PANAON Island, with its rich biodiversity composed of threatened and endangered wildlife like the whale shark, sea turtles, rays, the endemic Philippine Duck, vibrant corals and hundreds of fish species, has been rightly called the hidden gem on the tip of Southern Leyte. Its resilient coral reefs have earned it the distinction of being cited as part of the top 50 in the world that will likely withstand the impacts of climate change.
A socioeconomic survey among Panaon Island residents held by the University of the Philippines Tacloban and Oceana in 2020 cited two factors that can contribute to the sustainability and longevity of the island’s ecosystems. The first is the Senate’s anticipated passage of the Panaon Island Protected Seascape Bill. Another are the sustainable management practices under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of the Philippines which mandates the formulation of a management plan for each protected area within one year of its establishment.
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