Monday, July 6, 2009

El Nido 3 (from Wikipedia)

Demographics

Population Census
1918: 1,789
1990: 18,832
1995: 21,948
2000: 27,029
2007: 30,249

The first town census of 1918 showed El Nido having a population of 1,789. In the period between 1980 and 1990, the population grew up to 18,832. In 2007, more than 30,000 people call El Nido their home.[4][17]

El Nido had an annual growth rate of 3.58% based in the 2000 census.[18] This is relatively higher than the average annual population growth rate for the whole country for the periods 1990 to 2000 and 2000 to 2007, which was only 2.34% and 2.04%.[19]

Ethnic Groups

The original settlers of El Nido were the Tagbanuas and Cuyunons. Throughout the centuries, there has been a constant migration of Tagalogs, Visayans, Bicolanos, Ilocanos, Chinese and Spaniards. There are also a small number of Germans and Koreans. Intermarriage between ethnic and linguistic groups are not uncommon in El Nido.

Languages

The main language is Filipino, which is largely based on Tagalog. In addition, many people are very proficient in English, Visayan languages (Visayan, Cebuano, Kinaray-a, Ilonggo, and Waray), and Bicolano. A small but significant percentage of the population speaks or comprehends Cuyonon, the native dialect of the Cuyo Islands and most parts of Palawan.

Religion

El Nido is predominantly Roman Catholic like the rest of the Philippines. There are 2 parishes inside the municipality: the Parish of Saint Francis of Assissi which covers the western part of El Nido and the Parish of Santa Putenciana which covers the eastern and northern part of El Nido and some islands of Linapacan and Taytay. The said parishes are under the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay.

A small segment of the population belongs to other Christian denominations such as Baptist, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Seventh-day Adventist and other Protestant churches. Recently, there is a growing number of migrants, who are engaged in Islamic faith, from southern Palawan and parts of Mindanao.

Education

El Nido has more than ten public elementary and secondary schools located in most of its barangays. El Nido Central School and El Nido National High School, which are both located at the Población, have the largest facilities and number of students, among these schools. Recently, the Palawan State University opened its El Nido campus in New Ibajay, offering extramural programs and studies.

Economy

The main industries of El Nido are fishing, agriculture and tourism, being a popular diving location. Edible nest-gathering[20] is also an economic activity, although it is relatively seasonal. Coconut, palay,cashew, banana, and mango are its major products.[5]

Transportation

Air

The fastest and most direct way to El Nido is from Manila. The flight takes one hour and fifteen minutes, and lands directly at Lio airport, which is located about 4 kilometers from the Población. There are only two airlines that fly to El Nido, namely South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) and Island Transvoyager Inc. (ITI)[21] ITI is a charter airline that operates as a sister company to the two main resorts on El Nido. SEAIR is a commercial airline with flights from Manila to El Nido, with a stopover in Busuanga.[22]

Roads

The main roads of El Nido are organized around a set of radial and circumferential roads that radiate and circle in and around the town proper and its rural barangays. Its interconnected roads are connected to the major highway that leads Puerto Princesa City, Palawan's capital. Daily Buses and jeepneys depart at San Jose Terminal in Puerto Princesa for El Nido. Tricycles are used for short-distance trips around the town proper.

The 60 km national road between Taytay and El Nido was rehabilitated, and this has helped boost tourism and business activity in the area.[23]

Seaports and piers

The main port in El Nido, which is under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Ports Authority, is located in Buena Suerte (Zone II), although a number of small and accessible wharfs are being used in other rural barangays. A number of ferry and other sea vessels owned by Atienza Shipping Lines and San Nicholas Shipping Lines have regular trips from Manila to El Nido.

Communication

There are no telephone lines that operate in El Nido. Resorts and other tourist facilities use satellite telephone systems, while majority of the population rely on cellular networks Smart Communications and Globe Telecom. There is a telegraph facility at the El Nido Post Office and a public calling office at the town proper.

Public services

The Población area is part of the service areas of electric utility, Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO), a division of the National Power Corporation operating with .423 megawatts of electricity.[24] Other barangays use solar panels and electric generators. The island resorts generate their own electricity. Water services are accessible in protected water tables and facilities. Ten percent (10%) of the population can avail of the Level II Water System, or communal faucet[24], by the municipal government, while majority of them are still dependent on deep wells and natural springs. Internet services is available in few establishments with wireless broadband access.

