In the fight against human-induced threats and global climate change, Panaon Island towns go all out for the enhanced protection of their marine habitat and sanctuaries that need stronger safeguards under Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area Systems (ENIPAS) Act.  In separate resolutions filed in June this year, the local chief executives of the municipalities of Liloan, Pintuyan, San Francisco, and San Ricardo pledged their support for the efforts to provide national protection to Panaon Island which is home to coral reefs that are included in the priority regions for conservation, having reefs with the potential to withstand the impacts of climate change and repopulate neighboring reefs. 

Four Southern Leyte towns seek ENIPAS protection for coral-rich Panaon Island. (2022, July 23-24). Daily Guardian, pp. 8, 10.