Copyright © [2006] [Culion, Palawan - jongnono]. All rights reserved. NOBODY can use all these pictures or media without permission.
CULION SPHERE
"Beauty is a key to the mystery"
Saint Augustine who fell in love with beauty and sang its praises, wrote: "Man can live without science, he can live without bread, but without beauty he could no longer live, because there would no longer be anything to do to the world… we are to see a certain vision here, that no eye has seen, nor the heart of man conceived: a vision surpassing all earthly beauty, whether it be that of gold and silver, woods and fields, sea and sky, sun and moon, or stars and angels…
"Beauty pulls us up short, but in so doing it reminds us of our final destiny, it sets us back on our path, fills us with new hope, gives us the courage to live to the full this unique gift of life. It leads us then to grasp the Whole in the fragment, the Infinite in the finite..."
Our journey starts here in what we can recognize as meaningful. It’s like a sphere of history and science, of ecology and the indigenous people; the portrait of an island called Culion. History and science portray the struggle for dignity from its stigma and a kind of discrimination. Historically the Phillipines scientific achievement to eliminate Hansenites or leprosy in 1998 was manifested here in Culion which shares the same dreams and visions starting for a common mission in a quest for true healing and a new identity. Here lies the redemption made by its natural beauty and the mystical spheres. Thanks of course to the ecological reserves and its origin. Beauty!
Culion is an island situated at the northernmost part of Palawan. It belongs to the Calamianes Group of Islands. It has a total land area of 415 square kilometers which includes the 41 surrounding islands and measures 1,191.39 square kilometers including its territorial water. It is bounded on the north by Busuanga Island, on the east by the Coron Reef, on the south by Linapacan Island, and on the west by the South China Sea. Three ecosystems sustain the rich marine life of Culion: mangroves, seagrass, and corals. 17 mangrove species cover the coastline of Culion. 9 seagrass species and 47 coral genera representing 60% of the total genera found in the Philippines are found in Culion. It used to have high density forests with hardwood or “iron trees” like narra, mahogany, molave, kayataw, wasi and ipil.
On June 22, 1988, Congress passed R.A. No. 6659 that authorized qualified residents of Culion Leper Colony to vote for the elective provincial officials of the Province of Palawan. In 1991, Speaker Ramon Mitra and House Representative David Ponce De Leon introduced a house bill for the creation of the Municipality of Culion. On February 12,1992, President Corazon C. Aquino signed Republic Act 7193 creating the Municipality of Culion in the Province of Palawan.
The sudden conversion of Culion into a municipality brings with it problems both internal and external. These are all interconnected with integrity of sustaining each others continues existence. But somehow people began to realize the shift in power and authority from the sanitarium to the municipality. An aftershock of shifting sand or governance.
It’ll give Culion disservice if we will not mention the beautiful Indigenous People or the ‘Calamian Tagbanua’ the original residence of the place, as old as the Philippine history. We simply need a kind of respect to the sacredness of our roots, not only Culion but most of all our motherland itself before the influx of migrants bringing their customs, habits, regional characteristics and even dialects that made the place uniquely heterogeneous population. Not to mention the gaining numbers of its residence.
Through these complex series of events within and without, the past and the present, we can also recount the facts like Divine message of a truly unique gift, chronicled not only in our country but for the whole world that we would like to expressed this great joy of ‘healing’ which lots of people ought to know and must learn against the prejudices and misunderstanding if not ignorance of this so called stigma.. This is the message of the manifestation of dignity.
Today when you hear the word Culion it’ll simply whisper to you a meaningful logo against the backdrop of its past displayed now in our museum. But that scary isolation is now a cool word like “cool-yon” that offers a meaningful journey complimenting with reason and adventure or something you’ll remember the rest of your life. I remember some friends telling me about their tour in many different places, they said go first to the rest of the world and make your last tours in this place and you’ll forget all those places that you've been through, but of course that’s an exaggeration until you encounter the very place by yourself. It's some kind of retreat and communion that can lead you to a garden of wisdom. Many travelers have been in awe of the tranquility of this place because the experienced is not just about the views but most of all the compassionate kindness that one senses of harmony and peace that in the end you'll will find out that this peace is all about right relationship with man and his awareness of the environment in likeness to nature calls. The very reason of Culion's ecological realization and a kind of spiritual journey.
So from here we can now travel around this sphere and discover the whole new world of the place now called the land of a meaningful journey.
My love for this place simply echoes its message that's embedded in every pixels of all these images, just like the trillion trillions of stars in the universe and the innate or universal language that even alien world utters on this magic word beautifully;
i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you till eternity :))
.........
In spite of the regional idiosyncrasies and biases, the people have adapted themselves easily, setting aside regional differences to form a homogenous population bonded by common disease – leprosy, and common destiny – Culion,
sharing same dreams and vision, working for a common mission of finding cure and new identity.
The Philippines achieved elimination of leprosy in 1998. It was one of the first countries to introduce MDT, which made this success possible. We can see the results here on Culion. But the fight against leprosy isn't just a medical fight. Even when cured of the disease,
a person may still struggle against stigma and discrimination.
The history of Culion is the history of this struggle for dignity
Until stigma and discrimination are gone, the fight against leprosy will not be over.
Ignorance and misunderstanding result in prejudice and discriminatory attitudes that remain firmly implanted as custom and tradition.
We call on people all over the world to change their perception and foster an environment in which leprosy patients, cured persons and their families can lead normal lives free from stigma and discrimination...
////
Saint Augustine who fell in love with beauty and sang its praises, wrote: "Man can live without science, he can live without bread, but without beauty he could no longer live, because there would no longer be anything to do to the world… we are to see a certain vision here, that no eye has seen, nor the heart of man conceived: a vision surpassing all earthly beauty, whether it be that of gold and silver, woods and fields, sea and sky, sun and moon, or stars and angels…
"Beauty pulls us up short, but in so doing it reminds us of our final destiny, it sets us back on our path, fills us with new hope, gives us the courage to live to the full this unique gift of life. It leads us then to grasp the Whole in the fragment, the Infinite in the finite..."
Our journey starts here in what we can recognize as meaningful. It’s like a sphere of history and science, of ecology and the indigenous people; the portrait of an island called Culion. History and science portray the struggle for dignity from its stigma and a kind of discrimination. Historically the Phillipines scientific achievement to eliminate Hansenites or leprosy in 1998 was manifested here in Culion which shares the same dreams and visions starting for a common mission in a quest for true healing and a new identity. Here lies the redemption made by its natural beauty and the mystical spheres. Thanks of course to the ecological reserves and its origin. Beauty!
Culion is an island situated at the northernmost part of Palawan. It belongs to the Calamianes Group of Islands. It has a total land area of 415 square kilometers which includes the 41 surrounding islands and measures 1,191.39 square kilometers including its territorial water. It is bounded on the north by Busuanga Island, on the east by the Coron Reef, on the south by Linapacan Island, and on the west by the South China Sea. Three ecosystems sustain the rich marine life of Culion: mangroves, seagrass, and corals. 17 mangrove species cover the coastline of Culion. 9 seagrass species and 47 coral genera representing 60% of the total genera found in the Philippines are found in Culion. It used to have high density forests with hardwood or “iron trees” like narra, mahogany, molave, kayataw, wasi and ipil.
On June 22, 1988, Congress passed R.A. No. 6659 that authorized qualified residents of Culion Leper Colony to vote for the elective provincial officials of the Province of Palawan. In 1991, Speaker Ramon Mitra and House Representative David Ponce De Leon introduced a house bill for the creation of the Municipality of Culion. On February 12,1992, President Corazon C. Aquino signed Republic Act 7193 creating the Municipality of Culion in the Province of Palawan.
The sudden conversion of Culion into a municipality brings with it problems both internal and external. These are all interconnected with integrity of sustaining each others continues existence. But somehow people began to realize the shift in power and authority from the sanitarium to the municipality. An aftershock of shifting sand or governance.
It’ll give Culion disservice if we will not mention the beautiful Indigenous People or the ‘Calamian Tagbanua’ the original residence of the place, as old as the Philippine history. We simply need a kind of respect to the sacredness of our roots, not only Culion but most of all our motherland itself before the influx of migrants bringing their customs, habits, regional characteristics and even dialects that made the place uniquely heterogeneous population. Not to mention the gaining numbers of its residence.
Through these complex series of events within and without, the past and the present, we can also recount the facts like Divine message of a truly unique gift, chronicled not only in our country but for the whole world that we would like to expressed this great joy of ‘healing’ which lots of people ought to know and must learn against the prejudices and misunderstanding if not ignorance of this so called stigma.. This is the message of the manifestation of dignity.
