CORAL

Our Reefs

Philippine reef status calls for urgent attention

>> Read the PHILIPPINE STAR Article here.

Coral reefs are the tropical forests of the ocean, providing habitat and breeding grounds for a wide variety of marine life. They are thus host to some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. They also regulate carbon dioxide levels in the ocean, a key to the survival of many species of marine life. They are the source of nitrogen and other nutrients essential to the marine food chain. This is why large numbers of marine species live in reefs.

The reduction of bio-diversity through the extinction of species resident in coral reefs will inevitably lead to the breakdown in marine ecosystem health and function. Moreover, the long-term survival of marine life as a whole depends on being able to maintain a diverse marine ecosystem. A diverse range of marine species provides a larger gene pool, giving natural communities survival options when environmental conditions and climates change.

HEIRS OF THE WORLD, INC., a non-stock, non-profit Non-Government Organization has conceptualized the Conservation of Ocean's Resources & Aquatic Life (C.O.R.A.L.),
A comprehensive reef conservation program to help our marine ecosystem by combating the causes of destruction and rehabilitating reef areas, encouraging all Filipinos to build sustainable communities with three major objectives:
1. SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT
2. BOOST ECO-TOURISM
3. PROVIDE LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES
4. PROTECT OUR COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCES

Together with the MISS EARTH FOUNDATION, we shall establish Marine Parks, Dive Education and Reef Conservation Learning Sites in the Philippines to achieve our goal in bringing back the beauty and glory of our coral reefs.

Benefits in Caring for our Reefs

It promotes the spillover of coral reef inhabitants

Even minimal growth of coral attracts tropical fish and improves the catch of fishermen of fish species found at the fringes of the coral reef.

It will provide new habitat for endangered species

Healthy coral reefs will provide new grounds for species such as sea turtles that have become endangered because of the loss of their natural habitat.

It will initiate important
data gathering

A project of this nature allows the LGUs to gather fresh data on the state of its ocean environment and resources; map and establish its Marine Protected Areas; and gain other information necessary for planning sustainable marine activity and pro-active coastal and marine management.

It can help mitigate the
impact of climate change

The project will help minimize the negative effects of climate change. The coral nursery will help buffer damage from coral bleaching, reduce damage from tidal surge to coastal communities and reduce soil erosion and run-off into sensitive coastal marine habitats as well as run-off into sources of drinking water.

It can help promote
food security

The coral nurseries will provide protected areas for fish and other marine inhabitants to thrive and propagate. This will increase biodiversity and density levels in the long run and provide increased food stocks for coastal communities and the nation as well.

It will boost
Eco-tourism

A living coral farm will promote tourism, attracting divers, snorklers and other tourists. Moreover, the promotions campaign for this project, mounted in cooperation with HOW, will attract people not just to the coral farm but to the other, and heretofore undiscovered, attractions of the Municipality of Sta. Cruz, Marinduque.

Additional
Employment

With tourism comes jobs; this project is estimated to create at least 300 jobs for the people of Marinduque.

Coastal Communities will
learn to care for
the ocean environment

HOW will educate the coastal communities on the care of corals and on how to achieve connectivity and sustainability in coastal and marine management. HOW will initiate and provide training on sustainable livelihood interventions that will co-exist with, and not disrupt or destroy, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

The Challenges We Face

Our
Pollution

Coral reefs need clean water to thrive. From litter to waste oil, pollution is damaging reefs worldwide. Pollution from human activities inland can damage coral reefs when transported by rivers into coastal waters.

Increased
fishing

Increasing demand for food fish and tourism curios has resulted in over fishing of key reef species Overfishing of certain species near coral reefs can easily affect the reef's ecological balance and biodiversity. From subsistence level fishing to the live fish trade, inadequate fisheries management is forcing the decline of fish stocks.

Rising
sea levels

Observations since 1961 show that the average temperature of the global ocean has increased even at depths of 3000m (IPCC report), and that the ocean has been absorbing more than 80% of the heat added to the climate system. Such warming causes sea level rise and creates problems for low lying nations and islands.

Destructive
fishing methods

Fishing with dynamite, cyanide and other methods that break up the fragile coral reef are highly unsustainable. These practices generally do not select or target particular fish species and often result in juveniles being killed in the process. Damaging the coral reef habitat on which the fish rely will also reduce the productivity of the area, with further impacts on the livelihoods of fishermen.

Coastal
development

The growth of coastal cities and towns generates a range of threats to nearby coral reefs. Sensitive habitats can be destroyed or disturbed by dredging activities to make deep-water channels or marinas, and through the dumping of waste materials. Where land development alters the natural flow of water, greater amounts of fresh water, nutrients and sediment can reach the reefs causing further degradation.

