The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Bicol supports the launch of “𝘗𝘢𝘨𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘸𝘢,” marking the commencement of the Butanding Season and the launching of the Kagandahan Program Boat Enhancement Project by the Provincial Government of Sorsogon and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Donsol today, January 17, 2024 at the Butanding Visitors Center, Dancalan, Donsol, Sorsogon.
The event was attended by key officials, including Province of Sorsogon Governor Jose Edwin B. Hamor, Vice Governor Krunimar Antonio Escudero II, representing 1st District Congresswoman Marie Bernadette Escudero, LGU Donsol Mayor Teodoro B. De Guzman, DENR Bicol Regional Executive Director Francisco E. Milla, Jr., World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Donsol Project Manager Manuel E. Narvadez, Jr., Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) 5 Regional Director Atty. Maximo I. Bañares, Jr., Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 5 Regional Director Ariel U. Pioquinto, Department of Tourism (DOT) 5 Regional Director Herbie B. Aguas, and local stakeholders.
In his message, WWF Donsol Project Manager Manuel E. Narvadez underscored the importance of collaboration, commitment, and communication in advancing the goals of the Butanding season opening and Kagandahan Program Boat Enhancement Project. Emphasizing these pillars, Mr. Narvadez highlighted the collective efforts required for the sustainable management of marine resources and the critical role each participant plays in fostering responsible tourism and environmental conservation in Donsol, Sorsogon.
Additionally, DOT RD Herbie B. Aguas emphasized that the resurgence of Butanding signifies the growth of tourism. “𝘞𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘴, 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺,” he said.
Moreover, MARINA RD Atty. Maximo I. Bañares reiterates the importance of fostering a cooperative environment to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the residents, reaffirming MARINA’s dedication to contribute to the progress and sustainable development of Donsol. “𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺,” RD Bañares said.
Meanwhile, Province of Sorsogon Governor Jose Edwin B. Hamor highlighted the 7K Program—Kabuhayan, Kadunungan, Kalusugan, Kagandahan, Kalinisan, Kalikasan, and Katrangkilohan—ensuring comprehensive benefits to all Sorsoganons. He appeals for a full cooperation for this initiative focused on prosperity, well-being, and community harmony.
Furthermore, the DENR Bicol RED Francisco E. Milla, Jr., expressed full support to Governor Hamor’s initiatives in safeguarding our oceans and particularly protecting the butanding. “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘌𝘕𝘙 𝘉𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘠𝘶𝘭𝘰–𝘓𝘰𝘺𝘻𝘢𝘨𝘢‘𝘴 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯,” RED Milla said.
“𝘗𝘢𝘨𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘸𝘢,” a Sorsoganon term signifying the emergence of beauty, aligns perfectly with the start of the whale shark season in Donsol. It marks the festive kick-off of the Butanding season and launches the Kagandahan Program Boat Enhancement Project, supporting local boatmen through subsidies for boat enhancement. This initiative not only celebrates Sorsogon’s natural beauty but also contributes to economic empowerment and environmental sustainability.
The DENR Bicol stands with the visionary “𝘗𝘢𝘨𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘸𝘢” initiative, affirming its commitment to shaping a future where Sorsogon’s natural beauty aligns with economic empowerment and ecological resilience.
(Source: DENR Bicol Press Release)