PGMA made honorary member of Women Divers Hall of Fame

NEW YORK CITY, July 1 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was elected Thursday as an honorary member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame (WDHOF) for her outstanding accomplishments in the field of marine conservation.

WDHOF officials led by its founder Dr. Hillary Viders and its president Martha Watkins Gilkes presented the President a membership plaque during a meeting with the Filipino community who came all the way from various parts of the United States to attend the ceremony at the Ballroom of Hilton Hotel here.

“As a scuba diver and a world leader, President Arroyo recognizes that a healthy marine environment is the foundation of a stable, productive society that can develop in a sustainable manner,” Viders said.

Viders pointed out that the President has made an unprecedented strides to protect coral reefs throughout South Asia’s Coral Triangle.

She said that the President has signed into law a national conservation policy to protect the Philippines’ unique and rich marine resources.

According to Viders, the President has likewise signed in January 2005 a legislation declaring the second week of January of each year as the “Best Dives Philippines Week” promoting scuba diving with an emphasis on protection and conservation of the country’s underwater marine resources.

At the same time, Viders noted that the President also signed Proclamation No. 1512 in May 2008, proclaiming the Month of June of every year as “Celebrate the Sea Month.”

Viders described these proclamation as “truly a milestone” adding that this is the first time that nation of more than 80 million people has been called upon to celebrate the sea by its president.

WDHOF is an international non-profit professional honor society that recognizes the top women divers in every area of diving: arts, science, medicine, sports, exploration, maritime archeology, media, service, dive training and education, safety, business, marine environment and conservation, free diving, commercial diving, and military diving.