Today when you hear the word Culion it’ll simply whisper to you a meaningful logo against the backdrop of its past displayed now in our museum. But that scary isolation is now a cool word like “cool-yon” that offers a meaningful journey complimenting with reason and adventure or something you’ll remember the rest of your life. I remember some friends telling me about their tour in many different places, they said go first to the rest of the world and make your last tours in this place and you’ll forget all those places that you've been through, but of course that’s an exaggeration until you encounter the very place by yourself. It's some kind of retreat and communion that can lead you to a garden of wisdom. Many travelers have been in awe of the tranquility of this place because the experienced is not just about the views but most of all the compassionate kindness that one senses of harmony and peace that in the end you'll will find out that this peace is all about right relationship with man and his awareness of the environment in likeness to nature calls. The very reason of Culion's ecological realization and a kind of spiritual journey.
So from here we can now travel around this sphere and discover the whole new world of the place now called the land of a meaningful journey.
My love for this place simply echoes its message that's embedded in every pixels of all these images, just like the trillion trillions of stars in the universe and the innate or universal language that even alien world utters on this magic word beautifully;
i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you till eternity :))
.........
In spite of the regional idiosyncrasies and biases, the people have adapted themselves easily, setting aside regional differences to form a homogenous population bonded by common disease – leprosy, and common destiny – Culion,
sharing same dreams and vision, working for a common mission of finding cure and new identity.
The Philippines achieved elimination of leprosy in 1998. It was one of the first countries to introduce MDT, which made this success possible. We can see the results here on Culion. But the fight against leprosy isn't just a medical fight. Even when cured of the disease,
a person may still struggle against stigma and discrimination.
The history of Culion is the history of this struggle for dignity
Until stigma and discrimination are gone, the fight against leprosy will not be over.
Ignorance and misunderstanding result in prejudice and discriminatory attitudes that remain firmly implanted as custom and tradition.
We call on people all over the world to change their perception and foster an environment in which leprosy patients, cured persons and their families can lead normal lives free from stigma and discrimination...
////
Copyright © [2006] [Culion, Palawan - jongnono]. All rights reserved. NOBODY can use all these pictures or media without permission.
Students of modernity
Today is our a new day in the school of modernity, for we are trying to learn about our town, possibly in a deeper sense of view, if not to know our true destiny on how are we going to find its significance? We must uncover some logic from all these quests, because this is the very reason why we are revealing this, in order to rediscover our mission and to go beyond this voracity, so that we can travel a meaningful journey and reveal our true identity and destiny... since we are not mere 'x' we’ve got to be a 'factor'. Could this be a treasure beyond Lamed, or more than the Tangays, beyond the issue of land? Then that could be an X-factor.
The future of 'Isla' is attractively so bright, for the place itself is a magnet for tourism, like the UNESCO Heritage Sites, the Museum, the Historic Fortress and of course the beautiful natural resources that we need to protect & preserve in order to sustain them. Who would have asked for more? Do progress slowly deteriorating the eco-friendly island where damages are going with the flow of climate change? But how can we declare progress, when this so-called ‘teachers of modernity’ are as anti-truth as their lords? Can we prevent them? How can we imitate and apply the dynamism and activism of our forefathers during the fortification of the place, as they have experienced in the past compared with what we are experiencing now or even in the future? We are hoping to see a better place in the future to stay, and wishing our forerunners will do even just a hint of betterment to free us from all these kind of menace and threats alike.
The Colony was even more advanced 50 or 60 years ago than the current system where it seems to be moving one step forward but three steps backward at the same time, like the systematic perversion that is happening as we are writing this letter. Our forefathers were advanced simply because of their brotherhood and people empowerment, the culture of bayanihan communities not to mention the family ties and their triumph against all the odds of the past. But what have we today? Why we cannot even form ourselves into one people's coalition? We can only ponder, yet these are the very reason and the essential requirement to diagnose these inevitable disorders being created nowadays.
Can we allow this to happen? Like the kind of maleficent who wants to control everybody... to perdition in the guise of reformation? As we always said, for a malevolent to triumph, it is when few good men do nothing, like a despicable primate who can’t hear, can’t see, can’t speak and cannot move. Unfortunately there are signs of victory from this kind of myopic modernity. Then we would come to an end and can only ponder to ourselves and ask this ironic question, which is better, the golden past or this so called futuristic progressivism? Look at our habitat today can you still reverse the globalization while avarice sparkly reflecting everywhere?
There are lots of issues facing our world today, and we are not isolated anymore from all these concerns: Two things; One, as what the majority are saying, if we will not dance with the music of modernity, what will our future generation be like? Is technological ignorance similar to under-educated or considered an offense against superiority or development? How can we face these glitches if we will not welcome modernization? But the big question lies on another quest, who are championing on this advancement? If we know the obvious answer, then modernity is not the problem nor progress, it could be myopic or indifference. Are they the one we called the ‘self-serving-few’ that are causing these complications? Two, if the narrow-minded-irresponsible individuals are the only one showing these symptoms, then why are we not animated by reason to revolt against these blunders? Are we insulting the capability of our very own selves? We hope 'free will' is still open in this arena and fairness still rules and reaches us in no time... then courage!
We are currently observing this kind of balancing, between the gestures of goodness on people from all walks of life, against the threat that is reigning the place. These maleficent could manipulate the rule of law so the people in this beautiful island needs to be consulted and included to design the future of our beloved town. Let us not allow these filthy few to rule, instead let the process of collaboration as well as knowledge and wisdom to win the battle for us, as the true sign of evolvement. We need to encourage and eternally thank the presence of few good men like "David" in this arena; they can make and spell out a big difference! Just like what our missionaries who never relented to teach us, Magis, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam! "For the greater glory of God"
In a logical sense of view, we never ever blamed true development or even the purpose of technologies, because this is the advancement we really need even until this very moment. The problem dwells on the confusions of our trailblazers. In our current world, which is mostly concentrating on progress while good values from our forefathers are being ignored. There lies the big difference. Our novel leaders nowadays lost these opportunities. Instead we have indifference and parodies if not sheer ignorance? They cannot even systematize our basic needs, as simple as to clean our town or our water system or waste disposal, how much more is our land. If they can only follow and respect our forefathers’ greatest achievements, then they can maximize the use of what we now called the wisdom of technology, but instead we have torpidity and indifference.
Yes there will be more programs and activities for advancement, but from what we are experiencing now it would require more miracles to achieve them rather than manipulating it. Unless we’ll be awaken by these impediment or disappointments and comprehend our true sense of development, of being eco-friendly and strengthening the principles of historical and cultural values. Then we need this kind of advocacies from our young generations as well as from our valuable and educated young professionals who will take a stand, no matter what, for the greatest good.
We are forever searching now for a courageous or Davidic individual who have a kind of heart and bravery to face all these Goliaths. We wish it any more than no other choice but do it and continually doing it, hoping to generate fruits much sweeter than the fruitage of the past. With all the help of our friends, families and communities who are the true resident in hearts and minds... imploring to remain vigilant as the nature and soul of the place. A valiant persona who can ride with this so called ‘hope’ that will hold on and cultivating the grassroots before it's too late as we are chasing and running out of time. This was our quest since time immemorial... Hmm isn't it exciting? So with the continued guidance of spirited-hearts we will continue to study, train and acquire great understanding and prudence. So our future depends on the laurels of the people mentioned above for our true destiny.
We need the grace of wisdom to continue our mission together with our high hope that needs to be balanced in order to fathom the greatness of our goals, guarding the utmost fears we are facing now, like the spinning of minds and hearts of the people in the guise of sheep's clothing while it cannot even recognize what is right and what is wrong? This is our greatest hindrance; the distortions of our moral capacity with the price tag of deceit, when truth becomes a lie and the lie became the truth? Let us be vigilant. Courage! For we are not isolated anymore, becoming the student of modernity. Transforming and enlightening ourselves, most specially the millenials, to learn from the good lessons of the past and of course the goodness of our future of true 'modernity' that we can also encounter as the spiritual quotient.
The future of 'Isla' is attractively so bright, for the place itself is a magnet for tourism, like the UNESCO Heritage Sites, the Museum, the Historic Fortress and of course the beautiful natural resources that we need to protect & preserve in order to sustain them. Who would have asked for more? Do progress slowly deteriorating the eco-friendly island where damages are going with the flow of climate change? But how can we declare progress, when this so-called ‘teachers of modernity’ are as anti-truth as their lords? Can we prevent them? How can we imitate and apply the dynamism and activism of our forefathers during the fortification of the place, as they have experienced in the past compared with what we are experiencing now or even in the future? We are hoping to see a better place in the future to stay, and wishing our forerunners will do even just a hint of betterment to free us from all these kind of menace and threats alike.
