Iloilo - Boracay - Bacolod

Location/Positioning

Iloilo is in the center of the Philippines archipelago. Strategically located 283 statue miles from Manila, it is the gateway to the flourishing region of Western Visayas. It has two cities and 43 municipalities with a total land area of 523,97 hectares. Iloilo is also the cultural, educational, religious, economic, and administrative capital of Region VI. With its rich cultural heritage and history, the province of Iloilo can be positioned as a cultural destination.

Boracay Island is located at the northwestern tip of Panay. It belongs to the Municipality of Malay, Aklan and it is composed of three barangays: Yapak, Manoc-Manoc and Balabag. The best part of the island is its four-kilometer white beach situated at the west coast between Sitio Angol in Barangay Manoc-Manoc and Balabag. Well traveled visitors claim it to be one of Asia's finest beaches. This small island has become the prime destination in the Philippines and it is positioned as a sun-beach and holiday destination.

The City of Bacolod is located at the northern part of Negros Occidental, northwest of Negros Oriental and southeastern part of the province of Iloilo. It is the capital city and entry point to the province of Negros Occidental. Aside from having culture and history, Bacolod City has excellent convention facilities making it a convention destination.

Getting to And Around

Iloilo

By Air
Three major airlines (Philippines Airlines, Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific Air) serve Iloilo daily via direct flights from Manila and back. Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific Air run connecting flights from Davao/General Santos via Cebu to Iloilo.

Other carriers like Asian Spirit, Seair and charter planes are available daily serving Busuanga, El Nido, Taytay, Cuyo and Coron from Manila.

By Sea
There are three (3) major commercial vessels catering to direct route of Manila to Iloilo to the rest of the Visayas and Mindanao.

By Land
Buses, taxis, jeepneys and tricycles are the modes of transport within the city and inter-town connections. Buses provide regular trips from Iloilo City to the rest of the surrounding provinces including trips from Iloilo City to the rest of the surrounding provinces including trips to Manila via the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SNRH) through Roll-on-Roll-off (RoRo).

Boracay

By Air
Boracay is accessible by plane (Philippines Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Asian Spirit and SEA Air) from Manila and Cebu City via Kalibo, Caticlan and the adjacent provinces in Panay Island (Iloilo/Roxas City, Capiz)..

By Sea
The cheaper route when going to Boracay from Manila is by boat to the town of Dumaguit, Batan, New Washington on the north coast of Panay then by public bus or jeepney to Caticlan or by air-conditioned shuttle bus from Kalibo Airport. There is also an alternate route by boat from surrounding islands like Mindoro and Tablas/Romblon.

By Land
Tricycles, motorbikes and multicabs (for hire) are the mode of transport within the island.

Bacolod

By Air
Bacolod can be accessed by three major airline companies (Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines) that also run connecting flights to various parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.

By Sea
Two major sea vessels, the WG & A from Superferry and Negros Navigation Co., ply the route from Manila to Bacolod as well 5 minor commercial vessels that connect it to the rest of the Visayas and Mindanao.

By Land
Buses, taxis, jeepneys and tricycles are the main mode of transport within the city. However, buses provide regular trips from Bacolod and other towns. Centers to the rest of the surrounding provinces.

Tourist Statistics

Visitor Arrivals

Occupancy Rate %

Present Capacities, 2004

Tourist Attractions

Iloilo

• Plaza Libertad
• La Villa de Arevalo
• Jaro District (old houses)
• Jaro Cathedral
• Molo District
• Molo Church
• Miag-ao Church
• Iloilo Golf and Country Club (Santa Barbara)
• San Joaquin Church
• Fort San Pedro
• Museo Iloilo
• Nelly Garden
• Lopez Boathouse
• Garin Farm

Boracay

Famous for its world-class powder-fine, white beaches, the 1,000 hectare island also boasts of a number of natural tourist attractions like the Preserved Dead Forest which is located on the eastern side of the island and the Bat Caves located on the northern end of the island. These caves are dwelling places of thousands of fruit eating bats.

Bacolod

• Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park
• Mambukal Mountain Resort
• Buenos Aires Mountain Resort
• The Quiet Place Farm Resort
• Natures Village Resort
• Lawakon Island
• Jomabo Island Paradise Resort
• Steam Locomotives of Central Azucarera de La Carlota and Silay
• Provincial Capitol Park and Lagoon
• San Sebastian Cathedral
• Negros Museum
• Balay Negrense
• Rafael Salas Nature Park
• Hacienda Luisa Botanical Mountain Resort
• Palmas del Mar Resort
• VMC Golf and Country Club
• Balay Kalamay
  

Tourism Development Directions

Iloilo

The main goal of the sub-sector of Tourism is to make Iloilo City the primary tourist destination and gateway to the Western Visayan Region through the local government unit involving the private sector in all tourism activities an straightening in the process city's tourism-related organizations and support groups.
The Iloilo City government should promote a sustainable tourism industry based on environment-friendly technologies, environmental sanitation, positive Ilonggo values and attitudes and social equity, issue an executive order deploying trained and appropriately uniformed tourist police to protect and assist local and foreign tourists; issue an executive order creating a Tourism TV channel, which will establish linkages and coordination among different agencies, NGOs and GOs in the promotion of tourism; increase tourists' interest in Ilonggo culture, inculcate among Ilonggos the appreciation of local cultural heritage; identify restore, develop and preserve the cultural heritage and historical landmarks; conduct research and development training to ensure sustained interest in the industry; and package and promote Iloilo's heritage and culture through aggressive marketing in local, national and international markets. Another planned development in Iloilo City is the establishment of a one stop shop for the convenience of tourists. Iloilo City is also looking forward to more effective traffic management to lessen the travel time that will allow tourists to maximize their time and visit more interesting places.
For the Iloilo province, there are outlined and proposed major developments. There is a need for expansion and upgrading of existing wharves in the coastal municipalities such as Carles, Estancia, Concepcion, Barotac Vejo, Banate, Dumangas, Ajuy, Guimbal and San Joaquin,. Four major transport facilities and the rehabilitation and expansion of the railways system from Iloilo City to Capiz are proposed to be undertaken. An airport of international standard will accommodate international flights and will increase tourist arrivals. Widening of road network to the new airport is needed from Iloilo City to the new airport.

