The growing participation was highlighted during the culmination of Dulungan Month 2026 at the University of Antique-Main Campus on August 28, where Environment and Natural Resources Officer Ma. Vivian T. Marfil recognized the nearly 300 volunteers who joined this year’s synchronized hornbill count.

“Ang celebration for this year, maku-on ko nga more remarkable, because nagduro kadya and atun mga volunteers. Almost 300 volunteers nga nagshare ka effort, time, and passion, especially sa pagsaka sa bukid, hindi dali ang pagsaka sa bukid,”she said.

For Marfil, the volunteers’ willingness to undertake difficult fieldwork demonstrates how community participation can strengthen biodiversity conservation.

The 2026 Synchronized Hornbill Count recorded 68 Dulungan or Rufous-headed Hornbills, up from 62 in 2024. The count also documented 122 Tarictic or Visayan Hornbills, a substantial increase from 45 recorded in 2024.

The improvement in recorded numbers, however, comes alongside expanded monitoring rather than necessarily indicating a direct increase in the province’s total hornbill population.

Monitoring coverage grew from 10 to 12 municipalities and from 14 to 17 point-transects between 2024 and 2026. Volunteer participation likewise more than doubled, from 130 in 2024 to 276 in 2026.

The three-year monitoring results were presented by Noellha Jeanette Liwagon, Conservation Education Officer of the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. (PhilBio).

More eyes in the forest

The expanded field presence allowed monitoring teams to gather more information not only on hornbills but also on other wildlife and forest conditions.

At Mt. Hulian in Sitio Nawili, Bugasong, teams recorded 54 individual birds representing 15 species across nine transect points. These included 19 Tarictic, six Dulungan, 15 Yellow-vented Bulbuls, four Tigwatiyot and three Coleto.

The team also documented 163 trees at the site, including 53 emergent trees measuring more than 20 meters high.

In Paningayan, Culasi, monitoring teams recorded 79 individual birds representing 24 species. Among the observations were Glossy Swiftlets, Philippine Bulbuls, Pygmy Swiftlets, Visayan Flowerpeckers and Magnificent Sunbirds.

Two Dulungan; one female and one male, and one Tarictic Hornbill were also recorded.

PhilBio said the three years of continuous monitoring are beginning to reveal spatial patterns and annual variations in wildlife observations, providing a baseline that can support future conservation planning.

From counting birds to protecting forests

Antique Governor Paolo Javier thanked the volunteers, particularly those who trekked into forest areas to conduct the count.

“This event is not just a celebration of our provincial bird, but a reminder of everyone’s responsibility, Antiqueno ka man ukon pangayaw, to take care of our biodiversity,” he said.

The province’s approach increasingly links wildlife monitoring with community participation. Rather than relying solely on government personnel and conservation groups, the hornbill count brings together residents, government agencies, local governments, schools, conservation organizations and protected-area partners.

Dulungan Month activities also included a five-day exhibit at the University of Antique, an exhibit at the New Provincial Capitol, information and education campaigns, a tree-growing activity in Sebaste, and orientations on the Biodiversity Monitoring System.

The celebration is anchored on Provincial Ordinance No. 2020-208, which declares August as Dulungan Month in Antique.

With monitoring sites and volunteer participation expanding, the latest count provides conservation managers with more field data to work with. The more important test, however, is whether the information gathered will translate into sustained protection of the forests where Antique’s hornbills live.

For conservation teams and the communities helping them, every count is therefore more than a number; it is another piece of evidence needed to understand whether the province’s forests remain capable of supporting its threatened wildlife.IMT

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The donation was formalized with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between Slovenian Deputy and Acting Ambassador to the Philippines Dragan Barbutovski and San Jose de Buenavista Mayor Paul Joseph Untaran, and witnessed by Governor Paolo Everardo Javier at the Antique Tourism, Trade and Investment Forum Convention Hall.

Antique National School Principal Roger Jomolo, in an interview on Wednesday, said their school was identified as the beneficiary for the RoClean Wastewater Treatment Plant Project.

“It is an environment-friendly technology that could also help us conserve water,” he said, adding that the facility will be put up in the next few days.

Water treated from the facility will be used in gardening and to flush the toilets of the school with around 7,000 learners.

Currently, the water needs of ANS are being supplied by the San Jose Waterworks, with the school paying around P100,000 per month.

With the wastewater treatment plant, the school is expecting to reduce its monthly water bill.PNA

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Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed poverty incidence fell to 13.8% in 2023 from 18.2% in 2021, bringing the province close to pre-pandemic levels and marking steady recovery.

Legarda said the gains prove that community-based industries and local resources can drive long-term growth. 

“Recovery was anchored on what communities already knew how to do and what the land could sustainably provide,” she noted.

From MSME support to infrastructure, hospitals, and livelihood programs, Antique’s progress reflects sustained investments, with poverty levels dropping sharply from over 50% in 2006 to near the national median today.

The senator also emphasized continuing support for small businesses and local industries to sustain the province’s momentum.IMT

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The birds—comprising two White-collared Kingfishers, four Spotted Doves, four Common Emerald Doves, and four Barred Rails—underwent thorough health assessments to ensure they were fit to survive independently in the wild.

The release was led by Semirara Mining and Power Corporation’s Environmental, Social, and Governance Sustainability Department, in close collaboration with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Antique and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Culasi.

