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On Palawan’s western frontier, San Vicente’s world-famous Long Beach-stretching 14 km-represents both a stunning natural asset and a powerful economic opportunity. The Integrated Tourism Master Plan (ITMP), conceived by TIEZA, the LGU of San Vicente, Palafox Associates, and other key stakeholders, positions Long Beach as a Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone (TEZ). This plan provides a strategic roadmap to transform the area into a globally competitive destination, carefully balancing growth with environmental and cultural sustainability.

Scope & Strategic Focus

Unlike the CTMP, which maps out development across all 10 barangays, the ITMP hones in on Long Beach and its four core barangays:

• Población
• New Agutaya
• San Isidro
• Alimanguan

These barangays form San Vicente’s tourism nucleus and are the focus of new infrastructure, zoning policies, and investment plans designed to create a vibrant and responsible destination.

Pillars of Development & Investment Potential

National Backing & Credibility

• Led by TIEZA, and supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), the ITMP was developed in collaboration with Palafox Associates. This alignment signals reliability and coherence at national and local levels-key to attract quality investment into Long Beach.

Strong Investor Interest

• Claims along feeder roads and rice paddies are escalating, as investors anticipate the rollout of TEZ guidelines and Deed of Restrictions, idealizing Long Beach as the next Boracay or Bali.

Rules to Protect & Guide

• Development is contingent on the upcoming Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) and Deed of Restrictions, ensuring consistency with ITMP zoning and design standards.

Policy Components & Regulatory Framework

The ITMP comprises several policy layers, ensuring comprehensive oversight of how Long Beach evolves:

Setback Regulations

To safeguard coastal ecosystems and adapt to climate change:

• A 20-meter marine buffer
• An additional 30-meter no-build zone
• Total 50-meter setback from the high-tide line for permanent structures

No-Build Zone

• Enforces strictly non-developable land beyond the initial marine buffer.
• Permits only temporary, movable amenities-such as umbrellas and loungers-to preserve natural shoreline aesthetics.

Building-to-Open Space Ratio

• Limits permanent built-up area to 50% per project, mandating a minimum 50% open space, including landscaping and access roads, to sustain ecological and visual harmony.

Height & Visual Harmony

• Regulates building height and fencing to ensure coastal visibility and aesthetic unity, avoiding skyline oversaturation.

Functional Road Network

• Bypass inland road: Maintains scenic beachfront paths by shifting through-traffic behind development zones
• Connecting access roads: Links inland clusters, private lodgings, and coastal facilities
• Walking and biking lanes: Promotes healthful, eco-friendly exploration

Infrastructure & Amenity Vision

Bypass Road

Planned inland, the bypass supports seamless travel between barangays while protecting beachfront serenity and minimizing traffic flow in pure tourism spaces.

Access Road Network

A series of municipal and private roads will connect inland villages like New Agutaya and Alimanguan to Long Beach, maximizing accessibility and development opportunity.

Pedestrian & Cycle Paths

The plan promotes walkability and low-impact tourism through dedicated lanes-encouraging scenic strolls, jogs, and eco-tours while reducing vehicle dependency.

Environmental & Climate-Smart Mandates

With deregulated beachfront growth historically degrading coastal environments, the ITMP establishes proactive measures:

Buffer & No-Build Zones

These zones provide vital defense against natural threats like storms and sea-level rise, while enhancing ecological integrity and public experience.

Open Space Mandate

By requiring 50% open land in each project, the plan preserves natural habitat, encourages green microclimates, and maintains San Vicente’s raw beauty.

Governance & Implementation Strategy

Task Force Leadership

A multi-stakeholder oversight group steered by the LGU and TIEZA includes technical branches for infrastructure, environment, zoning, and investment.

IRR & Deed of Restrictions

• The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) will be finalized following stakeholder and barangay consultations.
• The Deed of Restrictions sets legally binding development standards-ensuring long-term adherence to ITMP principles.

LGU & Private Sector Partnership

• The LGU will review and approve plan elements in phases, enabling incremental, focused growth aligned with infrastructure readiness and investor interest.

Sustainable Growth Outcomes

High-Quality, Inclusive Tourism

Strict setbacks and controlled building density promote high-end branded resorts and boutique accommodations, filtering out low-quality, overcrowded developments.