The Colony was even more advanced 50 or 60 years ago than the current system where it seems to be moving one step forward but three steps backward at the same time, like the systematic perversion that is happening as we are writing this letter. Our forefathers were advanced simply because of their brotherhood and people empowerment, the culture of bayanihan communities not to mention the family ties and their triumph against all the odds of the past. But what have we today? Why we cannot even form ourselves into one people's coalition? We can only ponder, yet these are the very reason and the essential requirement to diagnose these inevitable disorders being created nowadays.
Can we allow this to happen? Like the kind of maleficent who wants to control everybody... to perdition in the guise of reformation? As we always said, for a malevolent to triumph, it is when few good men do nothing, like a despicable primate who can’t hear, can’t see, can’t speak and cannot move. Unfortunately there are signs of victory from this kind of myopic modernity. Then we would come to an end and can only ponder to ourselves and ask this ironic question, which is better, the golden past or this so called futuristic progressivism? Look at our habitat today can you still reverse the globalization while avarice sparkly reflecting everywhere?
There are lots of issues facing our world today, and we are not isolated anymore from all these concerns: Two things; One, as what the majority are saying, if we will not dance with the music of modernity, what will our future generation be like? Is technological ignorance similar to under-educated or considered an offense against superiority or development? How can we face these glitches if we will not welcome modernization? But the big question lies on another quest, who are championing on this advancement? If we know the obvious answer, then modernity is not the problem nor progress, it could be myopic or indifference. Are they the one we called the ‘self-serving-few’ that are causing these complications? Two, if the narrow-minded-irresponsible individuals are the only one showing these symptoms, then why are we not animated by reason to revolt against these blunders? Are we insulting the capability of our very own selves? We hope 'free will' is still open in this arena and fairness still rules and reaches us in no time... then courage!
We are currently observing this kind of balancing, between the gestures of goodness on people from all walks of life, against the threat that is reigning the place. These maleficent could manipulate the rule of law so the people in this beautiful island needs to be consulted and included to design the future of our beloved town. Let us not allow these filthy few to rule, instead let the process of collaboration as well as knowledge and wisdom to win the battle for us, as the true sign of evolvement. We need to encourage and eternally thank the presence of few good men like "David" in this arena; they can make and spell out a big difference! Just like what our missionaries who never relented to teach us, Magis, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam! "For the greater glory of God"
In a logical sense of view, we never ever blamed true development or even the purpose of technologies, because this is the advancement we really need even until this very moment. The problem dwells on the confusions of our trailblazers. In our current world, which is mostly concentrating on progress while good values from our forefathers are being ignored. There lies the big difference. Our novel leaders nowadays lost these opportunities. Instead we have indifference and parodies if not sheer ignorance? They cannot even systematize our basic needs, as simple as to clean our town or our water system or waste disposal, how much more is our land. If they can only follow and respect our forefathers’ greatest achievements, then they can maximize the use of what we now called the wisdom of technology, but instead we have torpidity and indifference.
Yes there will be more programs and activities for advancement, but from what we are experiencing now it would require more miracles to achieve them rather than manipulating it. Unless we’ll be awaken by these impediment or disappointments and comprehend our true sense of development, of being eco-friendly and strengthening the principles of historical and cultural values. Then we need this kind of advocacies from our young generations as well as from our valuable and educated young professionals who will take a stand, no matter what, for the greatest good.
We are forever searching now for a courageous or Davidic individual who have a kind of heart and bravery to face all these Goliaths. We wish it any more than no other choice but do it and continually doing it, hoping to generate fruits much sweeter than the fruitage of the past. With all the help of our friends, families and communities who are the true resident in hearts and minds... imploring to remain vigilant as the nature and soul of the place. A valiant persona who can ride with this so called ‘hope’ that will hold on and cultivating the grassroots before it's too late as we are chasing and running out of time. This was our quest since time immemorial... Hmm isn't it exciting? So with the continued guidance of spirited-hearts we will continue to study, train and acquire great understanding and prudence. So our future depends on the laurels of the people mentioned above for our true destiny.
We need the grace of wisdom to continue our mission together with our high hope that needs to be balanced in order to fathom the greatness of our goals, guarding the utmost fears we are facing now, like the spinning of minds and hearts of the people in the guise of sheep's clothing while it cannot even recognize what is right and what is wrong? This is our greatest hindrance; the distortions of our moral capacity with the price tag of deceit, when truth becomes a lie and the lie became the truth? Let us be vigilant. Courage! For we are not isolated anymore, becoming the student of modernity. Transforming and enlightening ourselves, most specially the millenials, to learn from the good lessons of the past and of course the goodness of our future of true 'modernity' that we can also encounter as the spiritual quotient.
CULION town
DENR will have a meeting of stakeholder the plans of mapping including jardin, baldat and patag. A political gain for present admin abused of power… because majority of them will gain from this stakeholder of land titling at the expense of future plan which is culion land use plan (CLUP). A repetition of a "kind of dam if you do and dam if you don't". Many worked hard to come up with land use plan, especially the past lgu having to appropriate land for locals and for institutional like schools, church, gov't centers, barangay municipal reservations.
Present land claim is individually distributed either for agriculture or related purposes. Nothing has been allocated for public interests, parks, markets and other commercial use. We have the great opportunity of correct and productive town planning. If this power hunger claimants push and continue to give lands for the (illegal?) claimants by land titling, we will lose a great chance to put the right zoning and right use of land and places around our beloved town…
As a concerned citizen we can demand public information of the plans. Yet there are still no zoning and they're blocking this proper action of governance and service to for by the people. What is happening is they're now pushing the individual claim and if they'll measure these properties like the pitogo farms or lands and making titling of the lands the ordinance for the rare specie will create confusions. So we still need to preserve the land and prioritize the right things to do. First things first, Meaning correct planning and right CLUP. What about those people who've been there since the beginning of time yet they don't have papers to claim their land? Can't we give them a chance and share? So we need to define these concerns! Equal distributions and equal shares of stakeholders...
Our proposals was to have the municipal gov't apply for the large property and distribute according to proper use as mentioned above. Confusions? Once people knows who will benefit from land titling and learned they can have titled there's no stopping on it. especially those who are in power now have their claims. They'll forget the original CULION LAND USE PLAN… Again it is a question of true development maximizing the proper distribution of wealth, properties and services of culion since time immemorial…
Bantayan natin ang ating bayan!! Please.
tama na ang pagbabagong paurong...
Present land claim is individually distributed either for agriculture or related purposes. Nothing has been allocated for public interests, parks, markets and other commercial use. We have the great opportunity of correct and productive town planning. If this power hunger claimants push and continue to give lands for the (illegal?) claimants by land titling, we will lose a great chance to put the right zoning and right use of land and places around our beloved town…
As a concerned citizen we can demand public information of the plans. Yet there are still no zoning and they're blocking this proper action of governance and service to for by the people. What is happening is they're now pushing the individual claim and if they'll measure these properties like the pitogo farms or lands and making titling of the lands the ordinance for the rare specie will create confusions. So we still need to preserve the land and prioritize the right things to do. First things first, Meaning correct planning and right CLUP. What about those people who've been there since the beginning of time yet they don't have papers to claim their land? Can't we give them a chance and share? So we need to define these concerns! Equal distributions and equal shares of stakeholders...
Our proposals was to have the municipal gov't apply for the large property and distribute according to proper use as mentioned above. Confusions? Once people knows who will benefit from land titling and learned they can have titled there's no stopping on it. especially those who are in power now have their claims. They'll forget the original CULION LAND USE PLAN… Again it is a question of true development maximizing the proper distribution of wealth, properties and services of culion since time immemorial…
Bantayan natin ang ating bayan!! Please.
tama na ang pagbabagong paurong...
The Island
Culion is an island situated at the northernmost part of Palawan. It belongs to the Calamianes Group of Islands. It has a total land area of 415 square kilometers which includes the 41 surrounding islands and measures 1,191.39 square kilometers including its territorial water. It is bounded on the north by Busuanga Island, on the east by the Coron Reef, on the south by Linapacan Island, and on the west by the South China Sea.
