IN GOD WE TRUST
Agrarian rights vs tourism development... ISLAND FOLKS DEMAND GOVERNMENT ACTION TO SETTLE DISPUTE IN SICOGON
SAVE Sicogon now! Almost two decades of unresolved land concerns have pushed farmers, fisherfolk and homeowners on Sicogon Island to demand government action, challenging authorities to settle a dispute involving agrarian rights and a major tourism development project.
PEOPLE* PLACES* EVENTS
By Danny Simon
10/9/20261 min read
SAVE Sicogon now!
Almost two decades of unresolved land concerns have pushed farmers, fisherfolk and homeowners on Sicogon Island to demand government action, challenging authorities to settle a dispute involving agrarian rights and a major tourism development project.
Community leaders Eufemio Alcala of FESIFFA, Rosalita Mahinay of BUFFA and Randy Bernal of USWAGON HOA appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Senate and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to act on their petition seeking the revocation of a land-conversion order covering portions of Sicogon Island in Carles, Iloilo.
At the center of the controversy is a joint venture involving Ayala Land Inc. and Sicogon Island Development Corporation, established through Sicogon Island Tourism Estate Corporation in 2010.
While the project envisioned transforming Sicogon into a tourism destination, residents are pressing for a transparent accounting of its implementation, particularly its promised housing, livelihood opportunities and community benefits.
The groups insist that tourism-driven development must not sideline the people whose lives and livelihoods are tied to the island.
They also raised alarm over a legal case involving five residents, urging authorities to scrutinize the circumstances and protect due process.
The community representatives called on the DAR and Senate to review their petition and push for a lawful resolution that safeguards land rights, livelihoods and residents’ interests.
THEY voiced out concrete action, not another round of unfulfilled appeals.
SICOGON Island folk leaders demand for immediate government action to settle dispute involving agrarian rights versus major tourism development. (Photo by Abby Pamplona)
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