Medical Facilities

The government-run Rural Health Unit, manned by a doctor and support medical staff, provides health services for the whole municipality. It is capable of providing health services such as minor surgeries, and diagnosis and treatment of common diseases. Patients requiring more complex medical services are either flown to Manila or Puerto Princesa from El Nido or taken to the Taytay District Hospital, which is about 55 kilometers away. Antipyretic, cold and cough medicines, and other over-the-counter medicines as well as a limited supply of prescription drugs are available in El Nido.

Security

In charge of the overall security of El Nido is the multi-sectoral security network composed of the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Army under the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Command in Puerto Princesa, the Philippine National Police Maritime, the Philippine Coastguard, the Provincial Government, the local government units, members of the local community, and the Palawan Tourism Council.[25]

Being the closest municipality to the protected Malampaya gasfield, El Nido serves as the headquarters of the Philippine security force tasked to supplement the local security force already in place in El Nido. This special security force commands personnel, navy vessels, speedboats, and aircraft. The El Nido Resorts, being one of the top tourist destinations in Asia, also maintains an effective unit of security personnel duly licensed by the Philippine National Police Maritime They are in charge of monitoring the activities within the resort areas, as well as conducting day and night patrols and surveillance activities with in the resorts and nearby islands.[10]

Places of Interest

From the towering marble cliffs and enchanting lagoons to its 100[26] white sandy beaches and lush jungle, El Nido is one of the top tourist destinations in Palawan, which is often referred to as the Philippines' Last Frontier.[17] In the November-December 2007 issue of the National Geographic Traveler's magazine, Palawan was chosen as one of the best travel destinations in the world, and particularly, it recommended El Nido and the Calamianes Islands.[27]

Bacuit Bay

The bay is dotted with islands and islets, most of which are inhabited. Its clear blue waters are teeming with marine life. It is home to dugongs, turtles, manta rays, species of fishes, coral reefs, and the occasional whale sharks. There are over 30 dive sites ranging in depth from six to more than thirty meters.[28]

Cadlao Island

It is the largest island in El Nido, occupying a land area of 10.06 square kilometers. Among all islands, it is the closest to town proper and has the highest peak that towers up to 640 meters above sea level. It is known for its white sand beaches, gradually sloping sea floor, hidden lagoons, and nature trails through its lush forest cover. One of these nature trails leads to the charming saltwater Makaamo Lagoon. Surrounded by mangroves, the lagoon is best enjoyed in silence at sunrise or sunset when the birds feed.

There are a number of beaches on Cadlao, including that at Bocal Point, Natnat, and Paradise Beach on the southern side of the island. Sabang Beach in the northeast offers good snorkeling opportunities, though some visitors may recognize it as one of the settings for the Scandinavian TV show Robinson Expedisjonen, the predecessor to Survivor.

Dilumacad Island

This island has a beautiful white sand beach stretching to some 300 meters that is ideal for picnic lunches during island-hopping trips. There is an underwater tunnel at its nothern side and a fringing reef on its southern end. The island is also called Helicopter Island because its limestone cliffs resemble that of a helicopter when it is viewed from a considerable distance.

El Nido Resorts

El Nido Resorts refers to the resorts being operated by the Ten Knots Development Corporation (TKDC), which is owned by the ACC Resorts, Inc. and Nissin Sugar Manufacturing Company, Ltd. (Nissin).[9]

TKDC, the biggest private sector employer in El Nido, cooperates with the Philippine government in environmental conservation and management. At present, TKDC operates in two islands of El Nido namely, the Miniloc Island and the Lagen Island.[9]

The January 2008 issue of international magazine Travel + Leisure, published by the American Express Co. (which partnered with Conservation International), listed "El Nido Resorts" as "conservation-minded places on a mission to protect the local environment." Travel + Leisure’s 20 Favorite Green scored El Nido Resorts' protection of Palawan’s giant clam gardens and the re-introduction of endangered Philippine cockatoos: "8. El Nido Resorts, Philippines: Guest cottages on stilts are set above the crystalline ocean. The resorts are active in both reef and island conservation."[29][30][31]

Activities offered at El Nido Resorts include lagoon tours, cave tours, mangrove river tours, bottom fishing, bird watching, hat making, picnic lunches, sunset cruising, kayaking, windsurfing, hobiecat sailing, snorkeling, diving and, with prior arrangement, dive courses.[32]

Miniloc Island

Miniloc Island, where the first resort in El Nido was established, started as a diving station for Japanese and European tourists.[9] The tranquil turquoise-green waters of its orchid-lined limestone walls Big and Small Lagoons showcases a kaleidoscope of marine life. Scientists believe that these lagoons were actually caves which abound in these islands. The roofs of these caves must have collapsed millions of years ago, and these lagoons have emerged in their stead.[33]

