ILOILO — A decades-long quest for security turned into celebration on June 18, 2026, as Ayala Land formalized the donation of 63 hectares to the Federation of Sicogon Island Farmers and Fisherfolk Association (FESIFFA). The signing of Deeds of Donation marks a pivotal moment for families who have long awaited a permanent home.
A Historic Day on the Island
Community leaders, officials from the Department of Agrarian Reform, and local government representatives gathered on the island to witness the turnover. The atmosphere blended relief with joy as residents saw their aspirations finally recognized on paper. The ceremony represented more than a legal formality; it was a public acknowledgment of their rightful place on Sicogon.
FESIFFA President Amelia Dela Cruz could barely contain her emotion. “Masaya po kami na natupad na ang matagal naming hinihintay,” she said, her words capturing the collective sigh of a community that had waited years for tangible proof of the promises made. The signing gave a face to the patience and determination of ordinary farmers and fisherfolk.
Land That Promises Shelter and Sustenance
The donation splits into two critical pieces: 30 hectares designated for residential use and 33 hectares for agriculture. The residential lots will anchor future homes, while the farmland secures the primary livelihood of families who depend on the sea and soil. Together, they provide a foundation for both a roof overhead and food on the table.
Simultaneously, Sicogon Island Tourism Estate Corporation (SITEC) released the remaining ₱29 million housing fund balance. This money is earmarked to complete the construction of promised homes, building on the ₱256 million already spent for land development and housing. To date, 784 houses have risen across the island under the agreement.
Cris Zuluaga, Head of Ayala Land Leisure Estates, stressed that the formalization gives beneficiary families greater certainty as they build their communities. The release of funds ensures that the master plan moves from blueprints to occupied dwellings. Each completed house stands as proof that public-private collaboration can yield concrete results.
A Long Road to Trust and Fulfillment
The journey to this milestone was far from smooth. Since the original Compromise and Framework Agreement in 2014, residents had grown weary of unfulfilled pledges. Earlier this year, FESIFFA and the Buaya Farmers and Fisherfolk Association even petitioned to revoke land conversion orders, fearing their needs would again be sidelined.
Those tensions make the June 18 signing all the more significant. The formal donation acknowledges past grievances and demonstrates a renewed commitment to follow through. Michael Andrew M. Sarrosa, President of SIDECO and Vice Chairman of SITEC, described the event as a reflection of years of collaboration with FESIFFA, expressing hope that it benefits future generations.
Strengthening Community Ties for the Future
Beyond land and housing, the agreement has channeled ₱38 million in livelihood assistance, fully released in 2024. This support helps families transition from uncertainty to self-sufficiency, funding small enterprises and skills training. The integrated approach recognizes that a house alone cannot sustain a family without economic opportunity.
The collaboration involves not just Ayala Land and FESIFFA but also the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Sarrosa family, and local government units. As the island continues its careful development as a tourism estate, the hope is that residents become active participants rather than bystanders. The deeds signed on June 18 represent both a destination reached and a new starting line.
