British Ambassador Visits Philippine Marine Conservation Project
Added to website: 08 September 2005
Photographs by Yvette Lee
In August, His Excellency Mr Peter Beckingham, British Ambassador to the Philippines, visited Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) at its project base in Southern Leyte, at the invitation of the Provincial Governor, The Honourable Rosette Y. Lerias.
The Philippines is recognised as having the most spectacular diversity of life to be found anywhere on the planet. However, a rapidly expanding population is intensifying the logging of old-growth forests, damage to coral reefs and accelerating the rate at which so many irreplaceable species are disappearing. In turn, this is leading to increased poverty amongst local communites dependent upon the sustainability that only a healthy environment can provide.
Despite these challenges, Filipino’s are making remarkable triumphs in biological conservation and the Philippines is fast carving out a reputation for itself as one of the most proactive nations in South East Asia in the expertise of community-based natural resource stewardship and management. Indeed, many of her neighbours are now looking to the Philippines to learn how they too can manage their living resources more effectively.
The Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project is one such initiative being driven by the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte, in partnership with the Philippine Reef & Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PRRCFI) and CCC, to protect and conserve the coral reefs of Sogod Bay and adjacent areas.
The coral reefs of Southern Leyte are some of the least disturbed and under-researched habitats in the Philipines and are important feeding areas for a range of marine megafauna, including pilot whale and whale shark. Through the training of international volunteers and host-country partners in the collection, interpretation and monitoring of scientific data, the Project is able to produce detailed habitat maps and other outputs crucial for the designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPA).
Ambassador Peter Beckingham and his wife, Jill, were accompanied during their two-day visit to Southern Leyte by Gerry Ledesma (President, PRRCFI), Roger Parr (Chairman, CCC Trust), Yvette Lee (photographer, journalist and conservationist) and Pete Raines (Chairman, CCC Ltd). Upon arrival at the CCC expedition base at Tangkaan, the Ambassador and guests were warmly greeted by the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte at a spectacular evening reception which included traditional dancing and music.
In addition to being briefed on the pioneering conservation initiatives being untaken in Southern Leyte, the Ambassador experienced at first-hand the significance of the Project by visiting newly established community-managed MPAs. The four MPAs of Tangka-an, Santa Sofia, Buenavista and Lungsoda were officially launched on the 27th May 2005 by the Governor. In the coming years, it is hoped that these MPAs will encourage the conservation and regeneration of local fish stocks, and give local fishing communities the chance to continue their livelihoods in a sustainable fashion.
After visiting the reserves, Peter Beckingham said: “The drive, commitment and foresight of Governor Lerias and the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte, local communities and project partners, to protect what must surely be some of the world’s most pristine coral reefs, is outstanding. Here in Southern Leyte we can see at first-hand practical, common-sense and economically viable solutions to biodiversity conservation and from that a truly sustainable future for the livelihoods of the communities dependant upon this vibrant and healthy environment.” Peter (who is also CCC’s Patron) went on to add: “Coral Cay Conservation is a British organisation that for the past 10 years has been doing it’s bit to help protect the fragile and threatened ecosystems of the Philippines, and I for one am extremely proud and grateful to the thousands of British volunteers who continue to donate their time and money to help make a meaningful difference.”
Gerry Ledesma, who founded PRRCFI in the early 1990’s and who for decades has witnessed the plight of the coral reefs and forests of the Philippines, had these encouraging words to say about the successful Philippine/British conservation partnership he pioneered: “In 1994, PRRCFI established a campaign to protect Danjugan Island (Negros Occidental) from further destruction of its reefs and forests. Several British conservation organisations rallied to our cause, CCC being one. As a result, PRRCFI has successfully established Danjugan Island and its fragile reefs as a Provincial protected area and in recognition of this, Danjugan Island has been awarded the prestigious national ‘Philippines Best Managed Reef Award”.
A keen SCUBA diver, accomplished underwater photographer, journalist and ardent conservationist, Yvette Lee also has an in-depth knowledge of the pressing environmental issues and challenges facing the Philippines. On these matters, Yvette commented: “After being tasked to do potential dive site reviews and assessments all over the Philippine archipelago, I’ve realized the dire straits of our marginal fisheries sector. Time and time again I have observed that good coral cover and healthy fish populations occur only in places where there are actively monitored MPAs. I am ecstatic that there are effective partnerships like that exemplified by the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte/PRRCFI/CCC that communities throughout the Philippines can tap into, to help assess the conditions of their reefs and provide the scientific and socio-economic data that will identify areas communities can set aside as fish reserves and sanctuaries.”
Coral Cay Conservation would like to thank British Airways for supporting this visit.
