The putting up of artificial coral reefs in Maasin City’s strategic sites would be among the priority projects of the Rotary Club of Maasin City, during the presidency of Atty. Ruevivar “Wowie” Markines Reyes.
Wowie has been inspired by the very successful artificial reef projects in Sogod Bay, notably in the coastal area of Padre Burgos town. It’s really exciting to cite the Padre Burgos Coral Restoration Project with generous support from Mayor Hermenegildo Culpa, and the volunteer services from Singaporean Wai Ho, Niño Bersabal of Tambo, Manager Dino Razon of Peter’s Dive Resort and his marine biologist Jhoven.
Spearheading the remarkable collective coral restoration is retired businessman and US Air Force veteran Alan Binnebose who recently received diving support from Phil McGuire of Sogod Bay Scuba Resort.
Another inspiring and on-going artificial reef project is in the town of Silago where Mayor Lemuel Honor supports Scaph Pro Philippines Oceanographic Research, an NGO based in France. Their collective effort is geared to strengthen Silago’s marine life sanctuaries.
I should say that Rotary’s artificial reef project shall soon get the support of my good friend Filipina Sotto, presently Professor of Biology at Cebu Normal University. She used to be our co-participant in a student leader seven-day seminar workshop in Camotes, Cebu involving colleges and universities from Eastern and Central Visayas. The seminar was held for the Movement for a United Studentry (MUST) in 1975 under the auspices of Malacañang, through then the Department of Public Information (DPI). (PeerScope by Joe Mancera)
