Ecotourism of Pandan Antique

 

BUGANG RIVER

Bugang River ranked first among the cleanest inland bodies of water in the region for three consecutive years and eventually won the “Gawad Pangulo sa Kapiligiran” as the cleanest river in the Philippines.
The river is supported by several springs, one of which is the major source of the municipality’s water supply. Moreover, the same river serves as the municipality’s tourist resort whose cool and fresh water provides a soothing and relaxing sensation to many local excursionist and tourists.

MALUMPATI HEALTH SPRING 

Malumpati is a natural haven for peace, swimming and relaxation or even solitude for the Pandananons. Used as a place to beat the summer heat, it is also an ideal hide-away from the hustle and bustle of a busy life. It is a natural swimming pool 20 meters width, 40 meters in length and about 3 to 4 meters deep at the center, crystal-clear water and free flowing from upstream to the shallow end, going down the famous Bugang River. It is a natural pool fed with cool and clear water from the different natural springs of the river. The resort is bounded by lush green vegetation, nature trippers will surely enjoy.

PHAIDON BEACH RESORT

This establishment is a joint venture of Filipino and Austrian investors to promote Pandan eco-tourism. PHAIDON is a Greek language meaning “the soul and roots of every life” and it is also an acronym for Philippine – Austrian Investment Duyong Offenberger – Network.
A white sand beach resort located in Barangay Tingib and a part of Duyong Golden Beach. The resort has a picnic ground and beach volleyball area which is open to the public but with entrance fee.

 BRGY. DUYONG GOLDEN BEACH 

A long stretch of white sand beach from where one could see the panorama of the Duyong Mountain Ranges on the east, the spectacular view of Batbatan Island and the beautiful golden rays of the setting sun on the west.
A part of Duyong Golden Beach is where Phaidon Villas and Resort, a white sand beach resort, is located.
A quiet, wonderful rainforest of the Northwest Panay Peninsula could be viewed at the background of the resort.

History of Pandan Antique

Pandan was founded in 1654 by three pioneers namely Agustin Togon, Agustin Lomayas, and Francisco Javier. They first founded the village at Dalipi, a hilly place north of the present town because there they could see the raiding vintas of the Moros. But as time went on, they found out that the place was not secure for it is far from a thick forest where they could hide in case of the raid. So they transferred the village site to Laguinbanua. There they built a watchtower.

When the more depredations subsided, the people decided to transfer the site near the seacoast, the place where Pandan now stands. Still apprehensive of possible more attacks, the people built another watchtower near the beach. The ruins of the tower are still there today.

During the march of centuries, the town has been the birthplace of illustrious men. Not to exaggerate and to brag on the contributions of Pandan to the social and political make-up of the province, it is safe to say that this little town cannot be behind in culture.

During the Occupation, Pandan Bay had been the focal point in the attack of Japanese forces because it had been the landing place of submarines that brought war supplies to the guerilla forces of Panay, Negros, Luzon and Mindanao. Thus the bay has been known not only in the whole Philippines but in America and Japan just as well, and presumably it is known throughout the world.

The official name of the present municipality of PANDAN, Province of Antique, Panay, Philippine Island was adopted in the year 1654 from the Spanish noun “PAN” meaning bread, and from the demonstrative pronoun in the Visayan “DAN” which in Spanish signifies “Ese” meaning “THAT” The name was acquired by the natives of Pandan in 1654 when the Spanish Colonialists landed in this town and asked from the natives any food they could give. One of the native offered a basket of camote (sweet potato) saying in the local dialect “Dan” (that), pointing to the basket. When the Spaniards took it, he exclaimed “Pan!” So when the natives heard it, they propagated the term, from which the name of the town PANDAN derived.