The Culion sea is teeming with a total of 201 fish species including commercially important fish like Lapu-lapu (Groupers), Kanuping (Sweetlip Emperor), Maya-Maya (Snapper), Tanguige (Spanish Mackerel), Dalagang Bukid (Blue and Gold Fusiliers) and Bisugo (Breams). Squid, cuttlefish, shrimps, crabs, shellfish and sea cucumber or trepang are plentiful.
Three ecosystems sustain the rich marine life of Culion: mangroves, seagrass, and corals. 17 mangrove species cover the coastline of Culion. 9 seagrass species and 47 coral genera representing 60% of the total genera found in the Philippines are found in Culion.
Culion used to have high density forests with hardwood or “iron trees” like narra, mahogany, molave, kayataw, wasi and ipil. Unfortunately, large areas of what used to be densely forested areas have been ruthlessly cleared by illegal logging and kaingin (slash-and- burn agriculture). All these activities of humans have endangered Culion’s forests and it has contributed to the rapid decrease of wildlife habitat and the consequent depletion of wildlife species. It has also seriously affected the availability of fresh water supply. Furthermore, man’s heightened activities and careless actions like oil spillage and dumping of waste and pollutants, over-harvesting of the mangroves for firewood and charcoal, and coral reef destruction caused by cyanide and dynamite fishing, are threatening our vital ecosystems and marine life.
The reckless denudation of Culion’s forests and rampant exploitation of marine resources and exporting of fauna species is posing a threat to our seemingly boundless natural wealth. While it is easy to destroy Culion’s ecosystems, it is difficult to rehabilitate or to restore it. A forest ecosystem may never recover their original type within the next 500 years. Culion thus faces an environmental problem that requires an immediate response.
The Culion sea is teeming with a total of 201 fish species including commercially important fish like Lapu-lapu (Groupers), Kanuping (Sweetlip Emperor), Maya-Maya (Snapper), Tanguige (Spanish Mackerel), Dalagang Bukid (Blue and Gold Fusiliers) and Bisugo (Breams). Squid, cuttlefish, shrimps, crabs, shellfish and sea cucumber or trepang are plentiful.
Three ecosystems sustain the rich marine life of Culion: mangroves, seagrass, and corals. 17 mangrove species cover the coastline of Culion. 9 seagrass species and 47 coral genera representing 60% of the total genera found in the Philippines are found in Culion.
Culion used to have high density forests with hardwood or “iron trees” like narra, mahogany, molave, kayataw, wasi and ipil. Unfortunately, large areas of what used to be densely forested areas have been ruthlessly cleared by illegal logging and kaingin (slash-and- burn agriculture). All these activities of humans have endangered Culion’s forests and it has contributed to the rapid decrease of wildlife habitat and the consequent depletion of wildlife species. It has also seriously affected the availability of fresh water supply. Furthermore, man’s heightened activities and careless actions like oil spillage and dumping of waste and pollutants, over-harvesting of the mangroves for firewood and charcoal, and coral reef destruction caused by cyanide and dynamite fishing, are threatening our vital ecosystems and marine life.
The reckless denudation of Culion’s forests and rampant exploitation of marine resources and exporting of fauna species is posing a threat to our seemingly boundless natural wealth. While it is easy to destroy Culion’s ecosystems, it is difficult to rehabilitate or to restore it. A forest ecosystem may never recover their original type within the next 500 years. Culion thus faces an environmental problem that requires an immediate response.
The land issue
The declaration of Culion as a national reservation for lepers by virtue of Executive Order 9032 - Sec. 5, No. 35, Series of 1904 is hereby revoked. Within six (6) months from the affectivity of this Act, the municipal government of Culion, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Health, the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Representative of the First Congressional District of Palawan, the Province of Palawan, and the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, shall determine the areas which shall remain with the Department of Health, belong to the public domain, be alienable and disposable, become the property of the Municipality of Culion, and become the property of the Province of Palawan. The aggregate land area that shall become the property of the Municipality of Culion shall not be less than FIVE PERCENT (5%) of the total land area of the Municipality. The aggregate land area that shall become the property of the Province of Palawan shall not be more than ONE PERCENT (1%) of the total land area of the Municipality. The area to be retained by the Department of Health for its hospital zone shall not include forest land or any portion of land devoted to residential, business or commercial, and institutional purposes as well as tracks of land already developed for agricultural purposes or used as community settlements, or those occupied by members of the indigenous communities, and that no portion of marine waters be made part of the said zone. (RA 9032)
The cadastral survey was launched under the auspices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as mandated by R. A. 9032. A dream came true for the people of Culion. Now that land is ready for disposal by the national government, this shall be the emancipation of the people of Culion who had longed for land of their own in a place they were born. This is the real intent and purpose of R.A. 9032, to establish a distinct municipality that shall embody the will of the people of Culion in its quest for self-determination. 14 barangays were created and this law determined its boundary, the territorial jurisdiction of Culion.
Foremost among the provisions of R.A. 9032 is sec. 5 which states that, “The municipal government of Culion, in coordination with the DENR, the DOH, the DAR, the PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT, the Representative of the 1st District and the PCSDS shall determine which land must belong to the Municipality, the Provincial Government and what must be retained by the DOH.
The area that must belong to the Municipality must be at least 5% of the total aggregate land area of Culion; while the land that must belong to the Provincial Government must not be more than 1% of the total aggregate land area of Culion. With this provision of R.A. 9032, the Municipality is mandated to identify land for its use in the service of its constituent. Land must be reserved for institutional use such as barangay center, municipal centers, road networks, government centers such as day care, Rural Health Unit, public markets and other commercial centers, school sites, religious center, protected and conservation sites such as Parks and Wildlife areas, tourism zones and other public use land and form part of the Municipality’s Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan (CLWUP).
The Provincial Government must likewise identify areas that will be consonant with their agenda for development of health, environment, agriculture and Tourism Program. At least 500 hectares shall be allocated for the province. This may include islands suitable for tourism industry or for conservation and resource protection purposes.
The inter agency tasked with the implementation of sec. 5 of R.A. 9032, has been convened by the municipality to formulate policies and guidelines that shall serve as basis in the disposition of land in Culion particularly the equitable distribution, and ownership. The task Force Culion must ensure that Public interest must always prevail over individual interest and serve as the guiding principle in the implementation of this law.
The municipality must ensure that all bonafide residents of Culion will have its share of land for ownership. With 10 thousand has. of land as alienable and disposable, the municipal government must reserve land for both agricultural and residential zones which can then be given to the people of Culion particularly the former hansenites and their descendants, the former and present employees of the Department of Health and other government agencies that have served in Culion prior to its conversion into municipality; the settlers who have occupied parcels of land that they have developed in the past. The Department of Health rights holders possessed either thru application, by sale or donation and the migrant fisher folks that had settled here with their family for good and have continuously lived and registered here as residents.
The municipality should likewise act decisively to identify areas as municipal reservation; the different department must present their area of concern. Agri for MAO (Municipal Agriculture Office), heath services for MHO (Municipal Health Office), road network for the MEO (Municipal Engineering Offices). Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator or MPDC to consolidate the plans. Sanguniang Bayan to legislate and the mayor to take charge for all of these tasks.
Now that the cadastral determined the claims and occupancy over parcel or parcels of land for home lots or agricultural purposes, residential, commercial or other purposes, most of the lands are now actually claimed, develop and occupied by people who has the money to buy but are mostly not actual residents of Culion.
With the advent of land titling and the conclusion of private ownership, there is now the question of where and to whom the land of Culion shall belong. The law provides that it is the municipality; in coordination with inter agency task force that shall determine which land must belong to. It is a tragic fact that the municipality failed to ensure proper implementation of the provisions of R.A. 9032. The cadastral survey should have proper guidelines and policies to follow in order that there should be public awareness and understanding in the very intent of the law, emancipation and equity.
The absence of proper IEC, the lack of municipal and barangay participation in the conduct of cadastro denies public awareness and the principle of self-determination. As a municipality, the public officials should play its role in directing, and proving policy guidelines in the determination of land distribution and ownership by setting forth a system of consultation, ensuring maximum people’s participation and an overall plan that shall project to the general welfare of the bonifide residents of Culion.
....
So Culion needs to create a new town site to decongest the old town and resettlement areas for the landless residing on coastal, foreshore areas. The municipality should identify land for public use; gov’t centers, brgy centers and municipal centers that will accommodate institutions, like schools, health centers, the church, the road networks, public plazas, ideally for all brgys and the likes. Then outside the poblacion, like residential zones for housing, commercial and industrial zones, and for agri production areas, protected areas, tourism zones and special use areas for parks and wildlife, sanctuaries, and specially the historical & cultural sites in preparation for the World UNESCO Heritage Site.
