The Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark joined the 7th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) Week with a renewed call to strengthen global partnerships and empower local communities, aligning with this year’s theme, “Celebrating Earth Heritage—Strengthening Networking.”
The two-day online community forum held on April 27–28 gathered geopark experts and practitioners from across Asia, highlighting the importance of knowledge exchange and collaboration among geoparks.
Speakers included Yu Nam Chan, Head/Senior Geopark Officer, Hong Kong UGGp; Keiko Sasaki, Ecologist/Research Fellow, Izu Peninsula UGGp; Phakasawan Pratchayakup, Manager, Khon Kaen Geopark; Meliawati Ang, Manager of Research, Development, and Inter-institutional Cooperation, Rinjani-Lombok UGGp & BR Management Agency; Trieu Thi Hoang, Network Coordination Officer, Dong Van Karst Plateau UGGp; and Yoshihiro Kakizaki, Geologist, Muroto UGGp.
Xiaochi Jin, Coordinator of the Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN), and Kana Furusawa, Vice Coordinator of APGN, also shared special messages.
Structured into two segments, Learn B.I.G (Learn about Bohol Island Geopark) and Think B.I.G (Be Inspired by Other Geoparks), the forum emphasized how global networking serves as a platform for innovation, capacity-building, and shared responsibility in protecting geoheritage.
Geopark Manager Joanne Pinat welcomed participants, underscoring the significance of collaboration in advancing sustainable development. “As the Philippines’ only UNESCO Global Geopark, we are seen as a national standard-bearer. Our success speaks not just for Bohol alone; we carry the responsibility of showcasing this development strategy representing the country,” Pinat said, calling on Boholanos, especially the youth, to take an active role in stewardship.
Development Communication Strategist Queenie Maria Guibao presented “From the Ground Up: Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark’s Community-Led Approach to Sustainable Development,” emphasizing how local participation drives conservation and livelihood initiatives. Meanwhile, Lendon Gonzaga Rubia, a recognized youth leader, spoke on empowering young people as “carriers of the geopark message,” reinforcing the role of the next generation in sustaining the geopark vision.
As part of the Asia Pacific Geoparks Network, Bohol benefits from a dynamic platform that facilitates the exchange of best practices and technical expertise. This international linkage strengthens local capacities, from site management and conservation to storytelling and enterprise development, directly benefiting communities across the island.
Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, Chairperson of the Bohol Island Geopark Management Council, continues to champion sustainability under the Provincial Government’s Strategic Change Agenda. His administration prioritizes sustainable tourism, environmental protection, and inclusive growth, positioning geotourism as a pathway for communities to turn natural and cultural assets into meaningful livelihoods.
Through strengthened networking with fellow geoparks, Bohol is able to elevate its local products, enhance community-based tourism initiatives, and improve resilience against environmental and economic challenges. These partnerships open doors for training, research collaboration, and global promotion, ensuring that even grassroots communities are connected to international opportunities.
Central to this effort is Bohol’s extensive volunteer network, which mobilizes local stakeholders across municipalities to actively participate in conservation, education, and tourism programs. By placing communities at the forefront, the geopark ensures that development remains inclusive, culturally rooted, and environmentally responsible.
As APGN Week underscores the value of solidarity among geoparks, Bohol reaffirms its commitment to protecting Earth’s heritage while advancing a model of tourism that empowers people. In doing so, the province not only strengthens its global presence but also ensures that the benefits of a geopark are felt where they matter most, within its local communities. (Geopark/MLR)
PHOTO | Bohol Island Geopark – FB Page
