Pan de Azucar Island gets PHP 10M ecotourism boost
By Mariela Angella Oladive
ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo provincial government is allocating PHP 10 million for the Turista sa Barangay project on Pan de Azucar Island in Concepcion town as the province pushes plans to develop the island into an ecotourism destination.
The allocation will support the planned Pan de Azucar Eco-Tourism Program, with trail development among its initial activities.
Local workers under the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program are clearing and preparing trails connecting the island’s three barangays — Talo-toan, Tambaliza, and Macatunao.
The routes are expected to improve access for visitors, including hikers and motorcycle riders, and open more areas of the island to tourism activities.
Pan de Azucar is known for its natural attractions, including Mount Manaphag, the Lumpatan Rock Formation, and its pristine beaches.
The provincial government also intends the project to generate livelihood opportunities for residents through tourism-related activities.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. is backing the initiative in coordination with the municipal government, barangay officials, and community members.
The PHP 10 million allocation follows an earlier provincial initiative to establish a broader development framework for Pan de Azucar.
In August, provincial officials met with municipal officials and barangay leaders to discuss infrastructure and tourism priorities for the island under the Turista sa Barangay program.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias earlier outlined proposed projects that include a Concepcion Food Hub, a mangrove ecopark, curated tourism circuits, improvements to tourism sites, and a water supply system.
The plan to develop the island gained momentum in April 2025, when Defensor met with stakeholders and representatives of the Save Pan de Azucar Movement on April 15 to discuss the initiative.
On May 5, 2025, village leaders and stakeholders from Tambaliza, Talo-toan, and Macatunao signed a pledge of commitment to support the provincial government’s plan to develop the island as an ecotourism destination.
The consultation identified poor road access, limited water and electricity supply, weak telecommunications, a lack of tourism circuits, and limited community engagement as key challenges on the island.
The Turista sa Barangay program, Defensor’s flagship tourism initiative, seeks to strengthen the role of barangays as focal points for tourism activities in the province.
As trail development continues, visitors are advised to exercise caution on newly developed sections, particularly during wet weather, when some portions may become slippery.
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