Tanay seen as ‘regenerative tourism’ model

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has teamed up with multiple sectors to establish the “Regenerative Tourism for Resilient Tanay” project in Tanay, Rizal.

The landmark initiative aims to position the municipality as a national model for sustainable development by actively restoring and enhancing the area’s environmental, social, and cultural well-being, going beyond just minimizing negative impacts.

The project, part of the DENR’s Project TRANSFORM (Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilience and Environmental Sustainability through Multistakeholder Engagement), was formalized through a memorandum of agreement (MOA).

The partnership brings together the DENR, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Municipality of Tanay, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), A Brown Company Inc., the University of Rizal System (URS) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

DENR Secretary Raphael Lotilla and regional executive director Nilo Tamoria led the signing of the agreement, along with Tanay Mayor Rex Manuel Tanjuatco, provincial board member Reynaldo San Juan, BuCor director Melencio Faustino, DILG provincial director Lionel Dalope, assistant vice president of A Brown Company Inc. Jason Santos, NCIP director Reynaldo Dingal and URS president Nancy Pascual. A ceremonial tree planting followed the signing, symbolizing the commitment to inclusive environmental governance and climate resilience.

Lotilla said a careful balance of development and conservation is necessary because much of Tanay is located within a protected area. He congratulated the partners, calling it their project to sustain and benefit from.

The MOA outlines key objectives such as promoting sustainable practices like waste reduction and energy efficiency, providing educational programs for tourists and residents, developing tourism management strategies based on the area’s carrying capacity, and encouraging investments that restore degraded ecosystems.

Project activities will include conservation, protection and reforestation efforts in a site chosen from existing National Greening Program (NGP) areas established between 2011 and 2015, specifically within the Kaliwa River Forest Reserve and areas covered by Presidential Proclamation 1636. Local people’s organizations will play an active role to ensure community ownership.

Tanay was selected as a pilot area for Project TRANSFORM due to its ecological significance, hosting protected landscapes like the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape and the Kaliwa River Forest Reserve, which provide essential ecosystem services to CALABARZON and the National Capital Region.