LUNA, Apayao – Over 70 TWG members of Biosphere Reserve of the yApayaos (BRyA) participated in the first two days of a 3-day collaborative workshop, which laid the groundwork for conservation, sustainable development, and local capacity building.
This workshop was led by Governor Hon. Elias C. Bulut Jr. and Apayao Lone District Representative Hon. Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang, two visionary leaders dedicated to environmental preservation and sustainability.
As the Philippines 4th Biosphere Reserve, they believe that the province’s ecosystem must remain protected, making it crucial to discuss development strategies that ensure both growth and long-term environmental sustainability.
The workshop aims to draft the management and development plan for BRyA’s through three structured and interactive workshops and presentations.
In one of the presentations, Sharmaine Battulayan, Project Coordinator of the St. Paul University Philippines Community Development Center Foundation Inc., presented the project CARE-ALLY or “Climate Action thru Rehabilitation of Ecosystem, Alternative Livelihood and strengthening Leadership and engagement of Youth” which thematically focused on biodiversity conservation and multi-dimensional poverty reduction.
“We intend to implement projects and programs that are relevant to the content of Apayao for the children to acquire appropriate grade level learning competencies, promote inclusive and adoptive basic education and a safe learning environment”, she said.
Board Member Kyle Mariah Chelsea Bulut-Cunan also joined the program as one of the Technical Working Group members of BRyA. She emphasized the involvement of youth and proposed to establish a youth council within the governance structure of the biosphere reserve to give young people a voice in decision making processes. She also mentioned several ordinances in support of the BRyA, which are set for a public hearing.
Meantime, the experts from the Philippine Eagle Foundation and Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Cordillera Administrative Region attended the workshop providing their inputs for the crafting of plans.
With the involvement of dedicated leaders, experts, and community members, this workshop serves as a critical step in sustaining the inscription of Apayao as the 4th Biosphere in the Philippines granted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. By Ginalyn Gapusan
