Cluster 1 in the San Vicente Tourism Master Plan is at the heart of the envisioned development—a dynamic region destined to drive the municipality’s emergence as a premier ecotourism destination, not only in the Philippines but in Southeast Asia. Anchored by the legendary 14.7-kilometer Long Beach, Cluster 1 encompasses five barangays: Poblacion, New Agutaya, San Isidro, Alimanguan, and Kemdeng.
According to the Conceptual Tourism Master Plan (CTMP) crafted by Palafox Associates, Cluster 1 has the highest development priority, with an estimated transformation timeline of 5 to 10 years (excluding delays brought about by the unforeseen pandemic and its delaying after-effects). Thanks to its accessibility, flat terrain, titled lands, and increasing investor activity, this cluster is where the future begins.
Let’s explore why Cluster 1 is ground zero for San Vicente’s rise—and why it presents unmatched opportunities for sustainable tourism, business, and community growth.
🗺️ Barangays Covered in Cluster 1
- Poblacion – The government and civic hub of San Vicente, home to the Municipal Hall and several public facilities. It also hosts the seaport and part of the airport. San Vicente’s Public Market, main terminal, major commercial centers, most government offices, and a public university are located here. Locals claim that Century Properties and Aman Group have large areas earmarked for development in Poblacion. The “100 Step,” an overlooking viewpoint with a commanding view of Long Beach, is also found here.
- New Agutaya – Partly home to San Vicente Airport, a game-changer for accessibility. It serves as the gateway to Long Beach when traveling by land from Puerto Princesa International Airport. Likewise, it serves as the exit route to Puerto Princesa. Its stretch of Long Beach features stunning shoreline views.
- San Isidro – This barangay is the heart of Long Beach, situated in its central section. Many major investors have acquired land here. It is also home to San Vicente’s first world-class resort, Club Agutaya, known for its authentic local hospitality. Recently, another high-end property, Hotel Elizabeth, opened its doors in San Vicente to cater to upscale guests.
- Alimanguan – Known for its fishing culture and rural charm, Alimanguan is emerging as a beachfront investment zone. It’s also a surfing hotspot, ideal for beginners, and hosts an annual surfing competition. Alimanguan is a perfect location for retirement villages and serves as a convenient entry or exit point if traveling to or from El Nido.
- Kemdeng – Home to Paragua Coastown, a flagship eco-tourism development by Megaworld Corporation. Within this township are key projects like Paragua Beach Village, Mercato Shophouse District, Porto Hotel District, Oceanfront Premier Residences, Savoy Hotel, and Paragua Sands Hotel. Paragua Coastown is the first large-scale development in San Vicente and the first township in Palawan.
🏖️ Why Cluster 1 Was Prioritized
- Immediate Accessibility: The presence of San Vicente Airport in New Agutaya makes this the most travel-ready destination in the municipality. There’s no need to fly to Puerto Princesa and drive for hours—you can now fly directly to San Vicente. See flight availability and schedules at SanVicenteAirportTransfer.com.
- Flat, Buildable Terrain: Unlike other clusters requiring mountain cutting or extensive grading, Cluster 1 offers relatively flat terrain ideal for resorts, residential, and mixed-use development.
- Titled Land Availability: A significant advantage is that much of Cluster 1 consists of titled land—more than half of the properties are already titled. While some areas in Poblacion remain untitled, many are classified as Alienable and Disposable (A&D), making them eligible for titling under government programs.
- Presence of Utilities & Roads: Existing road access, telecommunications, water lines, and electric infrastructure make Cluster 1 the logical choice for early-stage major investments.
- Long Beach Frontage: The crown jewel of Cluster 1 is Long Beach, the longest white sand beach in the Philippines—over three times the length of Boracay. Its vast stretch allows for master-planned, low-density tourism development, avoiding the pitfalls of overdevelopment seen in other coastal destinations.
💼 Business & Investment Potential
Cluster 1 is ideal for:
- Resort developers seeking large, titled beachfront parcels
- Local entrepreneurs planning to open restaurants, cafés, dive shops, and souvenir stores
- Eco-tourism ventures such as mangrove tours, kayaking, and birdwatching in forested zones
- Residential developers interested in low-density housing or lot-only subdivisions
- Hospitality investors looking for first-mover advantage near Long Beach and the airport
💡 Opportunities for Locals
The clustering strategy is designed to uplift local communities alongside investors. Residents of Poblacion, New Agutaya, and nearby barangays can benefit from:
- Job creation in construction, tourism, and hospitality
- Skills training and workforce development from incoming resorts
- Support for local businesses in food services, tours, and transport
- Rising property values for local landowners in development zones
🌿 Sustainability by Design
The CTMP emphasizes that ecological protection is non-negotiable. Sustainable tourism practices include:
- Setback zones from shorelines and mangrove areas
- Limits on building heights and density
- Allocated open spaces for parks, green belts, and community gardens
- Integrated sewage and solid waste management systems
This ensures that San Vicente’s ecological integrity remains protected even as development progresses.
🚀 The Future Starts Here
Cluster 1 represents the gateway to San Vicente’s transformation. With key infrastructure, titled land, and the iconic Long Beach, it is poised to become the centerpiece of Palawan’s ecotourism future.
Whether you’re an investor, developer, tourist, or local business owner, Cluster 1 is where the action begins—and where vision meets opportunity.
