TRAVEL GUIDE: SUYAC ISLAND PHILIPPINES
SUYAC ISLAND MANGROVES PROJECT
By Henry Libo-on
By Henry Libo-on
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Suyac Island is a 25-minute boat ride from the port of Old Sagay in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. The port is accessible by public transport from Sagay City proper. Suyac island is known for its 4-hectare mangrove forest.
The boat that will take tourists to the island. It has a 15 person capacity. Fare is P15.00. Suyac Island can be seen from the distance.
Cottages on stilts. The management is improving on its facilities to allow overnight stay in the future.
The port of entry to the island will lead you to the reception area where you will also register. A short orientation about the Suyac Island Mangrove Project will be delivered by Ms. Melanie.
The dockyard with the boats waiting for outgoing visitors.
Tourists arriving at the Suyac Island port.
Here are the facts.
Hundred years old mangrove. Mangrove protects the coastal area from the storm surge. Several typhoons passed by the island of Negros but Suyac Island communities did not suffer much compared to other areas like Ormoc, Tacloban, Antique, and others. The locals think that the Mangrove forest help protects their island.
Mangrove is a small shrub or a tree that grows in the coastal saline or brackish water. (Wikipedia). It is also the term "used for tropical coastal vegetation consisting of such species. Mangroves occur worldwide in the tropics and subtropics, mainly between latitudes 25° N and 25° S. In the year 2000, the area of mangroves was 53,190 square miles (137,760 km²), spanning 118 countries and territories." (bing.com)
According to mangrovesgy.com, there are seven types of mangroves and the three most common types are red, black, and white types.
Several types of mangrove can be found on Suyac Island. They are known by their local names. Melanie, the secretary of SIETA mentioned these types as Bakhaw, Bungalon, and Pagatpat.
"Hugot" lines...lol.
A 10-minute dip can surely beat the summer heat. Photo by Tourist Guide - Pangga.
Tourist Guide "Panga", a member of the SIETAS Community, explains the different types of Mangroves. These types are locally known as Pagatpat (Sonneratiaceae), Bungalon, and Bakhaw (Rhizophoraceae. Tourist Guide "Panga" also mentioned a local specie of Bakhaw Laki, Bakhaw Baye, Tungog Lapis-Lapis, and others. I also see several Talisay trees.
The view of the sea and tallest mangrove on the island. TP took the picture from the Tower that is half finished.
Yup, there is no wifi on the island but you can, indeed, connect with nature for free.
Ms. Melanie had been Secretary of SIETAS, the Suyac Island Eco-Tourism Association. She conducts briefing and orientation to visitors. Members of SIETAS are mostly islanders whose livelihood depend on the bounty of the sea. It is the reason that the local community had to unite in protecting the island.
The local community's continuous Mangrove Tree Planting activity assured them of protection from future typhoon and storm surge.
With support from the local government of Sagay City, the island of Suyac and the SIETAS are assured of a better tomorrow that begins in protecting their coastal areas and the environment.
Here's a set of Rules For Tourists which the islands had been observing through the years, to wit:
1. These centuries-old mangroves are protected through time. Some of these are as old as three hundred years old. Let’s help protect them by not cutting mangroves.
2. Garbage-in, garbage-out is enforced. Please help keep our sea clean and our mangroves healthy.
3. Throwing of garbage including cigarette butts and the like is strictly prohibited.
4. No smoking in almost all of the areas. The smoking area is being provided. Dispose of your cigarette butts properly.
5. Bringing and drinking of liquor are not allowed. This is an eco-tourism site.
6. Please don’t vandalize on any of the structures, trees, etc. Don’t etch anything on the trees. Let’s respect our mangroves.
7. As not to disturb the birds and any other wildlife, the volume of music and voices should not be too loud.
8. Two-piece bathing suit and other indecent attire are not allowed. Please respect the culture and sensibilities of the community.
9. Please don’t use soap, detergent or shampoo while inside the park. These contain harmful chemicals that may cause damage to our mangroves and our marine eco-system.
10. Don’t pick or bring wild plants or vines or any flora and fauna. Let them be as they were. It takes years fro them to grow. Don’t bring with you sand, corals, shells, etc.
11. Don’t harass or kill wildlife such as birds, reptiles, etc.
12. Observe wildlife from a respectful distance.
13. The carrying capacity of this mangrove eco-park is 100 persons.
14. When swimming, make sure you have a buddy. Closely supervise your children while swimming.
15. Don’t go to an undesignated trail. This is for your safety and the environment.
16. Burning is not allowed.
17. Please don’t allow your children or adult to jump from mangrove boardwalk to the water. Pneumatophors or exposed roots may cause danger to you.
18. Please don’t climb in the mangrove trees, uproot or stress them. They are meant to be appreciated and protected.
19. When having picture taking with the century-old mangrove eco-park, make sure you are not putting unnecessary harm on them. Don’t trample. Avoid chipping off part of its trunk. It takes years for them to grow.
20. Please help us ensure that this mangrove eco-park will be sustained and preserved by being a responsible tourist.
21. Prior booking is strongly encouraged. Secure entry slip at the Old Sagay Port Area. The best way to visit is during high tide.
22. Overnight stay at the park is not allowed.
(From Marmar D's post and also based on the Rules posted on a tarpaulin hanging on the reception area.)
The local community's continuous Mangrove Tree Planting activity assured them of protection from future typhoon and storm surge.
With support from the local government of Sagay City, the island of Suyac and the SIETAS are assured of a better tomorrow that begins in protecting their coastal areas and the environment.
