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Concepcion - "Unspoiled, exotic and bewitching. These are some remarkable characteristics of Concepcion. There are mountains to conquer, seas to explore and beaches to enjoy for those who seeks adventure, repose and diversion."
Unspoiled, exotic and bewitching. These are some remarkable characteristics of Concepcion. There are mountains to conquer, seas to explore and beaches to enjoy for those who seeks adventure, repose and diversion.
The Islands is known to the following names:
Maestre de Campo or Martin Goite's Master of Camp where Gen. Miguel Lopez de Legaspi sought his asylum when trapped by a stormy weather while on his way to Manila. Sibale, a misinformation gathered by a Spanish soldier after asking an appropriate cognizant of the natural beauty of the place that attracted both local and foreign tourist. A name given by a Spanish clergy who was then assigned as Parish Priest of Banton under which Sibale was religiously attached. History recounts that the image of the Immaculate Concepcion presently enthroned in the Concepcion Parish Church is a personal belonging of Don Salvador Robleado, a Spanish Encomendero. Grantee of the island of Maestre de Campo (Feif)
The island had a glorious and historical past. It had become a settings of aerial and naval battle. Deep under its seas sunk the pround Yamato of Japan (Sino-American War). Records bear out that only three key leaders of the country had ever set foot in the island of Sibale. President Diosdado Macapagal, Senator Ernesto Maceda and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Aspiring leaders dedicatedly labored for its economic and Social Upheaval. God willing, a total development of the town will materialize.
Sibale Island is three hours by pumpboat from Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, By sailboat, depending on the wind direction, a day is the most. From Manila, it will take a day travel as it takes busses inland and ferry boats between islands. There are no airports in the island but sea planes can land in the Concepcion Bay and helicopters in the town plaza.
It is among the 7,000 islands of the Philippines situated east of Oriental Mindoro, southwest of Marinduque and north of Romblon. The 1,981.0956 hectures island is scalloped by white sand beaches.
Concepcion has a total land area of 1,981.0965 hectares. The island interior is jagged and forested, with caves, clear rivers, unique rock formations and hills that offer breathtaking views. Every Barangay has its own cove and wholesome white sand beaches ideal for swimming and scuba diving. The hilly plains with a distance of some 5 to 9 kilometer point to point easily can invite tourist for walking and mountain climbing. Concepcion has Zamboangita Sandy Loam type of soil.
MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
The mountains and the forest offer mountain trekkers new challenge. The lush foliage will take the breath away from first time mountaineers. The beaches offer wonderful dive spots. Tropical coral reef systems surround the island. Old folk believe they share the forest and coves with enchanted beings.
MT. BANDERAHAN – American soldiers in the early 20th century climbed the island's mountain and planted an American flag. The flagpole, hewed in a big stone, is a landmark sought out by mountain climbers.
Each of the island's nine barangays has its own cove with a palm-fringed white sand beach front. The entire island is ideal for swimming and scuba diving. The island's coast is a divers delight. Notable are the beaches along Tongo point and Banderahan point. The island's interior hills, stretching five to nine kilometer, offer good trails for hiking and climbing. The island hills are also a favorite of motor-cross biking enthusiasts.
TINIGBAN FALLS – The fall site is an exotic rock formation amid lush greenery. An Old Spanish encomendero once built a mansion here, embedding a mirror into a huge rock so he could have a full view of the waterfalls from his bathroom.
MATUDTOD CAVE – Ancient skeletal remains and artifacts were found in this cave.
QUEBRADA – Quebrada beach facing the town of Concepcion scalloping the cove with its white sand and wonderful rock formation.
ECONOMIC PROFILE
Concepcion is an unspolied island paradise now open for investments in eco-tourism and resource-based industries. At preset, about 98% of the island is agricultural, with most areas planted with coconuts, the town's principal product. Coconuts are harvested every quarter of the year, producing approximately one metric ton of copra per hectare. Aside from copra, bananas and other fruits are sold in the markets of neighboring islands and in the nearby province of Oriental Mindoro. Livestock raising - cattle, carabaos, hogs and goats - is a secondary source of income for the residents. Fishing is a year-round activity.
POWER SUPPLY
Concepcion's power needs are being served by the Municipal Electrification Systems, which source their supply limited and demand is low. A power barge, however, is ready to increase power supply to the area.
WATER SUPPLY
Potable water is being delivered directly to the household by the Municipality with a centralized water pump, although some residents have their own well and pump.
COMMUNICATION
Communication sites are available. Public landlines are available through PLDT and Liberty Telephone stations in the town center. A cellphone is operational in the area because of a cellsite in the nearby Mindoro Oriental.
TRANSPORTATION
The Municipality is now accessible by water transportation. The only regular trip is going to Pinamalayan Oriental Mindoro being the nearest municipality. Motorcycle is the prevalent mode of transportation in the island. However, considering the terrain and the road condition, most of the riding public prefers the motorized banca as a safe and convenient transportation. All barangays, except Barangay Dalajican Poblado, are accessible by motorbancas.
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Coconut Oil Mill production
Aqua marine culture
Seaweed culture
Livestock activities
Dry-docking
HOW TO GET THERE
MANILA-TABLAS-CONCEPCION
From the ports of San Agustin or Odiongan, on Tablas Island, pumpboats take passenger on the four-hour trip to Sibaley Island. Big shipping lines in Manila and Batangas regularly service the Tablas Island and Romblon ports.
BATANGAS-MINDORO-CONCEPCION
The easier route to Concepcion is actually via Oriental Mindoro province. It is only 19 miles or 30-minutes away by pumpboat from the Pinamalayan town pier, an hour's ride from the Mindoro resort town of Puerto Galera. There are fast craft ferries from the Batangas City pier (two and half-hours south of Manila) that sail directly to Pinamalyan. From here, both regular and special trips are available to Sibaley Island's Concepcion wharf.
LUCENA-CONCEPCION
From Lucena City in southern Luzon, there is one big motorboat plying the Concepcion-Lucena route, basically to transport copra but some passengers are accomodated.
WHERE TO STAY
Municipal Guest House
INFORMATION ASSISTANCE
Municipal Tourism Council
Office of the Municipal Tourism, Romblon
Hon. FABREGAS, MERENCIANO F.
Municipal Mayor
Concepcion, Romblon
Tel. No.: 0981-992035
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