The Iloilo provincial government inked a partnership with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office of the British Embassy Manila for the delivery of high-impact adaptation projects towards addressing the effects of climate change and strengthening the resilience of the province’s rice sector.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Lloyd Cameron, British Embassy Manila Economic and Climate Counsellor on July 2, 2025 at the Governor’s Boardroom.
The MOU signifies the next phase of collaborative efforts towards seeking private investments to address Iloilo’s pressing concerns in the agriculture sector, particularly on boosting its rice production and advancing irrigation system to counter dry spells.
This partnership started earlier this year when the MoRProGRes Iloilo team led by Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias joined the Adaptation Investment Forum co-organized by the UK Government and the Boston Consulting Group at the SMX Convention Center in Taguig on March 21, 2025.
Iloilo and Negros Occidental were identified as pilot provinces for this initiative of the UK Government focused on private sector investment mobilization towards resilient food and water systems.
This endeavor aligns with the SERBISYO (System Enhancement for Rice to Boost, Increase and Sustain Yield Onwards) Program of the provincial government which aims to increase Iloilo’s rice production to six metric tons per hectare through the use of climate-resilient and high-yielding rice varieties. The program also involves the development of small-scale reservoirs and rehabilitation of existing irrigation projects to improve water supply.
Governor Defensor thanked the British Embassy Manila and Boston Consulting Group for choosing Iloilo as their partner in this initiative. The governor said that as an agricultural province, Iloilo wants to be a front-runner in rice production. Iloilo ranked fifth among the rice producing provinces in the country.
“We are happy to have your assistance and they are very significant. We want to partner with you in the most practical terms. We have a target of six metric tons per hectare and with this partnership, maybe we will be number two rice producing province in the country,” Defensor said.
Mr. Cameron said he looks forward to the success stories of Iloilo as it rises from the challenges of climate change through adaptation initiatives.
“We want to tell Iloilo’s story globally and to showcase this pioneering work of how adaptation is done in agriculture to drive food security, to drive health, and to drive investment. A huge thank you to everyone in your team who have worked with the Boston Consulting Group over the last six months,” Cameron said.
Joining the governor during the MOU signing are Vice Governor Lee Ann Debuque, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, Provincial Planning and Development Office head Valme Lujan, Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Ildefonso Toledo, Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office chief Atty. Cesar Emmanuelle Buyco Jr., Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Cornelio Salinas, Provincial Engineer Romeo Andig, and Provincial Cooperatives Development Office chief Atty. Arturo Cangrejo.
A networking lunch followed at the SP Session Hall with select private stakeholders and potential investors.
The Embassy’s Climate and Environment Team will also conduct site visits of various climate protection initiatives in the province such as the Katungan Eco Park in Leganes, Seaweed Farm in Concepcion and the SMALL Water Impounding System in Lambunao. (Capitol news)