Years-long agreement transfers 63 hectares of land to Sicogon Island families

Ayala Land formalizes donation for residential and agricultural use under development deal.

A years-long commitment tied to the development of Sicogon Island, an island in northern Iloilo, is finally taking shape, with 63 hectares of residential and agricultural land formally transferred to families who have waited years for housing, livelihood support, and land tenure security.

Ayala Land, through Sicogon Island Tourism Estate Corporation (SITEC), formalized the donation of 30 hectares of residential land and 33 hectares of agricultural land to members of the Federation of Sicogon Island Farmers and Fisherfolk Association (FESIFFA), fulfilling a key commitment under an agreement governing the island’s development.

The transfer gives beneficiary families land for housing and farming, providing greater certainty as they build their communities and livelihoods on the island.

Ayala Land’s development in Sicogon Island is anchored on a planned 1,100-hectare eco-tourism estate, including hospitality developments such as Balay Kogon, Huni Sicogon, and Hatch Sicogon. 

The milestone also highlights a broader issue faced by many communities across the country, where large-scale development projects must balance commercial growth with the interests of existing residents. For beneficiary families, the transfer represents greater certainty over housing and livelihood opportunities, while for developers, it serves as a test of whether long-term commitments made to local communities are ultimately delivered.

SITEC also released the remaining ₱29 million housing fund allocated for home construction.

Since the amended agreement was signed in 2021, the company said it has turned over residential and agricultural land, released ₱38 million in livelihood assistance, and provided a total of ₱256 million for land development and housing construction, supporting the completion of 784 homes covered under the agreement.

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