The Municipality of San Remigio is eyeing to become a premier Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) destination within the next 10 years.
In an interview on Friday, Ruth Martinez, San Remigio Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO), said the local government unit (LGU) currently has around 29 percent forest cover, but aims to have a 60 percent forest cover to become a premier LOHAS destination.
“As a premier LOHAS destination, San Remigio envisions a future where there is a thriving mosaic of natural forests, assisted natural regeneration areas, agroforestry systems, and community–managed woodlands,” Martinez said.
She said the 60 percent forest cover is not just the municipality’s environmental target, but also their ecological foundation that sustains water security, climate resilience, biodiversity, livelihood, and the overall well-being of present and future generations.
To achieve the target, the LGU has introduced the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) to incentivize upland communities to protect and expand their forest cover.
“We have established a ‘forest library’ on an 18-hectare timberland in partnership with the Energy Development Corporation, starting last year as part of realizing our vision. The LGU and EDC provide incentives to the upland communities,” Martinez said.
San Remigio, being one of the popular eco-tourism destinations in the province, has also signed a Multi-Partite Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines, and University of Antique in November 2025 for the establishment of a bird watching area and research center at the Aningalan Experimental Forest.
Other signatories to the multi-partite agreement were Haribon Foundation and Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc., Hayahay sa Ambon Inc., and the resort owners in Aningalan, who committed to providing technical support and integrating the LOHAS to their eco-tourism packages.
“San Remigio will become a place where progress is measured not by concrete laid, but by forest restored, waters renewed, and lives enriched,” Martinez said. (PNA)
