Mati City’s three famous bays–Pujada, Mayo and Balete–are now officially declared among the most beautiful bays in the world.
The recognition was bestowed by the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Association (MBBWA).
A letter from Michel Bujold, world president of MBBWA, has informed Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang and Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat that the board of directors has voted in favor of accepting not only Pujada Bay but also Mayo and Balete bays together as new member of MBBWA. The letter also informed that the official adhesion certificate will be handed to Dayanghirang and Rabat at a later date.
Last month, two top officials of MBBWA from France and Canada treasurer Guy Rousset and general manager Bruno Bodard visited Mati City to conduct a four-day validation and site visit at the Pujada Bay. During their stay both officials were impressed not only with the seascapes and beauty of the Pujada Bay but to the Balete and Mayo bays as well.
Rousset and Bodard submitted their on-site visit report of Pujada Bay held on January 8 to 12, 2020. The document was sent to the board of members of the MBBWA for approval on Jan. 22.
In a statement, Rabat said with the inclusion of the said three bays in the list of MBBWA is a testimony of how beautiful the province’s waters are. She said this rare feat now becomes a challenge for the province to do more and persevere in the efforts for the protection and preservation of the environment.
Rabat is also optimistic that the inclusion of the bays in the list would be a big boost not just in the conservation effort but also in the tourism industry as more tourists are expected to visit Mati City and enjoy the bays.
“We still have a long way to go. Being included in the list is the least difficult part, staying in the list is more challenging. So to all Matiños I urge you to keep our bays clean like our very own backyard. As your City Government vow to provide more infrastructure and facilities that would help the bays maintain its clean and pristine condition that made it as 3 Most Beautiful Bays in the World,” she said.
Rabat also thanked the provincial government under the administration of Dayanghirang for initiating the effort for Pujada Bay’s inclusion to the MBBWA.
Dayanghirang said one of the reasons he pushed for Pujada Bay to the MBWWA is to share its magnificent assets to the people of the world who would like to experience the natural and cultural richness of the province.
He said the people of Davao Oriental are very proud of Pujada Bay and consider it a jewel of the province and it is therefore a top priority in terms of maintenance and enhancement of its natural beauty because this is a God-given gift that is meant to be shared and enjoyed not only today but more so in the coming years and the generations to come.
Dolores Valdesco, head of the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) and one of the technical persons for the province’s application, said the MBBWA is set to send their recommendations for implementation, which include the inclusion of Mayo and Balete Bays in the City of Mati to the official documents.
The official awarding of the certificate is set to be handed over to the officials of the province of Davao Oriental and the city of Mati during the MBBWA’s annual congress in Morocco this coming October.
