Sicogón is an island in northern Iloilo, Western Visayas, Philippines, situated off the northeast coast of Panay. It is composed of three barangays and falls under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Carles, Iloilo. According to the 2020 census, Sicogon has a population of 4,275 residents.
The island has a total land area of and is managed by Sicogon Island Tourism Estate Corp. (SITEC), a joint venture company of Ayala Land and Sicogon Development Corp. (SIDECO).
Sicogon also offers various activities such as island hopping to nearby Islas de Gigantes, island tour, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, Pontoon boat, hiking, etc.
Etymology
The word
Sicogón comes from the word
cogon, which is a type of grass found abundantly on the island.
History
Early history (1890s to 1919)
In the late 19th century, Sicogon Island was granted to Ynchausti & Co. by the Spanish government through a composition title, which asserted their ownership. In the 1890s, Ynchausti & Co. sold the island to Ramon Fontanet, who later ceded it to
Aniceto Lacson in payment for a debt of P3,000. Lacson's acquisition was formalized through a sale document, despite the absence of key documentation due to the destruction of records during the Philippine Revolution in 1898, when insurgents burned Fontanet'
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Tourism boom and decline (1970s to 1980s)
Sicogon Island was once one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines during the 1970s,
known for its crystal clear waters and long stretch of white sand beach lined with coconut trees.
It gained further renown as a filming location for notable movies such as
Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa (1974). In 1976, Sicogon Island was designated as a tourist destination zone by former President
Ferdinand Marcos.
However, by the 1980s, Sicogon's development has stalled and its popularity faded in favor of the nearby Boracay and other islands in the Philippines.
2013 Typhoon Haiyan
Typhoon Haiyan passed over Sicogon Island (along with the rest of Panay) on November 8, 2013,
damaging fishing boats and nets. Canadian Air Force troops arrived on Sicogon on November 26, bringing medical supplies to the islanders, many of whom were suffering from coughs and colds.
[ "Canadian Air Force brings aid to Iloilo town"]
Modern development (2010s to present)
In June 2012, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Iloilo Province recognized a municipal ordinance declaring Sicogon Island as a tourist destination. This initiative aimed to revive the island's appeal for tourism and facilitate commercial development.
On May 9, 2013, the Sicogon Development Corporation (SIDECO), in partnership with Ayala Land, launched a ₱10-billion development project to transform Sicogon into a world-class tourist destination.[ "Sicogon Island -The Awakening"] The project includes plans for high-end hotels and resorts, a town center, upscale residential developments, an agricultural and resettlement area, a seaport, and the redevelopment of an existing airstrip into an airport.
The development plan faced challenges and controversy, as local residents opposed aspects of the project. This led to conflicts, prompting the town of Carles to deploy an eight-member police force to mediate between developers and residents. Disputes arose particularly over claims of forced relocation from public lands, countered by the developers' assertion of voluntary agreements with residents.[ "More cops sent to Sicogon to defuse tension"]
On November 8, 2014, a pact was signed between SIDECO, Ayala Land, and local residents to move forward with development, emphasizing the goal of establishing Sicogon as an ecotourism destination.
Geography
Sicogon is from
Iloilo City. It is southeast from Calagna-an Island. Other nearby islands include
Canas Island in the north,
Balbagon Island in the east and
Panay mainland in the west.
Tumaguin Island is accessible by foot from Sicogon during low tide. East of the islands is the
Visayan Sea, which is a rich fishing ground and source of livelihood for people living in the region. Sicogon's highest point is Mt. Opao, north-east of barangay Buaya, at .
The summit is accessible by trekking and on the summit the entire coastline that surrounds the island can be seen.
Barangays
Sicogon consists of the following three
barangays:
-
Alipata
-
Buaya
-
San Fernando
Transportation
Air
The
Sicogon Airport is a redeveloped former airstrip that reopened in 2018.
AirSWIFT began operating charter flights between Sicogon and
Manila in 2018.
The airport is situated in Barangay San Fernando.
Sea
Public passenger boats operate daily from Estancia port to the island. The travel typically takes about 45 minutes.
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See also
-
List of islands in the Philippines
External links
