Sagay City’s Suyac Island Mangrove Eco-Park in Barangay Taba-ao, located within the Sagay Marine Reserve, will receive the 2025 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Community-Based Tourism Award in Johor, Malaysia, on Jan. 20.
This prestigious award recognizes the Suyac Island Eco-Tourist Attendants Association (SIETAAS) for their “exemplary standard in compliance with the Community-Based Tourism Standard”.
Their exceptional efforts in eco-tourism initiatives have garnered this esteemed recognition, the city said Jan 14.
The Department of Tourism announced the award Dec. 16 through a letter, designating SIETAAS and the City Government of Sagay as part of the Philippine delegation to the ceremony.
Mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr. expressed his gratitude for this significant achievement and acknowledged the invaluable support of the DOT Region VI.
He stressed that this award serves as a testament to how community-based tourism has not only uplifted the lives of the Suyac islanders but also effectively contributed to environmental preservation.
Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, a pioneer of this program, remarked, “We embarked on a challenging path towards sustainability, and now we reap the rewards – not only this prestigious award but also the profound positive impact on our precious mangrove forests and community.”
He thanked all partner organizations and agencies.
Supervising tourism operations officer Helen Cutillar, who is instrumental in laying the groundwork for these initiatives since 2012, emphasized that this international recognition inspires the people of Suyac to strive for even greater accomplishments.
She stressed that pursuing sustainable tourism development has the power to transform the community into an empowered, resilient, and environmentally-conscious society.
Tourism is an invasive industry but if practiced sustainably, it has the potential “to enrich, protect, and build communities,” Cutillar said, as she acknowledged that while significant work remains, she is grateful for being on the right path.
Chen Mencias of Bluewaters Consultancy served as the city’s sustainable tourism development planner when the project started in 2012. The project underwent a rigorous community development process within the framework of sustainable tourism development.
The Sagay LGU also pays tribute to the visionary leadership in marine conservation of the late governor Alfredo Maranon Jr., who established the 32,000-hectare marine protected area during the 1970s, which serves as the foundation for strong ecotourism. ||
