DENR-SIBP stages 1st Eastern Visayas Outdoor Festival

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
October 28, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The first Eastern Visayas Outdoor Festival dubbed as “The Gathering” is set to be held on November 3-5, 2011 in Borongan City with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the Samar Island Biodiversity Project in partnership with local-based organizations as hosts.

The first EVOF is anchored on the theme “Community-Based Ecotourism: A Tool for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Socio-economic Growth,” with activities such as mountain trekking, mountain biking, surfing and base camping, lined up.

Forester Angelito Villanueva, Samar Island Natural Park Protected Area Superintendent (SINP PASu) and Event Director informed that the gathering aims to consolidate the different outdoor organizations in Eastern Visayas, promote Samar Island as the ultimate eco-adventure destination, institutionalize Eastern Visayas Outdoor Festival through local legislations, and enhance community awareness on the importance of preserving the environment.

DENR Regional Executive Director Rogelio Trinidad underscored that the rich natural resources of Samar has been declared by the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature as one of the 200 eco-Regions of the World.

Thus, RED Trinidad said that there is a need for a collective management and shared responsibility among its stakeholders by promoting the participation of local communities, LGUs, civil society groups and other government agencies in protecting and conserving these resources and sustainable ecotourism  through activities such as the EVOF as one of the strategies.