Bohol Strengthens Commitment to Biodiversity Conservation at National KBA Workshop
The Bohol Island Geopark, through the Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office (BPEMO), reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation by participating in the 3rd National Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) Workshop held from March 24-26, 2025, at the Kingsford Hotel, Parañaque City, Metro Manila.
Representing Bohol in the event was Maria Villa Pelindingue, head of BPEMO’s Coastal Resource Management Division. The workshop served as a platform for government agencies, private organizations, and academic institutions to collaborate on updating and strengthening conservation efforts for Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) across the country.
The workshop officially opened with keynote messages from Marcial C. Amaro Jr., Assistant Secretary for Biodiversity and Director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), alongside Dr. Michael Atrigenio, Project Leader of the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation (MERF), and Dr. Mariano Roy Duya, Co-Consortium Manager of the Terrestrial KBA Updating Project.
This third leg of the National KBA Workshop was a collaborative effort led by the DENR-BMB and the Philippines 30×30 Project, in partnership with MPA Support Network, MERF, Conservation International (CI), Rare, Oceana, WWF Philippines, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Bird Conservation Society of the Philippines (BCSP), Haribon Foundation, Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE), Pacific Environment, UP Biodiversity Research Laboratory, and Foundation for the Philippine Environment. The multi-sectoral initiative is aligned with the 30×30 conservation target, which aims to protect 30% of the world’s land and sea by 2030.
Bohol, home to the Philippines’ first and only UNESCO Global Geopark, plays a crucial role in marine biodiversity conservation. The province has identified three proposed Marine Key Biodiversity Areas (MKBAs), which are vital for the protection of marine ecosystems and coastal communities. As of January 2025, the Philippines has identified 136 proposed MKBAs, with 87% still requiring protection. The three KBAs in Bohol are Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef, Bohol Sea, and Bohol Marine Triangle.
The workshop provided an opportunity to refine conservation strategies, ensuring the long-term ecological persistence of these biodiversity-rich areas. Discussions covered effective management approaches, policy integration, and the alignment of national conservation priorities with global commitments. The updating of KBA information, identification of existing and potential threats, and formulation of management strategies were central themes to ensure the continued resilience of these critical habitats.
Under the leadership of Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, the Provincial Government of Bohol has placed environmental sustainability, climate-smart governance, and enhanced coastal resource management at the forefront of its Strategic Change Agenda. By actively engaging in national and international biodiversity conservation efforts, Bohol continues to strengthen its commitment to protecting its natural heritage while fostering sustainable development.
The participation of Bohol in the National KBA Workshop underscores its proactive approach to balancing biodiversity conservation, ecotourism, and community-driven sustainability programs. With the 30×30 goal as a guiding framework, the province aims to solidify its position as a leader in environmental stewardship.
The protection of Key Biodiversity Areas is a shared responsibility among stakeholders—government institutions, conservation organizations, and local communities. As Bohol moves forward with its conservation initiatives, it calls upon all sectors to support and actively participate in the sustainable management of its rich marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
With its designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark, Bohol continues to set the standard for responsible conservation and climate-resilient governance, ensuring that its natural treasures remain protected for future generations. (Geopark/ML)