Sicogon Families Receive Land as SITEC, FESIFFA Fulfill Major Commitment

June 19, 2026

FESIFFA joins the formalization of Ayala Land’s donation of 30 hectares of residential land and 33 hectares of agricultural land through SITEC, fulfilling commitments under the amended Compromise and Framework Agreement for the development of Sicogon Island in Iloilo. In photo from left (front row): Atty. Daniel Dinopol, lawyer of FESIFFA; Joseph Edgar Marañon – Sarrosa, SIDECO Director; Hon. Leo Rafael “Bebo” Marañon Cueva, Mayor of Sagay City, Negros Occidental; Amelia dela Cruz, FESIFFA President; Hon. Arnold Betita II, Mayor of Carles, Iloilo; Michael Andrew Marañon Sarrosa, SIDECO President and SITEC Vice Chairman; and Hon. Raul Betita, SB Member of Carles Iloilo.*

SICOGON ISLAND, Carles, Iloilo – Hundreds of members of the Federation of Sicogon Island Farmers and Fisherfolk Association (FESIFFA) gathered on Sicogon Island as Sicogon Island Tourism Estate Corporation (SITEC) formally signed the Deeds of Donation covering 30 hectares of residential land and 33 hectares of agricultural land for beneficiary families.

The signing fulfills two major commitments under the amended Compromise and Framework Agreement between SITEC and FESIFFA and provides Sicogon families with residential land for community development and agricultural land to support long-term livelihood opportunities. The event was attended by the local government of Carles led by Mayor Arnold Betita II, representatives of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), community leaders, and members of FESIFFA.

Alongside the signing, SITEC also released the remaining ₱29 million housing fund balance for home construction under the agreement.

“These commitments were made to the community, and today we are seeing another important step toward fulfilling them,” said Michael Andrew M. Sarrosa, President of SIDECO and Vice Chairman of SITEC. “This process involved coordination among many stakeholders, and our shared objective has always been to secure better opportunities and a more stable future for Sicogon families.”

Under the amended agreement signed in 2021, SITEC committed support for residential land, housing construction, livelihood assistance, and agricultural land allocation for FESIFFA members.

Amelia dela Cruz, FESIFFA President, raises her hand in celebration as Michael Andrew Marañon-Sarrosa, SIDECO President and SITEC Vice Chairman, presents the deed of donation during the formalization of Ayala Land’s 63-hectare land donation in Sicogon Island, Iloilo.*

To date:

30 hectares of residential land have been formally donated to beneficiary families;
33 hectares of agricultural land have been turned over to agrarian reform beneficiaries;
₱38 million in livelihood assistance has been fully released; and
Total funding released for land development and housing construction now stands at ₱256 million, supporting the completion of 784 homes covered under the agreement.

For FESIFFA members, the signing represents years of work toward securing permanent residential communities and stronger livelihood opportunities on Sicogon Island. “Masaya po kami na natupad na ang matagal naming hinihintay,” said FESIFFA President Amelia Dela Cruz. “Ang kasunduang ito ay nagbibigay ng katiyakan para sa aming mga miyembro at kanilang mga pamilya at nagbibigay ng mas matibay na pundasyon para sa susunod na henerasyon.”

SITEC said it will continue working with FESIFFA, government agencies, and community stakeholders to complete the remaining commitments under the agreement. “The commitments to the Sicogon community remain in place,” SITEC said. “Progress has been achieved through cooperation among the community, government, and project partners, and that collaboration remains important as work continues on the remaining obligations.”

SITEC is a joint venture involving Ayala Land and the Sicogon Development Corporation.*