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Gigantes Islands
Address: Carles, Iloilo
Description: The Gigantes group of islands in Carles, Iloilo are endowed with limestone forests, caves, and
white-sand beaches. It is classified as a high urgent conservation priority under the Philippine Biodiversity
Conservation Priority-Setting Program (PBCPP) It is home to a wide variety of species, 2 of them endemic:
the Gekkonid Lizard (Gekko gigante) and the Island Forest Frog (Platymantis insulatus). The 44,249-hectare
site is marred with political, economic, and cultural issues, which result in resource degradation, insecurity,
and vulnerability of the island and its communities.
Read more.
Status: Closed
Site Profile Summary
Site Profile
Ecosystem Types
Forest, Coastal, Marine
Protection Status
Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act 7160)
Area
44,249.76 hectares
Biogeographic
Features
- Two main islands: Gigante Norte (with smaller islets Bulubadiang, Gigantillo and
Gigantuna); and Gigante Sur (Antonia, Bantigui, Cabugao, Tanguingui)
- The islands are located within the Visayan Sea, one of the most productive
fishing grounds in the country.
- As part of the Coral Triangle, these islands contain some of the most biologically
diverse and richest coastal and marine resources.
- Gigantes Sur is known for its karst forests, spattered with groves of Ipil-ipil (Leucaena
Flora
leucocephala), which provide a distinct ecological assembly of microorganisms, insects,
mammals and fishes. Highly sensitive, the fragile limestone of karst forests make them
prone to surface changes caused by road construction or agricultural activities. The once
thick mangrove forests of Gigantes’ northern coasts have dwindled to thin patches
(Alcala, et. al, 2011)
Fauna
- Gigantes Islands are known for their bivalve (scallop/clam) and squid fisheries.
- South and North Gigante Islands have also been recognized as a key site by the
Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) because the area, specifically South Gigante, is
the only known habitat of the Critically Endangered Island Forest Frog
(Platymantis insulates) and the Gekkonid Lizard (Gekko gigante). These species
dwell in limestone karst forest and caves in forested lowlands. (An Island Way of
Life. Kalikasan BCSD Series 15.)
- Gigantes is also home to seven endemic bird species: Philippine Coucal
(Centropus viridis), Philippine Hawk Owl (Ninox philippinensis), Philippine Nightjar
(Caprimulgus manillensis), Pygmy Swiftlet (Collocalia troglodytes), Philippine
Pygmy Woodpecker (Dendrocopos maculatus), Philippine Bulbul (Ixos
philippinus), and the Pygmy Flowerpecker (Dicaeum pygmaeum (Alcala, et. al,
2011)
Livelihood
Resources
- Majority of the households depend on fishing
Other Matters of
Significance
- Gigantes Islands is one of the 6 conservation priority sites of FPE.
- At the height of Typhoon Yolanda (2013), in addition to devastation of
infrastructure and livelihood, it was reported that caves, where endemic species
of geckos and frogs thrive, were used as refuges / evacuation sites. Several
caves have high levels of disturbance from human activity (treasure hunting,
collection of speleothems, high human foot traffic, graffiti / vandalism, litter, and
mining for guano). Despite this, the status of Platymantis insulatus and Gekko
gigante are secured, according to a cave assessment completed in 2014. A long
term ecological program to monitor the population of the two species (both those
inside the caves and those that inhabit forests over limestone karst) is highly
recommended.
Sociocultural Situation
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Appreciation of the importance of resource protection, biodiversity conservation, and its critical link to
the communities' well-being and survival is lacking
Economic Situation
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The islands are marred with widespread poverty (poverty incidence rate is 80%). There is a need for
greater community representation and participation in the barangay development councils..
Geopolitical Situation
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The prevalence of destructive activities and the entry of commercial fishing exact heavy toll on fisheries
resources. Unregulated toursism activities are placing the carrying capacity of tourist sites at risk.
Policies are available but enforcement remains problematic.
Local government units adopted a strategic action plan (2012-2016), focusing on five strategies:
sustainable fisheries, livelihood, healthy community, biodiversity conservation, and ecotourism.
Disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) will also be given attention.
