Southern Leyte State University – Bontoc Campus provide technical expertise in the Visayas Regional Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) Validation Workshop and Marine Protected Area (MPA) Forum, held at Belmont Hotel, Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu from November 20-22, 2023.
This event aligns with the Philippines' commitment to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). In support of this global initiative, the Department of Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR BMB) launched the Philippines 30x30 Project, which aims to meet KMGBF Target 3—protecting 30% of the Earth's land and oceans by 2030.
About Philippines 30x30 Project
The Philippines' 30x30 Project is a collaborative initiative aimed at supporting the country’s national conservation goals.
To assist the DENR-BMB, the project—implemented by the Marine Protected Areas Support Network (MSN) and the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation (MERF), in partnership with Conservation International (CI) Philippines—has brought together several conservation NGOs, including Oceana, Rare, and WWF-Philippines.
Through a series of online and in-person workshops, the project works to review and update the marine Key Biodiversity Areas (MKBAs) across the country and identify key areas that will contribute to meeting the 30x30 target.
SLSU Bontoc Validates Marine KBAs
Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are sites critical to global biodiversity, identified through scientific criteria. While some are protected under NIPAS by the DENR or as locally-managed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by LGUs and NGOs, not all KBAs automatically receive protection.
Representing SLSU Bontoc Campus, Professor Gladys L. Pascual (Marine Biologist), Mr. Ryan Tomol (Resident Divemaster), and Mr. Jerome Napala (Science Research Specialist) play a key role in providing insights into existing management measures. They also identify potential sites for establishing or expanding MPAs within the KBAs.
“The workshop created an opportunity for scientists, researchers, and conservationists to come together and validate key biodiversity areas in the Philippines, a move that is crucial in furthering our collective conservation effort” stated Prof. Pascual.
Prof. Pascual and her colleagues verified species observations, identified their known habitats, and pinpointed specific locations in Silago Bay (10.87 km²), and St. Bernard (1.85 km²).
“Organize, Educate, Mobilize”
Mr. Tomol presented at the forum the essence of volunteer power, highlighting “How the DAP-AG Boys Work to Protect Panaon Island’s Coral Reefs.” This community-driven effort, led by local male divers, began in 2020 at the onset of the pandemic in Southern Leyte. It focuses on addressing the Crown-of-Thorns starfish (COTS) infestation that threatens the coral reefs.
“DAP-AG Boys was founded out of a passion to preserve the beauty of Panaon Island’s coral reefs, despite operating with little to no budget,” Tomol shared. “The members recognized the urgent need to support the community in addressing this ecological challenge.”
Initially, the group’s efforts to extract COTS were limited by a lack of knowledge about the scientific-based process. “When I joined the group, they had limited knowledge of the science-based methods for COTS extraction, its biology, and its role in marine biodiversity,” Tomol explained. He added that the group’s founders, driven by a sense of urgency, established the group to take immediate action.
As a member of the academe, Mr. Tomol veraged his expertise to educate the DAP-AG Boys about the biology and ecological impact of COTS. His efforts are supported by his connection to SLSU Bontoc’s Research Innovation and Extension Services (RIES), where he serves technical assistance as a resident divemaster for extension projects.
Mr. Tomol stated, “Our group now lives by the motto: Organize, Educate, Mobilize.” He highlighted that the charismatic leadership of DAP-AG Boys’ leader, Deonel “Apyong” Beto, is a key strength in organizing the group's extraction activities for volunteers. “We’ve encouraged experienced divers from across the region to join this initiative. Mr. Beto’s warm personality is one of our greatest assets, as he has the ability to bring people together to achieve a common goal,” he added.
Through their weekly dives, the DAP-AG Boys have been actively collecting Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS), removing between 200 to 300 of these invasive species each week.
Education plays a vital role in the initiative. Tomol ensures that all volunteer divers receive training about COTS biology and their ecological impact before engaging in extraction activities. “Educating our volunteers fosters a deeper passion for the cause and equips them to share their knowledge, creating a ripple effect in marine conservation,” he explained.
Beyond physical mobilization, the initiative aims to raise public awareness about ecological challenges. “Our efforts go beyond COTS extraction; we seek to inspire communities to take action in protecting our oceans,” Tomol emphasized. “By mobilizing volunteers, we highlight the importance of marine conservation and hope to spark a collective movement toward sustainable ocean stewardship.”
DAP-AG Boys is a grassroots initiative with 50 volunteers and 30 active members. Led by Deonel Beto (Organization Leader), the team includes Michael Simon Maamo (Finance Officer), Ryan Tomol (Dive Planning and Safety Officer), John Lloyd Aplacador (Logistics Officer), and Mark Dimzon (Scientific Consultant). This group showcases the power of local collaboration, dedication, and education in tackling environmental challenges and safeguarding the vibrant marine biodiversity of Panaon Island.
This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
