The Region 8 office of the Department of Environment and Natural (DENR-8) is conducting an assessment on coral reefs in three identified sites in Eastern Visayas, a report from the DENR-8 said. Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca told reporters that the ongoing coral reefs assessment is part of the Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management (SCREMP), a DENR national program that plans to conduct a strategic, sustainable, and ecosystem-based approach in protecting and rehabilitating the country’s coral reef ecosystem. The move is pursuant to DENR Administrative Order 2013-12. The program which was launched in Biri, Northern Samar on August 23, 2013, has a proposed fund support of R1.16 billion for 63 target marine key biodiversity areas (MKBA) nationwide, he added.

Cayubit, R. (2015, April 30). Coral reef assessment set for Eastern Visayas. Manila Bulletin, p. B-8.