The Island
Mararison is the island that exemplifies climate resilience. This 55-hectare beauty, off the western flank of Panay island, survived the wrath of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. With its aquamarine waters and golden hills, Mararison has adopted sustainable travel as a means to rise from calamity.
The introduction of solar power to Mararison proved to be the turning point that turned the island’s fortunes around, after Haiyan’s devastation. With the opening of homestays for overnight visitors, businesses sprouted while improved internet connectivity allowed linkages to flourish and the overall standard of living to improve.
The island’s resilience is exemplified by Riza Mae Tachado, now a XXXX, who was writing her college thesis when a typhoon struck Mararison. She was unable to leave the island for weeks but she and her groupmates used their mobile phones to communicate with each other, finish their thesis and submit it on time.
Like Riza, the island has pulled itself up from destruction through community action, a firm resolve, creative use of technology and a new awareness of the reality of climate change and how to alleviate its effects.
With Mararison as an example, Banwa has realized the need for integrated solutions to sustainable development and climate resilience. What is needed is a network of interrelated sustainable practices and enterprises to combat the effects of climate change.
Mararison island, that small brown dot in the middle of a vast blue sea, is the breath of fresh air that will lead the rest of the country on the road to sustainable development.
How to get to Mararison
Getting to Mararison – Costs
From Iloilo:
• Taxi from Iloilo Airport to Bus Station, PhP 500-700
• Bus from Iloilo to Culasi – PhP 300/ person
• Tricycle from Culasi Bus Station to Pier – PhP 10 pesos/ person
• Regular Ferry from Culasi to Mararison – PhP 100/ person
• Charter boat from Culasi to Mararison – PhP 1,000
From Kalibo:
• Bus from Kalibo to Culasi – Php 300 Pesos/ person
• Van Kalibo to Culasi – PhP 350 pesos/person
• Tricycle from Culasi Bus Station to Pier – PhP 10/ person
• Regular Ferry from Culasi to Mararison – PhP 100/ person
• Charter boat fro, Culasi port to Mararison – PhP 1,000
Homestays
Activities
Mararison is surrounded by a wide fringing reef abuzz with marine life. While a part of the reef on the island’s west side has been designated a strict no-take zone, snorkeling is allowed in the areas immediately outside of this zone. Snorkeling equipment is available from XXX at XX per day.
Mararison is surrounded by beaches but the best swimming is on its sandbar that juts out XX meters into the clear blue waters of the Visayan Sea. You can rent a bamboo and nipa cabana on Kawit for XX per day.
Beyond the island’s close-knit cluster of houses are Mararison’s Marlboro Country hills with its fantastic 360 view of the Antique mountain ranges as well as the cerulean seas and islands. Best to make the short hike at sunset when the soft light makes the views of the lofty peaks and the surrounding islands truly special.
Within a couple of hours of a banca ride are a couple of other small islands, Seco and XXXX which can make for fun day trips out of Mararison. Seco, Spanish for dry, is a sand bar with a few trees on its central core. XXX has an old light house operated by the Philippine Navy and a pristine reef. Return banca trips may be negotiated directly with MICBETO on Mararison.
