ANINI-Y, Antique – To prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the local government here is restricting the movements of tourists and guests.
In Executive Order No. 17, Series of 2021, Mayor Maxfil Pollicar confined tourists’ movement to only within their “declared itineraries and booking during their stay in the municipality.”
COVID-19 infections in Antique were rising, Pollicar pointed out.
The province is under a modified general community quarantine.
Despite the pandemic, Anini-y has not shut down its tourism sites to domestic visitors. But it is strictly enforcing health protocols – wearing of facemask and face shield, physical distancing and disinfection of hands.
Last month, Pollicar reiterated a previous order setting at 50 percent maximum the capacity of establishments, offices and institutions to accommodate people to ensure physical distancing.
This capacity also holds true for public transport such as jeepneys and tricycles.
As of May 5, Anini-y only had two active COVID-19 cases.
As for Antique, the whole province as of May 5 had 1,053 COVID-19 cases (cumulative since March 2020), with 223 active after 783 cases recovered and 47 died, data from the Provincial Health Office showed.
Anini-y is a 4th-class municipality. According to the 2015 census, it had a population of 21,201 people spread in 23 barangays.
The town is the southernmost municipality of Antique and is about 40 kilometers from the provincial capital, San Jose de Buenavista.
Its tourist attractions included the following:
* Cresta de Gallo – a mountain with a shape like a rooster’s crown
* Aliwliw – the highest mountain in Anini-y located along Anini-y and Tobias Fornier border
* Iboc River and Nasuli River – two longest rivers in Anini-y
* Nogas Island – According to local legend, this island was formed when the two lovers, Anini and Nogas, had broken their promises with the fairy God Mother. While riding on a boat near the town, their boat was capsized by big waves summoned by the fairy God Mother. Soon after, at the spot where Nogas and Anini were last seen a white sand island full of mangroves appeared.
Anini-y, Antique’s Nogas Island is a 24-hectare marine reserve sanctuary island laced with dazzling white coral sand beaches. Being a marine protected area, visiting the island is regulated by the municipal government. Boats can be rented. The island also features a kalachuchi-lined pathway which leads to a light house. PHOTO BY RICHARD P. MAGBANUA
* Siraan Hot Spring and Health Resort – People who reside near Siraan hot spring usually take their time relaxing in a bathtub-sized pool early in the morning to feel the warmness and the cool breeze of the ocean as the resort is located just along the seashore.
* San Juan Nepomuceno Parish Church or Anini-y Church — Built during the Spanish era in the 19th century, it is made of coral reefs carved into thick blocks to form an adobe, and were glued using thousands of egg whites/yolks. Early locals/settlers of the town were the prime workers and carpenters of the church. Some stories tell that people of the town were forced to contribute anything such as goods and food for the Spanish priest as well as raising chickens to lay more eggs.
* Bantigue Marine Sanctuary — a marine reef and sanctuary situated on the western coast of Barangay San Francisco (Dapdap)/PN
