Cruise ship port eyed for Sipalay City

With tourism numbers climbing and its reputation as Negros Occidental’s most visited destination outside Bacolod firmly established, Sipalay City is now on the radar of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) for a potential cruise port project.

The City Government of Sipalay reported that officials of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), led by PPA-PMO Negros Occidental and Bacolod Port Manager Engineer Rodel G. Lagmay, met with Mayor Maria Gina M. Lizares on September 17, 2025, to present the possible construction of a port in the city capable of accommodating cruise ships and their passengers.

PPA identified two possible sites for the project: the Campomanes Ecoport and the old industrial port in Barangay Cartagena, which once served a mining operation.

The proposal comes at a time when Sipalay is posting consistent growth in tourist arrivals.

In 2023, the city logged 214,942 overnight visitors and the number rose further in 2024 to 224,093, including 11,238 foreign tourists, data from the City Tourism Office showed.

Before Negros Occidental was carved out to form the Negros Island Region (NIR), Sipalay ranked as the fourth most visited destination in Western Visayas in 2024.

Lizares welcomed the plan, describing it as a possible new gateway that could open more opportunities for Sipalaynons.

Meanwhile, Tourism Officer Jerick Lacson told Brigada News FM Kabankalan on Friday, September 19, that he also welcomed the proposal, saying it could sustain Sipalay’s growth by driving demand for hotels, restaurants, transport services, and community-based attractions.

“Sipalay is currently experiencing robust growth in tourist arrivals, and this proposal will certainly create greater demand for the city’s various tourism establishments and services. This translates into more income not only for businesses but also for farmers, fisherfolk, producers, and community-based tourism sites,” he said.

According to Lacson, the initiative complements Sipalay’s ongoing drive to promote food tourism, eco-tourism, and creative, community-led experiences. Still, he emphasized that sustainability will remain central to the city’s approach.

“Rest assured that we remain committed to sustainable tourism. While this kind of development brings exciting opportunities, we will ensure that growth is balanced with the protection of our natural resources, the well-being of our communities, and the preservation of Sipalay’s identity as a premier eco-tourism destination,” he said.

He added that the benefits would also extend beyond the city, reaching other local government units in southern Negros Occidental—Cauayan, Hinobaan, Candoni, Ilog, and Kabankalan.* (Reymund Titong / RT, BNFM)