Sicogon residents seek secure homes, livelihoods

By Glazyl M. Jopson

CARLES, Iloilo — Residents of Sicogon Island in Carles, Iloilo, are seeking a more secure future for their families as they push for stable homes, recognized land rights, and sustainable livelihoods amid the island’s continuing development.

For 61-year-old Juliet Bandillo, whose life has long been rooted in Sicogon, the island represents not only her home but also the future of her children and grandchildren.

Bandillo said her son, who is about to graduate from an agriculture course, dreams of developing ecotourism and agricultural ventures that would provide income for local families while preserving the island’s natural environment.

In 2010, Sicogon Development Corp. and Ayala Land Inc. entered into a joint venture agreement for the development of the island into a tourism and mixed-use destination.

The project was presented as a source of employment and economic opportunities for residents and agrarian stakeholders.

Before that, the Department of Agrarian Reform issued a notice of coverage over about 809.8736 hectares of land owned by SIDECO, placing the property under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

The DAR later exempted about 475.23 hectares, while the remaining 334.6436 hectares remained subject to CARP coverage, pursuant to SIDECO’s request for exemption.

On Nov. 8, 2014, SIDECO, ALI, and the Federation of Sicogon Island Farmers and Fisherfolk Association executed a Compromise and Framework Agreement.

Under the agreement, affected farmers and residents agreed to withdraw agrarian claims, subject to the fulfillment of various social, relocation, and livelihood commitments.

Under the 2014 agreement, SIDECO and ALI committed to providing 30 hectares for residential relocation, 40 hectares for agricultural land distribution, PHP 38 million for livelihood and training assistance, and PHP 76 million for resettlement infrastructure and amenities.

On Feb. 29, 2016, the DAR approved the conversion of 334.6436 hectares from agricultural use to commercial or tourism use, subject to compliance with imposed conditions, including the full implementation of the agreement.

Bandillo clarified that she is not opposed to the development being undertaken by the Ayala-led consortium in the area.

However, she expressed concern over what she described as the company’s failure to fully comply with previous agreements involving employment opportunities, livelihood programs, and relocation commitments.

“We had agreements, but when it comes to implementing the conditions, what was discussed does not always happen,” she said in a local dialect.

She added that many of the arrangements seem to favor the developer rather than the island residents.

Bandillo, a member of the Buaya Farmers and Fisherfolks Association, said residents have discussed agreements with the developer but often feel they have little freedom in decisions affecting their future.

She emphasized that residents are not trying to compete with large businesses but simply want opportunities to earn a living through small enterprises and community-based tourism.

According to Bandillo, secure housing, livelihood opportunities, and the ability to engage in farming and ecotourism would significantly improve their lives.

“My son is studying agriculture, and our dream is to develop an area where he can apply what he learns,” she said.

For 53-year-old Jocelyn Supetran, residents are still waiting for commitments made years ago to materialize.

“Sadly, many of the promises made to us have not been fulfilled,” Supetran said. “Gina pasalig lang kami nila kada meeting,” she added.

Fishing and farming remain the primary sources of income for many Sicogon residents, and Supetran said they simply want development projects that genuinely benefit the community.

“Kung insakto ila gina storya, makabenipisyo gid ang mga tawo diri” (If what they are saying is true, then the people here should benefit), she said.

Supetran said she has been praying that the land issues would be resolved peacefully.

“We are grateful for those who continue to support us, including the landowner who stand with the community,” she said. “We do not want a bloody dispute. We pray for a peaceful solution.”

For 51-year-old Marita Quibing, a mother of two, security and stability remain the most important concerns.

Quibing said that if the promises are fulfilled, residents would no longer have to worry constantly about where they will live or whether they can build homes for their families.

“We will feel safe,” she added.

On May 20, representatives of Sicogon Island residents filed a petition for partial revocation with the DAR central office covering allocated residential and agricultural areas of BUFFA and FESIFFA.

The petitioners asked the agency to cancel the conversion of former agricultural land into commercial property, citing alleged broken promises by the Ayala-led consortium developing the island.

In a 15-page petition for partial revocation, BUFFA and FESIFFA asked the DAR to identify, segregate, and distribute the contested areas to qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries.

They also asked the DAR to issue a cease-and-desist order preventing further commercial activity on the island while the petition is pending.

The petition covers portions of the 334.6436-hectare property in Barangays Alipata, Buaya, and San Fernando.

The property was allocated for residential relocation, agriculture, and community use under agreements between the communities and developers SIDECO, ALI, and Sicogon Island Tourism Estate Corp.

SITEC is majority-owned by Ayala Hotels and Resorts Corp. at 76.92%, with SIDECO holding 15.58%, ALI holding 5.49%, and the remainder held in smaller or common shares.

The petitioners clarified that they are “not seek[ing] the total revocation of the entire covered property comprising 334.6436 hectares,” but only of “specific residential, agricultural, relocation, and community-use areas expressly allocated and committed to Petitioners.”

The contested areas include 30 hectares of residential relocation land and 32 hectares of agricultural land allocations in Barangays Buaya, Alipata, and San Fernando designated for FESIFFA members.

They also include three hectares of residential relocation land and seven hectares of agricultural land in Buaya for BUFFA.

The groups alleged that the respondents failed to comply with obligations under the 2014 Compromise and Framework Agreement, the 2021 amended agreement, and related agreements tied to the land conversion approval.

The petition alleged that the respondents violated mandatory conditions attached to the conversion order, including the alleged failure to remit the full PHP 32 million livelihood and training fund due to the community.

The groups also claimed that the promised relocation and housing projects remain incomplete.

They also alleged noncompliance with housing subsidy commitments for 784 validated FESIFFA households and failure to provide access roads to agricultural areas allocated for conventional farming.

The filing also cited a March 6, 2019, cease-and-desist order issued by the DAR against the developers over alleged violations and noncompliance.

The order was lifted in October 2019, but the agency “sternly warned” SIDECO and ALI to fully comply with their agreement obligations.

Residents said their ultimate goal is simple: secure housing, recognized land rights, and sustainable livelihoods that would allow future generations of Sicogon families to thrive alongside the island’s development.

They said that once the land is returned to the landowner, he has verbally committed to individually and legally give them their allocated lands.

A dialogue with residents was held Wednesday, May 27, to inform them about issues involving alleged noncompliance with the agreement and other matters related to the island’s development.