Sicogon Island residents seek urgent action on 16-year land dispute

By Lucio Gabor

Families, farmers, fisherfolk, homeowners and members of indigenous communities on Sicogon Island in Iloilo are appealing for urgent government intervention to resolve a 16-year land dispute they say has stalled development, undermined livelihoods and left promises of community benefits unfulfilled.

Atty. RC, legal counsel for the affected groups, said residents from three barangays have grown increasingly desperate over unresolved land concerns and the lack of progress in the island’s development, despite its potential as a tourism destination.

“Once, Sicogon showed great potential as a tourist destination. But the past 16 years of lingering legal issues, walang nangyaring development sa isla. Walang hanap-buhay ang mga residente,” Atty. RC said.

At a press conference in Makati on Friday, community leaders Eufemio Alcala of FESIFFA, Rosalita Mahinay of BUFFA and Randy Bernal of USWAGON HOA appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Senate and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to act on their petition seeking the revocation of a land-conversion order covering portions of Sicogon Island in Carles, Iloilo.

At the center of the controversy is a joint venture involving Ayala Land Inc. and Sicogon Island Development Corporation, established through Sicogon Island Tourism Estate Corporation in 2010.

While the partnership envisioned transforming Sicogon into a tourism destination, residents are demanding a transparent accounting of the project's implementation, particularly its commitments involving housing, livelihood opportunities and other community benefits.

“Ang daming pangako sa amin noon, kaya lahat kami pumayag sa partnership pero nawalang parang bula ang lahat,” Alcala said.

The groups stressed that tourism development should not come at the expense of residents whose lives and livelihoods depend on the island's land and natural resources.

They also raised concerns over a legal case involving five residents, calling on authorities to examine the circumstances surrounding the case and ensure that due process is observed.

The community representatives urged the DAR and the Senate to review their petition and pursue a lawful resolution that protects residents' land rights, livelihoods and interests.

“They want concrete action, not another round of unfulfilled appeals,” Atty. RC said.

For Mahinay, 70, the prolonged dispute has taken a heavy toll on her family. She said she continues to struggle to make ends meet through farming, but her efforts have become increasingly difficult because she can no longer cultivate the land she depends on for survival.

Her husband has also been bedridden following a stroke, adding to the family's financial difficulties.

“Ang asawa ko matagal na ring naratay dahil sa stroke. Wala kaming maayos na kabuhayan at ang lupang sinasaka namin ang tangi naming pag-asa,” said Mahinay, who became tearful as she recounted their situation.

For the affected residents, the appeal goes beyond the island's tourism prospects. They are seeking a resolution to the long-running dispute that would allow them to secure their livelihoods, protect their land rights and obtain clarity on the commitments made to their communities.

The community representatives called on the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Senate and concerned local government units (LGUs) to work together toward a fair, transparent and lawful resolution of the long-standing land dispute. They appealed to local officials to listen to the plight of affected families, help facilitate dialogue among the parties involved, and ensure that the concerns of farmers, fisherfolk, homeowners and indigenous community members are heard and addressed.

Beyond resolving the legal issues surrounding the land-conversion order, the residents said they also need concrete assistance to restore their sources of livelihood, secure their homes and gain access to the development opportunities they were promised. They stressed that local government support is crucial in protecting the welfare of vulnerable families who have endured years of uncertainty while waiting for meaningful action on Sicogon Island’s development. The groups urged the concerned authorities to move beyond repeated appeals and provide clear, timely and tangible measures that safeguard the residents’ rights and give their communities a chance to rebuild their livelihoods and look forward to a more secure future.