ILOILO – The provincial government is urging tourists to explore the province’s many other attractions following the permanent closure of the Sicogon Island tourism estate, assuring that the shutdown of the resort destination will not derail the province’s tourism industry.
Provincial Tourism Officer Aulynn Yue Sin said Iloilo remains rich in tourism assets beyond Sicogon, with mountains, beaches, islands, heritage churches, and cultural destinations capable of attracting both local and foreign visitors.
She admitted that the closure of the Sicogon Island tourism estate was unfortunate, particularly because it represented a major private investment in Iloilo’s tourism sector.
“Ginakasubo man naton kay siempre nami gid man tani nga may ara man kita sang tourism investors amo na kadalagku. But in terms of tourism economy, damo pa kita kaladtoan, damo pa islands sa Northern Iloilo,” Yue Sin said.
The tourism estate, operated by Sicogon Island Tourism Estate Corp. (SITEC) — a joint venture between Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts and Sicogon Development Corp. (SIDECO) — permanently closed its facilities to tourists on June 15.
Yue Sin explained that while the closure would reduce tourist arrivals from Sicogon’s established market, the impact on the province’s overall tourism industry is expected to be limited because the resort had already been gradually scaling down operations since last year.
“Mabuhin-buhinan sia pero may captured market si Sicogon, amo na sia siguro ang mabuhin sa tourist arrivals,” she said.
She emphasized that Iloilo offers a wide range of destinations depending on visitors’ interests.
Adventure travelers can hike the mountains of Tubungan, Igbaras and Leon; beach lovers can visit Northern and Southern Iloilo; while heritage enthusiasts can explore the centuries-old churches and historical sites in Central Iloilo.
The province is targeting 400,000 tourist arrivals this year.
Meanwhile, the provincial government is also moving to assist workers displaced by the resort’s closure. In coordination with the local government of Carles headed by Mayor Arnold Betita II, it has already conducted an inventory of affected workers.
Initial data showed fewer than 50 workers directly lost their jobs following the closure.
The provincial government is coordinating with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to provide assistance through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
At the same time, Iloilo is preparing to implement its “Turista sa Barangay” initiative in partnership with the Carles municipal government.
Under the program, households in island barangays will undergo training to become DOT-accredited homestay operators, allowing local communities to earn directly from tourism.
Yue Sin stressed, however, that participating households must first secure accreditation from the Department of Tourism to ensure their facilities meet standards for accommodating guests.
Reflecting on the Sicogon experience, Yue Sin said the province’s biggest lesson is the importance of maintaining open communication among all stakeholders.
“Communication is always the key between stakeholders. Amo lang gid siguro ang mas maayo and then there’s always a better solution for everything else,” she said./PN
