THE Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform in Sulu (Mafar-Sulu) and the Municipal Government of Omar signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to launch a joint initiative on sustainable aquasilviculture and mangrove eco-tourism.
The Mafar-Sulu said the partnership, sealed on Saturday, July 26, aims to rehabilitate coastal ecosystems through mangrove cultivation while promoting eco-tourism as a driver of local economic development.
"This initiative signifies a collaborative effort towards sustainable coastal resource management and eco-tourism development in the municipality," Mafar-Sulu said in a statement on Thursday, July 31.
Prior to the signing, Mafar-Sulu officials presented the project's scope, detailing the roles, responsibilities, and funding arrangements between the concerned parties.
The initiative integrates aquasilviculture -- a sustainable method that combines aquaculture with mangrove forest cultivation -- and mangrove eco-tourism, a form of responsible tourism that supports both conservation and community livelihoods.
Through this collaboration, the government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) reinforces its commitment to safeguarding marine ecosystems as a cornerstone of regional development, ensuring environmental protection alongside socio-economic progress.
The signatories of the agreement include Mafar-Sulu Provincial Director Alfie Iribani, Officer-in-Charge of the Fisheries Division Fardia Abduhasad, and Omar Municipal Mayor Abdulbaki Ajibon. (SunStar Zamboanga)