The proposed P10-billion onsite development project of a Singapore-based investor which includes the construction of a five-star hotel, seaport and airport in Sicogon Island in Carles town will start next month.

Edmund Sarrosa, vice president of Sicogon Development Corporation (Sideco) said the project will be a joint venture between them, as the land owner and a foreign investor as developer.

He said the development will cover the 918-hectare property in three villages of Buaya, San Fernando and Alipata.

As agreed by both parties during the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), Sarrosa said they will be in-charge of inland development, management, manpower and security, among others while the investor will develop all the needed facilities.

“We assure our people that we will protect this environment despite the development. This project is being covered by a MOA which will protect our island against possible abuses,” he said.

Sarrosa said the five-star hotel will be erected at Brgy. Buaya while the seaport and airport with 1,500-meter runway will be located in San Fernando and a little part of Alipata.

The airport could cater to 60 aircrafts which are either six-seaters or regular airplanes, he said.

TOURIST ZONE

The island was already declared as a tourist destination zone by former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1976.

Six months ago, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Iloilo concurred the municipal ordinance passed by the Municipality of Carles declaring the whole 334 hectares of Sicogon Island as a tourist destination zone.

Sarrosa hopes that with this development, Sicogon Island will revive its glory 38 years ago when the island was opened for local and foreign tourists especially those from Europe and Asia.

He said it was just closed after the peace and order situation of the country deteriorated during Martial Law.

“This project is a big boost to our tourism and at the same time will promote the name of Iloilo,” he said.

Meanwhile, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. said the project is already a breakthrough for this will make the island one of the tourist destinations in northern Iloilo that could rival Boracay Island.

PRIORITY

Sarrosa said residents living within the affected villages will be prioritized. He said they are also willing to build a training center for their personnel so that they will be equipped with skills that are suited to the needed qualifications.

He said the 956 affected residents including 200 families covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) will be given houses and livelihood assistance before they will be relocated.

Other affected families who are members of the Federation of Sicogon Fisherfolk and Farmers Association (FESSIFA) will also be given livelihood.*