Regional dev’t body calls for most beautiful bays membership

TACLOBAN CITY, Sept. 5 -- The Regional Development Council (RDC) Eastern Visayas has encouraged local government units with bays to be a member of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World (CMBBW).

RDC vice chairperson and National Economic and Development Authority Regional Director Bonifacio Uy said Wednesday the initiative supports the drive to maintain ecological integrity and a clean and healthy environment.

Environmental protection is one of the foundations for sustainable development as indicated in the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Plan 2017-2022, said Uy.

“The membership will promote the exchange of experience and expertise on environment protection and conservation, tourism, economic, and social development,” Uy said.

To be admitted in the club, a bay must be open onto a shoreline with the concave nature of the site largely dominant, the structure of the local government applying must represent all or part of the bay and be locally recognized as such, and the bay must be the object of protective measures.

Other criteria include the existence of interesting flora or fauna, presence of outstanding attractive natural habitats, nationally recognized, symbolic to the local population, presence of economic activities, and potential for economic development.

As of this week, only the local government units in Sogod Bay in Southern Leyte have expressed interest to join the club.

The endorsement of RDC, the region’s highest policy-making body is a requirement for membership.

CMBBW, which was constituted on March 10, 1997 in Berlin, Germany aims to bring together different bays in the world. (SQM/PNA)