PANABO CITY – Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) received the Outstanding Academe Contribution to Tourism Award, nominated by longtime partner Local Government Unit of Island Garden City of Samal, during the DavNor Tourism Awards 2025 held on July 3, 2025, at the Davao del Norte Gymnasium.
The award was given for Taklobo Tours: Conservation, Tourism, and Livelihood Opportunities, an ecotourism initiative co-managed by DNSC in partnership with LGU IGaCoS, the coastal community of Barangay Adecor, and the Adecor United Fisherfolk Organization (AdUFOr). This program stands as a model for sustainable tourism, integrating conservation, education, and community-based livelihood development.
More than just a tourist destination, Taklobo Tours serves as a living classroom, an immersive space where environmental advocacy meets experiential education. Visitors are introduced to the importance of biodiversity, especially the critically endangered and endangered Taklobo or giant clams species, Tridacna gigas and Tridacna derasa respectively, while local community members serve as eco-guides, stewards, and partners in conservation.
at the DavNor Tourism Awards 2025. Photo courtesy of the Office of the VPAA.
The recognition was conferred by the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte in celebration of the 58th Araw ng Davao del Norte and the Kadagayaan Festival. The plaque was received by College President Joy M. Sorrosa and Vice President for Academic Affairs / Taklobo Tours Project Lead Girley S. Gumanao. Three finalists from the academe and private sector were shortlisted for the award, along with other awardees for the Outstanding Tourism Program Award and Outstanding Cultural Tourism Destination.
