Melanie Mermida, president of the Suyac Island Ecotourism Attendants Association, represented Sagay City as the lone participant from the city, and one of only four delegates from the Philippines, in the Regional Learning Exchange on Sustainable Marine Tourism held in Bali, Indonesia from March 25 to 27, a press release from Sagay PIO said.
Mermida joined participants from across the Coral Triangle region, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines, in discussions and field activities focused on sustainable marine tourism, community-based enterprises, and conservation-driven livelihoods.
She was listed among the Philippine delegates alongside representatives from Palawan, Cebu, and national conservation organizations, highlighting Sagay City’s growing presence in international conversations on sustainable coastal development.
Glenn Labrado, executive director of Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, invited Suyac Island Mangrove Ecopark thru Sagay City to join the Philippine delegation to share Suyac’s best practice and challenges.
The learning exchange, organized by the Coral Triangle Center, aimed to strengthen knowledge sharing and collaboration among coastal communities managing marine protected areas while promoting tourism models that balance environmental protection, social inclusion, and economic sustainability.
For Mermida, the opportunity to participate in the international exchange also served as a platform to share Sagay’s community-based eco-tourism practices, particularly the model implemented in Suyac Island, which has become a recognized example of sustainable tourism anchored on mangrove conservation and local stewardship.
Sagay Mayor Leo Rafael “Bebo” Cueva said Mermida’s participation reflects the strength of Sagay’s grassroots leadership in advancing sustainable tourism.
“This is a proud moment for Sagay as one of our community leaders represents not only our city but also the Philippines in an international platform. It shows that our efforts in protecting our environment while creating livelihood opportunities are being recognized beyond our shores,” Cueva said.
He added that the city government will continue to support community-based organizations like the Suyac Island Ecotourism Attendants Association in building sustainable, resilient, and globally competitive tourism initiatives.
Cueva also assures that the city government will continue to support these community-based tourism destinations in Sagay, including Suyac Island, the Lapus-Lapus Macapagao Conservation Area, the community sikad guides in Purok Bougainvillea in Brgy. Old Sagay, among others.*
