The Eleven Islands - pristine and white sand beaches - a future tourist destination in Zamboanga City. (Darwin Wee)
THE ELEVEN ISLANDS (Darwin Wee / 01 Oct) – Once described as a "no man's land"since the declaration by then President Ferdinand Marcos at the height of Moro insurgency in 1970's, the Eleven Islands, located off in the eastern cost of Zamboanga City, are now to undergo a major transformation in a bid to develop the area as an eco-tourism destination.
The local government of Zamboanga City in partnership withnon-government organizations and environmentalist groups are considering the potential of Eleven Islands as the new frontier of the tourism industry.
Viewed from the air, the Eleven Islands are covered with thick greens and dashing white powdery sand beaches, ringed by clear, blue sea. It is panoramic beauty.
It is composed of six big islands and six islets, namely, Bobo with a land area of50 hectares; Cabugan, with 71 hectares; Limbang, with 19 hectares; Sirumon, with 14 hectares; Lampinigan, with 11 hectares; and, Buguias with 10 hectares and the smaller Visa (2 hectares), Baong (3 hectares), Simoandang (5 hectares), Salangan (4 hectares), and Panganacan (5 hectares).
The islands are located some 30 kilometers away from Zamboanga and are scattered over a seven kilometer stretch, fronting the three coastal villages of Panubigan, Lubigan, and Dita.
In a concept paper prepared by the Zamboanga City Planning and Development Office, the project involves the development of the islands into a"primary cluster of tourist destination," jointly showcasing the"Christian and Muslim cultures.
The islands are inhabited by Muslim and Christian fishermen.
"The program aims to foster unity between the Christian and Muslim communities. The integrated tourism circuit planned by City Hall will enable the communities to interact and jointly worktowards making the area an attractive and diversified tourist attraction," assistant planning officer Ofelia E. Despalo told the Mindanao Examiner.
“We have a plan to develop the Eleven Islands into various tourist activity sites, transforming it as flower islands, utilizing the colorful Zamboanga's iconic sailboats called "vinta" as cruiseboats to hop from island to the other,” she said.
The islands are inhabited by Muslim and Christian fishermen.
"The program aims to foster unity between the Christian and Muslim communities. The integrated tourism circuit planned by City Hall will enable the communities to interact and jointly worktowards making the area an attractive and diversified tourist attraction," assistant planning officer Ofelia E. Despalo told the Mindanao Examiner.
“We have a plan to develop the Eleven Islands into various tourist activity sites, transforming it as flower islands, utilizing the colorful Zamboanga's iconic sailboats called "vinta" as cruiseboats to hop from island to the other,” she said.
The water surrounding the islands is ideal for swimming and snorkeling and scuba diving. The islands are also densely vegetated, indicating the high fertility of the soil.
Ms. Despalo said the islets can be connected byhanging bridges.
“The integrated tourism circuit project will also include linking the cluster with the one big island, Sacol Island – located closer to Zamboanga City – with Bolong Beach, located between them, and turning it into a world-class beach resort,” she said.
The short term plan will cover the development of Sacol Island as thebase of the vinta boat cruise and the upgrading of the Bolong Beach. The medium term will involve the development of the 'Flower Islands' and the establishment of the vinta cruise routes from them to Sacol Island.
Ms. Despalo noted that the projects are expected to attract more tourists. She said the project is estimated to cost more than P200 million andwill jointly be implemented by the Department of Tourism, the Philippine Tourism Authority, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Zamboanga City Government and private sectors.
The short term plan will cover the development of Sacol Island as thebase of the vinta boat cruise and the upgrading of the Bolong Beach. The medium term will involve the development of the 'Flower Islands' and the establishment of the vinta cruise routes from them to Sacol Island.
Ms. Despalo noted that the projects are expected to attract more tourists. She said the project is estimated to cost more than P200 million andwill jointly be implemented by the Department of Tourism, the Philippine Tourism Authority, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Zamboanga City Government and private sectors.
James Ali Abdul, area manager of the United Nations' ACT for PeaceProgram, has been helping the residents in the islands in recent years. He said that in order for the project to be successful, the plan must have the strong participation and cooperation of the locals.
"Concerned sectors must prioritize the needs of the people here, such as their health, education, shelter and livelihood," he said.
The ACT for Peace Program allocated P4.5 million for the constructionthere of about 200 houses for the families of former rebels.
"It is an initial assistance in our long-term plan to rebuild the communities that have been deserted off and on for over three decades due to intermittent armed conflict in the area. We have plans to build a health station worth P500,000 and another P500,000 for 'Bantay-Dagat' or ecological preservation efforts," Mr. Abdul added.
Former Moro rebel-turned-village leader Akbari S. Samson expressed gratitude for the new projects from the local government and the ACT for Peace Program.
“In the past, we were always left behind as far as development aid is concerned, now my people are happy that the government and the United Nations are helping us," the 49 year-old Mr. Samson said in a separate interview.
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