By Alex Villanueva
Philippine News Agency
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is expected to visit the province of Palawan where she will enjoy the adventure at the World Heritage Site-Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park (TRNMP) in the town of Cagayancillo off Sulu Sea.
This was announced by Mayor Edward Hagedorn, who added that President Arroyo is set to dive in the 96,000-hectare Tubbataha, one of the best dive sites in the world.
Hagedorn has not disclosed the date of the President’s visit in the province, but he said it will be after the Palarong Pambansa which is being hosted by this city from April 20-26.
If the plan pushes through, Mrs. Arroyo will be visiting Tubbataha for the second time since becoming the President in 2001.
In 2006, the Chief Executive, along with First Family members, Representatives Myles Roces, Abraham Khalil Mitra and Antonio Alvarez visited the country’s only marine park.
Tubbataha Reef, an atoll coral reef in the Sulu Sea, has been nominated as one of the candidates in the worldwide search for the “New Seven Wonders of Nature” and is presently ranked 9th.
The said reef is frequently visited by diving tourists both international and local, generating almost P4 million revenues annually.
More divers around the world have been visiting the vast marine park’s world-class dive site via live-aboard commercial dive boats.
The reef, situated 182 kilometers (113 miles) southeast of this city, is considered as a “nursery” in Sulu Sea because of its diverse coral species, marine mammals, species of sea grasses and marine algae.
Trumpetfish, cornetfish, anthias, Napoleon wrasse, clownfish associated with anemones, other damselfish, angelfish, lionfish, scorpionfish, boxfish, groupers, triggerfish, pufferfish, hawkfish and parrotfish, among others, abound in the reef. Manta rays and turtles are common near the surface.
Since the establishment of the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board in 1998, divers and commercial boats entering the reef have paid conservation fees.
The amount, pegged at P10 million annually, is used for conservation, research and monitoring and other park-related management works.
Personnel of the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other uniformed men in Western Command have also contributed to the conservation of Tubbataha through manpower and logistics support.
Unknown to many, the reef contributes an ecological value of P840 million to the country’s economy in terms of fisheries and tourism.
April 24, 2008 at 3:19 pm
hello, alex. I hope this comment stops you from killing the duck.
indeed, the Tubbataha Reef is the best among all the best among all the entries by the Philippines by its uniqueness and natural aspects. in fact i also blogged about the breath taking place hoping that other people will find my blog and also for my on going campaign to other Filipinos all over the world for a possible vote including the other 3 entries, Chocolate Hills, Mayon Volcano and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. It’s nice to be here in your blog.
Good luck to the Philippinees’ entries!