An international advocacy organization is urging Congress to pass a bill declaring Panaon Island as a protected seascape under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act or RA 11038. The Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR) recently endorsed the designation to the House Committee on Natural Resources chaired by Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. The Panaon Island, situated in the southern tip of Southern Leyte, has up to 60 percent of very good coral cover, way above the national average of only 20 percent.

Designation of Panaon Island as protected seascape pressed. (2023, May 23). BusinessMirror, p. A3.