THE Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office (BPEMO) received back-to-back regional and national recognition from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for its sustained efforts in protecting Bohol’s fisheries and coastal resources.
BPEMO received the “Gawad Pagkilala at Pasasalamat sa mga Kabalikat ng Pangisdaan at Yamang Tubig” during the 63rd Fish Conservation Week Celebration held on September 17 at the BFAR Region VII Office in Cebu City and on September 18 at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.
The BFAR recognition program honors partners that contribute to fisheries conservation, resource management, and the protection of aquatic resources.
Similar BFAR recognition programs have highlighted the role of government agencies, local governments, communities, and other stakeholders in strengthening sustainable fisheries and marine resource management.
For BPEMO, the recognition reflects its continuing work to protect Bohol’s seagrass beds, coral reefs, mangroves, fisheries, and other coastal and marine resources, contributing to healthier ecosystems, more resilient coastal communities, and sustainable livelihoods.
The achievement is attributed to the collective efforts of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) under Governor Aris Aumentado, together with coastal local government units, fisherfolk, communities, partner national government agencies, nongovernment organizations, and other stakeholders.
Gov. Aumentado, in his Facebook post, congratulated BPEMO, recognizing the office for the achievement and its continuing environmental work.
The recognition reinforces the PGBh’s environmental protection and coastal resource management efforts under its Strategic Governance Roadmap, particularly its focus on environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and natural resource conservation.
BPEMO’s programs have also been aligned with the province’s ridge-to-reef approach to environmental management.
As the Philippines’ first and only UNESCO Global Geopark, Bohol continues to strengthen the protection of its geological, ecological, and coastal resources while supporting communities whose livelihoods depend on healthy natural ecosystems. (PIMO/JSS)
