Divers plant Philippine flag underwater in Philippine Rise
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is now formulating a fisheries management plan for the Philippine Rise after President Rodrigo Duterte declared portions of it as marine protected area.
Out of the 13.4 million hectares validated by the United Nations’ Commission on the limits of the continental shelf as part of the Philippine territory in 2012, Duterte proclaimed 50,000 hectares as strict scientific research area; 17,000 hectares as no take-zone; and 300, 000 as fisheries management area.
BFAR said the program might include facilities that would monitor the fish harvest to be brought to the nearest province like Casiguran, Aurora or Infanta, Quezon.
“We will be able to seize that up, we might even put up a fish port there. Iyong Benham bank is teeming with fish habitats, kapag mayroon noon, maraming pagkain na mapo-produce iyon, primarily fish,” explained BFAR Director Undersecretary Eduardo Gongona.
Last May 16, a group of researchers was deployed in the area to map, survey and conduct biological investigations and assessment on the coral reef and fisheries stock until November.
They were accompanied by the Armed Forces of the Philippines who planted another Philippine marker in the shallowest portion of Benham Bank along with the divers from Philippine Coast Guard, BFAR, the UNTV team and other agencies.
The AFP said the historic move shows their readiness to defend the territory.
“So ang pagsasama-sama natin sa pag-dive hanggang sa ocean floor ay pagpapakita ng ating pagtutulong tulong bilang isang bayan, bilang isang Pilipino na naghahangad na ipakita sa buong mundo lalo na sa ipinakita ninyong coverage na ang bahagi na yan ng karagatan we lay claim, ipinagkaloob sa atin yan, at hindi dun natatapos doon,” said Col. Edgard Arevalo, the AFP spokesperson.
The Philippine Rise flag hoisting ushers the country’s commemoration of the national flag days starting May 28, culminating in the celebration of the Independence Day on June 12.
During this period, Filipinos are encouraged to display the national emblem in their homes, major thoroughfares, public and private offices and institutions. — Nel Maribojoc
The post BFAR formulates management plan for Philippine Rise appeared first on UNTV News.