BALER, Aurora — The shores of Baler set the stage for a landmark gathering on February 3, 2026, as leaders from government, academia, youth groups, and grassroots organizations convened at AMCO Beach Resort for Aurora’s 1st Multi-Stakeholder Conference on climate resiliency. Facilitated by Tanggol Kalikasan, the event served as a strategic platform to confront the growing impacts of climate change and craft unified solutions for the province.
Representing the Municipal Mayor of Baler, Atty. Kristin Elaine Sindac opened the conference with a message of local government commitment. Doc. RB J. Gallego, IEG Coordinator of Aurora State College of Technology - Institute of Environmental Governance, emphasized that the gathering was more than a formal assembly — it was a “collective conversation” aimed at bridging sectors and aligning efforts toward a shared vision of resilience.
Breakout workshops formed the core of the dialogue, with participants grouped into Northern, Central, and Southern Aurora clusters. Discussions surfaced pressing concerns, including soil degradation from synthetic fertilizers, coastal erosion, infrastructure vulnerability, slash-and-burn farming, and the intensifying effects of typhoons and extreme heat on food security. Yet alongside these realities emerged aspirations for organic agriculture, strengthened disaster risk reduction, and community-led environmental stewardship.
The afternoon session highlighted ongoing sustainability initiatives from local government units, national agencies, and youth representatives. A notable presentation from Philippine Coffee Board Inc. demonstrated how climate-smart practices can be integrated into high-value crop production, reinforcing the role of the private sector in environmental action.
The conference concluded with a signing of a Commitment of Support, symbolizing a united pledge to protect the Aurora landscape. As partners were recognized for their contributions to climate action, one message resonated clearly: building resilience in Aurora is a shared responsibility — one that requires collaboration, innovation, and unwavering resolve to secure a sustainable future.