In a landmark move for marine conservation, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has officially signed the bill declaring the waters surrounding Panaon Island as a protected seascape. This Panaon Island Protected Seascape law, enacted on August 29, 2025, marks a critical step in safeguarding one of Southern Leyte’s richest marine habitats.
The newly established sanctuary spans 61,204 hectares, covering the municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San Ricardo. This vast marine area supports endangered species, thriving coral reefs, and thousands of fisherfolk families who depend on the sea for their sustenance and livelihood, officials reported.
A Biodiversity Hotspot Now Protected
Panaon Island lies within the Coral Triangle, renowned as one of the world’s most biodiverse marine regions. Community members noted that the island is also listed among the global “50 Reefs” most resilient to climate change impacts.
A 2019 rapid reef assessment revealed that Panaon’s coral cover remains impressively healthy, boasting up to 60 percent very good coral cover—nearly three times the national average of 20 percent. This strong coral presence highlights the island’s ecological importance and the urgency of its protection.
Under the Panaon Island Protected Seascape law, the area is now part of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). The law requires the development of a science- and community-based management plan to ensure sustainable use and conservation moving forward, local leaders noted.
Natural Buffer and Economic Lifeline
Beyond biodiversity, Panaon’s coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses act as vital natural barriers against storm surges and coastal flooding. Experts explained that these ecosystems also store significant amounts of “blue carbon,” which helps mitigate climate change by capturing greenhouse gases at rates exceeding those of terrestrial forests.
Von Hernandez, vice president of an international ocean conservation group, emphasized that the Panaon Island Protected Seascape law represents a major stride toward global biodiversity goals and building a resilient, inclusive blue economy that benefits both people and the environment.
However, the island’s resources have faced growing threats from illegal and destructive activities. Pintuyan Mayor Ricarte Estrella shared, “Daghang mu-encroach na taga-laing lugar. Gani last year naa mi tulo ka mananagat na dili taga-amo, taga-laing area nga naghimo og mga ilegal na pagpanagat.” (Many outsiders are encroaching on our area. In fact, last year, we caught three fishermen from a different area engaging in illegal fishing.)
Community-Driven Protection Efforts
For years, local communities and leaders have advocated for stronger legal safeguards. With the new law, their participation in governance, enforcement, and sustainable management is officially recognized, sources said.
The Panaon Island Protected Seascape law also supports local initiatives aligned with Southern Leyte’s Science and Technology Programs to Enhance Economic Development (SPEED-SL). These programs promote sustainable livelihoods such as sea cucumber ranching and whale shark tourism, which help ease pressure on local fisheries.
Southern Leyte 1st District Representative Roger Mercado remarked, “We will be more biased to environment protection because we want not only the benefits but also to sustain our advocacy to make our province progressive.” He added, “Tourism and environmental protection should go hand in hand. We should not debate on that.”
Meanwhile, fisherfolk like Norminda Daduda from Liloan expressed cautious hope: “Nowadays, even shellfish like sa-angare are hard to find. Many people from other barangays—and even outsiders from Cebu—have started gleaning too, disturbing the rocky shore. The seagrass beds, which are the natural habitat of lukot and shellfish, have been destroyed.”
From Grassroots to National Policy
The journey to enact the Panaon Island Protected Seascape law was long and challenging. Expedition teams documented the island’s rich marine life alongside threats such as plastic pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction.
Conservationists warned that without urgent legal protection, Panaon’s ecosystems risked decline similar to other areas. In response, local and national stakeholders—including fisherfolk, scientists, tourism leaders, and officials—collaborated to push the bill through Congress, which passed it in 2023 and 2024.
Over 50 groups publicly urged the president to sign the bill promptly. Community members celebrated the law’s enactment as a testament to what can be achieved when science, advocacy, and leadership unite for environmental protection.
A National and Global Conservation Milestone
The Panaon Island Protected Seascape law strengthens the Philippines’ commitment to the 30×30 global conservation target, aiming to protect 30 percent of the planet’s land and marine areas by 2030. The country has pledged to conserve over 35 million hectares, representing nearly 16 percent of its marine territories. This new protected seascape brings the nation closer to that goal, officials reported.
Marine protected areas managed effectively can boost fish populations, enhance coral resilience, and secure food and livelihoods for future generations. Hernandez highlighted that empowering communities to sustainably manage their seas should be central to national strategies against poverty and hunger.
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