BDFE and gears for guides

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-PENRO) Negros Occidental and the Buhay Dagat Snorkeling Guides of Sagay Association inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Biodiversity-Friendly Enterprise Development (BDFE) at Balay, Kauswagan, Sagay City, recently.

BDFE are economic activities and practices of micro, small, and medium enterprises, local government units (LGUs), and people’s organizations (POs) that promote the sustainable use of biological resources, create wealth and value, and open opportunities for the equitable sharing of benefits among stakeholders.

PENR Officer Edgardo Rostata and Sagay Mayor Alfredo Marañon III led the MOA signing spearheaded by the Community ENR Office of Cadiz through its Sagay Marine Reserve (SMR).

Buhay Dagat Snorkeling guides received 30 sets of life vests, 30 sets of full foot fins, and 30 sets masks and snorkels as support to their BDFE as snorkel guides to enhance visitors and tourists recognition of the marine ecosystem while giving them the opportunity to gain income.

DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran commenced such activity and also reminded the snorkelers and the divers to be environmentally cautious. “Our snorkeling guides as well as the other guides in our ecosystem are the person who knows the area well and having an environmentally responsible behaviors these people are one with the DENR,” he said. (DENR-6)