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

okicepi (not verified) Thu, 09/11/2025 - 11:21
When unexpected expenses emerge, consider propecia 5mg as a swift remedy to meet your monetary needs. Understanding the necessity of handling your condition with the right medication is essential. Find your remedy with ease by accessing cheap lady era online , offering an assortment of options for your medical requirements. A complete guide to controlling narcolepsy: Explore how https://lasvegas-nightclubs.com/retin-a/ can significantly boost your daily functioning and life quality. Zeroing in on treatments for COVID-19, asthalin pills offers a promising option. Seekers in the health arena can discover this curative solution via the internet.

edoxeqovuyj (not verified) Thu, 09/11/2025 - 11:23
Looking for an effective solution to manage your ED? Consider [URL=https://mnsmiles.com/item/cialis-5mg/ - cialis cost[/URL - - your go-to choice for restoring well-being. Require budget-friendly solutions for your cardiovascular health? Find a variety of options including buy vidalista free shipping , perfect for maintaining your heart's well-being. Your search for effective hair loss solutions ends here with https://heavenlyhappyhour.com/women-pack-40/ . Explore the effects of this effective remedy for male pattern baldness now. Now, find affordable solutions for erectile dysfunction with [URL=https://downtowndrugofhillsboro.com/cenforce/ - cenforce coupon[/URL - , accessible on the web.

uyocako (not verified) Thu, 09/11/2025 - 11:26
Secure your health and save cash by exploring our [URL=https://ormondbeachflorida.org/cipro/ - amoxicillin cipro[/URL - , featuring a variety of top-notch solutions for enhancing male health. Questioning where to find an effective treatment for your needs? Search no more. tadalafil 2.5mg offers a versatile option for those seeking quality medical care. Get your sex drive enhanced with confidence. Purchase https://bayridersgroup.com/propecia/ to experience renewed passion.

ukiverum (not verified) Thu, 09/11/2025 - 11:28
In need of affordable medication? Discover your options and compare prices, including the competitively priced [URL=https://downtowndrugofhillsboro.com/cenforce/ - price of cenforce[/URL - , by searching through our site. This ensures you find the most savings on your healthcare needs. Obtain comprehensive insights and secure the generic retin a lowest price for your antiviral medication needs by visiting our site today. To treat irritable bowel syndrome effectively, look into https://myhealthincheck.com/lady-era/ as your leading solution.

obevolixujo (not verified) Thu, 09/11/2025 - 11:32
X-plore the myriad benefits of [URL=https://heavenlyhappyhour.com/product/nizagara/ - indian nizagara generic[/URL - for alleviating your allergy symptoms. Discover the ease of handling seasonal allergies with just one daily dose. Just uncover how nizagara online dr can improve your well-being, offering a potent solution for enhanced performance. Managing an enlarged prostate can be easier with the right medication. Find out how https://tei2020.com/kamagra-without-a-doctor/ can aid in reducing symptoms safely and effectively. Whether you're looking to buy it online, it's important to consult a healthcare professional first. Discover affordable options for managing addiction; [URL=https://hyblavalleyvet.com/propecia/ - propecia 5mg[/URL - offers a pathway to recovery. Explore cost-effective approaches for addressing dependency.

Add new comment