• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos in Negros Island has called for urgent government action on the reported death of corals in the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape.
This was after scientific findings showed that nearly seven out of every 10 surveyed corals in Bais Bay in Negros Oriental have died after the massive wastewater spill in the area.
In a statement, Alminaza, who also serves as the president of Caritas Philippines described the findings as “not simply an environmental statistic” but “a profound moral concern,” stressing that the widespread destruction of coral reefs has far-reaching consequences for marine biodiversity, coastal communities, and future generations.
“Coral reefs are among God’s most beautiful and life-giving creations,” he said.
He added: “They nourish fisheries, protect our coastlines, sustain countless marine species, and provide livelihood for thousands of coastal families. When they die, creation itself cries out, and so do the poor whose lives depend upon healthy seas.”
The bishop expressed gratitude to scientists, marine researchers, fisherfolk, and concerned citizens who continue to document the environmental damage and monitor the unfolding ecological crisis.
He emphasized that scientific research plays a vital role in the responsible stewardship of creation and in guiding public policy.
Alminaza also urged concerned government agencies to respond with urgency, transparency, and accountability.
He said that if pollution is continuing, authorities must immediately enforce all applicable environmental laws, halt further contamination, determine responsibility, and require the restoration of damaged ecosystems under the “polluter pays” principle.
The bishop likewise appealed to industries operating near environmentally sensitive areas to recognize that economic development carries an ethical obligation to protect the environment and respect the welfare of communities that depend on healthy ecosystems.
Describing the Tañon Strait as “a shared gift entrusted to us by the Creator,” Alminaza said the protected seascape is more than a body of water separating Negros and Cebu.
He called it a sanctuary of extraordinary marine biodiversity and a sacred inheritance that must be preserved for future generations. | GPB
