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

osusofet (not verified) Thu, 09/25/2025 - 11:57
Acquire Secure the best deal on lowest priligy prices for your aches and pains through the internet today. Understanding the importance of antiviral treatment in managing chronic hepatitis C can never be overstated. Opting to purchase https://myrsvplive.com/nizagara/ via a digital pharmacy not only offers convenience but also ensures you're securing your medication without delay. Finding the most cost-effective [URL=https://nikonphotorecovery.com/priligy/ - purchase priligy online[/URL - can be challenging. Look online for choices that offer value.

ecowonavaq (not verified) Thu, 09/25/2025 - 11:59
For individuals seeking to acquire hydroxychloroquine without a prescription, numerous platforms offer it. However, it's crucial to approach these sources with caution to guarantee safety and authenticity. [URL=https://livinlifepc.com/drugs/hydroxychloroquine/ - hydroxychloroquine generic[/URL - offers a comprehensive guide on how to safely secure this medication, alongside vital data on its use. Having trouble finding a reliable source for your antibiotic needs? Search no more. Get amoxicillin cheap safely and without hassle. Keep your health in check with https://nikonphotorecovery.com/xenical/ , your answer to handling inflammation. Quickly obtain your medications with convenience by choosing to order [URL=https://wefenceit.com/viagra/ - ou acheter du viagra[/URL - .

icasemeloolo (not verified) Thu, 09/25/2025 - 11:59
Access effective treatment quickly and securely by choosing to buy your medications via the internet. For individuals requiring prompt therapy, [URL=https://lasvegas-nightclubs.com/drug/nolvadex/ - nolvadex pills[/URL - offers a trustworthy solution. Having issues with insomnia? Consider exploring the benefits of prednisone brand . Get the solution now from a reliable source. Explore budget-friendly options for your heartburn treatment by checking https://midsouthprc.org/propecia-1mg/ . Find your stock easily and manage your symptoms efficiently. Maximize your bone health and combat osteoporosis effectively with [URL=https://greaterparsippanyrewards.com/pill/pharmacy/ - pharmacy for sale[/URL - , a leading choice for bone density improvement.

lofaqemi (not verified) Thu, 09/25/2025 - 12:01
Xplore affordable healthcare options and discover significant savings on medication with [URL=https://bluemooncafedothan.com/drug/propranolol/ - propranolol[/URL - . Looking for doxycycline? Secure your supply without a doctor's prescription through this doxycycline mg 100mg . Acquire your dose promptly and start treatment immediately. Yes, securing your medication has never been easier. Locate competitive https://greaterparsippanyrewards.com/item/pharmacy-walmart-price/ effortlessly. Purchase today for a smoother, hassle-free experience in managing your health needs. Quickly procure your [URL=https://oliveogrill.com/drugs/beloc/ - beloc[/URL - to control your blood pressure without hassle.

uxuluibadito (not verified) Thu, 09/25/2025 - 12:04
Need to enhance your fertility effectively? Explore our [URL=https://kristinbwright.com/ventolin/ - ventolin receta[/URL - for an affordable solution. Looking to treat prostate carcinoma? Order street value priligy 90 easily for efficient therapy. With an array of natural solutions for enhancing vitality, click here to https://greaterparsippanyrewards.com/item/vardenafil/ , offering a safe and beneficial way to support your health. Your search for affordable antibiotics ends here; acquire your [URL=https://myrsvplive.com/amoxil/ - amoxil[/URL - online for effective bacterial infection treatment.

Add new comment