Artificial reef project kicks off in Kamanga
MAASIM, Sarangani (May 28, 2009) - Conal Holdings Corporation vice president Joseph Nocos (3rd from right, foreground) and operations manager Greg Gonzales (4th from right, foreground) joins volunteers in preparing the domes that would serve as artificial reefs deployed Thursday, May 28, in barangay Kamanga as British dive instructor Chris Dearne (4th from left) looks on. (Photo Courtesy of Edwin Espejo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
MAASIM, Sarangani (May 28, 2009) – An estimated 50 artificial coral reef domes are deployed today during the opening of the Artificial Reef Deployment project of the local government of Maasim in partnership with Conal Holdings Corp. A total of 500 artificial domes will be deployed within a span of three months across three sitios of Maasim. These are Tampuan, Looc and Mangelen.
More areas would be identified for the deployment of additional domes. This project spearheaded jointly by LGU Maasim and Conal Holdings on June 21, 2008 is in compliance with Republic Act 7160 which states “The participation of the private sector in local governance, particularly in the delivery of basic services, shall be encouraged to ensure the viability of local autonomy as an alternative strategy for sustainable development”.
Artificial reefs are used as aggregating devices that will provide marine life shelter thus promoting the growth of underwater species from algae to corals as well as fishes. This is part of promoting a “self-sustaining marine community”.
Conal Holdings Corporation is the proponent of a power plant set to be constructed in Kamanga. It would provide an estimated 200 megawatts of electricity to the Southern Mindanao grid by 2011.
Published in:
:: CARPE DIEM :: 