TAMBALIZA ISLAND

By: Christine Marie D. Bueno

And Janice B. Pido

In the 1600s, a battle took place near Pan de Azucar between

Filipino and Spanish forces. Captain Juan Salagao, who was mayor
of Sugbú at the time, defeated Spanish forces who had come up
from Mindanao, intent on burning down Arevalo and Octóng. The
island possibly contains valuable mineral deposits and is being
studied for mineral extraction, which could possibly destroy the
natural beauty of the island and mountain.

TAMBALIZA ISLAND also known as Pan de Azucar Island is the

largest of all Concepcion islands. Located seven (7) nautical miles
from the town center covers the barangays of Tambaliza,
Macatunao and Taloto-an. It is characterized by cliffs. It is
surrounded by green areas with its centrepiece, Mt. Manaphag or
Mount Pan de Azucar (Spanish for "Sugarloaf") is one of the
mountains and hills worldwide named "Sugarloaf" because of its tall
conical shape resembling an old sugarloaf, categorized as a dead
volcano, rises 572 meters above sea-level. It is ranked 127th
highest mountain in the country according to Peakery Data.

Popular in the area is the Hampangan Rock in Barangay

Tambaliza that offers natural inland picnic grooves and a scenic hike
to its Station of the Cross. Lumpatan Rock in Barangay Macatunao
is ideal for diving and swimming.

Pan de Azucar or the Tambaliza Island is accessible from

Concepcion by boat. There is one public boat trip per day; trips
outside the official schedule are arranged with private boat owners.

These are the options on how to go to the islands of

Concepcion:

1) The cheapest is to take the daily passenger boat, which

leaves at around 10 AM daily from the Concepcion Fish Port. Fare is
Php 35 per person. There is only one trip per boat per day.

2) Head to the Concepcion Tourism Office to arrange for boats

to the islands. Hiring a chartered boat is ideal for large groups of 5
to 10.

3) Contact resorts like Sandbar Island Beach Resort in

Bulubadiangan Island, or Hotel Junbee in mainland Concepcion who
also has cottages in Pan de Azucar Island. They have their own
private boats which can be rented at PhP 1,500 to 2,000 per boat
(small motor boat, up to 4 or 5 capacity), roundtrip from
Concepcion mainland to the resort, excluding island hopping.

There are only a few accommodation options when you’re off

the islands of Concepcion. One is the Sand Island Beach Resort in
Bulubadiangan Island, and Junbee Island Resort in Pan de Azucar
Island. We’ve also seen some visitors who pitched tents in the
island. There is a common toilet and bathroom, the use of which
could be quite challenging if there are a lot of tourists staying in the
resort. Electricity lasts from 6 AM until 10 PM. As for the food,
there were a group of 10 persons staying at the resort at the same
time as us. They have arranged for the food through the resort.
Guests can actually bring or cook their own food but chipping in is
the easier stint.

The annual Tampisaw Festival is held every third week of

April. Tampisaw Festival is an annual event celebrated in the last
week of April aimed at celebrating global day for positive
environmental action. Through this celebration, the municipality of
Concepcion is able to personalize environmental issues and enable
everyone to realize not only their responsibility, but also their power
to become agents for change in support of sustainable and
equitable development.

Sanitary treatment facilities for domestic waste water is a

concern that needs attention in the islands. Untreated waste water
discharged to open canals pose significant risk to people and the
environment.

In conclusion, for tourism to become sustainable, a more

sanitary environment in which both locals and tourists are able to
enjoy the local biodiversity, is imperative. In addition, electricity
should be available for 24hours and since it is one of the most basic
needs today as well as the local government should provide
additional toilet and bathrooms for the tourist. Proper segregation
of garbage should be properly implemented as well.