In a festive tripartite rite at the Tinori-an River in Barangay Tinori-an, Anilao, Iloilo, a landmark Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed, marking the launch of the “Tinori-an River Community-Based Ecotour: A Sustainable Tourism Approach to Resource Generation.” This tripartite partnership forged this Wednesday afternoon, March 13, 2024, involves a collaboration between the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) and the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Anilao and Barotac Nuevo.

 

The ceremony was attended by officials from three institutions, barangay officials, and local residents of the areas surrounding the Tinori-an River. Graduates of the ISUFST sustainable eco-tourism skills training program, primarily consisting of women and fishermen from the river area, were also present.

 

Vice Mayor Ma. Theresa F. Debuque of Anilao and Vice Mayor Hernan D. Biron, Jr., of Barotac Nuevo, who represented their respective municipalities on behalf of their mayors, all confirmed their strong legislative, executive, and personal commitments to the project. ISUFST, represented by University President Dr. Nordy Siason, Jr., also reiterated the institutions’ commitment to the project’s success.

 

Dr. Siason, drawing from his own experiences with the Tinori-an River in his childhood years, passionately urged all project proponents and participants to protect the river and embrace necessary sacrifices for sustainable development. He highlighted ISUFST’s commitment to the community, offering the university as a prime option for higher education within the community. He emphasized, “The tripartite agreement for the Tinori-an River EcoTour project is not just about creating a new tourist destination; it’s about setting a new standard for how we interact with our environment, engage with our community, and envision our future.”

 

Vice Mayor Biron expressed gratitude towards all partners involved and pledged to exert all efforts to turn the project’s vision into reality. Vice Mayor Debuque, comparing the initiative to the river cruises in Vietnam, called on residents and fisherfolks to demonstrate discipline and commitment to the project. She promised, along with Vice Mayor Biron, to support the project through local legislation.

 

Dr. Jescel Bito-onon, the Tinori-an Project Head and Director of the Research and Development of ISUFST, detailed the project’s inception and its evolution into a comprehensive initiative, stressing the importance of collective action to ensure the Tinori-an River remains a symbol of hope and prosperity for all.

 

Adding to the discourse, ISUFST’s Director of International Affairs and Linkages outlined the project’s significance, listing five pivotal benefits: A unified vision encompassing environmental preservation, sustainable tourism for economic prosperity, community collaboration and empowerment, knowledge advancement through research, and participative governance for social justice.

 

The project, endorsed separately by the respective Sangguniang Bayan of Barotac Nuevo and Anilao, aims to utilize the Tinori-an River’s natural beauty and biodiversity for sustainable tourism, ensuring resource conservation for future generations. It signifies a monumental step towards sustainable development and environmental conservation in the region, with ISUFST leading the development through sustainable tourism management strategies, and the LGUs providing policy development support and assisting in river clean-up operations.

 

This tripartite agreement sets a precedent for sustainable tourism, community engagement, and environmental stewardship, promising to transform the Tinori-an River into a beacon of eco-tourism and sustainable development.