Governors of the provinces of Iloilo (Arthur Defensor Sr.), Capiz (Antonio del Rosario) and Negros Occidental (Alfredo Marañon Jr.) agreed to protect the Visayan Sea, a rich fishing ground being threatened by illegal fishing activities. Representatives of Masbate’s Gov. Antonio Kho and Cebu’s Gov. Hilario Davide III also signed the covenant to conserve the Visayan Sea on behalf of their principals. The covenant signing on Sept. 28 in Oton, Iloilo was witnessed by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 6 assistant director for technical services Dr. Drusila Esther Bayate.

Sornito, I. (2018, October 15). 5 provinces agree to protect Visayan Sea. Panay News, p. 4.