PORT BARTON One of the most popular tourist destinations in Palawan, the village of Port Barton traces its roots to Tagbanua settlements established before the turn of the century. Historical records show that in 1890, the place was called “Itaytay” (meaning unknown) by the 10 tribal families living there. In 1933, loggers arrived and set up camp in town. Afraid of the newcomers, the Tagbanuas fled to the mountains of Bunuangin. Later, a blood pact was forged between the new settlers and the indigenous people to improve relations among residents in the area. Sometime in the 1940s, an Englishman named Col. Burton surveyed the islands. The place was named after him, although the spelling was slightly changed, probably resulting from local pronunciation. In 1961, Port Barton became a barangay of Puerto Princesa. It was one of the barangays transferred to San Vicente when the latter became a municipality in 1972.
An array of tourist resorts lines the white sand beach on the main cove of the barangay proper, its postcard-pretty scenery luring visitors from all over the world. Aside from the coral reefs and unpolluted beaches in the
outlying islands, two waterfalls and a verdant forest also attract jungle trekking enthusiasts. Although logging has diminished much of its forest reserves, Port Barton remains heavily wooded. It is interesting to note that
tourism and commercial logging co-existed in the barangay for many years, making it a rival of San Vicente Poblacion as a hub of commercial activity in the municipality. Scuba diving is popular among tourists. The results of a survey of 32 visitors in Port Barton in 1998 are summarized in Box 4.1. It is noted that the visitors see problems in Port Barton but still want to return.
Port Barton has 13 islands: Albaguen, Cagnipa, Exotic, Capsalay, Inaladuan, Malindog, Bongot, Koyayo, Moraday, Paradise, Cagnipa, Endeavor and Ranged. Passenger jeeps travel from Port Barton to Roxas or Puerto Princesa daily during summer, but the road is often impassable when the rains come in the second half of the year. Logging roads traverse the mountain region of the barangay although many have fallen into disrepair since the concession was closed in 1993. Fishing and tourist boats serve as alternative means of transportation when the road is closed, but are used mostly for island hopping.
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| Port Barton Beach Palawan |
Fishing is the main source of income for 65% of the local population. Almost 400 bancas are found in the area, more than half of them motorized. There are six fish landing areas with buying stations. Most of the fish catch is delivered to Puerto Princesa. Sitios Darapiton and Tugdunen, Dapi, Coroan (TDC) are the main farming areas where rice, coconut, cashew, and other crops are grown. Poultry production and livestock raising augment the income of most families. Mat weaving is a popular cottage industry among women.
SITIOS : Albaguen, Capsalay, Pamoayan, Baybay Daraga, Bunuangin, Darapiton, Naonao, Cata, Villapeña (Queen’s Bay), Matalangao, TDC, Pagdanan, Pagasa, Pagkakaisa, Barongbong, Bigaho, Capisan, Cagnipa, Cata, Puyong
LAND AREA: 22,779.47 hectares
POPULATION: 4,362 individuals in 981 households
LANGUAGES SPOKEN: Waray, Cuyunon, Cebuano, Tagalog, Ilonggo, Ilokano, Agutaynon
MAJOR RELIGIONS: Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Iglesia ni Cristo
MOST COMMON ILLNESSES: Malaria, URTI, diarrhea, pneumonia
SCHOOLS: 3 elementary schools, 1 high school
ORGANIZATIONS: 16 purok and sitio associations, Kapisanan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda sa Purok Pagkakaisa, Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda sa Sitio Pag-asa, Pamuayan Fishermen’s Association, Nagkahiusang mga Gagmayng Mananagat sa Capsalay, Albaguen Small Fishermen’s Association, Samahan
ng mga Maliliit na Mangingisda sa Baybay Daraga, Nagpakabana nga mga Gagmayng Mananagat sa Barongbong, Kapisanan ng mga Mandaragat sa Bunuangin, Pagdanan Fishermen’s Association, Kapunungan sa Lig-ong Kaliwat nga Nagdumala sa Kinaiyahan
HEALTH SERVICES: 4 Health Centers with 1 nurse and 2 midwives
ELECTRICITY: Privately-owned generators serve 60% of all households, most tourist resorts have their own generating sets, while 25% of the population use kerosene lamps.
WATER SUPPLY: Open dug wells, deep wells, hand pumps, rivers and springs, Level III
COMMUNICATION: The barangay has radio contact with the municipal government. El Busero beach resort has VHF facilities connected to the barangay, municipal government, and Puerto Princesa City. Swissipini Resort maintains radio contact with its Puerto Princesa office.
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