Port Barton, San Vicente
Port Barton is one of the major destinations of local and foreign tourists in Palawan. Port Barton is a bit way off the other scenic places in the province of Palawan because it lies at the northwestern side. Port Barton is difficult to access due to poor roads that can be traversed by only four-wheel drive vehicles or the huge six-wheeler jeepney that serve the Port Barton-Puerto Princesa route. Once there, a tourist could commune with nature as the place is known for its peaceful, rural setting.
Access to Port Barton
In August 2008, I visited Port Barton with my friend and three of my students. We traveled more than a hundred kilometers on a well-paved highway connecting Roxas and Puerto Princesa, the capital city of Palawan. At a junction somewhere almost near Roxas municipality, an access road to Port Barton broke our smooth ride. The road this time is unpaved with occasional potholed on it. A few minutes later, we encountered a badly damaged road with deep recesses caused by tires buried in muck. The driver drove through it maneuvering such that we avoid getting stuck. It was a successful attempt after snaking our way through the thick mud.
Port Barton is difficult to access during the rainy months because the soil is not as compact as in other places. Reaching the place is made possible by large, six-wheeled jeepney or four-wheel drive vehicles during the months of July through December. Once the tires get stuck and buried in the mud, the jeepney assistants have to dig out soil in front of the tires so the jeepney can gather momentum and get out of the mud.
Breathtaking Sight
The trip to Port Barton is a worthwhile one because when we finally reached the place, we were greeted by a breathtaking sight of the long, white sand beaches lined with coconut trees. Port Barton is undoubtedly one of the best places to unwind. Port Barton is serene and everything is rural life. Despite the feeling of remoteness, there are still cellphone signals that make possible communicating with loved ones at home.
Port Barton at dawn.
Coral Reef Dive
San Vicente was a pilot site for a community-based project once, and I was curious about how the initiative affected local natural resources. It was more than 20 years since the project took off and it would be interesting to see the condition of the coral reefs. My friend and students hired a banca to see what's under the sea. Only three of us could SCUBA dive so we have to leave our companions at the mercy of the wavy seas that caused two of my students to vomit while on board the banca. We dived near a protruding rock which the locals called "Layag-Layag", which means "like a flag".
Layag-layag welcomes divers to coral reef life in Port Barton.
The sea was rough when we got out of the banca and we can even feel under the sea. There were times we have to swim against the current but most of the time we just went where the force would take us. The corals are in the forms of mounds with many crevices, an ideal place for reef fishes to take refuge. We encountered lots of coral reef fishes, groupers, fusiliers, sweetlips, surgeonfishes, among others. Corals still thrive in the place, but I would say not in an excellent condition compared to other places I have been.
The complex coral reef configuration serves well as fish habitat.
The trip to Port Barton in San Vicente is an excellent one especially to people who have no need to hurry. Port Barton is a place to unwind and shy away from the complexities and hectic life in the urban areas. I would return to the place once I get the opportunity again.
Source: Port Barton: A Hidden Paradise in Northwestern Palawan