P300-million nature resort to rise on Mindoro island

MANILA, Philippines – A joint venture between a private real estate company and the municipal government of Pola town in Oriental Mindoro is investing P300 million on a world-class eco-tourism resort on a picturesque and pristine island that is envisioned to be the next Puerto Galera.

Ibayo Island Resort Corp. has entered into a foreshore lease agreement and joint venture with the municipality of Pola to develop the Polakay Island & Adventure Resort on the Kabilang Ibayo Island, also known as Polakay Island.

Roderick A. Ongcarrenceja, president of Ibayo Island Resort, said the world-class facility will be developed in three years.

“Polakay Island & Adventure Resort is envisioned to be an eco-tourism resort highlighting the natural wonders of Kabilang Ibayo Island, including its rich bio-diversity,” Ongcarranceja said. 

Initially, Polakay Island & Adventure Resort will have hotels, villas and clustered cottages totalling 132 rooms targeting nearly 300 guests.

In 2004, Pola Mayor Alex Aranas worked to induce the economic development of his town through the construction of a P30-million bridge connec-ting the Kabilang Ibayo Island to the mainland of Pola, a fourth class coastal town with fishing as the main livelihood of its 31,000 residents. 

On Feb. 14, 2006, President Arroyo pro-claimed a certain por-tion of the Kabilang Ibayo Island as an eco-tourism park by virtue of Proclamation 1002. This island boasts of a more than three-kilo-meter beach front and 400 hectares of mangroves which is home to fireflies and a wide variety of fauna.

“Polakay Island and Adventure Resort will promote not only water sports and adventure but will also showcase the rich local culture, food and cuisine of Oriental Mindoro,” Ongcarranceja said.

The project, will involve the construction of a resort, complete with a clubhouse, a huge infinity pool, indoor/outdoor amenities, parks, gardens, a fishing village, an adventure park, a wakeboarding area, a wildlife sanctuary and mangrove park.

This will be sup-ported by resort infrastructure that will make the is-land ideal for diffe-rent outdoor activi-ties such as adven-ture trips, moun-tain hiking, zip-lines, rock clim-bing, trekking, bird watching, firefly interaction as well as water-based acti-vities such as wake-boarding, kaya-king, diving, snor-keling, wind sur-fing, parasailing, kite boarding, fish-ing, and hiking.

Ibayo Island Resort Corp. commissioned Aidea Philippines, Inc., ranked No. 86 globally in building design, to do the masterplan for the massive 65-hectare property on Kabilang Ibayo Island.

As part of its marketing strategy, the resort will promote nature educational trails highlighting the rich biodiversity on the island as well as water-based activities. The resort will target the local and foreign tourists as well as the huge convention market and the honeymooners.