Building a Sustainable Future for Whale Shark Tourism in Libertad, Antique

Libertad, Antique- The Department of Tourism (DOT) Region VI reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable tourism through the Marine Wildlife Tourism Interaction (MWIT) Orientation held on July 23–24, 2026, supporting the responsible development of whale shark watching in Libertad, Antique.

As whale shark sightings open new opportunities for nature-based tourism, DOT Region VI emphasized that tourism must always go hand in hand with conservation—ensuring that visitor experiences never come at the expense of the species’ natural behavior or habitat.

Anchored on Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01, Series of 2020, the two-day orientation gathered representatives from the DILG Region VI, DENR Region VI, BFAR Region VI, the Local Government of Libertad, the Provincial Government of Antique, the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, the Office of Congressman Antonio “AA” Legarda Jr., and local tourism stakeholders.

The activity featured experts from the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines (MWWP)—Dr. Arnel “AA” Yaptinchay, Dr. Andrea Leonor Barcelona, and Ms. Jean Asuncion Utzurrum—who shared scientific insights on whale shark biology, marine wildlife conservation, and the current state of whale shark watching in the Philippines. These were complemented by discussions from DILG, DENR, and BFAR on the implementation of JMC No. 01, Series of 2020 and the shared responsibilities of government agencies in promoting responsible marine wildlife tourism.

Participants strengthened their understanding of whale shark ecology, wildlife tourism policies, visitor management, safety protocols, and global best practices—reinforcing that successful marine wildlife tourism balances environmental protection, community stewardship, and sustainable livelihoods.

In her closing message, Regional Director Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez highlighted Libertad’s potential to become a model for responsible whale shark tourism by adopting approaches that are science-based and suited to the local context.

“Ang kabuhayan at conservation ay hindi magkalaban. Ang layunin ay turismong nagpapalakas sa komunidad habang pinangangalagaan ang kalikasan. We in the DOT want tourism in Libertad to grow responsibly, creating lasting economic opportunities while preserving the natural environment that sustains them.”

DOT Region VI remains committed to working alongside national government agencies, local governments, and community stakeholders to ensure that whale shark tourism in Libertad grows in a way that is sustainable, community-centered, and aligned with national conservation policies.

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