PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—Vice-presidential candidate Senator Francis 'Kiko; Pangilinan promised that he and running mate Vice President Leni Robredo will focus on boosting eco-tourism and sustainable development in Palawan province if they win in the May 2022 polls.

Protecting Palawan is all the more crucial because of climate change, Pangilinan told the crowd during the “Paglaem: Palawan People’s Rally” at the Puerto Princesa Baywalk Park on Wednesday, April 6.

“In behalf of my children who enjoy Palawan’s beauty and our children’s children, I want to preserve the planet and promote eco-tourism and sustainability," he added.

The senator described Palawan as “beautiful,” nothing its limestone cliff, blue seas, coral reefs, and forests that are home to animals and endemic plants.

“Kilala ang Palawan hindi lamang sa bansa pero kung ‘di sa buong mundo (Palawan is known not only in the country but in the whole world). Best in the world ‘ika nga (as they said),” Pangilinan said.

In 2020, Condé Nast Travel rated Palawan as having the fifth finest beach in Asia.

The province was also named the “Best Island in the World” by famous travel publication Travel + Leisure in 2020, making it a four–time winner of the accolade.

Palawan is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, as well as being the Philippines' Cleanest and Greenest Province.

Robredo made the same promise during the grand rally.

“Alam niyo naman po na 'yung lalawigan niyo, napakaganda. Sigurado po ako, proud na proud kayo na mga Palaweño kayo (You know that your province is very beautiful. I am sure you are very proud to be a Palaweño),” she said.

READ: Robredo’s promise to Palaweños: I’ll protect your home

“Pag kami po ni Senator Kiko 'yung inyong tinulungan, ang priority po natin dito talagang proteksyon ng kalikasan (If you decide to help me and Senator Kiko, our priority will be really the protection of the environment),” Robredo added, noting the livelihood that environmental protection will bring to the province.

The Vice President also took the chance to campaign for Pangilinan during the rally.

“Si Senator Kiko po mula 2001, government official na hanggang ngayon, pero ni isang anomaliya, wala pong naidikit sa kanyang pangalan. Malinis na paninilbihan at malinis ang pagiging public servant, 'yun po 'yung gustong sabihin ng gobyernong tapat (Since 2001, Senator Kiko has been a government official and until now has no record of anomaly, there is no issue stuck to his name. Clean service and being a clean public servant, that’s what we mean when we say honest government),” she said.

Pangilinan, a champion of agriculture and the environment, has included the development of tourism and environmental protection in his platform of governance if elected vice president.

According to the senator, agriculture goes hand in hand with environmental protection and natural resource preservation.

As a senator, he has filed 12 other agriculture and environment-related bills, including the law on the single-use plastic ban and rainwater collection, in the 18th Congress.