07/01/2026
Twenty‑five years ago, I principally authored Republic Act No. 8991, the Batanes Protected Area Act of 2000. This measure remains close to my heart for it preserves the province’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, ensuring that the Ivatan legacy continues to inspire generations.
Section 7 of this law affirms the Ivatan people’s ancestral rights, declaring that the lands they have occupied since time immemorial shall never be considered public. These lands are to be governed according to Ivatan customs and traditions as they evolve, presumed communal unless proven otherwise, and titled in accordance with the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act.
For more than three decades, Batanes has stood on UNESCO’s Tentative List for World Heritage Sites, a lasting acknowledgment of its global importance. I am deeply moved that the strength of its people and the significance of their heritage continue to be honored both nationally and internationally. This recognition affirms the vision behind RA 8991 that protecting Batanes is a gift to the world.
