After being introduced to local government units, media, environmental agencies and NGOs during the National Conference on Climate Change Adaptation in October, the buzz is now on the Geo-Marine Aqua (GMA) Park, an eco-tourism endeavor of joint ventures Winace Holdings Philippines, Inc. chaired by Teodorico T. Haresco, Jr., and Eco-Coral/TechnoStrat Corporation.

Environment advocate and Green and Blue Movement’s Dan Pasia, who is also President and CEO of Philippine Aquatic and Marinelife Conservationists Inc. (PAMARCON), has expressed interest in the project, and has requested audience with the technical team to see about the feasibility of installing reefs in Manila Bay. Another Mindanao-based marine biologist and local government official is avidly seeking for a survey of his coastal locality in the hopes of putting up a marine park and sanctuary and deploying the Eco-Corals® there. He apparently has been following studies and report on artificial reef structures like the BioRock and Reef Ball but decided to put the deal off with these two other proponents when he saw the Eco-Corals®.

The GMA Park will also be featured in the forthcoming issue of People Asia. The feature highlights how diving consultant Bill McGilton, who now does the underwater assessment of the Eco-Coral® reefs, witnessed firsthand how an entire coral reef ecosystem in Capones Island, Zambales got destroyed by blast fishing in 2006. This sad experience fueled McGilton’s advocacy and mission to save what remains of the country’s coral reefs.

The GMA Park features artificial coral reef structures called the Eco-Coral®. Made of the same pH level of the sea and molded from real corals, Eco-Corals® prove to promote the propagation of marine life and reef species. The GMA Park has an observatory platform in the center and inflatable structures for water fun activities in the periphery of the 10-hectare facility. With things going as targeted, the GMA Park is to be fully operational in March 2010.