Environmental Preservation

Balanced ratios and buffer zones maintain coastal habitats and prevent overdevelopment. Pedestrian infrastructure encourages low-carbon tourism.

Community Integration

Local residents stand to benefit from:

• Jobs in lodgings and recreation
• Small-scale tourism businesses
• Access to public amenities and green spaces The ITMP ensures development is with the community-not just for it.

Economic & Regional Connectivity

Anchor for the Northern Corridor

Long Beach becomes the centerpiece of the proposed Underground River-San Vicente-El Nido tourism network, with Long Beach serving as both gateway and destination.

Phased Development = Measured Progress

• Phase 1: Infrastructure & zoning approval
• Phase 2: Initial development with fenced TEZ guidelines enforced
• Phase 3: Monitoring, compliance checking, and IRR/Deed first adjustments
• Phase 4: Regional integration and further expansion

Challenges & Adaptive Management

• Land rights & Deed complexity: Negotiating with multiple owners may delay rollout
• Environmental review compliance: Required ecological assessments may adjust timelines
• Funding and prioritization: Success hinges on securing DOT‑TIEZA support and private capital
• Enforcement rigor: Ensuring setbacks and no-build zones are upheld requires municipal capacity

Adaptive feedback loops throughout implementation will allow ordinance updates and zoning fine-tuning.

Insight:

The Integrated Tourism Master Plan (ITMP) is not just a blueprint-it’s a promise. With its focus on:

• Coastal protection
• Moderate density
• Smart infrastructure
• High‑end investment
• Community benefit

it sets Long Beach on a trajectory toward becoming San Vicente’s brightest gem-responsibly, sustainably, and memorably.

Nestled in the heart of Palawan, the charming municipality of San Vicente-with its 14-kilometer Long Beach, verdant hinterlands, and ten diverse barangays-stands on the cusp of transformation. The Conceptual Tourism Master Plan (CTMP) emerges as a bold framework designed to unlock the true potential of this coastal gem, harmonizing economic growth with environmental preservation and community well-being. Crafted through a dynamic collaboration between the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), the LGU of San Vicente, key stakeholders, and the esteemed planning firm Palafox Associates, this visionary roadmap extends far beyond Long Beach-it stretches across all barangays, weaving together San Vicente’s destinies into a unified, sustainable journey.

What Is the CTMP?

The CTMP serves as a comprehensive planning document that:

• Offers a 10-20 year vision for tourism-led development
• Balances economic opportunity, ecological protection, and local culture
• Sets forth strategic guidelines aligned with national tourism goals
• Includes pre-feasibility assessments and placemaking recommendations

Unlike development plans limited to single zones, the CTMP:

• Covers all 10 barangays-Población, New Agutaya, San Isidro, Alimanguan, Binga, New Canipo, Sto. Niño, Kemdeng, Port Barton, and Caruray
• Responds to each village’s unique assets-from glowing silica sands of Sto. Niño to the rural stillness of Caruray

Together, these elements create a masterplan that celebrates the municipality’s intrinsic beauty, cultural heritage, and economic promise.

Why It Matters?

Broad Reach, Shared Benefit

By addressing every barangay, the CTMP:

• Distributes prosperity evenly across San Vicente
• Encourages partnerships between coastal and inland communities
• Prevents competition between zones, encouraging cooperation

Future-Proof Integration

By aligning with the Underground River-San Vicente-El Nido corridor vision, this roadmap:

• Envisions San Vicente as a major tourism node
• Lays groundwork for improved connectivity-roads, maritime routes, eco trails

Locally Rooted, Globally Relevant

With Palafox’s expertise and stakeholder engagement, the CTMP:

• Blends international best practices with local culture and ecology
• Signals to investors-both domestic and foreign-that the plan is credible and strategic

CTMP’s Key Components

Current Tourism & Infrastructure Assessment

Palafox and the LGU conducted a county-wide audit of:

• Transport access-road quality, maritime piers, airport linkages
• Utility coverage-power, water, sewerage, pest control in barangays
• Tourist facilities-lodging, restaurants, public restrooms
• Cultural and natural attractions-silica sands, wetlands, traditional festivals

This baseline ensures that future phases are grounded in reality.

