Puerto Galera was called a paradise in the early days of modern Philippine tourism when it captured the world’s attention, much ahead of Boracay. In 1973, the Unesco designated Puerto Galera as a Man and Biosphere Reserve. It has some of the most diverse coral reefs in Asia, at the very heart of the “Coral Triangle.” The “center of the center” of marine biodiversity in the world is Verde Passage—the waters between Batangas and Mindoro. Its coral reefs house about 60 percent of the world’s shore fish. Puerto Galera is well known for its numerous scuba diving spots. In 2005, the Paris-based Les Plus Belles Baies Du Monde Club declared it as one of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World. It is the tourism municipality of the province of Oriental Mindoro.
Ten months into the pandemic, Puerto Galera is future-ready with its rich natural resources revived, awaiting the world’s appreciation. The pandemic allowed the healing of the beautiful paradise, which, over decades, has been exploited by savages of the universe—irresponsible humans.
The pandemic’s impact
With tourism as the only source of income for most of its 36,600 population in the past four decades, Puerto Galera has suffered the blows of the pandemic. The people went through the ordeal of having no income from tourism. Businesses closed and unemployment surged. Worst hit are the self-employed tourism frontliners who knew only one source of income—tourism. In this municipality, trade and commerce catered mostly to the needs of the tourists.
The 1,048 registered business establishments with 3,624 workers and 1,729 transport sector members suffered the most. The place suffered a loss of 223,000 tourist arrivals and almost P1 billion in tourism receipts. The local government supported its populace through financial assistance and enjoined them to venture into agriculture, at least for their sustenance.
Puerto Galera’s rich history
Puerto Galera is Spanish for “Port of the Galleons.” It has been said that the Spaniards discovered Puerto Galera in the early 16th century as a safe haven for their trade ships during heavy squalls and typhoons, hence the name Puerto De Galera. For centuries, trading vessels would drop anchors off the shores of this place on the northeastern coast of Mindoro Island.
Puerto Galera, one of the oldest settlements of religious missionaries, was founded in 1574 as capital of Mindoro. Because of its susceptibility to Moro raids, the old capital town was transferred to the present site and was named Puerto Galera. Spanish galleons coming from Mexico and Spain stopped by Puerto Galera to take refuge during stormy weather before proceeding to Manila. In 1837, the seat of government was transferred to Calapan.
Guarding the coast of Puerto Galera was a Spanish warship, the El Cañonero de Mariveles, which sank during a very strong storm in November 18, 1879. A wooden cross was erected at Muelle as a tribute.
Revolutionaries from Puerto Galera participated in the overthrow of the Spanish government in Mindoro from 1898 to 1900 under the leadership of brothers Miguel and Estanislao Cobarrubias Sr. During the American occupation, Cpt. Robert Offley was appointed military governor on November 2, 1902. Puerto Galera was again made the capital of the province until 1903. It was made a municipal district on February 21, 1928. Under Act 3415, it was organized into an independent municipality.
Rich topography, culture, flora & fauna
Puerto Galera is a Y-shaped peninsula located on the North shore of Mindoro island with 42 kilometers of irregular coastline. Its topography is characterized by mountainous terrains criss-crossed by numerous streams and rivers. Its water source comes from a spring in the mountain.
The first-class municipality consists of 12 coastal and 1 upland barangays, with a total land area of 26,392.76319 hectares. It is home to an indigenous tribe—the Iraya Mangyan. Puerto Galera is home to 20 species of mangroves (out of 40 species in the country), 9 species of sea grasses (out of 16 species in the world), 152 species of corals (out of 400 species in the country), 69 species of seaweeds (out of 141 species in the country),19 species of birds and 1 very rare specie of hard coral known as “Acropora Puerto Gallerei,” which can only be found in Puerto Galera.
There are 45 dive spots scattered around the shore of Puerto Galera.
The 5 As of Puerto Galera tourism in the new normal
The Tourism Chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), who is also the Father of Philippine Franchising, Dr. Samie Lim initially formulated the 5 As of tourism: Arrival, Access, Accommodations, Attractions and Activities. Recently, he expanded the As to also include Advertising, Academic Linkages and Assurance of Safety. Here is the review of the 8 As of Puerto Galera in the new normal.
Direct arrival and access to Puerto Galera is only through the designated Berberabe Port in Batangas, direct to Muelle Port in Puerto Galera via water taxi, which charges P8,000 for 10-person capacity. Travel time is approximately 25 to 30 minutes. This requires negative RT-PCR swab test, booking with accredited accommodation facility and confirmation by the local government unit (LGU), which may be done online. Those with vehicles may take the trip via Calapan City, which is two hours RORO ride from Batangas. Puerto Galera is an hour away from Calapan City via land trip. As some resorts have helipads, helicopter rides are also available with clearance from the aviation authority. There are now 61 DOT-authorized accommodation facilities, with wide-ranging options from a budget price of P1,500 to P3,000 per person, or from a small cottage to big villas. The LGU has active online presence to guide tourists.
All attractions and activities are open for business except the Puerto Galera Windmill and the Mangyan Village. From white beaches to diving and snorkeling sites, to island hopping and fishing, Puerto Galera has everything to offer. Trekking through forests, mountains and hills, to waterfalls and rivers, Puerto Galera has more to offer. The church, market and museum are also open, as well as restaurants with diverse local and international cuisines.
To ensure its human resource supply, Puerto Galera launched amid the pandemic its Colegio De Puerto Galera, offering a bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management. Advertisements of Puerto Galera is done by the individual resorts and establishments, which, in the age of social media, are benefiting from ambassadors from among the tourists. Assurance of safety is effectively led by the local government, with priority on the health and welfare of its people, especially because Puerto Galera has zero local transmission of Covid-19 in the last four months.
Moving forward and beyond
Blue Alliance, a non-profit NGO and the local government of Puerto Galera under Mayor Rocky Ilagan will soon sign a co-management agreement for the Marine Protected Areas of the municipality. It has the assistance of the Blue Finance, an international environment organization working under the auspices of the United Nations Development Program. The environmental NGO will invest millions of dollars and employ a significant number of local laborers and craftsmen while building the sea sensorium (digital visitor center) and will support the Bantay Dagat personnel, coral gardeners, eco-guides and resource monitors.
The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute is establishing an extension campus in Puerto Galera for training and research. It will also assist in maintaining the status of Puerto Galera as the Man and Biosphere Reserve of the Unesco.
The excellent biodiversity of Puerto Galera, which is host to rich flora and fauna, is not only a tourism destination that offers a multiverse experience but also a wealth of natural resources of the Philippines and the world. Now that the pandemic has erased the footprints of the irresponsible exploitation of its beauty, there is an opportunity for Puerto Galerans, the Mindorenos and the Filipinos to realize that as nature heals itself, the stewards of nature should protect the amazing Puerto Galera as a renewed paradise. People may still be afraid of the uncertainty amid the pandemic, but the beauty of Puerto Galera is a great messenger of hope and God’s love.
For feedback, please send e-mail to drcarlbalita@yahoo.com.