Kalanggaman Island

Summary

Kalanggaman Island is a sandbar located in the sea between Leyte and Cebu, in the Visayas Archipelago of the Philippines. It is located 10 kilometres west from the municipality of Palompon, Leyte.

Kalanggaman Island
Kalanggaman Island
Map
Geography
TypeSandbar
ArchipelagoVisayas
Administration

The island is an important breeding ground for the local ecosystem as well as a significant tourist attraction. The island is owned by the LGU Palompon.[1]

Geography edit

Kalanggaman Island is mostly flat, with a coastline marked by white sandy beaches. It's sandbar extends to the west of the island, the length of which changes depending on the season and the tide.[2]

Ecology edit

Kalanggaman Island serves as a breeding ground for sea turtles and manta rays. It is also home to diverse marine life due to the surrounding coral reefs, making it a popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.[3]

In 2018, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources raised concerns about the volume of tourist traffic in Kalanggaman, due to the possible environmental impacts it could have on the island's natural habitats.[4]

Tourism edit

Kalanggaman Island has been recognized by Lonely Planet as one of the most picturesque islands in the Philippines.[5][6]

Infrastructure edit

The local government has implemented several facilities to cater to the influx of tourists, including restrooms, grilling stations, and cottages. However, the island still lacks electricity, encouraging visitors to bring their own power supplies.[7]

In 2021, Typhoon Rai caused significant damage to the island's infrastructure, destroying many of the boats used for transportation to and from the island.[8] Subsequently, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of the Philippines published a detailed report on the damage to infrastructure and recovery efforts on the island.[9]

References edit

  1. ^ de Cadiz, Gerry (2021-01-07). "Land Conflict Due to Irregular Ownership of Land: The Case of Kalanggaman Island". Rochester, NY. doi:10.2139/ssrn.2483144. SSRN 2483144. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ "Kalanggaman Island: A Comprehensive Travel Guide". The Poor Traveler. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  3. ^ "Kalanggaman Island: A slice of paradise". Primer. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  4. ^ Meniano, Sarwell (September 6, 2018). "DENR questions tourism activities in Leyte's Kalanggaman Island". www.pna.gov.ph. Philippines News Agency.
  5. ^ Planet, Lonely (2020). Lonely Planet Philippines. Lonely Planet.
  6. ^ Planet, Kalanggaman Island Tours (2022). Philippines Travel Company.
  7. ^ "Touring Kalanggaman Island: Travel Guide And Tips". OutOfTownBlog. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  8. ^ "Typhoon Rai devastates parts of Philippines, including Kalanggaman Island". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  9. ^ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (2021). "Situation Report re Preparedness Measures and Effects of Typhoon "RAI" (ODDETTE)" (PDF). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

11°06′53″N 124°15′03″E / 11.1146°N 124.2508°E / 11.1146; 124.2508