Iloilo strengthened its push for climate resilience and sustainable development as Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. led the 2025 Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management–Climate Change Adaptation (PDRRM-CCA) Skills Convergence Summit today at Alapasco Lake in Barangay Alapasco, Batad, Iloilo.
The gathering marked the first-ever convergence of five major executive orders seen to shape the province’s direction on food security, environmental protection, health preparedness, tourism development, and disaster resilience.
Organized by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO-Iloilo) in partnership with the municipal government of Batad, the summit drew provincial department heads, national agencies, LGU officials, NGOs, and community groups.
Addressing local leaders and partner organizations, Defensor underscored the province’s renewed focus on the Alapasco dam area.
“We are here because we want to start an aggressive program for Alapasco dam,” the governor said, noting that the summit formalizes a unified governance framework for synchronized implementation of key environmental and development programs.
Provincial heads from PDRRMO-Iloilo, Iloilo Provincial Health Office, Iloilo Provincial Agriculture Office, PGENRO-Province of Iloilo, and Provincial Culture, Arts, History and Tourism Office - Province of Iloilo presented how the five executive orders form an integrated strategy that strengthens communities from the barangay level upward.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐄𝐗𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒
• MORProGRes Garden (EO 640-2022) – Promotes household and community food gardens to boost local food supply, encourage climate-smart agriculture, and enhance tourism landscapes.
• Tanum Iloilo (EO 195-2022) – Advances reforestation and forest protection to mitigate floods, landslides, and other climate-related hazards.
• Limpyo Iloilo (EO 125-2024) – Improves LGU solid waste management systems to achieve cleaner and healthier communities.
• Turista sa Barangay (EO 168-2024) – Develops community-based tourism hubs, opening livelihood opportunities while ensuring safe and accessible visitor services.
• Hazardous Heat Index (EO 20-2025) – Establishes provincewide health protocols during extreme heat events to prevent heat-related illnesses.
With these programs now aligned, the province aims to position Iloilo as a model for climate resilience, environmental stewardship, and inclusive local development.
As part of the day’s activities, participants also joined a tree-planting activity around the Alapasco Lake area, reinforcing the province’s ongoing reforestation and watershed protection initiatives.
#morprogresiloilo