04/05/2025
As part of the 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 (𝗧𝗣𝗕) 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀’ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 (𝗖𝗕𝗧) 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 in the Zamboanga Peninsula, we had the privilege of visiting the award-winning 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 in Isabela de Basilan. Run by the dedicated women of the 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, this serene ecotourism destination is more than just a place to unwind — it’s a symbol of local leadership, ecological care, and cultural pride.
Surrounded by thriving mangroves and calm coastal waters, the floating cottages offer guests a peaceful escape into nature. Adding to the experience is the delightful food prepared by the 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 — nutritious, flavorful, and deeply rooted in their community’s culinary heritage.
Their exceptional work in uplifting local livelihoods through tourism has earned them both national and regional honors, including the 2023 𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗣-𝗗𝗢𝗧 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗕𝗧 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 2025 𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱. It’s a shining example of how community-driven tourism can create real, lasting impact — 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.
Thank you so much, 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀, for including 𝗟𝗮𝘀 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 in this meaningful journey.
We proudly support community-based tourism as a pathway to inclusive growth, cultural preservation, and sustainable travel across the Philippines. Mabuhay! 🇵🇭
Isabela City Tourism Department of Tourism - Zamboanga Peninsula Office
