Coastal Resource Management (CRM) officers, environmental stakeholders, partner agencies, and academic institutions gathered for the 2nd Quarter Coastal Resource Management Officers Meeting held on May 12, 2026, at the CPG Hall of the Provincial Capitol.
The meeting highlighted ongoing efforts of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh), through the Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office (BPEMO), to strengthen environmental protection initiatives and ensure the sustainable management of the province’s coastal and marine resources under the leadership of Gov. Aris Aumentado.
Present during the meeting were BPEMO Head Jovencia Ganub, Board Member Lucille Lagunay, a member of the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, and Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Handel Lagunay.
One of the major highlights of the gathering was the presentation of the Implementing Rules and Resolutions of Provincial Ordinance No. 2026-004, or the Enhanced Marine Wildlife Tourism Interaction in the Province of Bohol, presented by Atty. Lagunay.
Signed on April 27, the ordinance reinforces the province’s policy that wildlife conservation takes priority over tourism activities, emphasizing that marine wildlife forms part of Bohol’s natural patrimony that must be protected rather than exploited.
The ordinance mandates that all marine wildlife tourism operators secure a Certificate of Compliance (COC), implementing a strict “no permit, no operation” policy for all tourism interaction activities involving marine wildlife.
Atty. Lagunay discussed the ordinance’s provisions prohibiting the feeding, touching, and harassment of marine wildlife, alongside safety protocols requiring swimmers to maintain at least a four-meter distance from whale sharks, while boats must stay at least 20 meters away.
Controlled tourism measures, including designated interaction zones, limited interaction periods, and restrictions on swimmers and boats, were introduced to prevent overcrowding and promote responsible tourism practices.
The ordinance also outlines the responsibilities of host LGUs and tourism operators, including enforcement systems, monitoring mechanisms, environmental compliance, safety standards, and personnel training, with penalties imposed for violations through fines, possible imprisonment, and permit revocation.
Anchored on Republic Act No. 9147, Republic Act No. 8550, and the joint circular issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Tourism (DOT), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), enforcing the no-feeding policy for marine wildlife tourism interactions.
Updates on marine mammal conservation efforts in the Bohol Sea were also presented by Dr. Jo Marie Acebes, Founder and Principal Investigator of BALYENA.ORG, through the Marine Mammals of the Bohol Sea Project.
The presentation highlighted the ecological importance of the Bohol Sea as a habitat for globally significant marine mammal populations, including pygmy blue whales, Bryde’s whales, and Omura’s whales.
Dr. Acebes reported that 33 blue whale sightings were documented in the Bohol Sea from 2004 to 2019, with continuing encounters supporting evidence that the area serves as an important feeding and migratory habitat for endangered marine species.
The Bohol Sea was also identified as an Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) due to the presence of at least 18 marine mammal species and the unique residency of small populations of Omura’s whales.
Educational outreach initiatives and expanded habitat-use and movement studies conducted by BALYENA.ORG in coastal municipalities were likewise presented during the meeting.
Development Communication Strategist Queenie Maria Guibao shared updates on the Bohol UNESCO Global Geopark, which were presented, emphasizing the province’s holistic and community-led approach toward sustainable island development through geoconservation, geo-education, and geotourism.
The presentation highlighted that the entire Province of Bohol forms part of the UNESCO Global Geopark designation awarded in 2023, further strengthening environmental conservation and sustainable tourism initiatives across the island province.
Board Member Lagunay, in her message, underscored the importance of collective stewardship in protecting the Bohol Sea and preserving marine biodiversity for future generations.
She described the Bohol Sea as a vital resource that sustains coastal communities, supports tourism livelihoods, protects biodiversity, and connects Bol-anons to a shared responsibility of environmental stewardship.
Lagunay also encouraged the youth, fisherfolk, divers, tourism stakeholders, educators, and coastal communities to actively participate in conservation and stewardship initiatives throughout the province.
Various agencies and academic institutions also presented updates on environmental programs, including El Niño interventions for fisherfolk communities, mangrove and coral reef assessments, and fisheries-related livelihood monitoring, groundwater and coastal studies.
BPEMO also presented the lineup of activities for the Month of the Ocean 2026, including scuba clean-up activities, reef monitoring, and continuous assessment of affected coral reef areas in different municipalities.
BPEMO CRM Division Head Maria Villa Pelindingue expressed appreciation to participating agencies, local government units, and stakeholders for their continued cooperation and commitment to advancing coastal resource management efforts across the province.
The meeting reaffirmed the PGBh’s continued commitment, aligned with the Capitol’s Strategic Governance Roadmap, to balancing environmental conservation, sustainable tourism, and community participation in protecting the province’s coastal and marine resources within the Bohol Island Geopark. (PIMO/MFM)
