PTA formally turns over Hundred Islands to Alaminos

ALAMINOS CITY — Finally after 65 years, Alaminos City can now claim ownership of the world-famous Hundred Islands, which the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) formally turned over to the city government in a festive ceremony at the Lucap wharf here last Thursday morning.

In his speech, Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza said, "After 65 long years of dreaming, after 65 years of aspiring to have the 100 islands part of the city of Alaminos, finally Executive Order No. 436 was signed, giving full authority, control and supervision of the 100 islands for the first time, not (only) to the city of Alaminos but to the people of Alaminos."

Braganza was referring to the EO which President Arroyo signed last June 22, transferring the management, administration and maintenance of the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) from the PTA to the city government.

Braganza thanked the President, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, PTA general manager Robert Dean Barbers, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Mike Defensor and officials of other different agencies, who made Alaminos’ dream a reality.

"Malaki pong karangalan para sa atin ito. Malaki rin pong responsibilidad ang kapalit ng tiwala na ibinigay n’yo po sa amin (This is a big honor for us. There is also a big responsibility in exchange for the trust you gave us)," Braganza said.

With the formal turnover, Braganza said the 3,000 families living in the city’s coastal barangays would now directly benefit from the tourism industry.

For his part, Barbers said, "I’m very glad that finally you will prove to the whole Philippines and to the whole world that the people of the city of Alaminos can take care of their own."

Saying that some quarters were against the turnover of a national treasure to the local government, Barbers challenged the Alaminos folk to prove them wrong.

"Kailangan ipakita natin na sa dinami-dami ng nagbabawal at nagsasabing huwag ibigay sa isang pulitiko o sa isang local official ang isang national treasure, ipakita natin na nagkakamali sila dito sa Pangasinan, sa city of Alaminos (Many are saying we should not entrust a national treasure to a politician or a local government, thus we have to prove them wrong here in Pangasinan, in the city of Alaminos)," Barbers said.

In 1937, President Manuel Quezon visited Alaminos and appointed Dr. Gonzalo Montemayor, then the provincial health officer, to oversee the development of the Hundred Islands.

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 667 dated Jan. 18, 1940, the Hundred Islands National Park was established.

Republic Act No. 3655, dated June 22, 1962, created the Hundred Islands Conservation and Development Authority (HICDA) for the conservation, development and management of the national park.

The Hundred Islands National Park, which includes Lucap Bay, was transferred from the HICDA to the PTA by virtue of Section 35 of Presidential Decree No. 564.

Under President Arroyo’s EO 436, the administration, management, maintenance and operation of the entire Hundred Islands National Park (as delineated under Proclamation No. 667 dated Jan. 18, 1940), the Tourist Zone and Marine Reserve (under Presidential Proclamation No. 2183 dated April 27, 1982), and certain parcels of land (under Presidential Proclamation No. 2237 dated Nov. 6, 1982), including all facilities and improvements, are transferred to the Alaminos City government.      

Since the Hundred Islands National Park has been declared a protected area under Republic Act No. 7586, or the NIPAS Act of 1992, the city government must coordinate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in preparing management plans, as mandated by RA 7586, the executive order states.

The Department of Tourism, PTA and DENR will continue to provide promotional support and technical assistance for the operation and further development of the national park and foreshore area.     

Meanwhile, Braganza declared one of the islands President Diosdado Macapagal Island in honor of Mrs. Arroyo’s late father.

During the turnover ceremony, a scale model of an Olympic-sized swimming pool, which the PTA is donating to the city government, was presented.

A food court and pasalubong center were also unveiled, while a check for P700,000 and 10 kayaks were turned over to city officials as part of the DENR-DOT-New Zealand Aid for the development and promotion of the national park as an ecotourism destination.

The Hundred Islands National Park attracts 100,000 local and foreign visitors every year. Braganza is targeting the increase of this number to 150,000 to 200,000 yearly.