Bojo River Cruise: Sustainable Tourism in Aloguinsan, Cebu

Just 2 hours away from the bustling city of Cebu, lies a sleepy and tiny coastal town of Aloguinsan. Located in southwestern Cebu, this beautiful town is considered as one of the best eco-tourism destinations in the province. In fact, its prime attraction, the Bojo River Cruise, also known as Aloguinsan River Eco-Cultural Tour, was awarded as one of the Top 100 Global Sustainable Destinations by Green Destinations for three consecutive years (2016, 2017 and 2018).

Sustainable Tourism in Aloguinsan, Cebu

Aloguinsan was the fourth stop of the Sustainable Community-Based Tourism Recognition (SCBTR). It was launched recently by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DoT). This campaign aims to identify the best sustainable tourism destinations in the Philippines. The three recognized sites will receive endorsements from the Department of Tourism (DoT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), along with grants to enhance their services. Aside from acknowledging sustainable tourism sites, this campaign aims to inspire sustainable tourism practices and encourage potential investors.

Meeting the Community Behind the Success of Bojo River Cruise

We arrived on a sunny morning in Aloguinsan after 2 hours of travel from Cebu City. As I walked on the wooden boardwalk going to the river, I heard a group of women singing Visayan folksongs. Walking along the mangrove forest while hearing folk songs and birds chirping was quite enchanting. We were then welcomed by the members of Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS). 

Established in October 2009, BAETAS is made up of members from the Aloguinsan community. Their main responsibility is to protect the Bojo River and Tañon Strait, the largest marine protected area in the Philippines. We gathered for a simple merienda featuring buko juice, pancit, bread, suman, and hot chocolate. To further reduce their environmental impact, BAETAS has also introduced the use of metal straws.

Providing Alternative Income to the Aloguinsan Community

The LGU of Aloguinsan started the Bojo River Cruise project in 2009 with the primary objective of providing alternative income to the Aloguinsan community. According to Ms. Jomelyn S. Manigos, Vice President of BAETAS, the LGU trained the members, who are fishermen and housewives around Bojo River, with mangroves conservation, flora and fauna identification, tourism and management.  

Since then, the river cruise has attracted thousands of tourists which in turn, created opportunities and provided supplemental income to the members. She proudly shared that after the LGU spent over a million for their training and education, they have now returned the investment threefold. 

Because of the success of the Bojo River Cruise project, the locals have stopped with their former sources of livelihood which are dynamite fishing, bird poaching and kaingin (a system of slash-and-burn with no return to forest). According to Ms. Jomelyn S. Manigos, these people are now the protectors of the river and the forest surrounding it.

Community Efforts for a Low Tourism Footprint

The locals created a small nature reserve centered around the mangroves, where the Bojo River meets the Tañon Strait. Currently, the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS) impose a maximum of 70 tourists per day to protect the Bojo River and reduce environmental impact. They have also adapted use of motor-free modes of transportation along the river. In addition, clean-up drives in partnership with different sectors in Aloguinsan are being done monthly to ensure protection of the mangroves and corals and create public awareness on waste management.

My Bojo River Cruise Experience

I was curious to see how Bojo River Cruise might differ from other mangrove tours, especially since it is a community-led Eco-cultural Tour. Our journey began at a small wooden dock overlooking the Bojo River.This was where our group boarded a non-motorized boat with two boatmen and our tour guide, Mr. Jerry Bansiloy. To ensure our safety, we all wore life vests and protective hats to shield us from the scorching sun.

The Bojo River Cruise was an incredible experience that seamlessly merged two distinct landscapes. We started by slowly rowing down the river, surrounded by magnificent views of the mangroves. It felt like a scene too perfect to be real. As the tour progressed, we transitioned to a glass-bottom boat, offering stunning views of vibrant corals below. To our delight, we even spotted a pawikan (sea turtle) frolicking underwater!

Overall Experience

Very few people I know choose a destination specifically for its mangroves. But as we rowed down the Bojo River, I realized that mangroves can be quite a hit with travelers, especially now that tourists are showing interest in cultural and sustainable tourism. The idea of giving back to the community is very appealing to this new generation of tourists. That’s exactly how I see the Bojo River Cruise. Seeing how the project has changed the lives of the locals and its positive impact on the environment, I wouldn’t mind paying 750 pesos for another river cruise tour.