This general picture will then address the issues we are trying to advocate; the Lands or Islands TAKEN ILLEGALLY, THE CHAOTIC SITUATION OF THE LAND ISSUES. REVIEW THEIR COMPREHENSIVE LAND (AND WATER) USE PLAN (CLUP) AND PREVENT THE ZONING ORDINANCE THAT THIS LGU GREEDILY CREATED NOW...
The cadastral survey was launched under the auspices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as mandated by R. A. 9032. A dream came true for the people of Culion. Now that land is ready for disposal by the national government, this shall be the emancipation of the people of Culion who had longed for land of their own in a place they were born. This is the real intent and purpose of R.A. 9032, to establish a distinct municipality that shall embody the will of the people of Culion in its quest for self-determination. 14 barangays were created and this law determined its boundary, the territorial jurisdiction of Culion.
Foremost among the provisions of R.A. 9032 is sec. 5 which states that, “The municipal government of Culion, in coordination with the DENR, the DOH, the DAR, the PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT, the Representative of the 1st District and the PCSDS shall determine which land must belong to the Municipality, the Provincial Government and what must be retained by the DOH.
The area that must belong to the Municipality must be at least 5% of the total aggregate land area of Culion; while the land that must belong to the Provincial Government must not be more than 1% of the total aggregate land area of Culion. With this provision of R.A. 9032, the Municipality is mandated to identify land for its use in the service of its constituent. Land must be reserved for institutional use such as barangay center, municipal centers, road networks, government centers such as day care, Rural Health Unit, public markets and other commercial centers, school sites, religious center, protected and conservation sites such as Parks and Wildlife areas, tourism zones and other public use land and form part of the Municipality’s Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan (CLWUP).
The Provincial Government must likewise identify areas that will be consonant with their agenda for development of health, environment, agriculture and Tourism Program. At least 500 hectares shall be allocated for the province. This may include islands suitable for tourism industry or for conservation and resource protection purposes.
The inter agency tasked with the implementation of sec. 5 of R.A. 9032, has been convened by the municipality to formulate policies and guidelines that shall serve as basis in the disposition of land in Culion particularly the equitable distribution, and ownership. The task Force Culion must ensure that Public interest must always prevail over individual interest and serve as the guiding principle in the implementation of this law.
The municipality must ensure that all bonafide residents of Culion will have its share of land for ownership. With 10 thousand has. of land as alienable and disposable, the municipal government must reserve land for both agricultural and residential zones which can then be given to the people of Culion particularly the former hansenites and their descendants, the former and present employees of the Department of Health and other government agencies that have served in Culion prior to its conversion into municipality; the settlers who have occupied parcels of land that they have developed in the past. The Department of Health rights holders possessed either thru application, by sale or donation and the migrant fisher folks that had settled here with their family for good and have continuously lived and registered here as residents.
The municipality should likewise act decisively to identify areas as municipal reservation; the different department must present their area of concern. Agri for MAO (Municipal Agriculture Office), heath services for MHO (Municipal Health Office), road network for the MEO (Municipal Engineering Offices). Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator or MPDC to consolidate the plans. Sanguniang Bayan to legislate and the mayor to take charge for all of these tasks.
Now that the cadastral determined the claims and occupancy over parcel or parcels of land for home lots or agricultural purposes, residential, commercial or other purposes, most of the lands are now actually claimed, develop and occupied by people who has the money to buy but are mostly not actual residents of Culion.
With the advent of land titling and the conclusion of private ownership, there is now the question of where and to whom the land of Culion shall belong. The law provides that it is the municipality; in coordination with inter agency task force that shall determine which land must belong to. It is a tragic fact that the municipality failed to ensure proper implementation of the provisions of R.A. 9032. The cadastral survey should have proper guidelines and policies to follow in order that there should be public awareness and understanding in the very intent of the law, emancipation and equity.
The absence of proper IEC, the lack of municipal and barangay participation in the conduct of cadastro denies public awareness and the principle of self-determination. As a municipality, the public officials should play its role in directing, and proving policy guidelines in the determination of land distribution and ownership by setting forth a system of consultation, ensuring maximum people’s participation and an overall plan that shall project to the general welfare of the bonifide residents of Culion.
....
So Culion needs to create a new town site to decongest the old town and resettlement areas for the landless residing on coastal, foreshore areas. The municipality should identify land for public use; gov’t centers, brgy centers and municipal centers that will accommodate institutions, like schools, health centers, the church, the road networks, public plazas, ideally for all brgys and the likes. Then outside the poblacion, like residential zones for housing, commercial and industrial zones, and for agri production areas, protected areas, tourism zones and special use areas for parks and wildlife, sanctuaries, and specially the historical & cultural sites in preparation for the World UNESCO Heritage Site.
This general picture will then address the issues we are trying to advocate; the Lands or Islands TAKEN ILLEGALLY, THE CHAOTIC SITUATION OF THE LAND ISSUES. REVIEW THEIR COMPREHENSIVE LAND (AND WATER) USE PLAN (CLUP) AND PREVENT THE ZONING ORDINANCE THAT THIS LGU GREEDILY CREATED NOW...
History
The Municipality of Culion is part of a group of islands in Northern Palawan called Calamianes that includes the municipalities of Busuanga, Coron, and Linapacan. During the Spanish Period, these were known as Las Islas de Calamianes, Provincia de Espana.
Aside from churches, the Spaniards built defensive fortifications in strategic places in Taytay, Cuyo, Agutaya, Linapacan, including a watch tower and fort in the locality of Libis in Culion.
In 1858, Calamianes was divided into 2 provinces, “Castilla” and “Asturias”. Castilla, which included northern Palawan, retained its capital of Taytay. Asturias extended south to Balabac. In 1873, the capital of Palawan was changed from Taytay to Cuyo. The French anthropologist Alfred Marche traveled the Philippines and documented his research of many places. French Ambassador Pirre Revol in particular translated Marche’s account of the Calamianes, and Culion.
Marche, who makes a fairly accurate description of the geography of the island, refers to Culion as the principal village of the Calamianes. The fact that a boat from Manila “touches Culion once a month” attests to the growing economy of the place at that time. Marche’s description of the place and people he met in the 1880’s are important indicators of the ethnography of Calamianes since more than a hundred years ago.
The primacy of Culion as a leading settlement community of the Calamianes is further supported by the fact that a Justice of the peace resided and held office in Culion. Claudio Sandoval y Rodriguez a Spanish mestizo from Jaro, Leyte married Evarista Manlavi daughter of a rich landowner from Cuyo. Claudio Sandoval became Jezgado de Paz de Culion, Calamianes and held office sometime in the late 1880’s. The seal of Claudio’s office was found stamped on handwritten circular dated December 11, 1889 that he sent to all within Culion’s “roriedad y sus visitas” warning residents of the penalties that will be imposed on them should they be caught gambling. Culion’s “visitas” included the island of Busuanga and other areas in Calamianes.
When the treaty of Paris was signed on December 10, 1898, wherein Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States for 20 million dollars, the funding of Culion as a reservation is closely related to the early efforts of the Americans to establish some form of public health policy in the Philippines as part of their long-term intentions to occupy the archipelago.
One of the motivating factors for the creation of the Manila Board of Health was traditional belief that the maintenance of public health required the isolation of cases of leprosy from the rest of the public. After an investigation of a number of sites, the island of Culion was selected as a segregation colony in 1901. On October 27, 1902 the Second Philippine Commission appropriated an initial $50,000 for the establishment of Culion under the Secretary of Interior Dean C. Worcester and Director of Health Victor G. Heiser. On August 22, 1904, Luke E. Wright, the American Civil Governor of the Government of the Philippine Islands, Executive Order No. 35 signed the transfer of jurisdiction and control of Culion from the Municipality of Coron, reserving the same as a leper colony and a government stock farm.
On May 27, 1906, the first contingent of 370 patients from Cebu was brought to Culion by two Coast Guard cutters, the Polilio and the Mindanao.
On September 12, 1907, Act 1711 of the Philippine Commission was passed that gave full responsibility to the Director of Health for the compulsory segregation of the lepers, and confinement and treatment in Culion.
Between 1906 and 1910 the Americans rounded up 5,303 leprosy afflicted individuals and brought them to the colony. On July 18, 1912, acting Governor General Newton Gilbert signed EO No. 35 in which he further defined the territory of the leper colony and government stock farm.
In 1917, Section 1066 of Act No. 2711 (Revised Administrative Act) provided that the Department Head through the Director of Health shall have jurisdiction over the colony and its waters for the efficient management of the sanitarium.
