DENR helps Oslob, Aloguinsan on eco-tourism

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will coordinate closely with the Municipalities of Oslob and Aloguinsan to boost their tourism potentials and generate jobs in their respective communities.

The DENR allocated P1.4 million in Central Visayas for 2012 under the Integrated Coastal Resources Management Project (ICRMP) especially in Barangay Bojo in Aloguinsan, Oslob, Olango in Lapulapu City and Siquijor.

Ed Llamedo, public information officer of the DENR-7, said that DENR-7 Director Maximo Dichoso and Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETA) president Jomelyn Manigos signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the eco-tourism enterprises on culinary and river expedition with a total project cost of P329,640.00.

According to Llamedo, the Bojo river cruise is just like the butandings in Oslob in terms of eco-tourism, promoting the unique environmental features of the area while boosting their tourism potentials.

"It will be an environmental or eco-tourism corridor. In this manner, we will be able to maximize the tourism attractions at the same time generating employment and jobs among locals," Llamedo said.

The DENR is concerned about the protection and sustainable management of Bojo river as it is home to 61 bird species, 96 plant species, and 22 different types of mangrove species.

Bojo river in Aloguinsan is 1.3 kilometers from the Tañon Strait, southwest Cebu, with a depth of 3.8 meters during high tide. More than 5,000 tourists visited the area last year for the river cruise.

Manigos said BAETA has been helping the local government unit of Aloguinsan in promoting ecotourism to protect and preserve the environment.

DENR implements the ICRMP with funding from the Asian Development Bank and the Global Environment Facility. Projects are expected to enhance coastal resources and sustain development as well as increase income for coastal communities. — Garry B. Lao/JPM

 (THE FREEMAN)