Sagay City in Negros Occidental is charting a hopeful path – its 50-year conservation journey has again earned global recognition securing a spot among the prestigious Top 100 Green Destination Stories for 2024.
This honor marks the city’s second time in this exclusive list, underscoring the power of persistence, collaboration, and community-led initiatives in the Visayan sea’s precious ecosystems, a press release from Sagay City said.
The Sagay Marine Reserve (SMR), a vast 32,000-hectare protected seascape, stands as a testament to decades of dedicated conservation efforts, it said.
What makes Sagay’s story truly remarkable is not just the preservation of its marine biodiversity, but how the city transformed illegal fishers into the protectors of the very waters they once exploited.
Titled “Illegal Fishers Turned Sea Guardians: A Ground-Up Eco-Tourism Initiative to Sustain Sagay’s Protected Seascape,” the story celebrates this inspiring transformation.
Born out of the visionary leadership of the late Governor Alfredo G. Marañon Jr., the project began in the 1970s when he convinced illegal fishers that sustainable practices were the only way to secure their future livelihoods.
His tireless work led to the enactment of two national laws protecting the SMR, and turning poachers into passionate stewards of the sea, the press release said.
Today, Sagay’s success offers a beacon of hope — not only for the Philippines but for communities worldwide grappling with environmental degradation, it said.
The conservation work has not only rehabilitated the marine environment but also sparked a thriving eco-tourism industry, generating livelihoods for local communities while protecting biodiversity.
Sagay Mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr. and Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva said the recognition is ”a fitting tribute to Governor Freddie’s enduring legacy”.
His work has made Sagay a symbol of sustainable development and responsible tourism, and his vision lives on through youth conservation programs aimed at cultivating future environmental leaders, they said.
“We are proud to be part of the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories once again, as it highlights our commitment to the environment,” Javelosa said.
“This global recognition reinforces our belief that sustainability is the only way forward for the tourism industry”, he added.
Cueva stressed the importance of involving young people in conservation efforts.
“We are building on Governor Freddie’s legacy, ensuring that the next generation continues to protect and preserve the Sagay Marine Reserve”, Cueva said
The Society for Sustainable Tourism led by its President and CEO adviser Susan Santos de Cardenas, played a pivotal role in helping Sagay’s story reach the international stage, the press release said.
“Sagay is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together for a shared vision of sustainability,” Cardenas said.
“Their journey from illegal fishing to eco-tourism and conservation can inspire destinations around the world. Sagay City’s inclusion serves as a powerful reminder: the fight for environmental sustainability is far from over, but it’s a battle we can win – if we work together”, she added.*