BACOLOD City – The Suyac Island Mangrove Eco-Park in Barangay Taba-ao, Sagay City, Negros Occidental has been named awardee of the 2025 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Community-Based Tourism.
The awarding ceremony will be held on Monday, January 20, in Johor, Malaysia.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has designated Suyac Island Eco-Tourist Attendants Association (SIETAAS) and the Sagay City Government as part of the Philippine delegation that will attend the awarding ceremony.
The mangrove eco-park located within the Sagay Marine Reserve and managed by SIETAAS was recognized for its exceptional efforts in eco-tourism initiatives.
Mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr. expressed his gratitude for this significant achievement and acknowledged the invaluable support of the DOT Region 6.
This award, he said, 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 M. Cueva, who pioneered the program, said, “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.”
For her part, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Helen Cutillar, who was 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.
“Pursuing sustainable tourism development has the power to transform the community into an empowered, resilient, and environmentally-conscious society,” she said.
Cutillar added: “Tourism is an invasive industry but if practiced sustainably, it has the potential to enrich, protect, and build communities.”/PN
