It is only when we lose a thing of true value that we know its worth.

We hope that the state of neglect of authorities and top agencies tasked to protect our marine tourism jewels in Panglao and Baclayon, namely, the Balicasag Diving Area ( One of Top 3 diving spots in the world according to the Japan Travel Inventory) and the Pamilcan seas (dolphin habitat), will not help us come to that realization.

Thanks to the grievous sin of omission, these two precious tour gems will soon slip our hands into figurative extinction.

President GMA dove into the depths of Balicasag last week to figure out what that Japs are raving over - and confirmed with amazement the marine wonders that she saw. Two prominent Manila broadsheets carried the glorious spectacle in colored print on their front pages that brought huge advertising mileage.

But wait a second. The President's escort, a diving enthusiast by the name of Rep. Roberto Antonino (Nueva Ecija) deplored the extent of the damage done to corals and the presence of suffocating, non-biodegradable plastic items in the otherwise wondrous diving spot. He lamented the lack of collection fees for tourists using the area.

And it seems there is no policeman on duty in the area. The protectors of the environment are again sleeping on their job. But who are they?

There was a time when then well-funded Bohol Marine Triangle (BMT) bannered its detailed plan to protect the spectacular marine biodiversity and the natural beauty of the Panglao seawaters. Like a phantom, it has suddenly disappeared in recent times.

Will Dauis town mayor Lulu Bongalos, who heads the BMT stand up and say whether he has the time and vigor to lead this environmental crusade?

What about the much publicized CLEC (Coastal Law Enforcement Council), functioning as one per district for greater effectiveness, composed of the LGUs along the coastlines? Another phantom?

The Capitol announced then to give one pump boat to guard the sea premises off Baclayon and Panglao which are both in the first district and under the constant glare of media and government. The Provincial Tourism Council even made representation with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) that fuel be provided for the sea patrols of the area.

What about Pamilacan? Well, reports were rife that no dolphins were seen between Monday and Wednesday last week within the normal habitat -marveled at by tourists in the past. According to the island's barrio officials - illegal fishing is again rampant in the area. They were there Saturday which explains the dolphins' scarcity in the days that followed.

The poor hapless mammals scampered for safety - to the other side of the island - off the seawaters fronting the Panglao Island Nature Resort.

The BMT and CLEC, from what we see, are now inutile forms of protection units. Who should replace them?

Shall we just close the chapter and see the end of the fabled dolphins and the world-class diving spot due to neglect?

Already even without the stupendous Panglao airport - and the so-called industrialization and commercialization that will follow and even before the actual oil drilling off Cabilao Island goes full steam, we are already seeing proofs that we can barely handle preserving our very jewels - that attracted these tourists to Bohol in the first place.

Let's stop all this lip-service about promoting tourism if we cannot perform the minimal supervision of our tourist attractions.

In 2006, a concerned Cebuano, named Jojo de la Francia joined the Visayan Fish Squadron that combined efforts of several NGOs to raid the illegal fishers off the Cebu waters - and successfully. It was the citizens, out of sheer nationalism, that got out of their comfort zones to do what government should be doing.

One day, before reaching his house, gunmen peppered Jojo with bullets and died instantly. He is a hero of the environment. His lifeless body - an indictment of those who do not match their devoted words for tourism with action.

SAME OLD SONG:
CITY DRAINAGE SYSTEM

Even if it sounds like a sad refrain from the same old song, we will not stop singing it, till those concerned move.

The huge water treatment facility sponsored by City Mayor Dan Lim will only start construction by December. In the meantime, some of the 30 establishments and buildings, without septic tanks, along Carlos P. Garcia Avenue - had illegally connected to the newly constructed drainage system pipes that lead to the Bohol seawaters off the city port.

The Provincial and City governments had bared their fangs, snarling they won't accept the drainage system contracted (again) by Korean Hanjin Industries through the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) until Hanjin unplugs the illegal connections. DPWH District Engineer Adlaon already signed the papers recommending their disconnections.

Can this collective strength of Capitol and City Hall not have the police powers to enforce a move of their legislatures? What kind of government have we then become - a paper government that cannot enforce its own rules? Has Hanjin been fully paid? Are they obligated to disconnect? Are they charging other fees for disconnecting?

City Hall's environmental engineer-consultant Cecil Corloncito reportedly sent laboratory samples of water and sewerage that are sometimes allowed to flow into the seawaters and concluded they are not as badly contaminated as feared. Let's take that further and allow DENR (a third party government body) to validate the claim.

We urge City Mayor Dan Lim to fast track the resolution of these issues and not leave them hanging till near election time in 2010.

Because very soon the rains will come and aggravate the problem (to include flooding and destroying the roads even more) while the city stands naked before the world - a gateway to Paradise Bohol, without an adequate, environmentally-correct drainage and sewerage systems.

For Comments: email to bingo_dejaresco@boholchronicle.com Or editor@boholchronicle.com