The Island Sustainable Development Alliance (ISDA) for Gigantes intends to coordinate the
conservation strategies and initiatives in the island.
Threats
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Poverty has driven local development to become heavily reliant on natural resources.
Vast forest denudation due to charcoal making and slash and burn farming. The remaining scrub
vegetation is stunted. This has changed climatic conditions in the island, and exposes teh topsoil to
erosion during monsoon season.
In-migration and unmanaged tourist activities put the delicate balance of cave and karst ecosystems at
risk. Pollution from settlements and conversion of land and marine territory have negatively tipped the
island's biodiversity status.
Increasing unsustainable fishing practices have caused the number of fish to dwindle
The need to rehabilitate the ecosystems is all the more pressing. The link between the state of the
ecosystem and the impact of disasters must be clearly established. Effective management of
ecosystems that produce healthy forests, mangroves and coral reefs can reduce physical exposure to
hazards and increase both ecosystem and community resilience. An integrated conservation
management framework must be pursued and safeguarded, in consultation with experts and local
partners.
FPE-funded Projects and Initiatives
Year Project
Building Resilient and Sustainable Small Island
Communities
The project builds on the gains of the ongoing
engagements in Gigantes, and focuses on addressing
the gaps in the 5-year Strategic Plan (2012-2016),
facilitate formulation of the 10-year conservation
2016 management plan, enhance community organizations
to develop functional protection mechanisms, and
develop informed communities as active partners
towards island resilience and sustainable use of the
island ecosystem.
Amount
Funded
Proponent
PhP2,000,000
University of the
Philippines Visayas
Foundation, Inc.
(UPVFI)
Strengthening Multi-Stakeholder Convergence
for Gigantes, Carles, Iloilo
The project facilitated the consolidation of postdisaster and development initiatives of various
organizations to enhance coordination,
2015
PhP150,700
convergence, and mitigate duplication and overlaps.
With SCI, PLS and ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya
Foundation, the project sought to unify programs,
support build back better objectives, and promote
small island resilience.
2015
Workshop on Gigantes Islands Caves
Conservation
Framework Development and Strategic Planning
2012
for Sicogon/Gigantes
University of the
Philippines Visayas
Foundation, Inc.
(UPVFI)
PhP73,150
FPE Visayas Regional
Unit
PhP799,300
Iloilo Caucus Of
Development NGOs
(ICODE)
Natural Resource Inventory and Resource
Management Assessment for The Islands Of
2009
Sicogon and Gigantes, Municipality Of Carles,
Iloilo
PhP1,004,000
Panay Rural
Organizaing for Reform
and Social Order, Inc.
(PROGRESO)
Key Outcomes
As of February 2017, the project, Building Resilient and Sustainable Small Island Communities is ongoing.
Project updates include:
Convergence
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A Sustainable Tourism Plan, as part of the 10-year Gigantes Islands Conservation Plan, has already
been conceptualized. The Technical Working Group will convene on March 1, 2017 to work on the
draft.
Avicennia sp. (local name: miyapi) was planted by the community, with the guidance of the Zoological
Society of London (ZSL) – Philippines, in a 2-hectare area of Barangay Gabi in Gigantes Sur. The
community was also trained by ZSL on the correct protocols of mangrove planting.
Capacity building activities on organizational development & leadership for ISDA was conducted.
Further training activities are in process.
Organizing
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Twenty-six (26) environmental youth champions were identified and were sent to Danjugan Marine
Camp (an FPE partner) for further training on marine conservation.
The identified tourism policemen awaits formal deputation, they were however, been deputized as
Bantay Dagat.
Education and Knowledge Management
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The project facilitated Convergence and ISDA meetings in the Municipality of Carles and in Gigantes
on August 2016, which resulted to a planning workshop on Ecotourism.
Conservation corners in identified schools were established, but it needs more information materials for
students’ reference and use.
Reference
An Island Way of Life: Resource Assessment and Strategic Plan Development for Gigantes Islands, Carles,
Iloilo, 2013. Kalikasan BCSD Knowledge Series 15. Foundation for the Philippine Environment and Iloilo
Caucus of Development NGOs (ICODE).
Foundation for the Philippine Environment
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