Concepcion town in IloIlo, now fast becoming a nature and adventure destination for tourists

The municipality of Concepcion, a coastal town situated some 108 kilometers northeast of Iloilo City, is fast becoming a tourist destination with its white sand bars and 16 component islands as major attractions.

Mario Lazarito, tourism officer of Concepcion, said it is a must for tourists to visit these islands, especially the islands of Bulubadiangan, Ago and Pan de Azucar.

Lazarito said the white sand bars that can only be found in Bulubadiangan and Agho Islands are the ones that attract more tourists.

Agho also boasts of rock cathedral formations overlooking another barangay. It is the only island with bathing areas and with mangrove plantations.

Pan de Azucar, on the other hand, offers a panoramic view because it is sitting at the foot of the Mt. Pan de Azukar.

“Concepcion is a nature and adventure destination. It is not only comparable but it is already like little Boracay,” Lazarito said.

“Based on the regional plan of the Department of Tourism (DOT), they are trying to find alternative destination because the carrying capacity of Boracay is already low and I think, we capture the idea that DOT wants,” he said.

The said coastal town is also one of the destinations that have been identified in the ‘Otso-Otso’ Ecotour of the Panay Island, a community based eco tourism (CBET) that aimed to market Panay as a marketing destination.

The ‘Otso-Otso’ Ecotour is divided into thee circuits where Concepcion is part of the Iloilo Circuit that also include towns of, San Joaquin and Ajuy, which is ideal for cultural and adventure.

The string of eight eco-tours has been considered as the only legitimate CBET in Panay Island. These are also composed of Northwest Panay Peninsula that covers municipalities of Pandan, Antique and Malay and Nabas in Aklan; and the North Panay Circuit composed of Tangalan and Kalibo also in Aklan.

Aside from being a nature and adventure destination, Concepcion also has other attractions and points of interest such as playing host to various endangered and endemic species of plants and animals.

These are the Tabon Bird or scrub fowl that can be found in secluded areas of the town, white-breasted sea eagle that can be found at the summit of Mount Pan de Azucar and Northeastern Tip of Tago Island.

Also, the seven endangered species of giant clams can be found in the territorial waters of the said municipality.

Sightings of ‘dugong’ of sea cow were reported at the Pan de Azucar Island along Tambaliza Area while the presence of sea turtle is reported in secluded areas of the town.

Further, the Sabalo or the mother milkfish has for its natural habitat the waters between the southeastern tip of the Island of Pan de Azucar, northeastern tip of the Island of Tago and western side of the Island of Botlog.

The live coral reef is pegged at 57 percent, according to a 2006 report from the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV).

Lazarito said they have been receiving a lot of inquiries here and abroad about the various destinations in Concepcion.

He added the town has ready packages for those who would like to experience the adventure and fun the town can offer.

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