ECONOMY

Economic Development

Pandan is primarily a fishing and farming community. Pandan is situated in a strategic location being a cross-road municipality in Northern Antique. As such, it is open for potential investments for trade, commerce and industry being 22 kilometers south of Libertad, 33 kilometers north of Culasi and 127 kilometers north of San Jose de Buenavista, the capital town of Antique. On the other hand, it is 54 kilometers east of Kalibo and 32 kilometers south of Caticlan, Malay, a jump-off point to Boracay.

Geographically speaking, Pandan is a "voca calle" (junction) to travelers and traders to and from Mindoro, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo and Boracay Island. This geographical advantage plays a role in trade, commerce, industry and tourism.

Considering the rich fishing ground of Pandan – the Pandan Bay – which could be found on NAMRIA MAP No. 4414 under coordinates 11°21.50'N and 122°5.5'E to 11°45.8'N and 121°50'E Pandan, as it had been in the past, is an exporting municipality of quality fishes like yellow-finned tuna, talakitok, tangigue and blue marlins.

Pandan is a supplier of rice to Boracay and Cebu as it has 2,216 hectares of land devoted to rice. Its sloppy areas are producing raw materials like bariw, buri, hipgid, and nito, among others for cottage industry in the municipality with quality handicraft supplied to SM Mall, Iloilo City.

Pandan has been identified as a District Agri Industrial Center (DAIC) in Northern Antique for its resources and potentials but needs more infra support facilities, entrepreneurs and investors, and most of all, financial resources for capitalization and sustainability .

During the multi-sectoral participatory visioning and strategic planning conducted by the Gerry Roxas Foundation (GRF) under its PAGER Project, eco-tourism was included as a major thrust of the municipality. A Tourism Development Plan was prepared with Malumpati and its surrounding area as the project core. Industries/industrial activities supportive of eco-tourism are encouraged.

Presently, a resort is operating in Barangay Tingib and part of Duyong Golden Beach with an air-conditioned residential villa open for lease to both local and foreign tourists.