Deep impact

Living in an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, Filipinos are well-acquainted with the Pacific Ocean. For many of us, the sound of the waves is the soundtrack of daily life. In parts south, the Badjao live most of their lives on houses right over the water, and all over the world, countless Filipinos are recognized as skilled seafarers.

The ocean holds many of our maritime treasures, yet many of us take it for granted. Thus, it’s good to be reminded that in our country, May is the Month of the Ocean. The annual observance started in 1999, when then President Joseph Estrada signed Proclamation No. 57 declaring that May “marks a culmination of activities geared towards the use and appreciation of our ocean resources, including tourism, marine transport, and educational and scientific activities.”

That was 14 years ago, and it’s uncertain whether the yearly activities have made a dent on the national consciousness. For the current observance Environment Secretary Ramon Paje has earlier announced the theme: “Ang  bahura  ay  kagubatan  sa  karagatan,  ating  pangalagaan  (Coral reefs are the forest of the seas, let’s protect them)!”

Truth be told, that focus appears to come a bit late as our precious coral reefs have been taking a beating since the year began. In January the American minesweeper USS Guardian inexplicably ran aground on the protected Tubbataha Reefs; in April a Chinese fishing vessel followed suit, with the true extent of the damage yet to be fully determined. Not long after that a video that went viral online showed how a submarine used for tourism purposes had damaged the coral reef in Kontiki Deep off Lapu-Lapu City.

But to Paje, that’s exactly why the timing for this year’s theme is perfect. “The focus on coral reefs highlights the premium that we put on our coral reefs, which protect our coastlines naturally and give tremendous economic benefits to millions of Filipinos, particularly through fisheries and tourism,” he said in a statement. Paje also said this is the time to vigilantly protect our reefs, particularly Tubbataha, long declared a World Heritage Site, and Apo Reef Natural Park in Occidental Mindoro, the world’s second largest contiguous coral reef system after the Great Barrier Reef.

Responsible divers and other environmentalists rhapsodize about the beauty of these living corals and their wondrous role in serving as sanctuary for the most diverse creatures. But for the most part, Filipinos’ awareness of reefs is limited to what they’ve seen in the movie “Finding Nemo.” At the very least, not much importance is attached to keeping the ocean clean. For proof, consider the terrible state of Manila Bay. It was once a stunning sight of pristine water and shards of sunlight, but the constant dumping of garbage and human and industrial wastes into it has choked it seemingly beyond hope. Last year, tons of garbage washed up on shore almost as if the bay were exacting its revenge. “This is our collective liability. All of us in one way or another contributed to this,” said Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Francis Tolentino as he led a cleanup effort on the seawall that required the MMDA to haul away some 200 truckloads of garbage.

This year the Department of Environment and Natural Resources means to strike at the general apathy with the launch of the Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management Program, which will utilize an ecosystem-based approach in protecting and rehabilitating the coral reef systems. The DENR has also issued a guidebook for the groups charged with protecting the Philippines’ underwater resources, and posted information for the public on the significance of the country’s marine life and how to conserve it in the Metro Rail Transit stations.

As always, education is the key, hopefully to result in a firm commitment to protect our waters along with what live and lie in them. Perhaps the yearly Month of the Ocean will ultimately serve as a big push toward awareness. Human life, after all, arose from the deep. Filipinos young and old ought to be made aware of this vital link.