I. TOURISM & SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRENDS

Situational Analysis:

            Hamtic has a total land area of 12,052.0672 hectares and is situated at the narrow coastal portion at the southern tip of the province of Antique. It is seven (7) kilometers away from San Jose de Buenavista, the province’s capital town and about ninety (90) kilometers away from Iloilo City. It is separated from Iloilo by a mountain range and is bounded on the west by the Sulu Sea or the Cuyu East Pass which is part of the vast China Sea, on the north by the municipality of San Jose de Buenavista, on the north-east by the municipality of Sibalom, on the east by the municipality of San Joaquin, Iloilo and on the south by the municipality of Tobias Fornier (formerly Dao).

 Known for its rich history, beautiful beaches and potential tourist eco-sites. At present, there are three (3) active resorts operating which at the same time cater as venue for training and seminars. It is also a center of historical events. During the annual celebration of Binirayan Festival, the first day highlights the re-enactment of the landing of 10 Bornean datus associated with the “Biray” in the beaches of Sitio Datu Sumakwel, at barangay Malandog. It is believed that it is one of the areas where the ten Bornean Datus first landed and established the first civilization in the country.

            Other than celebrations commemorating the birth and death anniversary of Hamtic born heroes such as Gen. Leandro Fullon and Gov. Evelio B. Javier, every 2^nd up to the 5^th day of May, the Hantikan Festival is being celebrated which focuses on the traces of history of the municipality and its people.

II.MAJOR TOURISM ECO-SITES AND EVENTS

At the eastern part of Hamtic, is an exciting eco-site existing since the pre-war era know to the community as the Apdo Mini-Volcano. It is 350 meters away from the national road; were one can reach the site by foot and discover a 30ft. hill with a crater filled with overflowing volcanic mud. In the opposite lower portion lies the steaming hot spring and a chilling cold spring which serves as a source of potable water during droughts in the Barangay. Stories have been told that a golden horse used to drink in the hot springs up to the present that the hill where the hot spring in located was named “Liniskan Hill.”  It is the current priority eco-tourism project of the municipality.

After its discovery, Barangay initiatives with financial and technical assistance from the municipal government were undertaken such as construction of rip rapping at the hot and cold spring sources and construction of foot tubs, multipurpose hall and 5 cottages in the area. The present facilities of the above mentioned tourism areas are still inadequate that it can only attract and cater local tourists. The municipal government encourages partnerships withnational entities and the private sectors in the development and promotion of the various tourism areas in the municipality of Hamtic.