Environmental specialists supervised the operation to ensure proper handling and adherence to wildlife conservation standards.

The Bantayan Release Site provides a protected sanctuary where human interference is minimized, allowing wildlife to thrive naturally. Barangay Captain Catherine Lim of Semirara and other local officials expressed full support for the initiative, noting its benefits for both the environment and the community.

Authorities underscored the ecological role of these birds: from dispersing seeds to maintaining soil fertility and sustaining balanced ecosystems, each release contributes to the health of Caluya’s forests and wetlands.

“The successful return of these birds is a testament to the harmony we can achieve between development and nature,” said a spokesperson from Semirara Mining and Power Corporation. “By protecting wildlife and their habitats, we preserve the natural heritage of Caluya for generations to come.”

The release highlights ongoing collaboration between corporations, government agencies, and local communities in advancing environmental stewardship, proving that conservation efforts can thrive alongside responsible development.IMT

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In two resolutions passed by the provincial board, Board Members Ricky Lavega and Karmila Rose Dimamay called on national government agencies and aviation authorities to prevent the cancellation or transfer of Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) flights servicing Antique — a crucial link inaugurated only on January 19 this year.

Lavega’s resolution expressed “grave and urgent concern” over the phase-out of turboprop operations at NAIA Terminal 2 and appealed to the Manila Slot Coordination Committee (MSCC) and other aviation authorities to retain the Manila–Antique–Manila route.

Meanwhile, Dimamay filed a separate resolution urging the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and airline operators not only to maintain but also expand commercial flight operations at the Evelio B. Javier Antique Airport in San Jose de Buenavista.

During the SP session, members agreed to consolidate the two measures into a unified appeal to the DOTr as the primary implementing agency.

The board is seeking immediate action to upgrade airport operations and fast-track necessary permits that would allow Airbus aircraft and potentially other airline operators to serve Antique.

Provincial officials stressed that losing the direct Manila connection could significantly impact tourism, trade, and economic momentum, especially since the airport’s commercial operations resumed only recently.

The SP’s move signals a proactive stance to safeguard Antique’s air connectivity and ensure that national aviation policy adjustments will not sideline emerging provincial gateways.IMT

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According to Health Education and Promotion Officer II Irene Duldoco, the most common ailments include acute respiratory infections, pneumonia, lower respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, respiratory tuberculosis, body injuries, and other hypertensive disorders.

In a recent radio briefing, Duldoco highlighted that nearly half of these cases are tied to lifestyle choices.

“Many of these illnesses are preventable with simple daily habits—proper nutrition, hydration, exercise, and avoiding vices like smoking and excess drinking,” she said.

Duldoco advised residents to follow the Pinggang Pinoy nutrition guide and drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water daily to stay healthy.

The PHO is also ramping up its mental health initiatives, particularly for the youth. Peer support groups will be trained to act as first-line listeners and community educators, helping adolescents manage stress and recognize early warning signs before issues escalate into crises.

“Equipping young people with stress management skills not only prevents breakdowns but builds resilience,” Duldoco stressed, highlighting the link between mental and physical wellness.

City and provincial officials say these programs are part of a larger push to strengthen community health across Antique, making wellness a cornerstone for sustainable development and improving quality of life for all residents.IMT

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She warned that mining threatens the province’s cultural heritage, sustainable livelihoods, natural resources, and public health.

“Antique’s true wealth lies in its people, culture, and environment. Mining activities will disrupt livelihoods, destroy natural habitats, and risk the cultural legacy that Antiqueños have preserved for generations,” said Legarda.

The senator from Antique cited recent landslides and soil erosion from over-quarrying, which caused fatalities, displacement, and farmland destruction. 

Expanding mining in upland areas, she added, would worsen deforestation and soil degradation, increasing disaster risks.

Antique is home to two protected areas under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act of 2018: the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park and Sibalom Natural Park. 

These safeguard biodiversity, provide water sources, and support agriculture and eco-tourism—industries that Legarda argued are essential to the province’s economy.

“Our economy thrives on agriculture, fisheries, and eco-tourism–industries that are sustainable and rooted in our culture and identity as Antiqueños,” according to Legarda.

“We do not need mining to fuel growth. Instead, we should invest in enhancing these industries to create jobs and improve lives without destroying and risking our environment.”IMT

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San Jose de Buenavista Municipal Economic Enterprise and Development Officer (MEEDO) Darcy Bungay said he received information from meat vendors about their difficulty buying live hogs.

“There used to be an average of 30 to 35 heads of swine being slaughtered daily, but for now there are already only about 19-21 heads.”

The limited supply of the meat product caused the increase in the selling price from P200 to P220 per kilogram when the when ASF case was first confirmed on June 29, 2023, to P240 to P250 per kilogram.Bungay said that farmers might have rushed in slaughtering their swine upon learning of the positive case in the municipality before they get infected by the animal disease.

“Pork has become scarce because of the many ASF hotspots already,” he added.

The MEED officer said that they are looking at the possibility of buying live hogs from municipalities that are still free from ASF to meet the demand of consumers if they could no longer find stocks in San Jose.

The Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) recorded a total of 46 hog mortalities from 17 barangays as of July 10, 2023.PNA

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The completion of the maiden voyage of M/V Maria Estrella del Mar, a commercial passenger-cargo vessel, has paved the way for the resumption of the Antique province to Cuyo, Palawan route.

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