Discovering Balut Island, Davao Occidental

Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan...

When I was in my high school and college years, I thought of Mindanao as chaotic, a fighting arena for several leftist groups known to sow terror in the region... So when I was ordered to transfer here, I felt numb.. quite uncertain since this is the first time I will fly to Mindanao. 

My new destination: Davao City. When I got here, what I thought was actually different from what i expected. A beautiful place, urbanized in a different perspective, qualities of people are notch higher compared to what I used to...    

 

The day after I arrived Davao City, we were scheduled to depart Davao going to Balut Island. So i got the chart and look for it. From our current location to Balut Island is 131 nautical miles distance. We traveled it for 11 hours in 10 knots speed on board our home, MCS 3005, a 30-meter yacht owned by BFAR but manned by officers and men of Philippine Cute and Gentlemen (PCG).

If you will travel by public means:  (I just researched this details from my buddy who stayed in Balut Island for quite sometime)

From Davao City you will ride a bus going to General Santos City, fare is P 250.00 with estimated 4 hours  travel. Then Ride a tricycle going to wharf, P 10.00
There is a Wharf fee of environmental fee of P 20.00 each and then you will board a vessel that will take you there preferably MV Dolly, MV Nicky or MV Sabgangat in Puting Bato wharf. 

Going there isn't easy though the weather is good, the sea condition is totally rough to heavy to extreme seas. Big waves, strong currents will definitely bring newbies to barf everything in ther stomach... 

When I've seen the island right in front of my eye for the very first time... clear blue waters, white sand coastlines, virgin forest covering the island... truly weariness and fatigue of some sort vanished, though sound of waves smashing the boat kept on resounding in my mind and after effects of vomits made me quite uneasy...

While approaching to the island's mabila wharf, we requested for assistance of  a fisherman to guide us through. It is necessary to be cautious because there are areas with shallow waters, that you might ran aground. Vessels plying the area used to leave at night, perhaps they look for calmer sea condition, but for newcomer, it is suggested to arrive and leave daytime for better and safer navigation.

Lets take a little peep on what Balut Island has to offer. Balut Island is also known as Sanguil. It is a volcanic island meaning an island of volcanic origin. It is located southern  tip of Davao Occidental (western part) in Mindanao region. Center of the island is Balut Volcano. Actually I was asking local residents why they called it Balut since they don't have balot literally there. So one of them told me, that the entire island is covered with (grass or something), that's why they call it the way they do. It is a fumarolic volcano with no historical eruption. there's a lot of hot spring in the area but we've no enough time to discover more since our stay is quite limited. 

This island is separated by the saranggani straight. Balut, saranggani and olavinan island make up the island group known as Saranggani Islands. The group comprises the Municipality of Saranggani of Davao Occidental. Mabila in Balut Island is the town's center of commerce and local government. Residents primary source of livelihood is fishing and coconut crafts. 

We met the Mayor of Municipality of Saranggani (oops, you might thinking saranggani province of of our boxing icon... well it far different) Hon Mayor Cawa, she's the wife of former Mayor Jerry Cawa. They are hospitable, kind and brave as they tell us stories and experiences os chiefs. The crime rate is low... but election related violence is high

Though this place is one of the poorest municipalities of the country perhaps due to its geographical location, the place is substantially equip with the basic services, hospital, learning institutions. they have covered court and the likes, but lack of bank/atm services. there are inns to stay, resorts...  really kept me admiring how these people handle their constituents amid limited access and capability.

  

Accordingly, there are talks between US and national government on the establishment of US military bases in the topmost area of the island. In fact US have already had an ocular inspection in the site... this is just a story of Mayor Cawa and has no proof to support the claim... but its quite interesting to note.

This what we got...

Boating courtesy of CG Station Saranggani.

Rubber Boat Operations for shallow water soundings and later island hopping...

devour the pristine clear turquoise blue water 

Discovering magnificence of Saranggani Island  

 thought cast ako ng dyesebel... wahaha (fan of dos lang)

 rock formations 

 the beach resort owned by Mayor Casa  

 a fortunate kid who doesn't need to travel and spend more just to see this wonders   

visit to CG Station and went to boarding crossing station of Indonesia

There's a lot of things this island has to offer. if you are outdoor enthusiast, you can do mountain climbing, if you want relaxation, there's hot spring, you can do swimming... 

 Its nice to see this place and hope you see this too.