SAN JOSE, Antique – An advisory council is being mulled to develop policies for the protection and conservation of waterfalls in the province.
There are over 150 waterfalls scattered in various municipalities of Antique.
A proposed ordinance creating the advisory council was recently filed. Part of it read: “The provincial government of Antique shall endeavor to protect and enrich the value of natural endowments as well as to ensure and preserve every waterfall, its development and promotion as a component of tourism pursuant Section 16 and 17 of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.”
The proposed advisory council would be composed of the governor and vice governor as chair and vice-chair, respectively, and the chairpersons of the SP committees on environment, tourism, cultural affairs, and heritage, and the Provincial Tourism Officer as among its members.
“The council will take the lead in initiating mechanisms, reforms, and procedures on appropriate regulars for scientific, recreational educational or for tourism purposes without sacrificing the overall environmental integrity of our waterfalls,” the proposed ordinance added.
The provincial government should include waterfalls in its action strategies as an important factor for local development, according to ordinance proponent Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) member Victor Condez./PN
