He might get into trouble for it, renowned marine biologist Wilfredo Licuanan himself admitted, but he just had to say it: “The No. 1 destroyer of coral reefs in the Philippines is the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).” By exposing and eroding the topsoil into the sea when the agency builds roads and bridges, the DPWH has been steadily destroying the country’s coral reefs, said Licuanan, who has at least 30 years’ worth of marine studies under his belt. The Philippines lies at the apex of the coral triangle and is considered the richest place on earth in terms of marine biodiversity.

See, A. B. (2017, September 10). Is the DPWH killing coral reefs?. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A19.