30/07/2026
๐ฅ๐ญ ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ข๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ง๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ก๐ฉ๐๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐ง๐ข ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐ฆ ๐๐ก ๐ฃ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ก๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ ๐๐ก ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ข๐ก
The ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐บ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ญ (๐ฅ๐๐-๐ญ) convened for its 3rd Quarter Regular Meeting for FY 2026 to discuss key initiatives and proposed developments that will further strengthen sustainable ecotourism in the Ilocos Region. The meeting was presided over by ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ท๐ฎ๐บ๐ถ๐ป "๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ผ" ๐. ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ๐ต๐ฎ๐ป, ๐๐ฟ. as the current Chairperson.
Among the highlights of the meeting was the presentation and discussion of ecotourism-related development proposals within protected areas in the region. The Committee deliberated on the proposed Agoo Eco-Tour Park of the Local Government Unit of Agoo, La Union, to be developed within the Agoo-Damortis Protected Landscape, as well as the proposed developments of Strategic Alliance Holdings, Inc. and Palafox Associates for the Manleluag Spring Protected Landscape. The presentations enabled the Committee to evaluate the proposed projects in consideration of environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, visitor management, and compliance with applicable protected area management policies.
The Committee likewise discussed the proposed ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐บ ๐๐ป๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ (๐ฃ๐๐๐) ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ท๐ฒ๐ฐ๐, a collaborative initiative of the Department of Tourism with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The proposed project seeks to strengthen biodiversity conservation through improved ecotourism experiences within selected DENR-managed protected areas.
Another key agenda item was the presentation of the ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ญ ๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ค๐๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐ ๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ง๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐บ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ by the Environmental Management Bureau. The report provided the Committee with the latest assessment of water quality in major tourism sites across the region, reinforcing the importance of regular environmental monitoring in ensuring the safety of visitors and the sustainability of natural attractions.
Regional Director Manahan emphasized the importance of convergence of the DENR, DOT, and fellow REC-1 members in championing protection, management, and promotion of ecotourism destinations. He also highlighted that all the decisions we make today will really impact the lives of the next generation. Representing Regional Executive Director Atty. Ronnel C. Sopsop, Atty. Santiago Pagadot, Jr., delivered the message from the co-chairperson who extends his sincere appreciation for the continued commitment of the committee in promoting ecotourism in the region, recognizing that Protected Areas are not only tourism destinations, but also are vital ecosystems that support biodiversity, provide clean water, and preserve our natural and cultural heritage.
Through sustained coordination and sound environmental governance, the Regional Ecotourism Committee continues to champion responsible ecotourism development that protects the Ilocos Region's rich natural heritage while creating meaningful and sustainable tourism opportunities for present and future generations.
