The urgent need to protect the Coral Triangle's marine ecosystem

TADI News Feed:

Sydney, Australia – Coral Triangle countries are helping to avoid a natural and humanitarian toll in the Indo Pacific by conserving ocean habitats that are critical for the food security and livelihoods of more than a hundred million people, delegates at the World Parks Congress heard recently.

Tubbataha is at the heart of Coral Triangle.
Photo source: WWF Philippines

The Coral Triangle is a 6 million-km2 marine area that directly sustains and protects more than 120 million people in coastal communities across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste.

New Tubbataha Ranger Station to rise soon!

TADI NEWS FEED:

Since 1996, WWF has been working to protect the Tubbataha Reefs. Its latest initiative with the Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) is the construction of a new Ranger Station, with a built-in research facility for up to eight scientists to conduct onsite marine studies for months at a time.

The new Ranger Station features a hexagonal dome with a 360-degree view of the park. Research and enforcement capabilities shall be greatly enhanced. Barring unforeseen delays, the soft launch is slated for the summer of 2015. (Dylan Melgazo / WWF)

The station shall utilize green technology such as solar panels, micro-wind turbines, rainwater collectors and vegetable gardens to maximize self-sufficiency and capacity.

10 New Philippine Gems Unveiled! -- The Country's Next Mainstream Tourist Destinations

BAYANIHAN REPUBLIC:

Last year, I started foydi's Treasure Hunt which launched my search for life's real treasures which included our country's natural wonders.  It documented my journeys to Batanes, Tubbataha and recalled my trip to Bohol, where Panglao Island is.  And it was a wonderful experience for me as it immortalized my life changing experiences in this places.  If you've been reading my blog since I started, you'll know that I am passionate about championing our country's heritage - nature and culture.

That's why the Philippine Gems campaign of Isla Lipana is close to me.  (To know more about the Philippine Gems campaign, please click this http://digitista.blogspot.com/2013/07/join-search-for-philippine-gems-next.html). It just matched what I am really passionate about.  And I was very happy to witness its culmination where it finally announced the winning 10 Philippine Gems that the public voted, the country's next mainstream tourist attractions.

Treasure Find 28 -- Expedition to the World of Tubbataha

BAYANIHAN REPUBLIC:

When I went to the picturesque Batanes, I thought nothing can equal that experience anymore.  But our Bayanihan Republic has a lot more to offer.  The Philippines is a paradise country and each corner of the archipelago offers something unique.  And that is why we also need to be extra careful and responsible about taking care of our environment as majority of our country's attractions are gifts of nature. 

I've been a wildlife enthusiast since I was a child.   And that fascination led me to becoming more concerned about the environment.  As most of the problems encountered by the wildlife is largely because of the loss of their homes.  That same interest also made me dream of being part of National Geographic or Discovery Channel or Animal Planet and capture nature's spectacular moments myself.  But destiny led me to a new direction.  And that new direction led me to having a more pro-active work for the environment, it led me to helping out WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) Philippines.

Photo by Sophia Dedace of WWF Philippines

WWF Philippines manages various conservation programs in the Philippines.  One of its most important project sites is the conservation of the Tubbataha Reef which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and 8th best dive spot spot in the world according to CNN.