Philippines I

Woman in a garden holds a long pale green gourd beside a vine trellis.

Sustainable Local Economies

Malay, Philippines

Sustainable Local Economies | Malay

SIP Snapshot

In Malay, the Social Innovation Platform supports the Local Government Unit (LGU) in strengthening its bustling tourism in Boracay and diversity its local economy by building a more inclusive and sustainable local food system. Co-led by the Municipal Government of Malay and UNDP Philippines, the initiative engages farmers, entrepreneurs, civil society, academia, and local officials to undertake deep listening to better understand systemic issues and co-create a portfolio of solutions to empower and support local farmers, facilitate farm-to-market supply chains, and strengthen community ownership. What began as a Covid-19 recovery effort has since evolved into a portfolio-based local economic development model, fostering community-driven innovation and facilitating multi-level governance. Leveraging agri-entrepreneurship and local food production as the key entry points, the initiative addresses the nexus of climate resilience, economic development, and sustainability.

Key Milestones

LGU Multi-stakeholder Group Investment supporting farmers to supply to Boracay market. | 2022
Malay Food Systems Innovation Program (MFSIP) operationalized through Executive Order No.013 series 2023. | 2023
Establishment of the Malay Farmers' Cooperative. | 2024
Ordinance "Farmed in Malay, Served in Boracay" developed. | 2025

Progress and Impact

Informal groups of local producers have been formalized as the Malay Farmers' Cooperative, directly increasing local sales revenues and simplifying legal and transaction processes.
LGU staff and youth were trained in data collection, analysis, and use of digital tools for inclusive governance.

Photograph of diverse people collaborating, placing colorful sticky notes on a wall. — Local stakeholders in Malay co-creating solutions for local food system

UNDP Philippines

City Profile

Malay is a municipality in Aklan province, Western Visayas, Philippines. Home to the world-famous tourism hub— Boracay Island, it serves as a gateway for both domestic and international visitors. With a population of approximately 40,000–50,000, Malay is a bustling community where tourism, farming, and fishing shape daily life for local communities. The local economy is driven by tourism, complemented by agriculture and fisheries. Key infrastructure includes Caticlan Airport, road networks, and ferry services connecting the mainland to Boracay.

Ariel view of Boracay beach

Photo: Pierrick Lemaret

Local Governance Setting

Malay is governed by a municipal mayor, vice mayor, and council under the Province of Aklan. The municipality administers both mainland and island barangays, including Boracay, making coordination across local units essential. Its governance efforts center on balancing tourism growth with environmental protection and community well-being, in close collaboration with national agencies and local stakeholders.

Challenges and Opportunities

Malay faces the challenge of balancing rapid tourism growth with sustainable resource management, particularly in Boracay Island. Pressures on land use, waste management, and local infrastructure continue to test institutional capacity. The local food system struggles with fragmented production, weak market access, and limited capacity for aggregation or value addition—leading to high food imports and missed local economic opportunities. The locals often choose precarious tourism jobs over agriculture, reinforcing cycles of vulnerability. Environmental pressures and unsustainable food sourcing add strain to Boracay’s ecosystem. These challenges reflect gaps in SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals). Without systemic change, the area risks deepening inequality and ecological degradation, undermining both local resilience and long-term sustainability. At the same time, the municipality has strong opportunities to promote green recovery, strengthen local enterprises, and advance participatory governance. Ongoing reforms and partnerships with national agencies and development actors can help ensure that tourism benefits are more inclusive and environmentally sustainable.