Development Tourism: Island Garden City of Samal, Davao

There are many nooks and corners to see in the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao, aside from its pristine beaches.

The Penaplata cove & Davao City on the horizon; ctto:Daphne Marante

Kaye at Isla Reta, Talicud Island, Samal, Davao 

          Babu Santa Beach, Samal, Davao;  Models: RN, Princess Urduja, Sheryl Love & moi 

There is a botanical garden in Bandera, one of the highest points of the island which is still unseen by many tourists. Barangay Bandera is literally cool and can potentially be made the vegetable and fruit capital of the island city. And as well, there are bat caves in these parts, aside from the famous Monfort Bat Cave Sanctuary. 

Botanical garden in Barangay Bandera; ctto: Jennifer Cariaga

Samal Island as seen from Lanang, Davao City
There is a beautiful rice valley in Barangay Aumbay which could use proper irrigation especially during dry spells. 

                                          View as seen from our farm in Barangay Bandera 
There is much to say about the political economy of vegetable growing in the island, but for now, let me just say that it is a pity that most vegetables for the island are still being sourced from Davao City.

Based on the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) maps, Samal island has no significant forest cover left. The forest cover in Samal City is down to 2,212 hectares out of a total land area of 30,130 has. The island’s slopeland areas, officially classified as those of a slope between 18% and 40% contain most of all farmers in the island. Based on Samal LGU data: the island is 34 kms long and 15 kms wide & characterized by mountain ranges at the east which is about 532 meters above sea level; the slopeland is about 116 kilometers and next in level from the seashore; forest constitutes only 8.55 % of total land use while agriculture constitutes 82.58 % of total land use.

Most of the people living in the island city are peasants and are mainly dependent on agriculture & fishing.

Because of obvious denudation, the siltation and flood which flows through its riverways to the sea will destroy the marine coral reefs and various marine fishes, if not addressed soon.
Current total population is about 95,874 (NCSB: 2010). Most farmers now cultivating on the slopelands of Samal Island are very poor; also the copra current price has gone to the floor. Farmers who are into grain farms use very few purchased inputs and adopt cultivation techniques which maximize current incomes but destructive in the long term. Which is why agro reforestation is really indicated in the slopelands & watersheds to conserve water and prevent siltation that ultimately drain to the beaches which are important for the island’s tourism industry and for the people’s livelihood.

It is good news that Talicud Islet (an island to watch) which abut the Celebes sea in the Samal group of islands is being developed as an open beach line islet with no barriers between beaches along its circumferential coastal perimeter. A direct sea route using fast boats can be had from Davao City and there will be no need to spend millions for horizontal highways. What the island needs are sea worthy boats and qualified boat crew who will pass the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) requirements, especially that the seas are rough during Southwest monsoons (Habagat).

               Talikud islet overlooking Samal Island headland; ctto:Jun Kong