Pacijan Island
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Mangodlong Rock Beach Resort | |
  San Francisco  1 2 3  4 5 6 Location of municipality of San Francisco, and tourist attractions on Pacijan
1 Lake Danao • 2 Tumibo Cave • 3 Arqui's Viewing Deck
4 Bakhaw Beach • 5 Mangodlong Beach • 6 Santiago Bay | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Camotes Sea |
| Coordinates | 10°39′N 124°20′E / 10.650°N 124.333°E |
| Area | 106.53 km2 (41.13 sq mi) |
| Length | 14.75 km (9.165 mi) |
| Width | 8.50 km (5.282 mi) |
| Country | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 46357 (as of 2010) |
| Density | 440 /km2 (1,140 /sq mi) |
| Additional information | |
|
Lake Danao | |
| Max. length | 4.9 km (3.0 mi) |
| Max. width | 1.8 km (1.1 mi) |
| Surface area | 650 ha (1,600 acres) |
| Surface elevation | 5 m (16 ft) |
Pacijan is an island in the province of Cebu, Philippines, in the Camotes Sea. Also known as Pajican Island,[1] it is one of four islands in the Camotes island group of Cebu - along with Poro Island, Ponson Island, and Tulang Island. They are located east of the main island of Cebu, south and west of Leyte Island and north of Bohol Island.
San Francisco is the sole municipality on the island. A 1,400-metre (1,500 yd) causeway crosses the mangrove swamp to connect Pacijan and Poro Island. It was constructed during the Spanish era, to bridge the islands for easier trading and attending services in Poro church.
Attractions
Lake Danao
Lake Danao is a freshwater lake located in the northern part of the island. Its area of 650 ha (1,600 acres) makes it the largest lake not only in the province but also in the Visayas regions. It has two interior islands which can be reached by paddleboat or as part of the scenic lake cruise. An 18-kilometre (11 mi) hiking and cycling trail encircles the entire perimeter of the lake. Although classifies as "freshwater", that doesn't necessarily make it suitable for irrigation. A 2015 study determined which crops could be sustained.[2]
- Flora
- Corn and coconut grow all over the island, including the areas surrounding the lake. Several rare orchids and a variety of herbs of medicinal value grow along the lake shore.
- Most of the original vegetation has disappeared, and even the small islets in the lake have been planted with coconut palms. The only remaining area of aquatic vegetation is on the east side of the lake, where the water is shallow and there is a dense growth of submerged vegetation, including water cabbage, hydrilla and water hyacinth.
- Soli-soli is a type of grass that grows abundantly along the banks of the lake and is one source of livelihood on the island. These grasses are harvested, dried and woven into different kinds of handicrafts such as bags, mats, hats and other decorative items, and then sold to local and mainland market outlets. An annual festival is held nominally celebrating the plant. This takes place every third Sunday of March, coinciding with the fiesta honoring Saint Joseph. Extending throughout the island, the event is an occupational festival injected with religious sentiments shown through flamboyant colors, abundant food and fervent dancing.
- Fauna
- The lake supports a very rich fishery, and many local residents depend on this resource for their subsistence.
- The rich ichthyofauna includes
- tilapia
- common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
- milkfish (Chanos chanos)
- tank goby (Glossogobius giuris)
- catfish (Clarias sp.)
- A wide variety of avifauna occur including
- little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
- intermediate egret (Egretta intermedia)
- purple heron (Ardea purpurea)
- wandering whistling duck (Dendrocygna arcuata)
- The estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) formerly inhabited the lake: according to the Groombridge report (1982),[3] the population was still healthy in 1978, but according to other reports, the last individual was killed in 1971. Monitor lizards (Varanus) can still be seen occasionally on its shore.[4]
Other attractions
Tumibo Cave is a grotto in the Tumibo plateau, brgy Sonog, which offers swimming in a crystal-clear underground pool.
Arqui’s Viewing Deck in the summit area of Monte Alegre offers outstanding picturesque views across Pacijan including Lake Danao and Tulang islet, as well as the islands of Cebu and Leyte beyond.
Bakhaw Beach is located in brgy Esperanza. Its sugary sand and clear waters make it safe for children.
Mangodlong Beach is one of the most visited beaches in the Camotes. It offers white sand and is located in the fishing village of Mangodlong, brgy Himensulan. Across the beach is a coral islet.
Santiago Bay is located in the southwestern part of the island. The wide and deep white sand beach is situated directly in front of the town of Santiago. This beach is owned by the local government and is a favorite rendezvous for locals and visitors.
References
- ↑ Famous Destinations - Camotes group of islands, Cebu Province Official Website. Retrieved on 2010-06-23.
- ↑ Alkuino, Xerxes (8 March 2015). "Lake water is suitable for crops’". Cebu Provincial Government. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
- ↑ Groombridge, B. & Wright, L., eds. (1982). The IUCN Amphibia-reptilia Red Data Book. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Species Survival Commission. ISBN 9782880326012.
- ↑ Magsalay, Perla M. "PHILIPPINES INTRODUCTION - Ramsar Sites Information Service" (pdf). Haribon Foundation. ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity. pp. 36–37. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
External links
Coordinates: 10°39′N 124°20′E / 10.650°N 124.333°E
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