EXHORTING THE CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES TO PROCLAIM THE VISAYAN SEAS AS MARINE RESERVATION AND HERITAGE SITE, BEING HOST TO THE WORLD'S RICHEST MARI

This is the resolution passed by the provincial board regarding the visayan sea. FYI Visayan Sea is one of the target areas for offshore mining.

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Republic of the Philippines

Province of Cebu

OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN

Legislative Building Capitol Compound, Cebu City

Resolution No.2524

Series of 2007

EXHORTING THE CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES TO PROCLAIM THE VISAYAN SEAS AS MARINE RESERVATION AND HERITAGE SITE, BEING HOST TO THE WORLD'S RICHEST MARINE BIODIVERSITY AREA.

Whereas, a 10-year study by international marine experts, led by world renowned marine biologist Dr. Kent E. Carpenter, reveals that the Philippines is the “epicenter of the richest marine biodiversity in the world.” And that the highest diversity and endemism of organisms are found in the Visayan Seas particularly in the Central Philippine Province of Cebu, Bohol and Iloilo;

Whereas, this amazing discovery brought tremendous national pride to the Filipinos and has catapulted the Philippines, particularly the Visayan Islands, into the zenith of the world environmental and geographical maps. This marvel of the seas has made the Philippines not least the “The Pearl of the Orient Seas” but more of a “The Mother of All Seas”;

Whereas, the proclamation of the Visayan Seas as a marine reservation and heritage site will showcase the wealth of our marine resources and the beauty and richness of our seas, and ensure its protection, conservation and sustainable development for all generations to come. Moreover, such proclamation would open the floodgates of global environmental awareness in the area and brings in priceless historical, educational and scientific environmental and economic benefits for all mankind;

Whereas, mindful that we are only stewards of the nature's bounty and beauty, this August Body most respectfully exhorts the Congress of the Philippines to proclaim the Visayan Seas as Marine Reservation and Heritage Site our priceless legacy to all posterity. A small step for Filipinos; a big leap for mankind;

NOW, THEREFORE, premises considered, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cebu, on motion of HON. VICTOR A. MAAMBONG, duly seconded by HON. AGNES A. MAGPALE, be it-

RESOLVE TP EXHORT as it is hereby EXHORTED, THE CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES TO PROCLAIM THE VISAYAN SEAS AS MARINE RESERVATION AND HERITAGE SITE, BEING HOST TO THE WORLD'S RICHEST MARINE BIODIVERSITY AREA;

RESOLVE FURTHER that copies of this resolution be furnished to the Congressof the Philippines; to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); to the Department of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR); to the Coastal Resource Management Project (CRMP); to the United states Agency for International Development (USAID); for information and appropriate action.

Legislative Building, Capitol Compound, Cebu City, 30 July 2007.

HON. VICTOR A MAAMBONG

Sponsor

HON. AGNES A. MAGPALE

Co-Sponsor