BIEN-UNIDO. It's high time for town officials and residents here to put in place some meaningful measures for Danajon Double Barrier Reef, the rich marine biodiversity and only one of its kind in the Southeast Asia and one of the rare reef formations in the world.

The Sangguniang Bayan of this northernmost municipality that shares part of the Reef, spreading to at least five towns of Bohol and other towns of neighboring Cebu province, has approved a penalty provision of its Municipal Ordinance No. 2009-04.

The said Ordinance, entitled "The Bien-Unido Double Barrier Reef Marine Park, the Underwater Shrine" declares a portion within the town water jurisdiction as "Bien-Unido Double Barrier Reef Marine Park" and prescribes rules and regulations on the use of its marine park. It also emphasize its declaration policy that all activities and operations conducted within the area of the town seawater marine park by any person or persons or business entities shall be subjected to the provisions of the Ordinance.

Interestingly, the legislative measure, if implemented correctly, would provide the law enforcement a sense of motivation because part of the fines and charges for certain violations will be given to them. It says under section 10.1 that 25% of the fines "will be the share of the arresting persons" as a result of the infringement of the local law.

Among the prohibited acts include killing, harassing, or harming of any marine life, destruction, vandalism or alteration of natural ecological formation within the sanctuary, disturbance to marine life such as jet-skiing, or wave running, littering and dumping of wastes, use of compressor in gathering tropical fishes, destruction methods specified under R. A. 8550, gathering of washed out seaweeds, no throwing of seaweeds, chemical treatment of seaweeds, and gathering of soft and hard coral reefs and others.

The Ordinance imposes the following fees: Daily dicers pass, P50/day; annual divers pass, P1,000; annual dive professional, P700; while inside marine sanctuary; snorkeling, P50/day; scuba, P150; scuba with still camera, P250; and scuba with video camera, P500.

The measure however allows the following use designated moorings, researchers, diving/snorkeling, crowding of dive sites with a minimum of two boats at a time as long as they comply with the prescribed guidelines.

Also, a salient feature of the law stresses a point on user's fee by which an entrance ticket should be secure by purchasing then by visitors for the entry into the sanctuary. The proceeds of the tickets sales will e used for rehabilitation zones of marine park, management, protection, promotion and infrastructure needs of the marine park.

By doing this, the Ordinance provides, environmental efforts on protection and management of coastal and rich eco-marine biodiversity are being provided so they can be fully carried out for "sustainable use and enjoyment and benefit" of the townsfolk.

But foremost of the conservation efforts is the objective to "guarantee the food security of local fishers and ensure that fish stocks and coral reefs will be protected for now and future generation" and "allowing managed tourism activities" of the town, the Ordinance said.

The Marine Park is divided into three zones: Multiple Use Zone (150 hectares), Marine Sanctuary or No Take Zone (50 hectares), and Mari-culture Zone or Seaweeds Zone (50 has.), each with defined measurements and are of jurisdiction.

The measure, signed by Mayor Nino Rey F. Boniel and Vice-Mayor Petronilo R. Justinaine as presiding officer, is now under scrutiny of the provincial board through the committee on review. by is passed by municipal councilors Froilan M. Romo, Rene B. Borenaga, Patricio S. Aveido, REgelio E. Villarias, Eduardo A. Gentapa, Alejo H. Boniel. Sotero G. Macua, Jr., Regalado B. Bunado (Liga ng mga Barangay president) and John Michael Bonel (SAngguniang Kabataan president). (RVO)