Coral
Bleaching

Coral bleaching occurs when the symbiosis between corals and their symbiotic zooxanthellae breaks down, resulting in the loss of the symbionts and a rapid whitening of the coral host (thus the term "bleaching"). This is a stress response by the coral host that can be caused by various factors, but more severe and frequent cases are being caused by a rise in sea surface temperature. The impacts from coral bleaching are becoming global in scale, and are increasing in frequency and intensity.

Ocean
Acidification

This is the name given to the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by their uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Although the natural absorption of CO2 by the world's oceans helps mitigate the climatic effects of anthropogenic emissions of CO2, it is believed that the resulting decrease in pH, (i.e. making the water acidic), will have negative consequences, primarily for oceanic calcifying organisms such as coral reefs.

HOW WE DO IT

Join the Oplan CORAL Park project.

Video by Coral Movement Org

Sadly, our seas are dying due to climate change, global warming and human malpractices.

Some 98 percent of our reefs are classified as threatened, with 70 percent at high or very high risk. destructive fishing methods continue to destroy our seas. We are also the 3rd biggest polluters of our oceans due to plastic waste and lack of education about coastal and marine protection. If these human malpractices continue, the future of our next generation is at stake.

C.O.R.A.L. Movement in 2017

Video by Coral Movement Org

The Big Idea : OPLAN CORAL PARK

In partnership with the Philippine Coastguard, Miss Earth Foundation and other volunteers from the C.O.R.A.L. Movement, Heirs of the World,Inc. recently launched the OPLAN CORAL PARK to promote “eco-educational experience” in the Philippines to establish underwater eco-educational,sites around the country wherein snorklers, divers and free divers can actively learn and experience the importance of preserving our seas through various coastal and marine activities. We shall also increase awareness of coastal communities and be part of the solution to plastic pollution. Eco Advocacy activation to restore our marine ecosystem shall also be introduced to educate travelers about the importance of protecting our environment and restoring our ecosystem.

This forms part of the Conservation of Ocean Resources and Aquatic Life ( C.O.R.A.L.) program which aims to educate the public on the importance of our oceans, increase fish production, boost eco-tourism and provide livelihood opportunities to fisherfolks and coastal communities.

The Location :

Calatagan, Batangas is home to the Pyramid Artificial Reefs deployed in 2009 and two decades after, Barangay Gulod fisherfolks enjoy the results of its restored marine biodiversity.

We now embark on deploying originally designed C.O.R.A.L. Triangle artificial habitats in Barangay . Balibago , which lies within the Verde Island Passage, considered as the Center of the Center of the Center of Marine Bidiversity in the Planet.

This is our first step towards our goal.

WE NEED HELP! S.O.S. – Stewards of Our Seas

To attain our objectives, one hundred units of originally designed C.O.R.A.L. Triangle Reef Artificial Habitats shall be made available to individuals and or companies who wish to be part of our C.O.R.A.L. Movement synergy by becoming “stewards of our seas”.

These triangular shaped structures are individually named and labeled with specific serial numbers , in granite name plates and will be deployed in a 20 hectare Marine Protected Area in Barangay Balibago. The MPA will be maintained and managed by H.O.W. and the Barangay fisherfolks’ community

These shall become the steward’s permanent contribution in saving Philippine Seas as an active participant in restoring the Philippines’ marine ecosystem. As these are to be inside the Oplan Coral Park’s Underwater Marine Park, S.O.S. will be able to inspect their adopted reefs and bi-annual monitoring reports shall be made available.

It is expected that through the C.O.R.AL. Movement’s "Bayanihan", we can be proud of how we save our seas.

Do your part! Be Part of the Movement!

The C.O.R.A.L. Movement is an organization of volunteers that provides information, education, and activities related to the conservation and cultivation of coral reefs. They are tasked to conduct educational tours conducted in schools, hotels, and other educational and tourist-related institutions, whether public or private. Through this movement, we will create awareness for our cause and conduct fundraising efforts to ensure the sustainability of the C.O.R.A.L. Program.

Click here to Like and Follow our FB group page!

Like and follow our FB group page to learn more about our goals, methods, and activities! Join and do your part in conserving and cultivating the Philippine coral reefs! Connect with like-minded individuals and leave your mark in making the world a better place for the next generations.

Get in touch, volunteer, be a member!

Who We Are

MR. EDUARDO (Ed) ALEGRADO, Ecopreneur

CORAL PROGRAM Founder & H.O.W.'s Senior Adviser

Being a true lover of the sea, Mr. Alegrado is one of the founders of Bluewater Beach Resort, & Alenter Marine Corporation, His interest on marine life continued as he pursued his studies at SEAFDEC. Hatchery and Natural Food Production course.

