Senator Christopher “Bong” Go lauded the province of Bohol for its designation as the country’s first-ever United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Geopark.
Go said in an interview after his visit to Tagbilaran City, Bohol on Monday, July 17, that the UNESCO Global Geopark designation is not only a source of immense pride for Boholanos but also an opportunity to showcase the region’s geological marvels and promote sustainable tourism.
“Congratulations po sa Bohol, led by Governor Aris Aumentado. Gwapo ang Bohol. Napakaganda po ng Bohol, maganda po ang ating mga cultural sites dito, simbahan, even ‘yung mga Chocolate Hills. Makita n’yo sa taas napakaganda.”
UNESCO has designated Bohol as one of the 18 newly-added global geoparks, increasing the total count to 195 sites across 48 countries. The UNESCO global geopark label, established in 2015, acknowledges the geological heritage of exceptional international importance.
According to UNESCO, Bohol, situated among the prominent islands of the Visayas, possesses a “geological identity that has gradually formed over a span of 150 million years, shaped by periods of tectonic upheaval that lifted the island from the depths of the ocean.”
In addition to Bohol, the recently designated geoparks encompass Caçapava and Quarta Colônia in Brazil; Lavreotiki in Greece; Ijen, Maros Pangkep, Merangin Jambi, and Raja Ampat in Indonesia; Aras and Tabas in Iran; and Hakusan Tedorigawa in Japan.
The list also includes Kinabalu in Malaysia; Waitaki Whitestone in New Zealand; Sunnhordland in Norway; Jeonbuk West Coast in the Republic of Korea; Cabo Ortegal in Spain; Khorat in Thailand; and Mourne Gullion Strangford in the United Kingdom.
In a bid to drive economic growth and promote sustainable tourism, Go, a member of the Senate Committee on Tourism, has reaffirmed his support to the provincial government of Bohol as well as other provinces in elevating their tourism sector to new heights.
Recognizing the potential of tourism as a powerful engine for economic development, the senator has manifested his support in the efforts to bolster the province’s tourism industry, bringing in fresh opportunities for job creation and local prosperity. He added that the new status as a UNESCO Global Geopark will undoubtedly attract even more travelers and nature enthusiasts, boosting the province’s local economy.
Go acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with natural calamities, dealt significant blows to the tourism sector in the country. He stressed the importance of strengthening the tourism sector, expressing his optimism that tourism can significantly help the economy recover.
“Ako po bilang miyembro ng Senate Committee on Tourism willing po akong sumuporta sa abot ng aking makakaya, kung ano pa ang mas magpapaganda para ma-encourage natin ang mga turista na pumunta dito. Maraming turista dito, kanina nakita ko sa Panglao, pagdaan ko puro turista. Not only foreign tourist, but local tourist also,” shared Go.
“‘Yung mga taga-Mindanao, taga-Maynila, ini-encourage natin na pumunta sila dito. Tangkilikin po natin ang sariling atin. It will help generate jobs, tourism will help generate jobs. Trabaho para maka-recover tayo sa pandemya. Marami ang apektado noong pandemya, kaya nga noong panahon ng pandemya lubos ang pagtulong namin dito, sa mga financial assistance, sa mga pagkain. Sa bagyo rin dito lubos ang aming pagtulong para mabilis makabangon ang mga taga-Bohol,” he continued.
He also underscored that Bohol’s newly-acquired status as a UNESCO Global Geopark is a culmination of years of collaborative efforts by local communities, government bodies, and environmental advocates. The recognition places the province in a group of exceptional geological landscapes around the world, further elevating its global appeal, Go further cited.
As a lawmaker, Go emphasized the ongoing initiatives aimed at mitigating the economic repercussions of the pandemic on ordinary Filipinos and assisting local communities in their recovery. One of which is to institutionalize the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Program that was approved by the Senate on the third and final reading last March.
Senate Bill No. 1594, which was authored and co-sponsored by Go, aims to institutionalize the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Program and shall serve as a government stimulus program to encourage the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country through the utilization of indigenous raw materials, local traditions, and cultures across the country.