The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) urged Filipinos to take action and do their share to help save what remains of the country’s coral reefs. Concerted effort, the agency noted, is necessary to ensure the survival of the “rainforests of the sea,” which are threatened by human activities and climate change. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, housing tens of thousands of marine species. Reefs buffer shorelines from waves and storms that cause flooding and erosion, support commercial and subsistence fisheries and are home to a thriving recreation and tourism industry.

Punongbayan, M. (2015, May 18). Pinoys urged to help save coral reefs. The Philippine Star, p. 15.