Closure of Bohol’s Virgin Island starts | ABS-CBN

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Closure of Bohol’s Virgin Island starts

Closure of Bohol’s Virgin Island starts

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Bohol’s famous Puntod Island, also known as Virgin Island, will be temporarily closed starting Monday for six months to one year.


The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) headed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ordered the island’s closure following the vandalization of coral reefs in the area.


The PAMB also received reports of “unauthorized collection of fees”.



With the closure, all water-based activities are banned around the island. 


An exemption is given to those who will be gleaning or looking for shellfish during low tide and boats that are passing by to Balicasag Island and Fish Cage operations of Danao United Fishermen's Association operating within the Panglao Island Protected Seascape.


“Our Provincial Government always supports the protection of our environment as it is a holy duty. I wish for everyone’s cooperation,” Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado said in a social media post.


Why this lady thinks you're missing a lot in your travel

The area will be cordoned off to make sure no tourists or visitors stay away once reef rehabilitation starts. 


Aumentado also reported that a boatman surrendered to them regarding the vandalization and they found out that a dive guide wrote on the reefs. They are still investigating the matter.


Authorities are working on screening and orienting local guides and acquiring a 24-hour bantay dagat team to secure the area.



The province is also mulling the creation of a snorkeling association, a uniform and unified system of operation for diving,  the laying down of buoys and safety nets around the dive sites, and demarcation of mooring sites, among others. 


They are making sure all boats are registered with the Maritime Industry Authority and workers are registered under the labor department. 


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