The Nabaoy River in the Philippines, Boracay’s lifeline, faces threat from corporate exploitation.

Photo Credit: Andrew Gritzka

The Nabaoy River, flowing gently through the mountains of Aklan, is renowned for its crystal-clear purity, with water so clean it contains very few dissolved minerals, perfect for drinking and sustaining life. Nestled within the Aklan River Watershed Forest Reserve, this meandering river is part of a vital ecosystem of lush forests and towering peaks. But beyond its natural beauty, Nabaoy carries an even greater responsibility: it is the sole freshwater source for Boracay, the world-famous island whose vibrant life and thriving tourism all depend on this hidden lifeline from the mainland.

Surrounding the river are virgin forests that have stood for generations, sheltering countless species. Within this sanctuary, rare and endangered animals such as the Rufous-headed Hornbill and the Visayan Warty Pig still survive, making Nabaoy not just a local treasure but a global one. As the river collects rainfall from the mountains and delivers it to Boracay’s treatment facilities, it quietly secures clean, safe water for residents, visitors, and businesses alike. Every glass of water on Boracay, every shower in its hotels, every drop that keeps life going on the island can be traced back to this single river.

The Nabaoy Watershed is more than just a source of water, it is a lifeline for thousands of people, sustaining farms, communities, and ecosystems. Its rivers and forests provide irrigation for agriculture, clean water for daily use, and protection against floods and drought. For indigenous peoples and local farmers, Nabaoy is not only an ecological treasure but also a cultural and historical heritage passed down through generations.

For Boracay, the stakes could not be higher. Its beaches may bring the tourists, but without the Nabaoy River, there would be no water to drink, no supply for hotels, no life to sustain the island. Protecting Nabaoy is not merely about conservation, it is about survival. The river is more than a water source; it is the thread that ties together people, nature, and the future of Boracay itself. To harm it is to put an entire community, and an entire island, at risk.

The Nabaoy Watershed at Risk from Large Projects and Corporate Interests

A hydroelectric dam proposed by San Miguel Corporation in the Nabaoy Watershed of Malay, Aklan, pretends to be intended to supply power and jobs, but faces strong opposition from residents, Indigenous Ati, and environmental groups led by the Nabaoy Environmental Defenders. At the public consultation, where SMC presented the project, locals and professionals raised concerns that it could endanger Boracay’s main water source, threaten biodiversity, and undermine livelihoods. Scientists note that the watershed holds water only through fractures in solid rock, making it highly fragile; construction could trigger deforestation, erosion, ecological disruption, cultural loss, and irreversible harm.

San Miguel Corporation is proposing a massive 300MW Pumped-Storage Hydropower Plant in the Nabaoy Watershed, the very heart of Boracay Island’s water system and the lifeline of surrounding communities in Malay, Aklan. This watershed is not just a river; it is a delicate natural reservoir, storing rainwater in underground rock formations and releasing it slowly to sustain farms, villages, and the world-famous island of Boracay.

The planned project site overlaps with legally declared protected areas, violating the very spirit of environmental protection laws. Construction will involve tunneling, blasting, and heavy excavation into mountains and river systems. Such activities threaten to destabilize fragile geological structures, disrupt the natural water-holding capacity of the watershed, and accelerate erosion and flooding. Scientists warn that any disturbance to this delicate balance could permanently jeopardize Boracay’s only freshwater source.

Beyond ecological damage, the project threatens the survival of rare and endangered species that call the Nabaoy forests home, such as the Rufous-headed Hornbill and the Visayan Warty Pig. These forests are biodiversity hotspots that cannot be replaced once destroyed.

Equally alarming is the impact on indigenous Ati communities, who have lived in and cared for these lands for generations. The dams would force them off their ancestral lands, severing them from their cultural heritage, sacred sites, and traditional livelihoods. Displacement is not just physical. It erases history, identity, and the right to live in harmony with the land.

Defend Nabaoey, Defend Life: A Call for Justice and Solidarity

The people are not silent. Farmers, Indigenous groups, and advocates have risen to defend Nabaoy, organizing protests, petitions, and grassroots conservation initiatives. They remind us that watersheds are not mere resources to be exploited, they are the foundation of food security, biodiversity, and human survival. Their struggle reflects the broader fight of Filipinos against corruption, exploitation, and state abandonment.

We in Pinay Collection are calling the people, especially our comrades in the diaspora and around the world, to stand with the communities of Nabaoy. Sign this petition https://bit.ly/savenabaoywatershed against San Miguel Corporation's proposed massive hydroelectric dam in the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park (NPPNP).

The fight for Nabaoy is not just local; it is a global call to solidarity. By standing together, we can amplify the voices of frontline communities and demand accountability from those who plunder our resources. To defend Nabaoy is to defend life, sovereignty, and the future of our people.