Here's a set of Rules For Tourists which the islands had been observing through the years, to wit:
1. These centuries-old mangroves are protected through time. Some of these are as old as three hundred years old. Let’s help protect them by not cutting mangroves.
2. Garbage-in, garbage-out is enforced. Please help keep our sea clean and our mangroves healthy.
3. Throwing of garbage including cigarette butts and the like is strictly prohibited.
4. No smoking in almost all of the areas. The smoking area is being provided. Dispose of your cigarette butts properly.
5. Bringing and drinking of liquor are not allowed. This is an eco-tourism site.
6. Please don’t vandalize on any of the structures, trees, etc. Don’t etch anything on the trees. Let’s respect our mangroves.
7. As not to disturb the birds and any other wildlife, the volume of music and voices should not be too loud.
8. Two-piece bathing suit and other indecent attire are not allowed. Please respect the culture and sensibilities of the community.
9. Please don’t use soap, detergent or shampoo while inside the park. These contain harmful chemicals that may cause damage to our mangroves and our marine eco-system.
10. Don’t pick or bring wild plants or vines or any flora and fauna. Let them be as they were. It takes years fro them to grow. Don’t bring with you sand, corals, shells, etc.
11. Don’t harass or kill wildlife such as birds, reptiles, etc.
12. Observe wildlife from a respectful distance.
13. The carrying capacity of this mangrove eco-park is 100 persons.
14. When swimming, make sure you have a buddy. Closely supervise your children while swimming.
15. Don’t go to an undesignated trail. This is for your safety and the environment.
16. Burning is not allowed.
17. Please don’t allow your children or adult to jump from mangrove boardwalk to the water. Pneumatophors or exposed roots may cause danger to you.
18. Please don’t climb in the mangrove trees, uproot or stress them. They are meant to be appreciated and protected.
19. When having picture taking with the century-old mangrove eco-park, make sure you are not putting unnecessary harm on them. Don’t trample. Avoid chipping off part of its trunk. It takes years for them to grow.
20. Please help us ensure that this mangrove eco-park will be sustained and preserved by being a responsible tourist.
21. Prior booking is strongly encouraged. Secure entry slip at the Old Sagay Port Area. The best way to visit is during high tide.
22. Overnight stay at the park is not allowed.
(From Marmar D's post and also based on the Rules posted on a tarpaulin hanging on the reception area.)
Massage Therapy Cottage.
How To Get There
Your jump-off point is Sagay City. You have to inform the City Tourism Office that you are going to Suyac Island. Then, take the tricycle from the Sagay Bus Terminal that will take you to Old Sagay port. Fare is P10.00. From the port, go straight to the office of Old Sagay Port and pay your terminal fee, then register at the Security Guard's Office and inform them that you are Suyac Island bound. Look for a boat that will take you to the island. Fare is P15.00 per head Just in case that there are no visitors going to the island, you can "pakyaw" or hire the boat for P250.00. Do not forget to tell the boatman to pick you up at the Suyac Port when your time comes to go back to Old Sagay. The process is easy. The port employees are very helpful.
When you come from Bacolod City, go to the Ceres Bus Terminal at Pepsi-Mandalagan. Go to the ticket counter and buy a ticket for Sagay. There are air-con and non-aircon buses. Just make your choice. Travel time is around 2 hours. Then, tell the conductor that you are going down the Sagay Bus Terminal. The moment you arrive there, look for the yellow-colored tricycles that ply the bus terminal to Old Sagay routes.
Just a reminder. Please bring your own mineral water and food. The reception area on the island has a kitchen that can prepare your food. They have a list of available newly catch fish that they can cook for you. Prices start from P300.00 to P400.00. Rice is P100.00 per order.
Actually, if you "pakyaw" the boat you can also go to Carbin Reef after your short visit to Suyac Island. In my case, I stayed longer on the Island. Carbin Reef and other islets will be my next destination, in the near future. By then, I wish to see the other side of the mangrove park. That other side is the community where almost 1,500 people live. There is also a long sandbar. I only knew about that when I was already on the boat on my way to Old Sagay Port. "Sayang" as the locals would call it. Anyway, there is another time. See you again, Suyac Island.
I would like to say "thank you" to the special people who made my trip as easy as possible. Sagay City Tourism Officer, Ms. Helen Arguelles, my fellow blogger, Atty. Eli Gatanela, Ms. Melanie of SIETAS, my guide "Pangga" and the members of Suyac Island Eco-Tourism Association. My sincere thanks to all of you.
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You can also find, on this site, more stories about the following islands:
- Nogas Island, Antique
- Camotes Islands, Cebu
- Malapascua Island, Daan Bantayan, Cebu
- Sipaway Island, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
- Samal Island, Davao de Norte, Mindanao
- Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Mindanao
- Suyac Island, Sagay City, Negros Occidental
- Apo Island, Municipality of Dauin, Negros Oriental
- Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
- Bermuda Islands, Atlantic Ocean (UK)
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All photos by Henry Libo-on of Touristang Pobre.
Updated on 30 October 2017.
Reviewed on October 7, 2022.
TRAVEL GUIDE: SUYAC ISLAND PHILIPPINES
Reviewed by Touristang Pobre
on
2:19:00 PM
Rating:
Reviewed by Touristang Pobre
on
2:19:00 PM
Rating:
Touristang Pobre
Henry L. is the face behind Touristang Pobre. He had been a travel writer for What's On in the Visayas and Mindanao, based in Cebu in the 90's. As a former columnist of the Negros Daily Bulletin, based in his hometown of Bacolod, in the Philippines, he tackled major issues on environment protection and conservation, travel and community development, among others. You can also visit his other sites: http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Touristang-Pinoy and Earthniversity at http://www.earthniversity.com
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