Asset-Based Zoning & Clustering

The municipality is grouped into 4 clusters based on shared attributes:

• Long Beach Cluster: High-end tourism, hospitality, leisure services
• North Clusters (Sto. Niño/Binga/Canipo): Ecotourism with agri-heritage focus
• South-West Clusters (Kemdeng/Port Barton/Caruray): Resort and island-hopping hubs
• Central Hinterland (Agriculture + Low-density tourism)

Clustering enables tailored development pathways.

Strategic Infrastructure Objectives

Road Network

• Grand Tourism Connectivity Plan: A two-decade vision linking Palawan’s prime destinations
• Bypass road inland: Keeps Long Beach traffic calm & scenic
• Pedestrian & bike lanes: Zero-emission, health-friendly travel
• Barangay access pathways: Seamless movement between villages

Utilities & Services

• Reliable solar-municipal water systems
• Wastewater treatment to safeguard land and sea
• Integrated waste collection & segregation
• Digital connectivity-broadband readiness

Tourist Amenity Builds

• Eco-trails, boardwalks, cultural villages, viewing decks
• Information centers for barangays
• Visitor-friendly facilities near natural features

Environmental & Cultural Safeguarding

• Coastal buffers: 20 m marine, 30 m footpaths to ensure shoreline resilience
• No-build zones: Along the micronesian coastlines
• Building-to-open-space ratio: 50/50 for resorts to maintain green visuals
• Environmental restoration zones: Where nature is reforested
• Community-based heritage preservation: Safeguarding traditions, crafts, and storytelling

Economic & Community Empowerment

• Village visitor centers-entryway knowledge hubs with local guides
• Home-stay networks-hospitality income for residents
• Craft and agriculture markets-local production showcased and sold
• Training programs-hospitality, language, environmental management upskilling
• Public-private partnerships-ensuring community benefits from tourism

Implementation Strategy

Stakeholder Governance

Implementation is overseen by a multi-tier task force:

• Chaired by LGU-backed by TIEZA (Flagship TEZ authority)
• Technical subcommittees for planning, environment, heritage, infrastructure, investment

Funding Strategy

Financing comes from:

1. National sources: DOT, TIEZA infrastructure grants
2. Local investment: Private resorts, community eco-tours
3. International aid: climate and biodiversity funding
4. Public-private partnerships: e.g. power lines or water stations

Phased Rollout

• Phase 1 (Years 1-3): Long Beach cluster pilot-roads, pedestrian walkways, setbacks, zoning
• Phase 2 (Years 3-7): Northern barangays-agri/ecotourism, community facilities
• Phase 3 (Years 5-10): Southern hubs-port facilities, island-hopping infrastructure
• Phase 4 (Years 10-20): Corridor linkages, integration into regional tourism ecosystem

Monitoring & Adaptive Management

• KPIs tracked: Waste patterns, tourist arrivals, community satisfaction
• Annual task force reviews: To align with progress and community feedback
• Amendments through Barangay & Sangguniang Bayan input-ensures grassroots validation

Supporting Long-Term Outcomes

Tourism Diversification

The CTMP avoids “resort hub” pitfalls by distributing opportunities, pulling tourists beyond Long Beach and reducing ecological footprint.

Environmental Resilience

Buffers and zoning protect against:

• Climate threats-sea-level rise, coastal erosion
• Habitat degradation and biodiversity loss

Cultural Preservation

By involving barangay cultural workers, the plan ensures:

• Integrity and authenticity in local arts and traditions
• Preservation of intangible heritage across the municipality

Economic Empowerment

Community-run enterprises-homestays, tours, craft markets-ensure that tourism benefits stay local, uplifting livelihoods across San Vicente.

Insight:

The Conceptual Tourism Master Plan marks a pivotal moment for San Vicente. It outlines a migration from agricultural reliance to an integrated, sustainable tourism economy. Guided by Palafox Associates, galvanized by LGU and TIEZA support, and enriched by barangay-level engagement, this blueprint charts a future where:

• San Vicente is preserved and promoted with integrity
• Ecology and economy thrive in balance
• Every barangay becomes a tourism destination in its own right