On June 18, 1952, Congress passed R.A. No. 753 which transferred administrative control to the Director of Hospitals. In 1964, the Secretary of Health again took administrative control and enforcement of rules and regulations over all the lands and waters of Culion Leper Colony as provided under Section 106 of the Revised Administrative Code. Sections 1060 to 1071 of RA no. 753 was later repealed by Republic Act No. 4073, an Act further liberalizing the Treatment of Leprosy by Amending and Repealing Certain Sections of the Revised Administrative Code, resulting in the loss of jurisdiction by the Department of Health over the natural resources of Culion.
In 1979, a Culion Committee was created under Letter of Intructions No. 796. The Ministry of Human Settlements conceived and organized in 1982 an alternative development approach for residents of Culion under the Culion Development Project (CDP). This was later amended by Executive Order No. 241 on July 24, 1987 that transferred the said committee and the CDP to the Palawan Integrated Area Development Project (PIADP) of the National Council on Integrated Area Development (NACIAD). This transfer did not however affect the jurisdiction of DOH over the Culion Leper Colony.
On June 22, 1988, Congress passed R.A. No. 6659 that authorized qualified residents of Culion Leper Colony to vote for the elective provincial officials of the Province of Palawan. In 1991, Speaker Ramon Mitra and House Representative David Ponce De Leon introduced a house bill for the creation of the Municipality of Culion. On February 19,1992, President Corazon C. Aquino signed Republic Act 7193 creating the Municipality of Culion in the Province of Palawan.
May 8, 1995 was the first election of municipal and barangay officials of Culion was held resulting in the election of Mr. Hilarion M. Guia and Mr. Emiliano Marasigan Jr. as its first duly elected mayor and vice-mayor, respectively.
On October 29, 1998, through Department of Health Administrative Order No. 20-A Series of 1998, administrative control and authority over the Municipality of Culion was officially transferred from the Department of Health to the Municipality ending nearly one century of administrative control by the health department over Culion Island.
On March 12, 2001, Republic Act 9032 signed by President Gloria Macapacal Arroyo expanded the area of jurisdiction of the Municipality of Culion, Province of Palawan, amending for the purpose Republic Act 7193. The barangays of Balala, Baldat, Binudac, Culango, Galoc, Jardin, Libis, Luac, Malaking Patag, Osmeña and Tiza were declared legally existent upon the creation of the Municipality of Busuanga to the Municipality of Culion. Barangays Burabod and Halsey were transferred from the Municipality of Busuanga to the Municipality of Culion subject to ratification by plebiscite in the two municipalities of Culion and Busuanga. Barangay Carabao for the Tagbanua indigenous cultural community was likewise created subject to ratification by plebiscite in Culion.
While on July 15, 2002, plebiscites held in Culion and Busuanga simultaneously with the election of barangay officials and Sangguniang Kabataan representatives resulted in the ratification of the transfer of Halsey and Burabod to Culion and the creation of Barangay Carabao.
Aside from churches, the Spaniards built defensive fortifications in strategic places in Taytay, Cuyo, Agutaya, Linapacan, including a watch tower and fort in the locality of Libis in Culion.
In 1858, Calamianes was divided into 2 provinces, “Castilla” and “Asturias”. Castilla, which included northern Palawan, retained its capital of Taytay. Asturias extended south to Balabac. In 1873, the capital of Palawan was changed from Taytay to Cuyo. The French anthropologist Alfred Marche traveled the Philippines and documented his research of many places. French Ambassador Pirre Revol in particular translated Marche’s account of the Calamianes, and Culion.
Marche, who makes a fairly accurate description of the geography of the island, refers to Culion as the principal village of the Calamianes. The fact that a boat from Manila “touches Culion once a month” attests to the growing economy of the place at that time. Marche’s description of the place and people he met in the 1880’s are important indicators of the ethnography of Calamianes since more than a hundred years ago.
The primacy of Culion as a leading settlement community of the Calamianes is further supported by the fact that a Justice of the peace resided and held office in Culion. Claudio Sandoval y Rodriguez a Spanish mestizo from Jaro, Leyte married Evarista Manlavi daughter of a rich landowner from Cuyo. Claudio Sandoval became Jezgado de Paz de Culion, Calamianes and held office sometime in the late 1880’s. The seal of Claudio’s office was found stamped on handwritten circular dated December 11, 1889 that he sent to all within Culion’s “roriedad y sus visitas” warning residents of the penalties that will be imposed on them should they be caught gambling. Culion’s “visitas” included the island of Busuanga and other areas in Calamianes.
When the treaty of Paris was signed on December 10, 1898, wherein Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States for 20 million dollars, the funding of Culion as a reservation is closely related to the early efforts of the Americans to establish some form of public health policy in the Philippines as part of their long-term intentions to occupy the archipelago.
One of the motivating factors for the creation of the Manila Board of Health was traditional belief that the maintenance of public health required the isolation of cases of leprosy from the rest of the public. After an investigation of a number of sites, the island of Culion was selected as a segregation colony in 1901. On October 27, 1902 the Second Philippine Commission appropriated an initial $50,000 for the establishment of Culion under the Secretary of Interior Dean C. Worcester and Director of Health Victor G. Heiser. On August 22, 1904, Luke E. Wright, the American Civil Governor of the Government of the Philippine Islands, Executive Order No. 35 signed the transfer of jurisdiction and control of Culion from the Municipality of Coron, reserving the same as a leper colony and a government stock farm.
On May 27, 1906, the first contingent of 370 patients from Cebu was brought to Culion by two Coast Guard cutters, the Polilio and the Mindanao.
On September 12, 1907, Act 1711 of the Philippine Commission was passed that gave full responsibility to the Director of Health for the compulsory segregation of the lepers, and confinement and treatment in Culion.
Between 1906 and 1910 the Americans rounded up 5,303 leprosy afflicted individuals and brought them to the colony. On July 18, 1912, acting Governor General Newton Gilbert signed EO No. 35 in which he further defined the territory of the leper colony and government stock farm.
In 1917, Section 1066 of Act No. 2711 (Revised Administrative Act) provided that the Department Head through the Director of Health shall have jurisdiction over the colony and its waters for the efficient management of the sanitarium.
On June 18, 1952, Congress passed R.A. No. 753 which transferred administrative control to the Director of Hospitals. In 1964, the Secretary of Health again took administrative control and enforcement of rules and regulations over all the lands and waters of Culion Leper Colony as provided under Section 106 of the Revised Administrative Code. Sections 1060 to 1071 of RA no. 753 was later repealed by Republic Act No. 4073, an Act further liberalizing the Treatment of Leprosy by Amending and Repealing Certain Sections of the Revised Administrative Code, resulting in the loss of jurisdiction by the Department of Health over the natural resources of Culion.
In 1979, a Culion Committee was created under Letter of Intructions No. 796. The Ministry of Human Settlements conceived and organized in 1982 an alternative development approach for residents of Culion under the Culion Development Project (CDP). This was later amended by Executive Order No. 241 on July 24, 1987 that transferred the said committee and the CDP to the Palawan Integrated Area Development Project (PIADP) of the National Council on Integrated Area Development (NACIAD). This transfer did not however affect the jurisdiction of DOH over the Culion Leper Colony.
On June 22, 1988, Congress passed R.A. No. 6659 that authorized qualified residents of Culion Leper Colony to vote for the elective provincial officials of the Province of Palawan. In 1991, Speaker Ramon Mitra and House Representative David Ponce De Leon introduced a house bill for the creation of the Municipality of Culion. On February 19,1992, President Corazon C. Aquino signed Republic Act 7193 creating the Municipality of Culion in the Province of Palawan.
May 8, 1995 was the first election of municipal and barangay officials of Culion was held resulting in the election of Mr. Hilarion M. Guia and Mr. Emiliano Marasigan Jr. as its first duly elected mayor and vice-mayor, respectively.
On October 29, 1998, through Department of Health Administrative Order No. 20-A Series of 1998, administrative control and authority over the Municipality of Culion was officially transferred from the Department of Health to the Municipality ending nearly one century of administrative control by the health department over Culion Island.
On March 12, 2001, Republic Act 9032 signed by President Gloria Macapacal Arroyo expanded the area of jurisdiction of the Municipality of Culion, Province of Palawan, amending for the purpose Republic Act 7193. The barangays of Balala, Baldat, Binudac, Culango, Galoc, Jardin, Libis, Luac, Malaking Patag, Osmeña and Tiza were declared legally existent upon the creation of the Municipality of Busuanga to the Municipality of Culion. Barangays Burabod and Halsey were transferred from the Municipality of Busuanga to the Municipality of Culion subject to ratification by plebiscite in the two municipalities of Culion and Busuanga. Barangay Carabao for the Tagbanua indigenous cultural community was likewise created subject to ratification by plebiscite in Culion.
