Skip to main content

FROM FISHERS TO BIRDERS: THE BOJO RIVER STORY

Feb 29, 2024

The municipality of Aloguinsan, Province of Cebu, Philippines is a 3rd class municipality which is located at the remote place in southwest part of the province. It consists of 15 Barangays with 3 coastal areas, and one of it is Barangay Bojo where the hidden beauty of Bojo River lies.

The main livelihood of the locals are fishing, farming and being a laborer. It’s disheartening that dissatisfaction and ignorance of the law can sometimes lead to illegal practices like fishing and farming. The Local Government Unit ( LGU) of Aloguinsan find a sustainable and legal alternatives that could help preserve the environment and promote responsible practices in the community like “sustainable tourism”.

In 2009, the LGU of Aloguinsan conducted various training workshops and seminars for fishermen, farmers and housewives about ecotourism and sustainable tourism. After 4 months of undergoing the different trainings, the BOJO ALOGUINSAN ECOTOURISM ASSOCIATION ( BAETAS )  was organized and launched the Bojo River Eco-Cultural Tour on June 14, 2009  to the tourists which aims at preserving and protecting the 1.4 km river where 24 species of mangroves, 61 species of birds live,  the different species of corals in the Tañon Strait, conserve local culture and tradition, promote the town and having sustainable livelihood.

Not long after opening to the public, it captivated the interest of both local and international tourists. From 2009 up to 2022 the tourist arrival reached up to 300,000 which earns a total receipts of 39.5 million pesos, 896,000 pesos for community projects, have help 4,000 families and invested 3 million pesos for the infrastructure.

BAETAS implemented different projects and programs that can help the local people such as conducting medical mission, feeding program, giving assistance to the elderly, giving school supplies and funding scholarship program. Additionally, BAETAS is implementing a program for mangrove rehabilitation and reforestation, along with monthly river and coastal clean-ups.

In 2015 up to present the Bojo River received 4 National awards and 6 International Awards such as:

  • UNEP PATA INSPIRE AWARD Philippines, 2015, ASEAN AWARD Singapore, 2017,
  • 2016 GLOBAL TOP 100 SUSTAINABLE DESTINATION AWARD Slovenia, September 2016,
  • 2017 GLOBAL TOP 100 SUSTAINABLE DESTINATION AWARD Portugal, September 2017,
  • 2018 GLOBAL TOP 100 SUSTAINABLE DESTINATION AWARD Germany, September 2018,
  • 2021 BEST ECOTOURSIM VILLAGES, December 2021, and
  • LOCAL TOURISM AWARD AT 31ST SKAL INTERNATIONAL MAKATI TOURISM AWARDS ON OCTOBER 26, 2023, Philippines.
  • LOCAL TOURISM AWARD AT 31ST SKAL INTERNATIONAL MAKATI TOURISM AWARDS ON OCTOBER 26, 2023, Philippines.

Fortuitously, numerous opportunities have arrived in our association. We partnered with different travel agencies and government agencies providing fundings. Additionally, we successfully collaborated with various. universities. Recently, we have a new partnership with Erasmus+  project through “ECOVIP. This project can help our association  broaden our campaign about responsible travel, not only in local market but also in the international market.

As the United Nations created the Sustainable Development Goals, this project answers some of the SDG’s such as “No to Poverty, this project helps the local community to have an alternative income that help them in financial problem; Good Health and well-being” one of objective of this project is to preserve and protect the environment where it can lead to clean and fresh air as well as healthy environment; “Gender equality” that is project treat men and women equally because some the paddlers guide are women; “ To provide decent work for local people and improve the economic growth of the town by providing livelihood for fishermen, farmers and housewives. The association contributes the local government around 5 million since the project started in 2009.

Women welcome the guests with local song.

Fishermen as local interpreter

Today, Bojo River plays a significant role in our town, contributing in our economy through tourism, bringing fame to our town, providing livelihoods for our members and being recognized as one of  the ecotourism destinations in the  Philippines.

Comments

ogowapuwrasem (not verified) Wed, 07/09/2025 - 19:14
Acquire your [URL=https://embroidery-fun.com/nexium/ - nexium 40mg in croatia[/URL - effortlessly with our secure online platform. Buy your essential medications via our website with ease and confidence. Considering the complexities of managing bipolar disorder, many find relief through online parmacy propecia cheap . Whether seeking to control mood swings, patients have several choices, yet some choose for this proven treatment. Keep informed on this anti-malarial medication benefits and guidelines by visiting https://charlotteelliottinc.com/item/hydroxychloroquine-online-no-script/ for thorough insights and updates.

ilogoximn (not verified) Wed, 07/09/2025 - 19:18
Your quest for a budget-friendly, dependable solution ends here: [URL=https://ipalc.org/doxycycline/ - prescription doxycycline usa[/URL - . Whether you're looking to acquire this medication on the internet, you'll find that its efficacy in treating a wide range of infections makes it a top choice. Zero in on boosting your overall wellbeing with amoxil 650mg , offering a herbal path to enhancing vitality. Revolutionize your argumentation skills with our comprehensive guide on crafting compelling narratives; access it https://mypurelifefoods.com/price-of-cipro/ . Enhance your ability to sway any audience through efficient utilization of rhetorical strategies. Explore supreme deals for antifungal treatments at [URL=https://tei2020.com/pharmacy-prices-for-xenical/ - orlistat[/URL - .

