Councilor Eugenio Bito-onon Jr., also the former mayor of Kalayaan, located in the West Philippine Sea, has proposed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the country’s lawmakers the declaration of Sabina Shoal as a marine park.
Before this can happen, however, he urged President Marcos to create a task group to conduct a feasibility study to officially declare it as such.
In his privilege speech today, August 7, during the regular session of the Kalayaan municipal council, Bito-onon emphasized the importance of President Marcos directing relevant agencies and policymakers to make Sabina Shoal a marine park.
He described it as a strategic feature of the Philippines, given that it is a direct route to Pag-asa Island from the Kalayaan Resource Center in Barangay Berong, Quezon, southern Palawan.
He warned that if China occupies the shoal, travel to their municipality will become difficult.
“Sabina Shoal is one of the significant and strategic features in the WPS, falling within the jurisdiction of our beloved municipality of Kalayaan. It lies along the direct route to Pag-asa Island from our resource center in Quezon,” he stated.
“The establishment of a marine park in Sabina Shoal will contribute immensely to the conservation of marine ecosystems, enhance sustainable fisheries, promote ecotourism, improve the livelihood of communities, and fortify the territorial integrity of the Philippines,” he added.
He also highlighted that the shoal serves as a “shelter in the time of storm” for the residents of Kalayaan when they travel.
He said the group will be tasked with conducting a feasibility study to evaluate the potential benefits, impacts, and implementation strategies for the proposed marine park.
The initiative aims to safeguard the diverse marine life in Sabina Shoal against threats such as overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction.
Bito-onon emphasized that this is not merely an environmental effort but a strategic move to enhance national security, scientific research, education, and the local economy.
“Kapag hindi natin inokupa yong ating mga features sa Kalayaan Island Group, talagang iiskwatan yan,” he said.
“Together, we can ensure that this vital marine resource is protected and sustainably managed for the benefit of our community, our nation, and the world,” Bito-onon added, stressing his proposal’s alignment with international environmental agreements and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Bito-onon called on the Kalayaan municipal council to support the formation of a task group that would include representatives from government agencies, non-government organizations, academic institutions, and other stakeholders.
The council’s endorsement of the resolution, Bito-onon said, could pave the way for a multidisciplinary approach to environmental conservation, ensuring that Sabina Shoal remains a resilient marine habitat for future generations.
The proposed resolution has been forwarded to the Kalayaan municipal council’s environment committee for discussion.
