various marine organisms and fishing grounds for centuries and has helped ensure food security for the Central and Eastern Visayas communities while exhibiting considerable ecotourism potential.

Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado on his statement “that it is a fresh start in protecting and conserving the Danajon double barrier reef and he will make sure that other provinces like Cebu, Southern Leyte, and Leyte will join the band and will help safeguard the nearly one million people who live directly in the vicinity of the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef that relies on its resources for sustenance and livelihood”.

Present of the MOA signing are Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado of the Provincial Government of Bohol, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Executive Director Paquito D. Melicor, Jr. represented by PENRO Ariel N. Rica, CENRO Richard N. Abella, CENRO Elena , Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Director Dr. Allan L. Poquita represented by Candido Samijon, LGU-Tubigon by its Municipal Mayor, Hon. William R. Jao, LGU-Clarin by its Municipal Mayor, Hon. Eugeniano Ibarra, LGU-Inabanga by its Municipal Mayor, Hon. Jose Jono Jumamoy, LGU-Buenavista by its Municipal Mayor, Hon. Dave D. Duallo, LGU-Getafe by its Municipal Mayor, Hon. Cary M. Camacho, LGU-TAlibon by its Municipal Mayor, Hon. Janette A. Garcia, LGU-Trinidad by its Municipal Mayor, Hon. Roberto C. Cajes, LGU-Bien Unido by its Municipal Mayor, Hon. Rene B. Borenaga, LGU-Ubay by its Municipal Mayor, Hon. Constantino H. Reyes and LGU-Pres. Carlos P. Garcia by its Municipal Mayor, Hon. Fernando B. Estavilla, 2nd District Representative Cong. Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado, Representative of Cong. Edgar M. Chatto and Representative of Cong. Alexie Tutor.

Danajon (also known as "Dawahon") Double Barrier Reef, composed of an outer reef and an inner reef, is one of six (6) in the world and the only documented Double Barrier Reef in the Philippines and South East Asia, with over 272 s.km. (27,200 ha) with a total coastline of 699 km and comprising over 1% of the Philippines' total coral reef area is bounded by the Provinces of Cebu, Leyte, Bohol, Southern Leyte, and the City of Lapu-Lapu, which through the coastal LGUs in the area, share administrative jurisdiction.

The coastal communities bordering the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef ecosystem rank among the most densely populated in the country and are threatened by impending climate change impacts are some of the underlying factors that are contributing to poverty, malnutrition, and climate vulnerabilities in these communities so that integrated resource protection, conservation, rehabilitation, and management approach that incorporates population management and climate change adaptation and/or mitigation measures as a strategy for sustainable development is therefore deemed necessary.

The most significant problem concerning the Danajon Double Barrier Reef is the lack of a collaborative governance framework leading to uncoordinated management of an important ecosystem leading to significant gaps in law enforcement resulting in rampant destructive fishing practices, economic development, capacities, adaptation to climate change impacts, and education and advocacy for relevant stakeholders, hence this agreement was initiated and formalized.

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