Pact signed to develop Sicogon into tourist destination

AMONG the attractions of Sicogon Island is the nearby smaller Tumaquin Island, which can be reached by wading at low tide to gather all sorts of shells and mollusks. GRACE SIASON / CONTRIBUTOR

ESTANCIA, Iloilo—Plans to develop Sicogon Island into a world-class tourist destination will soon push through after Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) and owners of the island forged a compromise agreement with residents opposing the project.

In a simple ceremony on Nov. 8, leaders of Federation of Sicogon Island Farmers and Fisherfolk Association (Fesiffa) signed the five-page agreement with the joint venture of ALI and Sicogon Development Corp. (Sideco).

National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Joel Rocamora and Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. were among those who witnessed the signing.

The agreement provides the 784 members of Fesiffa residential and agricultural land totaling 70 hectares on the island as well as livelihood and training programs amounting to at least P38 million. Another P76 million will be allocated for construction of amenities and other improvements in the relocation site.

The residents, in turn, have agreed to withdraw their agrarian reform claims over 304 ha of land that is part of Sideco’s 810-ha property.

Hundreds of families have earlier opted to transfer from Sicogon to a relocation site being developed by ALI in Barangay (village) Jolog in Estancia town.

All the parties welcomed the signing of the agreement that ended more than a year of negotiations and heightened disputes between the residents and Sideco.

“This is a milestone,” said Maria Corazon Dizon, ALI vice president and head of business development, commercial business group.

Dizon said development work could start within the first quarter of next year with priority on building an airstrip.

Raul Ramos, Fesiffa president, said they expected to be given priority in employment as stipulated in the agreement.

Edgardo Sarrosa, Sideco president, said the project would boost tourism and the economy not only of northern Iloilo province but Western Visayas as well. He said they envisioned the island to be comparable with and even better than Boracay Island.

Sideco has partnered with ALI to revive the island as a world-class destination that will include the construction of a five-star hotel, seaport and airport.

The 1,160-ha island, part of Carles town, Iloilo, 146 km northeast of Iloilo City, was a top tourist destination in the 1970s because of its white beach even before Boracay Island drew worldwide attention.