‘Bughaw Atu Youth’ Fellowship Program launched to protect Sarangani Bay

 

GLAN, Sarangani Province — The Protected Area Management Office of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (PAMO-SBPS) concluded a three-day youth camp here Sunday, marking the launch of a six-month fellowship program dedicated to the conservation of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape.

The "Bughaw Atu Youth" (BAY) Fellowship Program, organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 12 through its Protected Area Management Office, gathered 27 young leaders from May 8-10 to establish a volunteer network for the region's marine and coastal resources.

Participants engaged in technical workshops covering coral reef ecology, marine mammal protection, and mangrove management.

DENR Regional Executive Director Maria Elvira V. Lumayag told the fellows that their creativity is essential to the agency’s mission.

"We need you, BAY Fellows, to help advance the mandate of the DENR," Lumayag said. "Your fresh ideas can help us reach more communities and strengthen our efforts."

The fellowship will now move into a field implementation phase. Participants have designed three primary initiatives: "Kaugmaon sa Baybayon," focusing on beach forest restoration; "Gabay sa Kinse," an advocacy project for fisherfolk rights; and "Lakbay sa Saribuhay," a storytelling series for environmental education.

Joy C. Ologuin, the provincial environment and natural resources officer in charge, urged the participants to serve as "multipliers of positive change" as they return to their respective communities to implement their projects.

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