To promote the gender responsive enterprise development and TVET Systems (ProgRESS) project of Bangladesh, the International Labor Organizations sent delegates from the Bangladesh government officials to conduct a study tour in the Philippines. And, one of the chosen areas is the protected area found at the Mango Capital of the Philippines, Guimaras.  

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Guimaras welcomed the group of Bangladesh Team in their study tour at the so-called “jewel” of the province, the Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (TINMR) on October 05, 2023. PENRO Guimaras is under the leadership of PENRO Edgardo M. Rostata, while For. Julieta T. Gabayeron is the Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) of TINMR.

The one-day eco-tour started with the onsite orientation to the best practices in the island, underscoring the local economic development through community-based rural tourism, sectoral governance structure, as well as the regulatory framework to promote gender equality in business, tourism, agriculture and entrepreneurship. This visit aims to provide the delegates with knowledge and experiences on practical strategies and field-tested practices to help design a plan in development, entrepreneurship, women empowerment, public-private partnership, tourism, and local economic development in their own country.

Knowing the importance of this PA the DENR-PENRO Guimaras ensures that TINMR is effectively manage by its communities and Peoples Organization (POs) in safeguarding biodiversity, maintaining its balance, preserving habitats, and maintaining water quality in the area whilst providing livelihood and food sources to its communities.

TINMR has always been an area of interest of most scientific, tourism and even economic studies, especially after it has won the 2017 ‘Para el MAR’ for being the most outstanding National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) under the Marine Protected Area (MPA) category.