What is a reef? In layman's term, a reef is an underwater hill or mountain which, unlike an island, is not totally exposed during low tide.

In Tagbilaran, we do have one in the seawaters off the barangays of Manga, Ubujan and Taloto situated in the so-called Maribojoc Bay area. Fishermen had long baptized the reef as "mabaw" (shallow).

A reef is a favorite habitat of schools of fish due to the presence of sea corrals and under the law, must be preserved, protected and the activities within the vicinity of the reef controlled.

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Being a long time resident of Taloto, the late City Councilor Nerio Zamora, after passing a total ban on sand extraction in the city, pushed for the protection of Mabaw Reef as a marine sanctuary.

Antonio Cabo, a Spanish volunteer in a non-governmental organization based here in Tagbilaran, worked side by side with Zamora for the inclusion of Mabaw Reef as among the marine protected areas in the coastal places called MACOTAPADA,. The acronym for Maribojoc, Cortez, Tagbilaran, Panglao and Dauis.

With the demise of Zamora, City Councilor Urbano Lagunay sponsored on the floor during the regular session of the 9th Sangguniang Panlungsod last Wedneaday the passage of Proposed Ordinance No. 10-06 declaring Mabaw Reef as a marine protect area and providing for the system of management thereof. During its special session tomorrow, the city council is all set to approve the proposed landmark ordinance.

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Come June 19, the Knights of Rizal in Bohol will launch the Festival of Excellence.Thus, Gov. Erico Aumentado and City Mayor Dan Neri Lim, according the chapter commander, Atty. Tomas Abapor Jr., are keen in seeing to it that the launching would be successful.

All Knights of Rizal are therefore enjoined to attend an urgent meeting tonight at the Le-Eng Restaurant, Bohol Tropics Resort to discuss the launching of the Festival of Excellence.

Sir Hans Schoof, KCGR, will also conduct an orientation to all Knights of Rizal under the Boholchapter.

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Also tonight, all members of the Bohol Tri-Media Association (BTMA) will be having their Lenten retreat at JJ's Seafood Village at the K of C Drive this city.

The Chronicle associate editor and DYRD General Manager, Peter P. Dejaresco, who is the incumbent BTMA president, enjoins all BTMA members to join the first-ever spiritual enhancement activity of the sole media group in the province.

What a better to kick off the Holy Week for local media practitioners to pause, meditate and reflect with Fr. Mao Mendez as the retreat master.

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