By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
SUSTAINABLE tourism via environmental care ain’t easy. But Sagay City in Negros Occidental province surmounted such.
Recently, it was as if they received their “prize from heaven”. Their 32,000-hectare Sagay Marine Reserve (SMR) in the Visayan Sea won international accolade.
SMR placed second in the People’s Choice Award (Nature and Scenery Category) of the prestigious Internationale Tourismos-Borse (ITB) in Messe Berlin, Germany.
Such an international plum was a validation of the “immense aspiration” of the late Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. to protect the Visayan seascape.
The late governor started this “no ordinary advocacy” in the 1970s when he was the mayor of Sagay. Such was triggered by the discovery a massive destruction of coral reefs within their territorial waters. Dynamite fishing highlighted the abuse of marine resources there.
Mayor Marañon refused to close his eyes to this. With a formidable faith for nature’s sake, he weathered lots of challenges. His struggles against people’s resistance were documented. He was neither cowered nor dwarfed by the opposition.
Now, 52 years after, Gov. Marañon’s “misunderstood environmental crusade” reaped the “sweetest fruit”.
CONSERVATION HAVEN
SMR is an environmental conservation haven. Suyac Island which is part of SMR has been gradually transformed into a home of mangrove forest which is now a sanctuary of endangered flying foxes.
But things like these won’t be realized if not for the people’s will and determination to preserve and protect SMR and Suyac Island. Continuing education, trainings and team-building efforts made them environmentally-aware.
Suyac Island, according to Sagay’s Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, used to be very dirty. Now, it’s an eco-tourism site. It boasts a lush mangrove forest, flying foxes and, of course, fresh and delicious seafood.
All these plus the Suyac people acting as “vanguards of the environment” snatched the world’s attention. To be included among the “100 Green Destinations” in the world is truly “beyond greatness”.
Let’s credit Helen Arguelles- Cutillar, city’s information and tourism officer, as one of the “unsung heroes”.
LIFETIME COMMITMENT
Negros Occidental’s 2nd District congressman Alfredo “Thirdy” Marañon III was elated by the international award. However, the eldest child of the late mayor and governor Marañon said there’s an attached gigantic responsibility to it. It means a lifetime of commitment for all Sagaynons.
“So, we need to educate the younger generation to continue protecting SMR,” he said. “We must adhere to sustainable tourism.”
But most of all, Thirdy was so proud of his father. “I know, malipayon na siya nga ang iya gin-ubra nag-reap na sang international award.”
Sagay’s Mayor Narwin Javelosa, on the other hand, cited the greatest contribution of the late Dr. Angel Alcala on SMR.
Alcala, a renowned Filipino marine biologist, according to Mayor Javelosa, was instrumental in helping Gov. Marañon established SMR.
SMR is a complete environmental preservation and protection showcase. It’s a “living proof” that there’s greatness in oneness among Sayanons.
Its international recognition should serve as a potent inspiration amid the current threat of global warming and/or climate change – a “ticking time bomb”.
Kudos to the late Gov. Marañon! His enormous quest for environment wasn’t put to waste!/PN
