The Aboitiz Group handed over the rehabilitated Wetland No. 4 now known as the Balabag Wetland Park to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) during a turnover ceremony held on June 16, 2022. As a testament to its commitment to the preservation of biodiversity and environmental protection in the Boracay islands, the one-hectare lagoon area in Barangay Balabag has been transformed into a linear urban park in partnership with the key national government  agencies led by the DENR Region VI, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Tourism Infrastructure and Entertprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and the Department of Tourism (DOT). 

The event was attended by DENR Secretary Jim O. Sampulna, former DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu,; DENR Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo Jr., EMB Executive Director Natividad Y. Bernardino, DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III, DOJ Assistant Secretary Margaret Castillo-Padilla, TIEZA COO Mark Lapid, and representatives from partners. 

Aboitiz Group President and Chief Executive Officer Sabin M. Aboitiz emphasized how central partnerships such as this are to the Aboitiz Group's Transformation journey. "The Aboitiz Group's contribution to Boracay's rehabilitation is part of our commitment to co-create safe, empowered, and sustainable communities. As we journey sustainability through our Great Transformation into the Philippines' first 'techglomerate', we will continue to identify and do our part to uplift and bring focus on environmentally and socially impactful initiatives fro all our stakeholders. We are proud to have partnered with DENR, DPWH, TIEZA, DOT, and the LGU of Boracay to build the Balabag Wetland Park, a space that we hope continues to promote education for the immediate community on the protection. conservation, enhancement, and rehabilitation of Boracay's natural ecosystems," said the Aboitiz chief. 

For his part, DENR Acting Secretary Jim Sampulna said, "The Balabag Wetland Park, formerly Wetland no. 4, is another testament to the successful wetland rehabilitation of Boracay island. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Aboitiz Equity Ventures for being our partner in the rehabilitation and transformation of Wetland No. 4 into an urban linear park, which now serves as the center of the wetland ecotourism circuit of Boracay. May the Balabag Wetland Park serve as a success story as we capitalize on nature-based solutions such as wetland conservation and rehabilitation in our localities for a greener, more sustainable, and resilient approach to building back better."

Director Natividad Y. Bernardino, OIC Director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau, expressed thanks for the partnership that made the rehabilitation project possible. "The DENR and the BIATF (Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force) are grateful to the Aboitiz Group for rehabilitating Wetland No. 4 under BMB's Adopt-A-Wetland' program. From being a 'waste receptacle,' Wetland No. 4 has now been transformed into a lagoon with a linear park, attracting tourists and locals right in the middle of Boracay's commercial area," said Director Bernardino. 

Since the beginning of the rehabilitation project in 2018, the Aboitiz Group has always made it its aim to conceptualize and deploy nature-based solutions to create a functional public space out of the wetland area. By using low-impact eco-tourism designs, the Balabag Wetland Park has become not only a recreational space, but also an educational and experiential space by generating awareness about the importance of wetlands and creating opportunities for collaboration and partnerships among the local community, students, and even tourists. 

Several improvements have been made to the wetland area throughout its rehabilitation. Aerators have been installed to maintain the water quality of the lagoon, while endemic trees and plants have been planted along the lagoon's perimeter boardwalk to help rebuild the biodiversity in the area. An accompanying plaza was also constructed that serves as both a flood management measure and an attraction site for tourists and locals alike. The Balabag Wetland Park also features an activity area for community events, and educational signages have been placed around the Park to add to the experience. 

The completion of the Balabag Wetland Park's plaza officially capped its development phase. 

 

Committed to living out its #OneAboitizSustainability Framework, the Aboitiz Group completed its efforts in the wetland protection and rehabilitation of Boracay Wetland No. 4. This is a joint project with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). 

As a linear urban park, the Balabag Wetland Park will feature recreational activities using low-impact eco-tourism designs; educational advocacies by generating awareness of the importance of wetlands; and experiential opportunities by allowing the local community, students, and even tourists to participate in safeguarding its sustainability through clean up drives, regular maintenance, and protection initiatives. 

Aboitiz strongly advocates for the rehabilitation of the country's wetlands as a means of protecting and preserving Philippine biodiversity. 

"The Aboitiz Group fully supports the mission of the DENR and the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force to rehabilitate the island, in order to ensure its sustainability and prevent further degradation of its rich ecosystem. With the government's support, the Boracay that we are co-creating and leaving to our children is a community that is safe, empowered, and sustainable," said by Sabin M. Aboitiz, President and CEO of Aboitiz Group. 

Since the Balabag Wetland Park's adoption by Aboitiz in 2018, several improvements have already been made: aerators have been installed to improve water quality; 3D signages were constructed for tourists and locals to use as social media post backdrops; a community centre has been completed which serves as an open activity area; perimeter landscaping and pavements have been completed, allowing for leisurely walks in nature; and a parking area is made available for visitors who which to go to the park.