AFTER a hiatus of over two decades, Sicogon Island, once the ‘80s playground of the rich and famous, is set for a grand reopening in the third quarter of 2018. The 1,100-hectare island in Carles, Northern Iloilo, was then associated with paragliding, kite surfing and cinematic images of the Philippines’ first Miss Universe Gloria Diaz on its ivory beaches.
It was acquired by Ayala Land in 2013 which envisioned, with its landowner, to transform the idyllic setting into a thriving and inclusive resort community and jump-off point to other beach destinations like the famous Gigantes Group of Islands.
A 45-minute boat ride from Estancia, the nearest port on the Panay mainland, and another 90 minutes from the Roxas City airport, Sicogon has remained off the beaten track. Alternatively, it is a two-and-a-half hour ride from the Iloilo International Airport. But it will stay remote only up to year-end.
Air-SWIFT flights from Manila will soon usher this island paradise to the rest of the country and region.
“By the time, Sicogon Island will have almost 100 rooms including affordable bed and breakfasts to boutique hotels, and more activities like cliff diving, mountain biking and zip-lining from a nearby islet to the main beach,” said Joey Bernardino, group director of sales and marketing.
Ryan Ybañez, general manager of Sicogon Island Tourism Estate Corp., reports that the Sicogon Island Tourism Estate initially tested the market for this destination with a 26-room bed and breakfast name Balay Kogon, which continues to garner positive reviews centered on its attentive service and the island’s natural attractions. The firm is currently focused on putting finishing touches on the airport and jetty port complexes to enhance accessibility. These transport hubs will be part of a town center with a public market, church and commercial spaces built around a five-hectare lagoon surrounded by a boardwalk.
Set for completion within the next few years on another part of the island is a complementary resort town offering dining, retail and other lifestyle options and a range of accommodations from hostels to premier hotels. The first of its boutique resorts is Huni, a homegrown Ayala Land brand named after “the hum of the sea (huni ng dagat)” as captured by the conch shell.
Its 52 rooms will range from the 28 square-meter standard room to the 41 sq. m. family room. Huni will also offer an all-day dining facility, a pool and other basic amenities. The brand will be distinguished by the warm personable service of a bed and breakfast but with the reliable standards of an Ayala brand. A beach resort and hostel for budget travelers are also in the works.
Illustrating a deep respect for the environment, all Sicogon buildings along the beach will be no taller than the surrounding coconut trees, according to Ybañez. Structures will be built at least 40 meters from the highest tide to ensure resilience against typhoons and encourage unimpeded pedestrian traffic. These guidelines were initially tested at Northern Palawan’s Lio Tourism Estate, a 325-hectare community by Ayala Land that is now setting the standards for environmentally friendly developments in the country.
Moreover, Sicogon will also have greenways or landscaped walking paths and a centralized public transport to ensure a pedestrian-oriented community. Its 282 hectares of protected forest, home to 350-meter-high Mt. Opao, will likewise remain a sanctuary for the flora and fauna that now thrive there in line with the island estate’s vision of responsible tourism.PR