Whale Shark Conservation Continues with Renewal of Commitment Between Donsol, WWF-Philippines, DOT Region 5
May 2019
Donsol Mayor Josephine Alcantara-Cruz and WWF-Philippines President and CEO Joel Palma stand with WWF-Philippines National Ambassador Rovilson Fernandez and newly-appointed WWF-Philippines Advocate, Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco, after the signing of the renewal of commitment to whale shark conservation and sustainable tourism. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines
As part of the kickoff of the annual Butanding Festival, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Donsol, the Department of Tourism Region 5, and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines renewed their joint commitment to sustainable tourism and the conservation of whale sharks.
In 1998, the LGU of Donsol, together with WWF-Philippines and DOT Region 5, began augmenting local livelihoods to be based around the conservation of whale sharks. Recognizing the tourism value of the whale shark, a tripartite partnership was formed to explore and provide the citizenry of Donsol with steady income and employment in a way that allowed the local whale shark population to recover. For the past 21 years, this partnership has promoted environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism in the area, while discouraging harmful fishing practices and the hunting of whale sharks.
Donsol Mayor Josephine Alcantara-Cruz expresses her gratitude for the years of support offered by WWF-Phliippines and DOT Region 5 in developing sustainable livelihoods in her municipality. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines
Donsol Mayor Josephine Alcantara-Cruz and WWF-Philippines President and CEO Joel Palma inked the agreement in an event hosted by WWF-Philippines National Ambassador Rovilson Fernandez and the newest WWF-Philippines Advocate, Ms. Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco.
“This renewal of commitment, this is more like a formality because we’ve been working on this for many years. We inked this in so that we can have this on file, for the next generation to see, but in reality we’ve always been working on what’s stipulated in this agreement,” said Mayor Alcantara-Cruz.
Palma discusses the mutual benefit shared by all stakeholders of Donsol from years of whale shark ecotourism. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines
The agreement puts WWF-Philippines in charge of research and technical assistance for the conservation of whale sharks and other endemic species while developing programs to further promote habitat conservation. DOT Region 5, on the other hand, is tasked with promoting, encouraging, and developing tourism in the area while building local capacities with the LGU of Donsol and with local People’s Organizations to help them effectively handle incoming tourists. Finally, the LGU of Donsol will facilitate the development and improvement of facilities and will manage and maintain sites and provide safety to visiting tourists.
“In WWF-Philippines, we always say we’re as good as our partners. We’re good in Donsol because we have a very good partner in the LGU. This is a concrete example of how the fruits of development can be shared with everyone,” said Palma.
A whale shark glides just beneath the surface of the sea. Donsol and its partners have worked hard to conserve the local whale shark population. Photograph © WWF-Canon / Jurgen Freund
With 21 years of conservation work behind them, the partnership between the LGU of Donsol, WWF-Philippines, and DOT Region 5 has allowed both the whale shark and the local community to flourish. The renewal of this partnership promises to bring progress and prosperity to Donsol for more years to come.
For more information, please contact:
Communications & Media Manager: Mr. Dan Ramirez (dramirez@wwf.org.ph)
Program Manager: Mr. Manuel Narvadez (mnarvadezjr@wwf.org.ph)