otodobu (not verified) Wed, 07/09/2025 - 19:23
Now, discover your route towards minimized cholesterol with [URL=https://nabba-us.com/drugs/zithromax/ - zithromax online no script[/URL - , available for buying on the web. Reduce your cholesterol effectively with levitra , offering a reliable way to purchase your treatment. View the latest https://tv-in-pc.com/pill/tadalafil/ , and discover affordable options for treating alcohol dependence.

aniaggavada (not verified) Wed, 07/09/2025 - 19:25
Discover how you can acquire your [URL=https://marcagloballlc.com/drugs/kamagra/ - kamagra 100mg[/URL - conveniently and start a fresh chapter in your wellness. Discover a hassle-free way to secure your medication with vardenafil , ensuring confidentiality and ease in buying. Navigating through the myriad of treatment options for Alzheimer's can be daunting. However, procuring Donepezil, a proven medication, has never been easier. For those looking to enhance cognitive function affordably, consider exploring your options to https://mynarch.net/priligy/ . This approach offers a seamless, cost-effective solution for managing symptoms with convenience.

eyehivilew (not verified) Wed, 07/09/2025 - 19:25
Explore unparalleled convenience by opting to purchase your wellness aids with a simple click. Now, acquiring lowest price generic cernos caps has never been easier, ensuring fast and reliable delivery. Just realized you need ED medication for your well-being? No need to stress out! You can cialis easily and safely. Visit https://suddenimpactli.com/kamagra/ to acquire the Augmentin vial at the lowest cost. Explore various alternatives for managing your well-being by choosing to buying hydroxychloroquine .

ubudayxohaqqe (not verified) Wed, 07/09/2025 - 19:29
A comprehensive range of alternatives for eye care is offered at our esteemed [URL=https://planbmfg.com/product/zithromax-250mg/ - zithromax[/URL - . Nabbing your essential medical supplies has never been simpler. Procure unbranded prices for priligy on the web to ensure your health needs are met with quality and affordability. Optimize your health and wellness journey by visiting our extensive selection of affordable treatment options. Discover https://tooprettybrand.com/cheap-cialis/ to improve your vitality efficiently and securely. Venture into new health realms by exploring the efficacy and potential of [URL=https://sarahvuongbridaljewellery.com/item/tadalafil/ - tadalafil commercial[/URL - . Uncover a revolutionary option for medical concerns, exclusively available for purchase on our platform.

ixaevef (not verified) Wed, 07/09/2025 - 19:34
Explore the convenience of securing your well-being with ease by choosing to [URL=https://embroidery-fun.com/nizagara/ - nizagara canadian pharmacy[/URL - . Acquire your necessary pharmaceuticals via the web effortlessly and affordably. Just stumbled upon a way to obtain tadalafil , transforming how we procure essential treatments. Yes, securing the https://embroidery-fun.com/nizagara/ can be straightforward when you search online. One can easily obtain their prescription for [URL=https://bluemooncafedothan.com/drugs/buy-viagra-without-prescription/ - sildenafil[/URL - by choosing to acquire it from a reputable website.

umelufizoup (not verified) Wed, 07/09/2025 - 19:34
In need of immediate alleviation from chronic nasal congestion? Look into ordering [URL=https://tooprettybrand.com/product/nexium/ - esomeprazole[/URL - , a proven treatment to ease your symptoms efficiently. Considering the requirement for heart health, obtaining tadalafil.com online offers a handy solution for maintaining cholesterol levels. Patients seeking relief from COPD symptoms can locate effective treatment with https://ifcuriousthenlearn.com/womenra/ . These remedies supply a dual-action solution, improving lung function and reducing flare-ups. Reduce your uric acid effortlessly with the optimal [URL=https://darlenesgiftshop.com/item/acamoli/ - purchase acamoli[/URL - . Manage gout attacks easily and retain optimum health.

eyehivilew (not verified) Wed, 07/09/2025 - 19:35
Ensure optimal wellness and enhance your vitality with a potent solution. Discover how to procure nizagara 50mg online today. Discover the current buy hydroxychloroquine without prescription and look into alternatives for purchasing this treatment via the internet. Discover how to safely acquire https://mypurelifefoods.com/cipro/ through the internet, ensuring you get authentic medication for your health needs. Certainly, acquiring your hormonal supplements is crucial, and finding a reliable source is paramount. For those looking to order their testosterone boosters, lowest price generic cernos caps offers a wide selection. This ensures you receive your supplements promptly, maintaining your health regime without interruption.

imuzayamezota (not verified) Wed, 07/09/2025 - 19:35
You can purchase your [URL=https://carnegiemarketing.com/product/proventil/ - order proventil online[/URL - without hassle through our website, ensuring you get high-quality medication for managing your condition. Zero in on affordability and convenience with buy cheap cialis , your go-to source for purchasing effective ED treatments online. Erectile dysfunction (ED) can be a challenging condition, but with modern treatments, managing it has become easier. Look into https://tei2020.com/drugs/cialis/ , a budget-friendly and reliable option for boosting your well-being. You can find unbeatable offers on [URL=https://sunsethilltreefarm.com/item/ed-sample-pack-2/ - ed-sample-pack-2 with paypal[/URL - on internet platforms.

Add new comment