Boracay

The focus of tourism development will revolve around upgraded infrastructure and efficient utilities, a rehabilitated, protected and nurtured environment and the preservation of the local cultural heritage. Specifically, this involves upgrading the airport, roads, bridges, ports and jetties as well as ensuring that all power, telecommunications and water utilities are operating efficiently. Moreover, the integration and inclusion of environment-friendly measures should be the primary concern of all development initiatives of the Municipality.
The Department of Trade and Industry has endorsed to Malacañang to declare the ecovillage resort operated by Filipino owned Boracay Property Holdings Inc. as a tourism economic zone in anticipation of the increased number of tourists to the Philippines.

Bacolod

Bacolod aims to increase the visitor arrivals by at least 20% annually by positioning Bacolods as the convention city of Western Visayas and a premiere destination for tourism-related sports and special interest/leisure activities. The city also applies marketing strategies to generate more investments to create more tourism related jobs.
The city government also claims to increase the revenue/tax collections for tourism-related establishments to be used for further tourism development. Il also wants to achieve and maintain high quality standards and services for the convenience and satisfaction of visitors and tourists that are visiting the city and the province.
Since Bacolod city and other towns in Negros Occidental have rich historical and cultural attractions, the city also spearheads the development of art and culture to preserve its cultural legacy. It also organizes advocacy programs for environmental awareness and basic value orientation for ecotourism and sustainable programs.

Required Infrastructure Facilities

Iloilo

• Concreting and extension of roads leading to priority destinations
• Clean public restrooms along the hi-way and major thoroughfares
• Communication facilities especially in remote towns with ecotourism potentials
• Upgrading of public/private wharves
• Establishment of additional banking facilities
• Completion of new modern airport of international standard
• Provision and maintenance of tourist transport facilities
• Improvement of land transportation terminals

Boracay

• Improvement/maintenance/completion of the major and alternate wharves in Caticlan and Boracay
• Maintenance of road network leading to Caticlan and Boracay as jump-off to Boracay
• Establishment of additional communication facilities
• Provision of additional emergency facilities and renationalizing of the Boracay Hospital
• Improvement and maintenance of road network within the island
• Improvement of solid waste management system
• Establishment of additional banking facilities
• Establishment of a new and tourist-friendly market facilities in place of the existing ones

Bacolod

• Establishment and upgrading of existing communication facilities
• Establishment of a tourism information counters at entry ports
• Maintenance of road network
• Completion of the Bacolod Airport of international standard
• Provision and maintenance of tourism transport facilities
  

Local Incentives

Iloilo

In addition to the incentives provided by the law, all registered and qualified persons or entity, both foreign and local, who is investing within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Iloilo shall enjoy the following incentives starting from the date of start of actual commercial operation;

• Exemption from local licenses, fees, and dues. A registered enterprise under this ordinance shall be fully exempt from the mayor's permit fees, building permit fees, and other kind of local licenses, fees and dues, except for regulatory fees.
• Reduction of Business Tax. Registered enterprises subject to the period of availment shall be entitled to reduced business taxes based on gross sales or receipts earned or realized during the proceeding calendar year.
  

Boracay

In encouraging, promoting and strengthening economic activities in identified investment priority areas, the Municipal Investment and Incentive Code of Malay, Aklan has provided investors with the following:

Tax Incentives for Registered Enterprises. Under this Code, all newly registered enterprises with a capitalization of not less than 5 million and above and existing enterprises with an additional capitalization of at least three (3) million and above shall be granted the following incentives:

Fiscal Incentives (e.g., mayor's permit, building permit, local clearance and business tax )

• The grant of fiscal is not motu propio hence the grantee shall apply for availment of the aforesaid grants with the appropriate municipal agency.
• Business tax exemption as an incentive shall only be extended to the grantee in the first year of operation.

Non-Fiscal Incentives

• Site selection and conveyance negotiation assistance
• Ones top documentation center/processing of applications
• Labor recruitment and arbitration assistance

Incentives granted to existing enterprises shall apply only to additional capitalization and shall not include previous investments. In no case however, shall privilege to incentives be transferred from one legal grantee to another and shall be enjoyed on one occasion only.

Bacolod

The Bacolod City Investment Code of 2002, among others, states that investors enjoying incentives under E.O. 226, RA 7844, RA 7916, RA 7718 and RA 8289, shall be exempted from the following:

• Payment of building fees, business fees, business sales taxes and other fees and charges imposed by existing City Ordinance. The exemption for business fees, sales taxes and other fees shall be for a minimum period of five (5) years from the date of approved by the Board
• Payment of basic real property tax imposed by existing City Ordinance on improvements, but only for improvements introduced by the investor. In the case of an already existing improvement, the exemption shall apply only to the increase in the assessment because of rehabilitation, adoption, expansion, or introduction of equipment/machineries. The exemption shall be maximum period of five (5) years from the date of approval by the Board.