Last week January 5-8, 2012 was able to attend the Leveling-Off Workshop on The Coral Reef Restoration Program at University of San Carlos, Cebu City. It was an interesting workshop attended by some of the well respected individual in the field of Coastal Resource Management in the Philippines, Dr. Cesario R. Pagdilao (DOST-PCAARRD) Dr. Filemon G. Romero (WWF, MSU Tawi-Tawi, Dr. Filipina Sotto (Head Biology Dept. USC), marine biologist from the different participating institution, masteral and doctoral students of USC marine biology department.

proposed site for the Coral Restoration Program

The program is about National Coral Restoration Program of Department of Science and Technology which will be implemented by University of San Carlos in all 7 selected locations in the entire Philippines. Wherein Southern Leyte was chosen as one of the 7 location and  University of San Carlos selected our university SLSU to assist them in this project. The proposed location in Southern Leyte is located at the Marine Protected Area in Lungsodaan, Padre Burgos adjacent to Sogod Bay Dive Resort, Peter's Dive Resort and Nova Jenbie Resort.

Coral Nursery Module

Caohagan Island

Lunch Time

end of the day

On the 2nd day of the workshop we were able to see the actual module for the coral nursery at USC Marine Biology Station in Maribago, Mactan Island and work with it underwater in Caohagan Island with direct supervision from the tireless Joey Gatus, masteral and doctoral students from USC Marine Bio Department.