TAMBALIZA ISLAND

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.