While on July 15, 2002, plebiscites held in Culion and Busuanga simultaneously with the election of barangay officials and Sangguniang Kabataan representatives resulted in the ratification of the transfer of Halsey and Burabod to Culion and the creation of Barangay Carabao.
ANCESTRY & HERITAGE
The People
The original people of Culion are the Tagbanuas, a cultural minority group that lives by fishing and food gathering. While preserving their native customs and traditions, the Tagbanuas are greatly influenced by Muslim culture and social organization.
Early trading activities attracted people from other parts of Palawan, like Calamianen and Cuyonon, who came and stayed in Culion as their new home.
Today, however, the Tagbanuas no longer practice many of their cultural traditions and many of them have been converted to Christianity. They are largely marginalized, making up only about 8% of Culion’s total population. Barangay Carabao, under Republic Act 9032, was established for these indigenous people. They were also granted Certificates of Ancestral Domain under Republic Act 8371, also known as the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997.
The establishment of the leper colony in 1906, hansenites and hospital staff were brought to Culion from different parts of the Philippines bringing their customs, habits, dialects, and regional characteristics, and the influx of migrants in the last three decades have understandably made Culion an heterogeneous population.
The original people of Culion are the Tagbanuas, a cultural minority group that lives by fishing and food gathering. While preserving their native customs and traditions, the Tagbanuas are greatly influenced by Muslim culture and social organization.
Early trading activities attracted people from other parts of Palawan, like Calamianen and Cuyonon, who came and stayed in Culion as their new home.
Today, however, the Tagbanuas no longer practice many of their cultural traditions and many of them have been converted to Christianity. They are largely marginalized, making up only about 8% of Culion’s total population. Barangay Carabao, under Republic Act 9032, was established for these indigenous people. They were also granted Certificates of Ancestral Domain under Republic Act 8371, also known as the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997.
The establishment of the leper colony in 1906, hansenites and hospital staff were brought to Culion from different parts of the Philippines bringing their customs, habits, dialects, and regional characteristics, and the influx of migrants in the last three decades have understandably made Culion an heterogeneous population.
In spite of the regional idiosyncrasies and biases, the people have adapted themselves easily, setting aside regional differences to form a homogenous population bonded by common disease – leprosy, and common destiny – Culion,
sharing same dreams and vision, working for a common mission of finding cure and new identity.
The Philippines achieved elimination of leprosy in 1998. It was one of the first countries to introduce MDT, which made this success possible. We can see the results here on Culion. But the fight against leprosy isn't just a medical fight. Even when cured of the disease,
a person may still struggle against stigma and discrimination.
The history of Culion is the history of this struggle for dignity
Until stigma and discrimination are gone, the fight against leprosy will not be over.
Ignorance and misunderstanding result in prejudice and discriminatory attitudes that remain firmly implanted as custom and tradition.
We call on people all over the world to change their perception and foster an environment in which leprosy patients, cured persons and their families can lead normal lives free from stigma and discrimination...
sharing same dreams and vision, working for a common mission of finding cure and new identity.
The Philippines achieved elimination of leprosy in 1998. It was one of the first countries to introduce MDT, which made this success possible. We can see the results here on Culion. But the fight against leprosy isn't just a medical fight. Even when cured of the disease,
a person may still struggle against stigma and discrimination.
The history of Culion is the history of this struggle for dignity
Until stigma and discrimination are gone, the fight against leprosy will not be over.
Ignorance and misunderstanding result in prejudice and discriminatory attitudes that remain firmly implanted as custom and tradition.
We call on people all over the world to change their perception and foster an environment in which leprosy patients, cured persons and their families can lead normal lives free from stigma and discrimination...
The Threat of Invasive Specie
For time immemorial Culion was relatively a secluded place. As reservation with the intent to isolate, nobody cold just enter. The place therefore a reservation, a place to isolate a dreaded disease that for almost a century effectively enclosed the community and its environment from outside influence and integration.
But Culion that was once dreaded and therefore to be avoided, which was the same reason for its existence as a sanitarium of hansenite disease cannot be forever be hidden from others attention. With its natural resources virtually intact, the land so sparsely populated and the management therefore from encroachment of those who found the place a haven for both fishing and other agricultural opportunity, people from both nearby and far flung places opted to occupy and established their lot. The same is true to the wards and children or relatives of former patients and or hospital employees who after the liberalization law of Hansenite patients opted not only to stay in Culion but decided instead to improve their lot .
There are 4 types or group of people considered at the moment as resident. The first are the patients; they are either the original group who were forced to stay in Culion as an American policy of isolating them from mainstream society who came from all parts of the country as a means of preventing further spread of the disease during the American occupation in the early 18th century. The second group is the health services employees that either volunteered or are appointed by the national government to care or provide support services to the sanitarium. The third group is the indigenous people who originally inhabit the place or consider the territory as their domain or sphere of both cultural and economic activities. Whether they were supposedly driven out from the established sanitarium boundary and jurisdiction, they or some of these people manage to stay in the area or its periphery. And the last group are the settlers and migrant residents. They are neither the neighboring town inhabitants that consequently established their stake for land and eventually secure permission from then recognized authority the DOH chief of the sanitarium hospital.
Any biodiversity is balanced by natural adaptability and a web of interdependence, from predation to being prey and symbiosis to support mechanism. These are all interconnected with integrity of sustaining each others continues existence.
A healthy environment is characterized by a culture of maintaining an equilibrium of mutual dependence support it is vibrant. Growing and continuously changing at its own pace with the tenacity and endurance of an island.
But this cycle of life in a given habitat with its community of biodiversity must maintain a norm of standard that is there a statute or covenant that could be not only trusted by the hose who constitute it, but more so who wants to adhere to it. This is what society must be, indifferent to change but such coming to what might be better. To the greater members and to the sacrifice of those who wanted to be part of it.
Culion neither want righteousness from those who merely want to assert their will. Nor must it come to an end without the authority even for a moment, listen to those who also wish and hope that somehow, someday the reality becomes each others truth.
The sudden conversion of Culion into a municipality brings with it problems both internal and external. But as change in power inevitably caused resentment and animosity a new culture emerged. A struggle within the people is therefore inevitable. People are divided in their precept as the DOH and those that sit in power in the municipality assert their authority in determining the future of Culion. Whether this is healthy or not and further the welfare of the populace can be construed as positive, as these exercise of conflict between the DOH and the municipality are both focused towards common good of Culion. The sanitarium was converted into General Hospital. The municipality meanwhile struggled to formulate statutes and laws necessary for the people and the place. Somehow and inadvertently people began to realize the shift in power and authority from the sanitarium to the municipality.
External conflicts also arises, foremost is the establishment of municipal boundary which remain in contrast with other municipality. Also the municipal waters which had been traditionally being accessed by neighboring towns as well as the commercial fishers that are competing with the local fishing industry. These are the issues that continue to haunt the local officials as a number of residents are benefited directly or indirectly by the commercial fishers.
Somehow the people are beginning to adapt to the demand of the present. Despite the odds and conflicts, Culion is moving on...
Meaning of Palawan - brief history
The history of Palawan may be traced back 22,000 years ago as confirmed by the discovery of fossils of the Tabon Cave Man in the municipality of Quezon. Although the origin of the cave dwellers is not yet established, anthropologists believe they came from Borneo. There are several versions regarding the origin of the name "Palawan". Some contend that it was derived from the Chinese word "Pa-Lao-Yu" meaning "Land of Beautiful Harbors". Others believe that it came from the Indian word "Palawans" meaning "Territory". Still others say that it was derived from a plant which the natives called "Palwa". But popular belief is that, "Palawan" is a corrupted from the Spanish word "Paragua" because the main island's shape resembles a closed umbrella.
The history of Palawan may be traced back 22,000 years ago as confirmed by the discovery of fossils of the Tabon Cave Man in the municipality of Quezon. Although the origin of the cave dwellers is not yet established, anthropologists believe they came from Borneo. There are several versions regarding the origin of the name "Palawan". Some contend that it was derived from the Chinese word "Pa-Lao-Yu" meaning "Land of Beautiful Harbors". Others believe that it came from the Indian word "Palawans" meaning "Territory". Still others say that it was derived from a plant which the natives called "Palwa". But popular belief is that, "Palawan" is a corrupted from the Spanish word "Paragua" because the main island's shape resembles a closed umbrella.
