SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) – The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Antique is pushing for the establishment of Central Panay Mountain Range (CPMR) as a natural park under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS).

PENRO Antique sees the need to identify CPMR as a protected area because of its extensive forest cover and huge contribution to Western Visayas’ overall biodiversity, as well as to prevent its deterioration from excessive human activities and resource extraction.

A public consultation on June 21 was also conducted by PENRO Antique to identify the views and feedback of CPMR stakeholders which include concerned municipal chief executives, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officers (MENRO), barangay officials, community members and representatives from indigenous peoples (IPs).

DENR Region 6 Conservation and Development Chief Forester Emelyn Peñaranda said that Central Panay Mountain Range features a wide spectrum of flora and fauna, some are endemic or cannot be seen anywhere else in the country.

are key in mitigating extreme weather events and enhance carbon storage.

Once designated as a natural park, the Central Panay Mountain Range will be secured as a fully-functioning ecosystem that will help provide clean air and water, healthy soils, and food source to Panay and its component provinces.

Next in the process for CPMR to become a protected area is the preparation of an Initial Protected Area (PA) Plan. (AAL/BPS/PIA Antique)