SUBA BASBAS TRIAL NURSERY in Cebu by Mr. Alegrado ( 2010)

In his desire to perform a meaningful civic duty, Mr . Alegrado, a certified scuba diver himself, has seen the reef practically die and disappear right before his eyes over the years.

In 2009, Mr. Ed Alegrado, with his hands free at last, decided to address the problem. The time was ripe to roll up his sleeves and give his utmost effort to rescue the devastated coral reefs in our country.

The rehabilitation of the reefs in our country using the asexual methodology is a concept of Mr. Ed Alegrado together with Ms. Michelle Bautista Tañada of H.O.W.

Together, they have designed & developed a comprehensive program in the year 2010 and now, finally, the dream of bringing back the beauty and glory of the Philippines is now a reality thru the C.O.R.A.L program of HEIRS OF THE WORLD (H.O.W.) Inc. .

Dean DR. Renato Sison

Chairman of the Board

A philanthropist and accomplished entrepreneur, Dean Dr. Renato M. Sison’s love for his countrymen speak volumes. This is what drives and motivates his every word and action. Taking due cognizance of the importance he attaches to the welfare of students, he supported no less than ninety five (95) High School Scholars from 1986 – 1998 from his own personal funds and continues to help pave the way for deserving students become productive citizens of our country.

His various experiences as a Dean for Centro Escolar University for 17 years and his involvement as Director for Department of Agriculture’s National Agribusiness Corporation and other social and non-government organizations , such as Romblon Livelihood Foundation, Operation Brotherhood International has led him to continue in building a better Philippines for the next generations.

Michelle Bautista-Tañada

President

A local and international Media Specialist with over 15 years experience in Out-Of-Home, Tourism Marketing and Brand Activation. Her impressive range of experiential and creative activities include ventures with the National Council of Women of the Philippines, the ASEAN Confederation of Women's Organizations, the Balikatan sa Kaunlaran National Foundation, Alpha Distinct Development Solutions, Inc, Powersites, 68 Inc, Star Cruises.

With a strong desire to “pay forward” to society, She has created “ Ecohome Art” , together with husband, Noel Tañada , the first, eco-friendly line of furniture, lighting and accessories that combines Environmental Art, Technology and Social Responsibility and an Eco-Advocacy partner of Ms. Earth Foundation.

Angelia Ong

Executive Director, Ms. Earth 2015

Ong represented the Philippines and won in the Miss Earth 2015 pageant held at Marx Halle, Vienna, Austria. The coronation night occurred on December 5, 2015. During the pre-pageant activities, Angelia won a silver medal for the Miss Friendship award and a bronze medal for the evening gown competition.

During the Top 8 round of question and answer, Angelia was asked of what would be Miss Earth's slogan for the next fifteen years; and she replied:

We will, because we can. I want to let everybody know that all things are possible and all things are feasible if we work together. We will, because we can.

Content of Ms. Angelia from Wikipedia. More on Ms. Angelia Ong in her Wikipedia page.

Joey M. Gatus Sc

VP FOR TECHNICAL OPERATIONS
C.O.R.A.L. PROGRAM DIRECTOR

A Ph.D Marine Biology (Candidate), Mr. Joey Gatus played a big role in developing DOST-PCAARD’s FILIPINNOVATION and has implemented various coral reef restoration programs in the country. He has also worked as Project Manager & Consultant for environmental & marine conservation projects with the World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Nippon Koei Co. Ltd, Deutsche Gesellschaft, Asian Development Bank.

Ret. P/Director General Roberto T. Lastimoso

Director for Coastal and Marina Protection

Chairman of the Board of the Philippine National Railways, has served in various capacities in the government as: General Manager of MRT 3 (January 2004-June 2009), Assistant Secretary- Rail He was also the Director General/Chief of the Philippine National Police (June 1998-January 2000) & has served in various military capacities in most of the regions in the Philippines, with numerous military awards, medals and distinctions. A licensed diver, he continue to serve the country by contributing his experiences for the C.O.R.A.L. venues’ protection,safety and security.

Joyce B. Hufton

Director: Environmental Protection & Rehabilitation

A certified Scuba Diver, She is internationally known as the first female pilot from the Philippines. Having worked with various organizations in environmental conservation, agricultural innovation & coastal security, she has spearheaded numerous (local and international) environmental initiatives and coral rehabilitation programs together with the 505 Squadron Philippine Air Force, Navy Security Operations Group (NAVSOG) , Philippine Navy, Phil. Coastguard, American Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Civil Military Affairs and continues to be an advocate in saving our seas