Guimaras wins best recreational waterbody plum in Region 6

The Province of Guimaras was recognized as the Best Recreational Waterbody in Region 6 during the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau National Water Summit 2026: Recreational Aqua Management Recognition Ceremony, held March 22–24 at Seda Vertis North in Quezon City.

The recognition highlighted Guimaras’ efforts in water quality protection, pollution control and stakeholder collaboration in Western Visayas.

The award covered Class SB recreational waters along the Iloilo Strait and Guimaras Strait, a marine-water classification intended for tourism and primary-contact recreation such as bathing, swimming and skin diving.

Covered sites in the Iloilo Strait included Jordan Wharf in Rizal, Jordan; Colmenares Beach Resort in Hoskyn, Jordan; Puyo Wharf in Poblacion, Nueva Valencia; and the Alubihod Beach area in Poblacion, Nueva Valencia.

Covered sites in the Guimaras Strait included Abelardo’s Beach Resort in East Valencia, Buenavista, and Roca Encantada in San Miguel, Buenavista.

Evaluation criteria included compliance with monitoring design and frequency, improvement in water quality indicators such as pH and fecal coliform levels, the use of monitoring results in policy decisions, and innovative environmental management approaches.

The award was received for Region 6 by DENR-EMB officials led by Regional Director Ramar Niel V. Pascua, with Shiela Mar R. Portillo, Stella A. Tipanan and Rizza Daphet Catague.

The recognition affirms the Guimaras provincial government’s continuing efforts with its partners to protect marine and coastal resources, promote eco-friendly tourism and encourage community participation in environmental stewardship.

Provincial officials also called on stakeholders to remain active partners in preserving Guimaras’ waters for future generations.