Apayao province fortifies Biosphere Reserve management plan
Art Dumlao — March 11, 2025
Apayao province fortifies Biosphere Reserve management plan
Photo Courtesy of: Provincial Government of Apayao
BAGUIO CITY (March 6, 2025)— The management of the Biosphere Reserve of the yApayaos (BRyA) has ironined out its management plan fortifying its good ecological practices.
The plan will serve as framework of the the conservation and sustainable efforts of the BRyA.
Apayao Provincial Governor Elias C. Bulut Jr. and Congresswoman Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang, together with UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM) Deputy Secretary General Lindsay A. Barrientos, and Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) Director for Operations Dr. Jayson C. Ibañez led the discussions on the plan’s finalization.
They focused on the harmonization between biodiversity protection and the needs of the yApayaos or people of Apayao, which they said, “will ensure that conservation efforts do not come at the expense of progress.”
Bulut-Begtang stressed the need a stronger community effort in improving the province's Biosphere Reserve status. “We take pride in this achievement, but how do we sustain it? Magtulungan po tayo, hindi dapat nagbabangayan. The key is political will. Hindi porket hindi kayo politiko ay hindi kayo pwedeng magkaroon ng will to protect the BRyA. This is a shared responsibility, not just for politicians but for everyone. If we work as one, BRyA will stand as a symbol of our unity,” she said.
Ibañez meanwhile said that the Biosphere reserve is a potential model of coexistence between indigenous communities and biodiversity. He stressed that the management plan will be a huge factor in guiding Apayao toward its long-term conservation goals. “The Biosphere Reserve of the yApayaos (BRyA) has immense potential to showcase how indigenous communities and biodiversity can thrive together," he stated.
The governor said that the plan will set the direction for conservation efforts, responsible land use, and sustainable development. He said that at same time, the initiative will make sure that the voices of the communities and the indigenous groups are heard in shaping policies that affect them.
