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PROMISING HIGATANGAN

Mayor Gerard Espina gets to be interviewed by press people during the three-day Summer Festival in the island.
There two women are members of the association, preparing food before the influx of tourists crowd to their place to eat.

 

The future of this scenic island, 45 minutes off by motorboat from the mainland of Naval municipality, lies on its tourism potentials, and the will of the people, local officials, as well as those from the national government, and other stakeholders.

The Summer Festival, held over the long weekend, which was organized by the municipal government, brought great economic opportunities to the locals. Thanks to the leadership of the town – Mayor Gerard Espina !

For instance, the DSWD – funded Mabilib Food Servicing SLPA (Sustainable Livelihood Program Association) has gained much from the promotional campaign.

Its livelihood center, a makeshift eatery, was a come – on for both local and foreign tourists – including two of them from Spain.

The island is abundant with marine life such that it offers fresh catch of fish, cooked the way one wants it to be. There’s the flavorful dish of large shellfish too, named “sa – ao,” steamed and served with soy sauce and lemon.

Even with many food stalls around, that of MABILIB probably, has benefited the most, if not one of the bigger earners. Said Angelica Avelino, the SLP Program Development Officer of the DSWD assigned in the area, the association earned over Php 55, 000.00 for the three – day fun in the island !

The food business was conceptualized year 2015 by the Municipal Sustainable Livelihood Committee, composed of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer, Norma Bacordo, the DSWD’s SLP Provincial Coordinator, Mercedita Ochea, among others.

The beautiful partnership of the local government unit and the national government brought good results.

July of 2015, the association underwent skills training on Cookery (NC II) and was released Php 400, 000.00 as start – up capital from the DSWD. It also got a starter kit.

Avelino told that the fund comes by way of a grant, although the members have to roll back the money, not into the coffers of the DSWD but into the association’s account. Such will serve as their revolving fund in which members can use for emergencies or for other purposes.

Though Higatangan may have its lean days, Avelino stated that the association shall go on with its food venture, even for the sake of community folks.

Fish is not as abundant as when the weather is cold; on hot days, fishes tend to hide underneath, Avelino added. Thus, the group have to prepare meat dishes, instead, at the eatery.

For one, barangays Mabini and Libertad comprising Higatangan (hence, the name, MABILIB), have no “talipapa” or markeplace where one can buy for one’s day-to-day meals. #

Of the 40 members, 12 are beneficiaries of the DSWD’s conditional cash transfer program (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program), and 28 are not.

Higatangan island allures tourists for its shifting 200 – meter sand bar that expands like a giant tongue, gorgeous rock formations, and white beaches.