The Miniloc Island Resort, renimiscent of a coastal village, is set in a cove with a backdrop of sheer limestone cliffs. The resort has a total of 50 rooms of varying types accommodations and its facilities include a restaurant located at the clubhouse, a boutique, video room, game area, Pavilion Bar, and a conference room that can accommodate up to 40 persons theater-style and 30 persons classroom-style. It has a complete diving and snorkeling facilities, as well as, kayaks, aqua bikes, windsurf, and hobie cat. The end of the resort's pier is a great place for snorkeling where guests can swim alongside 3-foot long groupers and hundreds of sergeant majors, damsel fish, fusiliers, and other multi-colored tropical fishes.[34]

Lagen Island

The most luxurious exclusive resort in the area is situated in its cove, which is fringed by a lush forest and limestone walls. Its Leta-Leta Cave was an important burial site of the Late Neolithic Age, where a collection of stone and shell artifacts, and sophisticated pottery and nephrite adzes and axes were recovered. Other materials include stone ornaments and shell beads. It was excavated by Dr. Robert Fox in 1965.[4][35]

This island is one of the pitstops of the 5th Season of The Amazing Race.

The island hosts a high diversity of birds including almost all of the species endemic to Palawan. The Lagen trail is one of the best sites for birdwatching, more rewarding during the early morning or towards late afternoon.

The Lagen Island Resort has a total of 51 rooms of varying types of accommodation, a 12 x 25 meter swimming pool, designed with an even depth of 4 feet so as not to touch the roots of trees that lie underneath. Its clubhouse is the air-conditioned main dining area where buffet and a la carte meals are served. On the lower level of the clubhouse are the boutique, game area, library, clinic, and conference room that can accommodate up to 70 persons theater-style and 60 persons classroom-style.[35]

Pangalusian Island

It has one of the widest stretches of powdery white beaches in El Nido, which is very ideal for sun bathing, sunset viewing, and other beach activities. The waters fronting the beach are clusters of coral reefs that make this area a good snorkeling and diving site. A trail located in the middle of the island is a good place for birdwatching, especially during early mornings and late afternoons. The trail ends at the peak of the island and provides and an excellent 360-degree view of the Bacuit Bay and nearby islands.

Vigan Island

Located near Pangulasian Island, it is also referred to as, "Snake Island," because of the fine natural sandspit (s-shaped sandbar) that "snakes" off it shores. The sandspit is clearly visible only when the tide is low. On both sides of the sandspit are shallow swimming areas.

Cudugnon Point

It is an important anthropological site, where jewelry and pottery dating back to the Sung Dynasty (960-1279 BC) were yielded. The anthropologists believe that the cave dwellers were from Borneo, and travelled across the ancient land bridge that connected Palawan from Borneo. The crevices of its cave roof are inhabited by barn swallows and insectivorous bats.

Matinloc Island

Matinloc Island, the longest slim island in El Nido, has a secret beach, which is a pocket of white sand beach at the corner of a sinkhole,[26] that is inaccessible by boat and surrounded by steep rock walls. To reach it, divers must swim underwater through a narrow crevice in a rock wall. At noon, the sun streams in through the opening, allowing a play of light and shadow against its limestone walls. The beach floor drops abruptly.[26] According to local legend, this beach inspired Alex Garland's novel The Beach, which was written while the author was in El Nido.[17]

Aside from the Secret Beach, the island is also famous for the Kulasa Beach, a 100-meter beach strip of fine white sand located at one of its coves. The sea floor surrounding the beach slopes gradually and the water deepens only after about 10 meters.[26]

There are four dive sites around the island with the one at the south tip of Matinloc being the deepest at 39 meters.[26]

Pinasil Island

The island has a cathedral-like cavern accessible by dinghy and kayak. Its cool interior is lit at certain times of the day by sunlight coming through an opening at its peak. This one of important sites for the busyadors or the birds' nest gatherers.

Aberawan River

Aside from its several islands and beaches, tourists can also enjoy a mangrove tour along the Aberawan River where they can watch egrets roost among the mangrove trees at the mouth of the river.[33]

Ille Cave

12,000 years ago, El Nido was inhabited already by humans. Archaeologists found human and animals bones, potteries and even traces of 8,000 year old cremation at Ille Cave. Ille is located at New Ibajay, a 45-minute drive from the town center, and is frequented by tourists.[36]

Población (Town proper)

Balay Tubay

A 70-year old house turned into a bar along Calle Real where paintings and handicrafts of local artists are put on display. Every night, live music is performed there.

