Aloguinsan, a special place

A meeting at Handuraw Restaurant of co-convenors of a planned Ecotourism forum this month brought this columnist in touch with Boboi Costas.  He is behind the highly successful eco-tourism program of Aloguinsan town, midwestern Cebu and other places in the country. Boboi tipped me off regarding a planned visit to the now-famous Bojo River Cruise by Cebu’s dynamic leaders like Bajing Atega, Eileen Mangubat, Evelyn Nacario, Mymy Tabao and Ramie Debuayan.

I lost no time in contacting Bajing. So, last Friday, the busy ladies went to a must-see eco-tourism destination in Cebu, Aloguinsan, leaving the city early morning for the 58 kilometer journey to the municipality.  However, health reasons prevented Nac from joining us and she missed savoring the fun moments and the rich and inspiring experience that we all had.

Aloguinsan is located at the western seaboard of Cebu, faces Negros and is part of the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS). It holds a special place in many people’s hearts, including mine.

In the past, the environmental advocates and the fisherfolk and the municipality did not see eye-to-eye on the offshore drilling project approved by then president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. It displaced fisherfolk and impacted the 14 species of whales and dolphins in TSPS.  The crisis galvanized the citizens into action, leading to the establishment of the Save Tañon Strait Citizens Movement and the filing of the two cases, still pending in the Supreme Court, with the resident whales and dolphins in TSPS, as among the petitioners.

This columnist is one of the many who commend Mayor Cynthia Moreno for being so understanding of the actions taken by the citizens to protect our rights to life, livelihood and a healthful and balanced ecology. She does not hold grudges, despite the strongly-worded letter which she received from us at the height of the controversy. Without a doubt, her warmth, openness and hands-on approach are among the reasons why Mayor Cynthia Moreno was hailed recently as one of the “Inang Kalikasan Champions” for ecotourism. She is the change agent in the successful community-based eco-tourism program which has improved the quality of the lives of the constituents, without sacrificing the environment and thus, a certified sustainable undertaking.

With the support of her husband, then- Mayor Augustos Moreno and the officials of the municipality, and Mayor Cynthia’s persistence and determination, the Bojo River Village Tour took root. The Aloguinsan local government unit invited experts like Boboi Costas, biodiversity conservation champions Lisa Paguntalan and Gado Jakosalem, to mention a few in the capacity-building training of the now-nature and cultural heritage guides, who are  members of the Bojo Aloguinsan Eco-tourism Association (Baetas), mostly composed of the fisherfolk and their families in Bojo.

It was a marvel to observe the changes taking place in the hearts and minds of the fisherfolk and the women members of the Baetas. Their tangible pride and happiness is felt when they engage  visitors and enthusiastically respond to their animated questions while doing the orientation and  paddling down the 1.4-kilometer-long Bojo River. The guides know the local and scientific names of the mangroves, consisting of 22 species, which host 61 bird species.

The river cruise alone has attracted hordes of tourists resulting in revenues in the millions. Aloguinsan also offers birdwatching tours and snorkeling in the clear and coral-rich waters of Tañon Strait.

The delighted visitors had delicious organic food for lunch at the Farmhouse. It showcased  natural farming methods, with a tour that includes a walk around the vegetable farm where one can also see the livestock, free-range chicken, a vermiculture area and the tilapia pond. The Farmhouse Tour is managed by the Cultural Heritage for Aloguinsan Tourism.

With the increasing number of visitors, there is a need for more lodging houses, inns and eating places. These are among the ancillary projects which should attract potential investors. Prosperity inevitably follows if programs are sustainable and the community shares the ownership therein.

It is highly encouraging that  Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III has committed, in his speech during the 2013 Tourism Congress to make tourism “sustainable by engaging the local communities and tourism stakeholders in planning”  a “bottoms-up approach” and running tours all year-round. He was quoted as saying that he believes “in giving support to local government units to develop their own tourism products that also promote their natural heritage through community-based tourism.”  He exhorted the tourism stakeholders to “highlight Cebu’s heritage and traditions,” as he encouraged towns and cities to “support old houses and buildings to be converted to homestays, cafes and bed-and-breakfast inns” so they can be sustainable , local enterprises” (https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/431405/cebu-tourism-industry-to-reach-new-heights-with-apec-meeting-2016-intl-eucharistic-conference).

Eco-tourism is indeed the way to go, as ably demonstrated by the Aloguinsan Municipality under the sterling leadership of its officials led by Mayor Cynthia. We hope more local government units will appreciate the significance of eco-tourism to the people and the planet, and organize a tourism department manned by people with a mindset of sustainability. I understand that Cebu, including the cities and municipalities, has yet to craft a Tourism Development Plan.

The Ecotourism Lecture Series beginning Aug. 27, at the Social Hall of the Legislative Building in Cebu City Hall, in partnership with the Cebu City Government under the office of Councilor Nida Cabrera and various government agencies and organizations is a step in the right direction towards mainstreaming sustainable tourism in Cebu and in our country, considered by many as a dream destination for eco-tourism.