DENR Region VI leads inaugural Aklan watershed meeting

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The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region VI, led by Regional Executive Director Raul L. Lorilla, chaired the inaugural meeting of the Aklan River Watershed Management Council (ARWMC) on July 3, 2025.

The meeting took place at the Jalaur Conference Room of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) Region VI office in Iloilo City.

The agenda centered on the orientation on policy framework operations, the establishment of the Integrated Watershed Management Planning Team (IWMPT), and the presentation of an action plan for creating the Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) for the Aklan River Watershed.

Recognized as one of Region VI’s priority watersheds for 2024, the Aklan River Watershed was selected for characterization, development, and management planning.

In response, DENR-PENRO Aklan conducted a comprehensive watershed characterization and vulnerability assessment in 2024.

For 2025, DENR Region VI, through PENRO Aklan, will lead the formulation of a 25-year IWMP for the Aklan River Watershed.

The planning process will involve stakeholders such as national government agencies, provincial and municipal local government units, nongovernment organizations, academic institutions, people’s organizations, and other relevant sectors.

The IWMP aims to provide a strategic framework for sustainable development, conservation, and management of the watershed, ensuring long-term ecological integrity and socio-economic benefits for regional communities.

“Developing one’s protected area to ensure its sustainable progress that benefits both the environment and the community is one of the mandates of the department,” said Lorilla.

“Aklan River Watershed is a habitat of different floras and faunas and provides cinematic views that attract the general public—thus, protecting and maintaining it, like any other protected area in the region, is a must,” he added.

The Aklan River Watershed is one of the largest in Aklan province and is the third-longest river on Panay Island.

It spans parts of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo provinces, covering a total area of 89,164.24 hectares.