“The Giants Need a Strong

Support”
By ELAICA P. GADOR

In an every vision, there should be a committed soul, and to achieve a vision, it

needs a united group of people with the same perception and aims. However, no
matter how committed they are, they do not have enough power to legalize everything
to strengthen their duties, as such, the government should hear their voices out and
support such good aims.

One of the best experience I had is when we visited the Taklobo Tours in Brgy
Adecor, Kaputian Dist. Igacos of the Island Garden City of Samal last October 20, 2019.
We experienced snorkeling and watched as the legendary giant clams seated under the
sea. They aren’t for the beautification only, but also nourishes the coral reefs, the
natural habitat of the fishes. As I swam (of course with life jacket, cause I do not actually
know how to swim), and watched these beautiful clams underneath, it soothe my mind
and gave me an inexplicable feeling of acceptance and being part of the nature. It gives
me the thought that these giant clams can actually give people a peace of mind, not just
for safeguarding the habitat of the fishes. Realizing how they were ignored despite of
the significance they actually have.

One more thing that proves this Taklobo conservation in the Island Garden of
Samal is, a certain objective cannot be easily achieved especially when it comes to
preserving natural resources. As people continue to diverse, with too many different
intentions, achieving a goal for conservation is not an easy task. Yes, there are still
plenty of people who are committed for this type of aim, however, scattered across the
island. It is like picking up shells on the seashore, selecting people with the same
intentions and regrouping. Their group had gone crisis, as original members starting to
become lesser due to low economic impact towards their daily life. Less people are
cooperating and continuing to pursue the conservation of the clams. As of today
however and thankfully, there are still people who continue to support this aim and
even received blissful life, as according to them.
 The committed people who continued to care for these clams also received a more
comfortable life. According to the one who gave the introductory speech, Sir Joel, about
the giant clams and the rules there, he admitted that through safeguarding and
preserving these giant clams, it made him raise his children with a better life than
before when he was just fishing for living. His words aren’t baseless as it proves how his
whole family are participating this type of job. He was proud to be part of this caring
community and you can actually feel his sincerity

Since 1999, this conservation started from establishing a 14-hectare Marine

Reserve Park (MRP). They also submitted a research paper titled,” Growth and Survival
of Cultured Giant Clam, Tridacna gigas in Ocean Nursery Cages at Adecor, Kaputian
District, Island Garden City of Samal” and was awarded with AFMA R&D Award by the
Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agriculture Research(DA-BAR). Their perseverance
also received funds from CHED for the establishment of DNSC Multi-purpose hatchery,
added with the implementation of the Community-based project “Taklobo Tours:
Conservation and Livelihood Opportunities in the Island Garden City of Samal” that
mold the Taklobo Tours today. Up to this date, the people managing this project are still
pursuing for the betterment of this project and gathering more people to cooperate
and further implement this conservation. They aim to expand the Local conservation
area of the giant clams to further their rights, strengthen their duties, as well as to give
these clams more space for more reproduction. Sadly, there are some heresy about the
lack of support from their local government about the expansion of the area. This
occurring problem should be heard, and as part of a concerned environmentalist, I
encourage the people of the Brgy. Adecor, Kaputian District Igacos to continue their
pursuit and let their voices be heard. They can do more and even successfully conserved
giant clams with just a minimal space for conservation area. Imagine their progress with
just a minimal area, how about with a larger scale? Would that bring negative impact? I
guess not. Instead, it will provide strong support that might even encourage more of
local settlers to participate. It might be only a small support from the government, but
might lead to a betterment of this project.