Trivia

  • In the game Chrono Cross there is an island with the name El Nido.
  • Actress and FHM Philippines' Sexiest Woman for 2006 and 2007, Katrina Halili, was raised in El Nido and represented the municipality in the Miss Palawan beauty contest, wherein she was short-listed as one of the finalists. She is a descendant of the first Chinese families who migrated to El Nido at the end of the 19th century.
  • The 3rd and 10th seasons of Expedition Robinson, a Swedish version of Survivor, was shot in Cadlao Island in El Nido in 1999 and 2009.
  • Leg 12 of The Amazing Race 5 was shot in the Bacuit Bay of El Nido in 2004.
  • The "Desert-Island Special Challenge" or the episodes 59 and 60 of the 3rd season of the most-outstanding comedy program in South Korea, Muhan Dojeon, was entirely shot in El Nido in 2007.
  • All 10 episodes of the 7th edition of Les Aventuriers de Koh-Lanta, the French franchise of the popular reality American TV show Survivor was entirely shot in El Nido in 2007 and was aired to 7 million viewers in Europe.[37][38]

[edit] References

  1. ^ El Nido: What to Do in the Closest Thing to Paradise.
  2. ^ NSCB:El Nido Income Classification Accessed August 26, 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d Destination: El Nido. Accessed 24, 2008.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k El Nido Tourism. Accessed August 24, 2008.
  5. ^ a b Official Website of the Province of Palawan. Accessed August 28, 2008.
  6. ^ a b c Palawan Council for Sustainable Development: Protected Areas. Accessed September 05, 2008.
  7. ^ History of Palawan. Campersponit website. Accessed January 26, 2009.
  8. ^ a b c UNESCO:El Nido-Taytay Managed Resouce Area. August 26, 2008.
  9. ^ a b c d El Nido Resorts: Brief History of Ten Knots. Accessed August 24, 2008.
  10. ^ a b c d http://perispalawantraveljournal.blogspot.com. Accessed August 26, 2008.
  11. ^ Oil exploration firm sells stake in Cadlao oilfield Accessed September 05, 2008.
  12. ^ Palawan Tourism Council
  13. ^ a b Palawan Council for Sustainable Development: El Nido - Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area. Accessed 26, 2008
  14. ^ a b c El Nido as a Protected Area. Accessed August 24, 2008.
  15. ^ The ceramic corals of El Nido. Accessed September 10, 2008.
  16. ^ a b c d e Philippine Country. Accessed August 25, 2008.
  17. ^ a b c El Nido: Info. Accessed August 24, 2008.
  18. ^ 2000 Census of Population and Housing:Palawan. Accessed August 27, 2008.
  19. ^ Population Census 2007 Press Release. Accessed August 27, 2008
  20. ^ Guardians of the bird nests. Accessed September 05, 2008.
  21. ^ Island Transvoyager Inc.
  22. ^ El Nido: Transportation
  23. ^ Official Website of the Province of Palawan: Infrastructure. Accessed September 10, 2008.
  24. ^ a b Official Website of the Province of Palawan: Public utilities. Accessed August 28, 2008.
  25. ^ Palawan website. Accessed September 10, 2008.
  26. ^ a b c d e Top 10 El Nido's finest beaches. Accessed September 14, 2008.
  27. ^ Palawan listed among the world's best tourist sites. Accessed September 05, 2008.
  28. ^ El Nido: Scuba. Accessed August 24, 2008.
  29. ^ "Lagen, Miniloc resorts win world’s green vote". Manila Standard Today. January 19, 2008.
  30. ^ "The world's greenest hotels, from Switzerland to Sri Lanka". Victoria Times Colonist of Canada. 2008.
  31. ^ El Nido Resorts among the world's 15 green hotels. Accessed September 05, 2008.
  32. ^ El Nido Resorts. Accessed August 24, 2008.
  33. ^ a b El Nido - an eco-friendly paradise. Accessed September 10, 2008.
  34. ^ El Nido Resorts: Miniloc Island Resort. Accessed August 24, 2008.
  35. ^ a b Lagen Island Resort
  36. ^ Uni-tuebingen Homepage. Accessed January 22, 2009.
  37. ^ French TV reality show features Palawan's limestone cliffs. Accessed September 05, 2008.
  38. ^ Palawan lands on list of high-end adventure sites. Accessed September 05, 2008.
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