Aboitiz boosts wetland rehab, protection

THE Aboitiz Group on Friday announced it has completed its efforts in the wetland protection and rehabilitation of the Boracay Wetland 4, conceived as a joint project with the government.

The rehabilitation of Boracay Wetland 4, now called the Balabag Wetland Park, was made possible through the partnership of Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

According to the Aboitiz Group, the Balabag Wetland Park will feature recreational activities using lowimpact ecotourism designs; educational advocacies by generating awareness on the importance of wetlands; and experiential opportunities by allowing the local community, students and even tourists to participate in safeguarding its sustainability through clean-up drives, regular maintenance and protection initiatives.

The said initiatives will be made possible through partnerships with the Department of Tourism, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Philippine wetlands are a vital ecosystem for the biodiversity of aquatic species and also serve as sanctuaries for migratory birds. Wetlands support the surrounding communities with livelihood opportunities and food security, and they also act as carbon storage and flood catchments during typhoons and heavy rains.

Due to human activity, however, wetlands are disappearing at a rate three times faster than forest lands, leaving countries like the Philippines even more vulnerable to the effects of the ongoing climate crisis.

Sabin Aboitiz, president and chief executive officer of the Aboitiz Group, highlighted the company’s efforts toward the rehabilitation of the country’s wetlands as a means of protecting and preserving Philippine biodiversity.

“The Aboitiz Group fully supports the mission of the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural

Resources) and the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force to rehabilitate the island in order to ensure its sustainability and prevent further degradation of its rich ecosystem. With the government’s support, the Boracay that we are co-creating and leaving to our children is a community that is safe, empowered and sustainable,” Aboitiz said.

For her part, Natividad Bernardino, officer in charge of the Biodiversity Management Bureau, thanked the Aboitiz Group, noting that “the Balabag Wetland Park has now become one of the island’s tourist attractions and an icon of Boracay’s successful rehabilitation.”