Area: 1,6 km²
Location: Debangan and the Pabellon Islands are all located within Taytay Bay. Debangan is approximately 30km from the town center of Taytay while Pabellon is roughly 13km away.
Number of inhabitants: 1,047
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Municipality of Taytay is blessed with more than 100 islands and islets within its territories. Among these islands are Debangan Island, which is under the jurisdiction of Bgy. Debangan, and Elephant Island and Castle Island (also locally known as Pabellon Grande and Pabellon Piqueňo respectively) located in Bgy. Maytegued. All three islands are situated in Taytay Bay, in the eastern seaboard of the municipality.
Debangan Island has become popular in the late 2019 and in 2020 due its beautiful beach and the year-round presence of green sea turtles feeding on seagrass meadows in the shallow intertidal areas fronting the west coast of the island. Elephant and Castle Islands on the other hand are reminiscent of the limestone islands of El Nido. These islands are famous for the edible bird’s nest as well as beautiful lagoons and coral reefs fringing the towering limestones.
SOCIO-CULTURAL CONTEXT
For Debangan Island, there is already an existing Community Based Sustainable Tourism Cooperative named Debangan Pro-Environment Tourism Service Cooperative and is already part of the Municipal Tourism Development Areas. The cooperative is composed of 37 fisherfolks, including men, women, and out of school youth that are full time residents of the island. This association is crucial for the management of the tourism resources of Debangan and is designated by the LGU as an accredited tourism organization that will manage majority of the tourism related activities in Debangan Island, particularly those with the sea turtles and coral reef-based activities.
