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CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Department of Tourism in Central Visayas (DOT-7) met on Friday, March 21, with various stakeholders in Tagbilaran City, Bohol to discuss the importance of promoting responsible marine wildlife tourism.
The gathering called “Sustainable Encounters: Responsible Marine Wildlife Tourism Seminar” was also meant to spread awareness on Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01, Series of 2020 that specifies the rules and regulations in the conduct of marine wildlife tourism interactions nationwide.
The joint circular was issued by the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
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“Sustainability and the inclusion of local communities, to reap the benefits of responsible tourism, are embodied in the National Tourism Development Plan 2023-2028. The JMC provides the guidelines for actions on-ground, that these are both sustainable and inclusive,” says DOT-7 Director Judy de la Cruz-Gabato.
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DOT-7 Assistant Director Gelena Asis-Dimpas said it is important to discuss regulations like JMC 2020-01 “in support of the continued growth in marine wildlife tourism in the region.”
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Marine wildlife conservation
During the seminar, Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado shared that they are now implementing measures to ensure marine wildlife conservation which he said is vital in ensuring sustainable tourism in their island province.
“We are choosing to be proactive rather than reactive, ensuring that our marine species thrive naturally in their habitat rather than being commodified at the expense at the expense of their well-being,” he said.
Earlier, Aumentado issued an Executive Order to suspend whale shark interaction and feeding in their province until requirements are met to ensure the protection of its marine resources and the local tourism industry.
Destruction of corals
In addition, he also ordered for the temporary closure of dive sites to allow rehabilitation and the conduct of an investigation on the destruction of corals off Brgy. Tangnan and in Virgin Island both located in Panglao town.
READ: Aumentado orders probe into vandalism of Virgin Island corals