Oriental Mindoro plans to reclaim 2 islands from Antique

CALAPAN CITY, Philippines – While the Philippines is now locked in a row with China over the Spratly issue, the province of Oriental Mindoro will find itself in a similar situation as it plans to reclaim two islands from Antique.

The provincial government is now reportedly studying all its legal options to reclaim Liwagao and Ngubat, two small but potentially rich islands near the southernmost town of Bulalacao, from Antique.

In a recent session of the provincial board, board member Gideon Abuel, the president of the Philippine Councilors League in the province, said the two islands “rightfully” belong to Oriental Mindoro.

Abuel said, “While the inhabitants of these islands are economically and socially tied to the municipality of Bulalacao, its potential map and political map, however, were erroneously attached to our neighboring province… of Antique.”

Abuel said fishermen from Bulalacao are now barred from “fishing within grounds which are ours before.” 

In 2002, provincial board members raised the issue on Liwagao Island, believed to have high economic and tourism potentials.

The island’s beaches have white sand and crystal clear waters, which can give popular tourist destinations like Boracay and Palawan a run for their money.

Located southeast of Bulalacao town, Liwagao has an area of about 100 hectares, with its northeastern portion thickly covered by coconut and commercial trees. Coconut crabs also abound on the island, which is also a favorite hatching ground of sea turtles. 

Abuel recalled that Liwagao and Ngubat islands were ceded many years ago to Antique, but he said this “has no legal basis.”

“There has never been any act of Congress ceding out (the two islands) to the province of Antique,” he said.

In response to Abuel’s privilege speech, the board’s presiding officer and acting Vice Gov. Patrick de la Rosa, referred the issue to the board’s committee on laws, ordinances and legal matters, chaired by lawyer Abraham Abas, to study the province’s legal options in regaining the two islands.