“Lahi ra gyud among mga pagkaon dinhi. Mao nay gibalik-balikan sa mga customer namo. Naa mi’y saang, isda, ug kasagaran isda sugbahon, tulahon, ug kilawon (sutukil). Ga-offer pud mi og mga lami-an nga shellfish,” said Yvonne Democer, receptionist and member of the Gleaners Association, a Community Based Tourism Organization (CBTO) in Sapang Dalaga Floating Cottages.
(The distinctive flavors of our dishes keep customers coming back for more. We offer conch or spider shells, grilled or simmered fish in a flavorful broth, and raw fish with locally made vinegar and spices. We also have a variety of shellfish preparations, from grilled to steamed.)
Gleaners include receptionists, cooks, and food checkers, among others, who are women and were once part of the fisherfolk community.
After the Sapang Dalaga local government established Caluya as a tourism site, locals became tourism workers, offering visitors fresh seafood harvested directly from the sea and by a floating cottage.
“Manginhasay mana sila sauna, lisod baya layo ang dagat, tigluto na sila karon. Naa na silay income nga mas stable na ba kaysa sauna, tungod sa turismo,” Democer said.
(They were once fisherfolk, struggling with the distance to the ocean, but now they are cooks with a more stable income, thanks to tourism.)
Yvonne was simply a housewife, but through the government’s program to establish CBTOs in their localities, Yvonne, now a receptionist, has a job.
“Wala ko’y trabaho sauna pud, dayon gibutang ko as receptionist. Makatabang siya sa ako kai naa koy anak duha pud. Nanindot among lugar, og mamaligya ka diri daghan man gud tourist mu anhi unya mahalin gyud siya. Bisan unsa imong ibaligya, diskarte lang gyud,” she expressed.
(I did not have a job before but was hired as a receptionist. It has helped me a lot, especially with two kids. Our area has improved and become more beautiful. With so many tourists, whatever you sell is sold quickly. You just need to be resourceful.)
Safe and friendly town
Francisco G. Agias Jr., President of the Lifeguard Association and member of the CBTOs of Sapang Dalaga shared that one of the reasons tourists always come back is that their town is safe and friendly.
“Ang among buhaton gyud pag abot sa mga guests diri pag assist paghatag nila og maayong pagtagad, pag assists sa pag-suot sa life vest hangtud pagsakaya sa pumpboat, hangtud paingon sa floating, amo gyud nang i-assist para sa safety na nila,” Agias said.
(When guests arrive, we assist them by ensuring they receive proper attention, helping them wear life vests, and guiding them onto the boat and to the floating cottage for their safety.)
The Lifeguard Association was established in 2017 with 30 members. After receiving Department of Tourism training in first aid, life-saving, and customer service, the organization has grown to 33 members, with additional staff joining the team.
He said their goal is to serve and protect both lives and property, underscoring the importance of ensuring guest safety at all times.
Meanwhile, floating cottages are safe due to the big mountains that form a barrier against big waves.
Francisco notes that when tourist numbers are down, members seek temporary work elsewhere to make ends meet.
“Lifeguarding is a way to earn extra money. We alternate between fishing and patrolling the beach, taking turns as needed,” he explained.
Nevertheless, tourism has significantly improved their livelihood. Francisco shared that it has not only enhanced the lives of lifeguards but also benefited fisherfolk, who can now sell their harvest and earn a steady income.
Elbina Libot, a member of the Gleaners Association, shared that she joined the group in 2018, like many other members. Before, she was part of the “manginhasay” (fisherfolk) community, venturing into the town’s vast ocean to catch fish.
But since she joined Gleaners, she was tasked with checking orders to ensure that all guests were provided food.
“Whatever the guests will request, we provide, such as calamares, sweet and sour fish, steamed fish, and others,” she shared.
Local tourism of Sapang Dalaga
Melchoniza Calago Go, municipal tourism officer of Sapang Dalaga, shared that barangay Caluya was a chaotic place before becoming a tourism site.
“Pagsulod gyud sa turismo, nabag-o gyud ilang kinabuhi tanan. Sa una bitaw, dili gyud mi maka-utang kung naay suroy nga appliances, dili mi maka-utang sa EMCOR og appliances kay wala man mi trabaho. Wala mi-ika declare nga trabaho, pero karon, mosalig na gyud sila namo,” the provincial tourism officer said after hearing stories from the association members.
(With the arrival of tourism, their lives took a different turn. Before, we couldn’t get a loan for appliances from EMCOR because we had no declared jobs. But now, they trust us.)
Go shared that while they do not encourage taking loans, having a regular income from the municipality proves they have improved their livelihood and elevated their standing in the community.
“To give credit to our mayor, while the LGU may not generate as much income, the priority is the people. This creates a domino effect—when the grassroots level earns a stable income, they become self-sufficient and no longer need to depend on LGU assistance,” she said.
With the influx of tourism, fishermen can now easily register their boats and pay taxes. Small businesses, which previously struggled to obtain permits, are now thriving and contributing to the economy.
Meanwhile, the local government is in touch with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, ensuring the protection of marine life. | By Jasper Marie O. Rucat (PIA)