Our profound gratitude to Medical Director Dr. Mario Joselito Juco, general surgeon Dr. Genaro Chan, anaesthesiologist Dra. Songco and Dr. Crispulo Magaspi for taking good care of my nephew who was admitted and operated on recently at the Manila Doctor’s Hospital on UN Avenue in Ermita, Manila.

Thank you too, to nurses Bryan Lozada, Koko Alvarez, Joel Frerdarina, Nedz Paner and Lara Kho.

Special thanks also goes to preventive health education and health reform advocate. Dr. Anthony Leachon, who is accommodating as ever to all my inquiries.

My special thanks too, to Dr. Mario Juco for going out of his way to help us all the way and for even finding time to visit my nephew during his confinement in the said hospital.

These two doctors – Dr. Juco (pulmonary medicine) and Dr. Leachon (internist/cardiologist) – are two of the kindest doctors I have ever known. They took good care of my late mother and were very patient in explaining everything that a patient wants to know, unlike other doctors who are always quick to dismiss their patients so they can immediately get to the next ones and earn quick bucks.

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The amount of garbage collected during a three-hour coastal clean-up at the three-kilometer stretch of the Doljo beach and Mangrove area in the western part of the island of Panglao in Bohol only goes to show that there is still so much more to do if we are to protect the environment.

Around 750 kilos of garbage comprising of plastic bottles, plastic bags, styrofoams, and aluminum snack packaging were collected in the said activity spearheaded by the local government officials, marine biology experts, and tourism stakeholders in partnership with AirAsia Philippines and over 300 volunteers from different walks of life. All looking forward to a “better normal,” volunteers from various hotels, restaurants, celebrities, diving schools and different civic organizations held their garbage bags and happily joined the coastal clean-up while also observing strict health protocols.

A total of 35 artificial coral beds that cover 560 square feet of the Doljo Marine Sanctuary were also planted with live and recently grown corals. 200 dive-volunteers transferred corals to different coral beds at the Doljo Marine Sanctuary. The dive-volunteers also cleared the beds of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish, which are a prime cause of coral loss. The activity which lasted for two hours successfully relocated recovering corals to their new hosts. Once mature enough, the corals will be transferred to deeper locations such as Balicasag island.

AirAsia Philippines partnered with celebrities Tim Yap, Daniel Matsunaga, Markii Stroem and Marie Lozano who share the same advocacy for the protection of the environment. For AirAsia Philippines, the activity not only underscores the importance of protecting our environment, but also sends a strong message of creating sustainable tourism that can be enjoyed responsibly.

AirAsia spokesperson Steve Dailisan said: “We at AirAsia are looking at a better normal post pandemic. Having said that, we would like to use our platform to encourage our guests to become responsible travelers. By participating in environmental conservation activities, we would like to emphasize that protecting our environment is now part of a new and better normal. Being responsible extends to your destination. You are not just there to enjoy the sights, but also to take an active role in protecting and preserving the environment.”

Meanwhile, Department of Tourism Region 7 Director Shahlimar Hofer Tamano said: “The pandemic has turned travelers into instant nature lovers. We hope their time at home allows them to reflect on what is essential, especially for the environment.” “Activities such as the coastal clean-up and coral reef rescue creates awareness and curiosity amongst tourists especially now that people would prefer going out and enjoying nature tripping rather than socialize in an enclosed room. This is the right time to engage them and make them responsible travelers,” Tamano added.

Panglao is home to the best diving sites in the world with Balicasag, Pamilacan, Alona and Cabilao topping the list. Panglao Tourism Office however noted that in 2013, a coastal research assessment revealed that less than 10 percent of the Doljo sea, which serves as the main hub to all the diving spots, is covered with corals.

Disturbances like poaching and discharges from different establishments affected the growth of the corals. The coral reef rescue and restoration which started in 2014 managed to populate the coral bed.

As of 2020, 70 percent of the Doljo sea is now covered with corals. The local government of Panglao said it is also important to regulate and manage activities in the area to facilitate sustainable growth of the new corals. As soon as the new corals grow, species of fishes will be attracted to form new colonies, thereby increasing fish densities and attracting more tourists as well.

The two-day environmental conservation activities in Panglao is part of a concerted effort to prepare the tourism haven for a strong rebound, especially now that leisure travel is allowed.

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Jokjok (from Marivic de Jesus of Malabon City)—Erap: Sweetheart, tignan mo o, nagpintura ako ng banyo/Loi: Eh bakit dala-dalawa ang suot mong jacket, ang init-init?!/Erap: Eh sabi kasi sa instruction sa label ng pintura, “for best results, put on two coats!”

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