Deep Ecology
If we are to truly re-connect with the nature, we need to change our perceptions and approach more than our location. As long as we limit ourselves to rationality and its limited sense of "practicality," we will be disconnected from the "deep ecology" of our place. As Heidegger explains: "Dwelling is not primarily inhabiting but taking care of and creating that space within which something comes into its own and flourishes." It takes both time and ritual for real dwelling. Likewise, as Roy Rappaport observes, "knowledge will never replace respect in man's dealings with ecological systems, for the ecological systems in which man participates are likely to be so complex that he may never have sufficient comprehension of their content and structure to permit him to predict the outcome of many of his own acts." Ritual is the focused way in which we both experience and express that respect.
Saving environment...
Ritual is essential because it is truly the pattern that connects. It provides communication at all levels - communication among all the systems within the individual human organism; between people within groups; between one group and another in a city and throughout all these levels between the human and the non-human in the natural environment. Ritual provides us with a tool for learning to think logically, analogically and ecologically as we move toward a sustainable culture. Most important of all, perhaps, during rituals we have the experience, unique in our culture, of neither opposing nature or trying to be in communion with nature; but of finding ourselves within nature, and that is the key to sustainable culture.
We have idolized ideals, rationality and a limited kind of "practicality," and have regarded the conscious rituals of these other cultures as at best frivolous curiosities. The results are all too evident. We've only been here a few hundred years and already we have done irreparable damage to vast areas... As Gregory Bateson notes, "mere purposive rationality is necessarily pathogenic and destructive of life."We have tried to relate to the world around us through only the left side of our brain, and we are clearly failing. If we are to re-establish a viable relationship, we will need to rediscover the wisdom of these other cultures who knew that their relationship to the land and to the natural world required the whole of their being. What we call their "ritual and ceremony" was a sophisticated social and spiritual technology, refined through many thousands of years of experience, that maintained their relationship much more successfully than we are.Ritual is EssentialSeeing ritual and ceremony as
sophisticated social and spiritual technologyby Dolores LaChapelle
Saving environment...
Ritual is essential because it is truly the pattern that connects. It provides communication at all levels - communication among all the systems within the individual human organism; between people within groups; between one group and another in a city and throughout all these levels between the human and the non-human in the natural environment. Ritual provides us with a tool for learning to think logically, analogically and ecologically as we move toward a sustainable culture. Most important of all, perhaps, during rituals we have the experience, unique in our culture, of neither opposing nature or trying to be in communion with nature; but of finding ourselves within nature, and that is the key to sustainable culture.
We have idolized ideals, rationality and a limited kind of "practicality," and have regarded the conscious rituals of these other cultures as at best frivolous curiosities. The results are all too evident. We've only been here a few hundred years and already we have done irreparable damage to vast areas... As Gregory Bateson notes, "mere purposive rationality is necessarily pathogenic and destructive of life."We have tried to relate to the world around us through only the left side of our brain, and we are clearly failing. If we are to re-establish a viable relationship, we will need to rediscover the wisdom of these other cultures who knew that their relationship to the land and to the natural world required the whole of their being. What we call their "ritual and ceremony" was a sophisticated social and spiritual technology, refined through many thousands of years of experience, that maintained their relationship much more successfully than we are.Ritual is EssentialSeeing ritual and ceremony as
sophisticated social and spiritual technologyby Dolores LaChapelle
Saint Augustine who fell in love with beauty and sang its praises, wrote: "Man can live without science, he can live without bread, but without beauty he could no longer live, because there would no longer be anything to do to the world… we are to see a certain vision here, that no eye has seen, nor the heart of man conceived: a vision surpassing all earthly beauty, whether it be that of gold and silver, woods and fields, sea and sky, sun and moon, or stars and angels…
"Beauty pulls us up short, but in so doing it reminds us of our final destiny, it sets us back on our path, fills us with new hope, gives us the courage to live to the full the unique gift of life. It leads us then to grasp the Whole in the fragment, the Infinite in the finite..."
Our journey starts here in what we can recognize as meaningful. It’s like a sphere of history and science, of ecology and the indigenous people; the portrait of an island called Culion. History and science portray the struggle for dignity, of its stigma and a kind of discrimination. Historically the Phillipines scientific achievement to eliminate Hansenites or leprosy in 1998 were seen here in Culion which shares the same dreams and visions starting for a common mission in a quest for true healing and a new identity. Here lies the redemption made by its natural beauty and the mystical spheres. Thanks of course to the ecological reserves and its origin. Beauty!
It’ll give Culion disservice if we will not mention the original beautiful Indigenous People or the ‘Calamian Tagbanua’ as old as the Philippine history a kind of respect to the sacredness of our roots, not only Culion but most of all our motherland itself, before the influx of migrants bringing their customs, habits, regional characteristics and even dialects made the place uniquely heterogeneous population.
Through these complex series of events within and without, the past and the present, we can also recount the facts like Divine message of a truly unique gift, chronicled not only in our country but for the whole world that we would like to expressed this great joy of ‘healing’ which lots of people ought to know and must learn against the prejudices and misunderstanding if not ignorance of this stigma.. It was simply the manifestation of dignity.
Today when you hear the word Culion it’ll simply whisper to you a meaningful logo. It is now a cool word like “cool-yon” :)) a meaningful journey filled with reason and adventure or something you’ll remember the rest of your life. I remember one friend telling me about tourism, he said go first to the rest of the world and make your last tours in this place and you’ll forget all places you've been through, but of course that’s an exaggeration until you encounter the place by yourself. A kind of retreat and communion with nature just like walking in a garden of wisdom. Many travelers have been in awe of the tranquility of this place as mentioned by a friend above, because the experienced is not just about the views but most of all the compassionate kindness that one senses of harmony and peace that in the end you'll will find out that this peace is all about right relationship with man and his awareness of his environment. A nature calls. The very reason of Culion's ecological realization and a kind of spiritual journey.
So from this we can now travel around this sphere and discover the whole new world of the place now called the land of meaningful journey... :)))
"Beauty pulls us up short, but in so doing it reminds us of our final destiny, it sets us back on our path, fills us with new hope, gives us the courage to live to the full the unique gift of life. It leads us then to grasp the Whole in the fragment, the Infinite in the finite..."
Our journey starts here in what we can recognize as meaningful. It’s like a sphere of history and science, of ecology and the indigenous people; the portrait of an island called Culion. History and science portray the struggle for dignity, of its stigma and a kind of discrimination. Historically the Phillipines scientific achievement to eliminate Hansenites or leprosy in 1998 were seen here in Culion which shares the same dreams and visions starting for a common mission in a quest for true healing and a new identity. Here lies the redemption made by its natural beauty and the mystical spheres. Thanks of course to the ecological reserves and its origin. Beauty!
It’ll give Culion disservice if we will not mention the original beautiful Indigenous People or the ‘Calamian Tagbanua’ as old as the Philippine history a kind of respect to the sacredness of our roots, not only Culion but most of all our motherland itself, before the influx of migrants bringing their customs, habits, regional characteristics and even dialects made the place uniquely heterogeneous population.
Through these complex series of events within and without, the past and the present, we can also recount the facts like Divine message of a truly unique gift, chronicled not only in our country but for the whole world that we would like to expressed this great joy of ‘healing’ which lots of people ought to know and must learn against the prejudices and misunderstanding if not ignorance of this stigma.. It was simply the manifestation of dignity.
Today when you hear the word Culion it’ll simply whisper to you a meaningful logo. It is now a cool word like “cool-yon” :)) a meaningful journey filled with reason and adventure or something you’ll remember the rest of your life. I remember one friend telling me about tourism, he said go first to the rest of the world and make your last tours in this place and you’ll forget all places you've been through, but of course that’s an exaggeration until you encounter the place by yourself. A kind of retreat and communion with nature just like walking in a garden of wisdom. Many travelers have been in awe of the tranquility of this place as mentioned by a friend above, because the experienced is not just about the views but most of all the compassionate kindness that one senses of harmony and peace that in the end you'll will find out that this peace is all about right relationship with man and his awareness of his environment. A nature calls. The very reason of Culion's ecological realization and a kind of spiritual journey.
So from this we can now travel around this sphere and discover the whole new world of the place now called the land of meaningful journey... :)))
Copyright © [2006] [Culion, Palawan - jongnono]. All rights reserved.
NOBODY can use all these pictures or media without permission.
NOBODY can use all these pictures or media without permission.