Trouble in Paradise Island

For years now, interisland vessels passing by Sicogon Island off Panay could feast their eyes on what used to be a desirable tourist destination. But now, years after, it is the subject of an impending criminal and civil suit.

The reason – thousands of Sicogon Island residents facing eviction are urging the government to resolve peace and order for the once popular tourist destination. And their agitation is for the dismantling of armed goons purportedly terrorizing them. The residents last weekend, on their fifth day of protests, claimed that 100 families voluntarily left Sicogon. They are members of the Sicogon Fisherfolk and Farmers Association (FESSITA). The group reportedly petitioned 335 hectares of the Sicogon Development Corp. (SIDECO) to be covered under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

But businessman Edgardo Sarrosa, president and chair of the SIDECO said he will file criminal and civil suits against those spearheading a march against their alleged displacement from Sicogon in Carlos town.

Sarrosa’s lawyer, Renecio Espiritu, claimed that five foreign investors interested in developing the 1,160 hectares island had pulled out because of the allegations of the marchers.

Espiritu pointed out that Sicogon cannot be covered by CARP because in 1977 then President Ferdinand E. Marcos declared it a priority tourism area, Espiritu stressed.

President Gloria Arroyo, he contended, even told SIDECO to hurry up the development of Sicogon to help decongest Boracay.

The title of Sicogon Island, Sarrosa pointed out, has not been foreclosed by the bank. He said they purchased the island from the Arroyo and Lacson families in 1972.

Sicogon has an area of 1,160 hectares which was a prime tourist destination in the seventies. It was then the sight for passing boat passengers.

It is made up of three barangays – San Fernando, Alipata and Buaya. It is the town of Carloses.

SIDECO reportedly owns 809 hectares or 70 percent of the total land area of what they used to call Paradise Island.

Last month, the protestors claimed, SIDECO issued them an eviction notice, giving them only 15 days to vacate their areas.

Lirio Cordova, community organizer of Panay Rural Organizing for Reform and Social Order (PROGRESO) said about 4,785 people, mostly farmers and fishermen, face dislocation.

The group also accused SIDECO of hiring armed goons to harass residents opposing the project to re-convert Sicogon into a major tourism destination.

Sarrosa denied the allegations, pointing out that all the claims were maliciously made to destroy the goodwill of SIDECO and the plan to revive the multi-million SIDECO Island Complex Resort.

Somehow, sooner or later, the suit must be filed and the court decides on whether SIDECO or the protesters have the right on Sicogon. Meanwhile, the transformation of the island into another major tourist destination is on hold.