ILOILO CITY — The Municipality of Libertad in Antique will launch its whale shark watching and coral diving program on 15 July as it seeks to establish itself as a sustainable marine tourism destination in Western Visayas.

The initiative was announced following a meeting among Libertad Vice Mayor Mary Jean Te, Antique Governor Paolo Javier, officials of JKAU Corporation and Korean investors.

During a courtesy visit to Javier, representatives of the municipal government and their private sector partners presented the project, which aims to promote sustainable tourism while showcasing Libertad’s rich marine biodiversity.

The program is also expected to generate livelihood opportunities for local communities by attracting both local and foreign tourists to the town’s coastal attractions.

Javier welcomed the initiative, saying it has the potential to boost Antique’s tourism industry while underscoring the need to protect the province’s marine ecosystems.

He stressed that tourism development must go hand in hand with responsible environmental stewardship to ensure the long-term conservation of Antique’s coastal and marine resources.