Home to shimmering blue-green waters, Mindanao is known not only for producing skillful sailors and divers, but the wealth of its aquatic resources. The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has recently funded a P5-million project to protect the latter in Zamboanga. The project is called the “Application of Coral Transplantation Technology (CTT) to Improve Productivity of Coral Reef Resources for Responsible and Sustainable Fisheries and to Harness Potentials of the Sta. Cruz Islands in Zamboanga City for Underwater Tourism.” It was approved by the Protected Area Environment Management Bureau (PAEMB).

Lacson, N. (2015, April 28). Sta. Cruz Islands coral reefs to be restored. Manila Bulletin, p. 22.