TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)— The provincial government of Bohol has partnered with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) to help ensure that the island-province remains in the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) list of global geoparks.
The provincial government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the ICSC to collaborate in addressing the effects of climate change in the island by coming up with the Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan (ELCCAP) in the next three years.
“The MOU establishes the framework for collaboration between ICSC and Bohol to advance clean, affordable, reliable and secure energy systems while promoting community welfare through inclusivity and sustainability,” said ICSC executive director Angelo Kairos Dela Cruz.
The ELCCAP will also help address the impact of human habitation on the geoparks as communities are established right in the midst of these areas.
In May 2023, Bohol was enlisted as a global geopark by UNESCO, the first in the country.
“This is a credit Bohol keeps as long as it can keep its environment as pristine and its geography practically ‘untouched’, which is a huge responsibility knowing that it is the entire island that we need to sustain and conserve,” explained Mary Lou Regis, Bohol’s geoparks information, education, and communications team member.
Under the MOU, the ICSC will provide technical assistance on the ELCCAP development and greenhouse gas emissions inventory.
ICSC will also expand sustainable transport options outside of Tagbilaran City and help spread public awareness on renewable energy mechanisms.
On the other hand, the provincial government will implement training for greenhouse gas inventories and manage urban development and eco-friendly transport systems.
Bohol will also convene the local government units and renewable energy stakeholders to coordinate and harmonize efforts in supporting the local energy plan development, including the installation of solar panels on public infrastructure.
The Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark covers 8,808 square kilometers of land and surrounding lush marine protected areas.
The island features unique geological treasures and karstic geosites such as caves, sinkholes, and cone karst, including the famous Chocolate Hills in Carmen town that show distinct and mostly uniformly shaped conical limestone hills.
The northern coast of Bohol is also home to the Danajon Double Barrier Reef, a rare geological formation that is considered as the only one of its kind in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
The UNESCO Global Geopark list was first created in 2015 to recognize geological heritage of international significance. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)
