This is referring to an article titled "RP warns against political motives in selecting CTI office," (the Post, May 14).

Many are about to be fooled by the much anticipated Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI). Home to the world's largest and richest marine biodiversity, the Coral Triangle is now put in the spotlight under the disguise of sustainable ocean management with an approached dubbed as "precautionary principles" and trying to link it to the world's burning issue of climate change.

But what is really behind the Coral Triangle Initiative?

The latest information show that millions of dollars are at stake to make CTI happen. It was cited many times in the Manado Ocean Declaration that what is needed are huge financial resources to sustain ocean management.

The CTI plan of action reveals that it is indeed needed. Now, Indonesian and Philippine governments are vying to get the secretariatship of the CTI Program. That is because, whoever acts as the secretariat to the CTI would gain further access to and control of millions of dollars for the program.

The CTI has already received pledges worth US$300 million, including $40 million from the US. The ADB and GEF also made their commitments and plan to raise a total of $25.5 million in funding for Southeast Asia and the Pacific to protect coral reefs, with Southeast Asia to receive $12.3 million.

But what should be the real issue here? Instead of debating over who will manage the purse, isn't it more important to discuss how this CTI could contribute to poverty eradication and capacity building of coastal communities to effectively manage coastal resources? Artisanal fishers and the rest of Southeast Asian people are bothered by the actions of these technocrats. Be cautioned by their motives of siphoning funds for their own interests while we, the majority, will suffer the burden of paying the loans that will finance the CTI Program.

Now that is the real precautionary principle!

Glenn Ismael Ymata

Manado, North Sulawesi

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