Coelacanth Maritime History

An innovative partnership between the government and business sector aims to develop Boracay’s eco-tourism potential. And the beauty of the project, dubbed Geo-Marine Aquapark, is that it is being pursued as part of the United Nations’ Coral-Triangle Initiative (CTI) that groups six countries in an ambitious plan to regenerate coral formation.

The Coral Triangle covers Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and the Philippines. It spans 6.5 million square kilometers, or almost half the size of the United States, and is home to over 600 reef-building corals.

Joining together in the public-private sector partnership are the provincial government of Aklan and the Eco-Coral Corp., a subsidiary of Winace Holdings, a conglomerate that is into business-process outsourcing, tourism and shipping. Chaired by Tuesday Club members Teodorico Haresco Jr., the firm is embarking on the aquapark next month. This coral-regeneration project in Boracay, now with just 2 percent of natural corals due to cyanide fishing and jet skiing, would ultimately showcase the Philippines’ commitment to the Coral Triangle Initiative that was approved during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Sydney, Australia, in September 2007.

That Apec summit agreed on the launch of the six-nation coral-regeneration project as part of the regional group’s adherence to the UN Climate Change Conference. Pitching in for the project are the US government, which pledged $4.35 million, and Australia, which expects $25 million for the program. The said initiative was brought by worldwide concern on the devastation of the Coral Triangle, known to be the epicenter of marine-life abundance and diversity on the planet. In fact, it is home to 3,000 fish species that includes whale sharks and the coelacanth that lived before the dinosaurs.

Aklan’s political leaders, led by Rep. Florencio Miraflores and Gov. Carlito Marquez, shall spearhead the delineation of the Geo-Marine Aquapark sanctuary, while the private sector’s Eco-Coral Corp. shall donate P10 million worth of its patented, pH-neutral artificial coral-reef product which will be assembled in various underwater formations, designed to beautify Boracay’s waters, while rehabilitating her denuded coral formations. Due to various reasons like cyanide fishing, jet skiing and the like, the world-famous Boracay has lost much of its coral reef.
An allied goal of Eco-Coral is the generation of livelihood and food security, which is expected to grow as flourishing coral formations attract and revitalize marine biodiversity. The project manifests the Philippines’ first, valid and creative contribution to the United Nations’ CTI, which prioritizes the call for the protection of marine biodiversity as a means to sustain livelihood and food security. In June 2008, in Washington, D.C., President Arroyo, recognizing the UN CTI’s long-term value, called for its support, stating that it is “good for our people, for jobs, for growth and for a healthy, sustainable environment to make initiatives like CTI work. Our people will only suffer more in the long run of we do not invest today for our generations tomorrow.”

Heeding the call, Eco-Coral’s programs also serve as the Winace Group of Companies’ corporate social responsibility. “While our goal [supports] Aklan tourism and livelihood through Boracay, we’re also taking a longer view. We leave this legacy behind for others, including our children, to benefit from,” says Haresco.

In the Geo-Marine Aquapark, Eco-Coral’s state-of-the-art corals will be deployed to resemble various underwater structures, including an underwater altar. “We’re raising Boracay’s [tourist] attractions to the next level,” says Haresco. “It will be possible to get married in Boracay, underwater!” Other plans include coral formations in the shape of a sunken vessel, which divers can swim through. In support of the program, Technostrat Corp., an affiliate of Eco-Coral, plans to establish an observation platform and “aquaman” underwater walking systems. Eco-Coral expects the Geo-Marine Aquapark project to be established in time for the Holy Week crowds heading to Boracay.

The joint public-private undertaking in Boracay is expected to open a new business frontier: eco-tourism. With the underwater altar set to be installed as part of the coral-regeneration project, Boracay can be marketed as a place for unique events such as an underwater wedding, or as a meeting place for like-minded conservationists, or as a place with a remarkable marine diversity.
Just recently, the bottle-nosed dolphins that were stranded in Bataan have their home in the so-called Coral Triangle. The same is true for the clown triggerfish which is a valued aquarium fish, the humpback whale and the manta ray, among other marine creatures. With this rich marine diversity that could be saved from environmental ruin on account of the loss of coral reefs, Boracay and its environs can become a destination of choice for tourists. Tourism, after all, results in increased income for the local townfolk.

Winace Holdings, in pursuing its coral-regeneration project in partnership with the government, can then lay claim to developing Boracay’s eco-tourism potential. With the effects of the financial meltdown, tourists now want to go to so-called experiential tours where the objective is to have unique experiences, such as that offered by Boracay’s myriad coral fishes plus some more. This is a sustainable business for the country that could help it withstand the pernicious effects of the global financial crisis.

This is one project that transcends national boundaries. As Indonesian President Yudhono said in launching the Coral Triangle Initiative: “Now is a time for action.... I want you to know that I am deeply committed to this initiative—it is one of my top priorities. I intend to do everything in my power to ensure its success. Together, we can create a more sustainable future for the people of this region.”