Antique: Senator Loren Legarda reaffirmed on Monday her opposition to proposed mining activities in Antique, as the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Western Visayas (MGB-6) considers classifying the upland towns of Patnongon, San Remigio, Valderrama, and Sibalom as mineral reservations. In a news release, Legarda warned that such projects pose significant risks to the province's cultural heritage, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability. According to Philippines News Agency, Legarda emphasized that Antique's true wealth lies in its people, culture, and environment. She expressed concerns that mining activities would disrupt livelihoods, destroy natural habitats, and risk the cultural legacy that Antiqueños have preserved for generations. By citing the consequences of soil erosion and landslides linked to over-quarrying, Legarda stressed that further mining development would accelerate deforestation and soil degradation, increasing the risk of environmental disasters for local communities. Antique is ho me to two critical protected areas under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act of 2018 - the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park and the Sibalom Natural Park. Legarda highlighted the importance of these areas in maintaining biodiversity, supporting agriculture, and sustaining eco-tourism. She noted that the province's economy thrives on agriculture, fisheries, and eco-tourism, which are industries sustainable and deeply rooted in the culture and identity of the Antiqueños. Instead of mining, Legarda advocated for investments in green technology, sustainable agriculture, and community-based eco-tourism as viable alternatives. She argued that mining does not represent progress, but rather a short-sighted gamble that sacrifices the future of communities for temporary gains. Legarda called for a focus on sustainable development that uplifts livelihoods, protects heritage, and ensures a thriving future for the people of Antique.