NOTE: THIS STORY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE BOHOL CHRONICLE’S SUNDAY PRINT EDITION.
The Provincial Government of Bohol, through the Office of the Provincial Social Work and Development, turned over financial assistance to workers affected by the closure of whale shark watching activities in the municipalities of Alburquerque, Dauis and Lila.
Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado led the turnover of a total of P5,320,000 to 532 affected workers during a ceremony held at the Capitol on June 16. Of these, 139 were from Albur, 142 from Dauis and 251 from Lila.
Under the setup, each beneficiary received P10,000 in financial aid. This was in addition to the assistance that the governor requested for the beneficiaries from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Bohol.
The beneficiaries received financial assistance through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Sa Ating Disadvantage/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program that was turned over back in April.
According to Aumentado, he is not against whale shark watching activities as a tourism activity but stressed the importance of compliance with regulations against feeding of whale sharks that adversely affects nature’s balance.
He added that whale shark watching activities could resume provided that operators meet the requirements set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, he added.
“Nakasabot kita sa inyong gibati, pagpahunong sa whale shark feeding. Apan dili nato mahimong supakon ang balaod, kay aduna usab kita’y gipanumpaan nga katungdanan, isip piniyalan sa atong kalikopan. Bisan pa man niana, naningkamot kita nga masolusyonan kining maong sitwasyon,” Aumentado stated.
Aumentado had created a Task Force focusing on wildlife conservation policies, law enforcement updates, and recommendations for sustainable tourism practices. He also inked an agreement with Balyena.Org for marine mammal conservation, reinforcing the commitment of the provincial government to the protection of the rich marine life of the Bohol Sea.
In March, the province also hosted the Sustainable Encounters: Responsible Marine Wildlife Tourism Seminar, which convened officials from national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), and private stakeholders to discuss marine wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism.
These align with the strategic change agenda of the provincial government on environmental preservation and sustainable tourism and is in consonance with the province’s designation as the first and only UNESCO Global Geopark and Regenerative Island. (PIMO/ALT/LMS)
