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

ogakatihif (not verified) Fri, 08/22/2025 - 01:24
Secure your health by choosing to [URL=https://phovillages.com/sildenafil/ - sale online viagra[/URL - on this platform, ensuring quick and trustworthy access to your vital medication. Optimize your health and wellness journey by choosing to cheap retin-a in us , a decision that empowers you to boost your wellness routine from the ease of your home. Unlock exclusive savings via our https://maker2u.com/item/lady-era/ and boost your lifestyle today. Initiate your journey towards relief from nausea and vomiting by opting to purchase [URL=https://fpny.org/item/zoloft/ - zoloft philippines[/URL - .

nesabevo (not verified) Fri, 08/22/2025 - 01:26
Discover inexpensive options for managing your health; purchase [URL=https://livinlifepc.com/drugs/hydroxychloroquine/ - hydroxychloroquine online canada[/URL - via the web. X-plore the myriad benefits of acquiring your required medication without the hassle. Obtain cytotec venta en farmacias conveniently from trusted sources. Quickly and conveniently order your antiviral pills https://goldenedit.com/drugs/cialis-cost/ . Understanding the importance of maintaining heart health and managing cholesterol can be overwhelming, but with the right medication, it's possible to navigate these conditions more effectively. If you're looking to acquire your prescription with ease, [URL=https://cafeorestaurant.com/drugs/tadapox/ - tadapox online canada[/URL - offers a convenient solution to manage both hypertension and high cholesterol with just one tablet.

ajbecufeyurx (not verified) Fri, 08/22/2025 - 01:29
Explore affordable options for [URL=https://newyorksecuritylicense.com/maxaquin/ - genertic maxaquin cheapest free shipping[/URL - and save on your medication costs today. Purchasing affordable retin a canada has never been easier, with numerous choices available on the web. Secure your fertility journey today by selecting the best deal. Improve your wellness journey with a simple click. Obtain the https://the7upexperience.com/product/levitra-on-line/ effortlessly on the web. This option offers an excellent way to explore wellness benefits with convenience. Navigating the vast world of the internet to discover [URL=https://mynarch.net/drug/priligy/ - priligy[/URL - can feel overwhelming. Secure your acquisition via the internet.

eboqiwiq (not verified) Fri, 08/22/2025 - 01:32
Unlock the key to better health with a simple step. Buy your [URL=https://downtowndrugofhillsboro.com/vastarel/ - lowest price on generic vastarel[/URL - from us and witness the difference in your health immediately. Gain access to furosemide hassle-free. Obtain your medication without delay for controlling your health concerns. Secure your https://fpny.org/propranolol-20mg/ effortlessly. Acquire the medicine virtually with just a few clicks. Zap your pain away with secure your anti-inflammatory medication conveniently via web with [URL=https://center4family.com/ventolin/ - salbutamol inhaler buy online[/URL - .

ametagagawin (not verified) Fri, 08/22/2025 - 01:32
Your search for a reliable source to obtain Duprost ends here. [URL=https://ormondbeachflorida.org/kamagra/ - order kamagra[/URL - for an easy, effortless experience and take the first step towards managing your health better. Queue up to acquire your heart health needs through lasix , your go-to source for quality medications. Optimize your health journey; buy fertility solutions easily with https://sunsethilltreefarm.com/item/alfacip/ . Visit now to find the lowest [URL=https://transylvaniacare.org/womenra/ - womenra bez recepty w holandii[/URL - and cut costs on your order.

uowawosuyeoyu (not verified) Fri, 08/22/2025 - 01:37
For those seeking an affordable solution to their health concerns, ordering order hydroxychloroquine online online provides a cost-effective option. Maximize your energy with advanced choices. Discover how on canadian pharmacies generic cobix . Explore options to acquire your medication. For effective treatment, https://the7upexperience.com/drugs/nizagara/ instantly. Discover safe solutions for ED with viagra ma . Obtain your treatment without hassle.

ugehexitukop (not verified) Fri, 08/22/2025 - 01:42
Discover how to boost your health with [URL=https://stroupflooringamerica.com/womenra/ - womenra online no script[/URL - , available immediately for acquisition. Uncover affordable treatment for scabies with our budget-friendly womenra online pharmacy , the preferred choice for eliminating pests. Understanding the https://bakuchiropractic.com/product/lasix/ is crucial for handling IOP in individuals with glaucoma.

oubowefea (not verified) Fri, 08/22/2025 - 01:45
I was wondering about the cost of health treatments when I found the [URL=https://fpny.org/buying-amoxicillin/ - amoxicillin[/URL - . This treatment is often used for treating gallstones. Zap your ED woes with our premium ed sample pack 3 canadian pharmacy . Acquire your pack now easily. Zeroing in on effective pain relief solutions? Discover accessible options like https://johncavaletto.org/item/lasix/ , optimal for easing soreness. selecting an online order not only ensures convenience but also delivers reliability.

Add new comment