ILOILO CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-6 is the chair of the Regional Ecotourism Committee (REC) in Western Visayas from 2023 to 2026.

The three-year term of the Department of Tourism (DOT)-6 ended this month and DOT-6 Director Crisanta "Krisma" Marlene Rodriguez formally turned over the responsibilities to DENR-6 Director Livino Duran.
The REC is a multi-agency body responsible for creating strategies for a balanced tourism industry that looks into natural conservation in the region comprising of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occiental as well as the highly urbanized cities of Iloilo and Bacolod.
Under the DENR-6’s leadership, Duran assured that tourism and pursuing balance in the environment can ensure that communities will be able to benefit from the livelihood of the natural resources.
Among REC-6’s priority are the eco-tourism loops in Iloilo and Antique.
For Iloilo, the upland site of Seven Cities in Alimodian as well as the Bucari Pine Forest and Campsite in Leon. For Antique, REC-6 identified the Sibalom Natural Park in Sibalom.
Aside from the DENR-6 and DOT-6, the REC also includes the regional offices of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).