ILOILO – The provinces of Iloilo and Antique are moving toward a landmark partnership to jointly manage critical natural resources that transcend their borders, from mountain ranges and watersheds to ancestral domains and coastal waters.
In a recent consultation, the Provincial Planning and Development Offices (PPDOs) of both provinces agreed to integrate biodiversity protection, indigenous heritage, and sustainable use of shared ecosystems into their respective Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plans (PDPFPs).
A key concern was the Panay Mountain Ranges, a biodiversity corridor vital to endemic species and local water systems.
The dialogue also emphasized safeguarding ancestral domains in Calinog, Iloilo, and Valderrama, Antique — home to the Iraynon and Panay Bukidnon tribes.
“Indigenous knowledge must be incorporated in conservation efforts to empower communities while protecting their lands,” participants stressed.
Watershed management was also high on the agenda, with Mt. Baloy identified as a critical headwater feeding rivers and streams that sustain agriculture and drinking water supply.
Planners likewise flagged the impact of major infrastructure projects, such as the Panay East-West Lateral Road linking Lambunao to Valderrama, and the Tubungan–San Remigio road network, which are expected to spur economic activity but may alter settlement patterns.
The provinces also agreed on the need for co-management of fisheries between San Joaquin, Iloilo, and Anini-y, Antique, areas under Fisheries Management Area No. 4. Joint stewardship, they said, is essential to sustain marine biodiversity and protect livelihoods.
By embedding these priorities into their development plans, Iloilo and Antique aim to balance growth with environmental stewardship. Officials stressed that the collaborative framework “signifies a proactive step toward sustainable, inclusive development” for the two provinces./PN
