Iloilo pitches Sicogon fisherfolk museum as tourism lifeline

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. is proposing to transform Sicogon Island in Carles into a “Living Museum of Fisherfolk Tradition,” a community-based tourism initiative that aims to preserve the island’s coastal heritage while creating additional livelihood opportunities for fishing communities.

The proposal was presented during a dialogue with Sicogon barangay leaders, fisherfolk organizations, private sector representatives, investors, and government agencies on July 22 as part of the provincial government’s tourism development agenda.

Defensor said Sicogon is well-suited to pilot the concept because of its unique natural resources and established coastal communities, describing the island as a “laboratory” for the province’s tourism initiatives.

Under the proposed program, visitors would experience traditional fishing practices and the daily life of coastal communities, allowing fisherfolk to earn supplemental income while preserving local culture and traditions.

“We have to accept that traditional fishing, with today’s cost of living, is no longer enough. But if we make it a tourist attraction, that’s already a business,” Defensor said during a recent press conference.

“The Living Museum of Fisherfolk Tradition is still a new concept, because in the northern part of Iloilo, their capital is the beauty of the islands,” he added.

The governor said the initiative also complements the province’s campaign against illegal fishing by providing alternative sources of livelihood for coastal residents.

“We are fighting illegal fishing, and in our experience, suppression is not enough. We need an option. If we cannot make something out of traditional fishing that will add livelihood, we have a problem. So this program is our solution,” he said.

The proposal forms part of the provincial government’s tourism development framework under Executive Order No. 010, or “Fun, Foodie, Friendly sa Kabanwahanan for MoRProGRes,” which seeks to develop local government units as primary hubs for tourism events and activities.

As one of Iloilo’s premier tourist destinations, Sicogon is known for its pristine beaches and scenic coastal landscapes.

Under the program, the provincial government will support the island’s tourism development through investments in essential infrastructure, including water systems, health facilities, road networks, and accommodation facilities.

The province also plans to strengthen partnerships with stakeholders and provide capacity-building programs for local residents.

Defensor said the relocation area in Sicogon offers opportunities for further community development, while the province is studying the expansion of its homestay program to enable more residents to benefit directly from tourism.

“Our barangays are the frontliners. They are the venue for tourism and the point of care for tourists,” he said.

The governor acknowledged that implementing the initiative would require sustained collaboration among stakeholders but expressed confidence that the island’s tourism potential could be maximized.

“It is not easy. It’s only a chance, so we have to make it work,” he stressed.

Defensor also assured stakeholders that the provincial government’s tourism development plans for Sicogon will proceed despite the ongoing dispute involving Ayala Land Inc. and the Sarrosa family.

The dispute stems from the long-running redevelopment of Sicogon led by the Sicogon Island Tourism Estate Corporation, a joint venture involving Ayala Land Inc. and the Sarrosa family’s SIDECO. Tourism operations on the island were suspended in June 2026 after its resorts closed amid unresolved land and livelihood disputes with resident farmer and fisherfolk groups.

The redevelopment traces to a Compromise and Framework Agreement first signed in November 2014, under which the estate corporation committed land donations and a livelihood fund to the island’s farmer and fisherfolk federation. Sicogon, a premier Visayan beach destination before Boracay’s rise, was heavily damaged when Typhoon Yolanda struck Northern Iloilo in 2013.