Island Tourism vs. Fishing Livelihood: How Carles and Estancia Built Two Different Economies in Northern Iloilo
Paradise and Provision: How Carles’ Island Tourism and Estancia’s Fishing Economy Shape Northern Iloilo
By Mark Morales
Carles sells paradise. Estancia provides sustenance. Together, these neighboring municipalities reveal the twin economies shaping Northern Iloilo.
Northern Iloilo is home to two neighboring municipalities that share the same sea but have built their prosperity in remarkably different ways.
To the west lies Carles, the gateway to the world-famous Islas de Gigantes, a paradise of limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, caves, and white-sand beaches that has become one of Western Visayas’ premier tourism destinations.
Beside it stands Estancia, a bustling fishing town whose identity and economy have long been anchored on the sea’s abundant harvest and the hardworking communities that depend upon it.
Though only a short distance apart, these municipalities represent two distinct economic models:
One sells paradise.
The other provides sustenance.
Together, they tell the story of Northern Iloilo’s twin economies.
The Numbers Behind the Two Economies
| Indicator | Carles | Estancia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,177 | 54,882 |
| Land Area | 104.05 sq. km. | 29.38 sq. km. |
| Households | 17,886 | 13,282 |
| Municipal Revenue | ₱267.3 million | ₱235.9 million |
| Municipal Assets | ₱998.6 million | ₱605.2 million |
| Poverty Incidence | 35.86% | 23.05% |
| Main Economic Driver | Tourism and Island Economy | Fisheries and Fish Trade |
The figures reveal a fascinating contrast. Carles possesses world-renowned tourist attractions and larger municipal assets, yet Estancia records a significantly lower poverty incidence.
The answer lies in how these two economies work.
Carles: Selling Paradise
The greatest asset of Carles is its geography.
The municipality consists of 33 barangays, with many communities spread across islands and islets. These islands have become among the most visited destinations in Western Visayas.
Thousands of tourists travel every year to experience:
- Islas de Gigantes;
- Tangke Lagoon;
- Cabugao Gamay Island;
- Antonia Beach;
- Limestone caves and rock formations;
- Fresh seafood and island culture.
Tourism has created employment opportunities in boat operations, island-hopping services, resorts, homestays, restaurants, transportation, souvenir businesses, and tour guiding.
Entire communities have diversified their livelihoods.
A fisherman may operate a tourist boat during peak seasons. A fisherman’s wife may run a homestay or prepare seafood meals for visitors. Young people who once sought employment elsewhere can now find opportunities within their hometown.
The Fragility of Tourism
Despite its successes, tourism remains vulnerable.
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how quickly tourism income can disappear. When travel restrictions were imposed, resorts closed, boat tours stopped, tourist arrivals collapsed, and hundreds of workers lost their income.
Tourism depends heavily on weather, transportation costs, economic conditions, consumer confidence, and environmental quality.
A typhoon can halt tourism overnight. A pandemic can stop an entire industry. Many tourism jobs are also seasonal, causing household incomes to fluctuate.
Estancia: Feeding a Region
While Carles welcomes visitors, Estancia feeds communities.
For generations, Estancia has served as one of the most important fishing centers in Western Visayas.
Its economy revolves around:
- Commercial fishing fleets;
- Municipal fishermen;
- Fish trading;
- Ice plants;
- Cold storage facilities;
- Fish processing;
- Boat building and repair;
- Marine supply businesses.
Every dawn, the fish port comes alive as tons of fish are unloaded and distributed to markets throughout Iloilo and neighboring provinces.
Fishing is not merely an occupation in Estancia. It is an entire economic ecosystem.
The Multiplier Effect of Fisheries
A single fishing trip generates income for boat owners, crew members, port laborers, fish vendors, drivers, fuel dealers, ice suppliers, mechanics, market retailers, and lending institutions.
The money earned from fisheries circulates rapidly throughout the local economy.
This multiplier effect explains why Estancia remains one of Northern Iloilo’s most vibrant commercial centers despite having relatively few tourism attractions.
The Poverty Paradox
Perhaps the most interesting comparison lies in poverty incidence.
Carles: 35.86%
Estancia: 23.05%
At first glance, this seems surprising.
How can a municipality blessed with world-famous islands have a higher poverty rate than its fishing neighbor?
One explanation is that tourism income can be seasonal and concentrated among certain sectors. Fishing, meanwhile, generates continuous economic activity and supports a broader network of workers and businesses.
Tourism creates wealth.
Fishing creates livelihoods.
One Sea, One Future
Despite their differences, both municipalities depend on the same resource: the Visayan Sea.
Tourism requires healthy coral reefs, clean beaches, and beautiful landscapes.
Fishing requires sustainable fish stocks, healthy marine habitats, and protected breeding grounds.
Environmental degradation threatens both industries equally.
If the reefs die, tourists may stop coming. If fish stocks collapse, livelihoods disappear.
The future of both municipalities depends on the protection of the sea that sustains them.
Competitors or Partners?
Carles and Estancia should not be viewed as competing economies.
Instead, they represent complementary strengths.
Northern Iloilo has the opportunity to build an integrated coastal economy through island tourism, seafood tourism, fish port tours, culinary tourism, maritime heritage experiences, and community-based ecotourism.
Visitors who come to experience the beauty of Gigantes can also discover the vibrant fishing culture of Estancia.
Paradise and Provision
Carles represents the promise of tourism and the economic value of natural beauty.
Estancia represents the resilience of fisheries and the enduring power of livelihood.
One showcases paradise.
The other provides sustenance.
Together, they demonstrate that the future of Northern Iloilo does not lie in choosing between tourism and fishing, but in allowing both industries to thrive side by side.
Because in Northern Iloilo, paradise and provision come from the same waters.
Sources and References
- Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). 2024 Census of Population and Housing. Retrieved from: https://psa.gov.ph
- Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Poverty Statistics of the Municipalities and Cities, 2021. Retrieved from: https://psa.gov.ph/poverty-press-releases
- Department of Tourism Region VI. Western Visayas Tourism Statistics and Destination Profiles. Retrieved from: https://region6.tourism.gov.ph
- Municipality of Carles, Iloilo. Municipal Profile and Tourism Information. Retrieved from: https://carlesiloilo.gov.ph
- Municipality of Estancia, Iloilo. Municipal Profile and Socio-Economic Data. Retrieved from: https://estancia.gov.ph
- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Philippine Fisheries Profile and Visayan Sea Fisheries Data. Retrieved from: https://www.bfar.da.gov.ph
- Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region VI. Status of Fisheries in Western Visayas. Retrieved from: https://region6.bfar.da.gov.ph
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Coastal Resource Management and Marine Protected Areas in Western Visayas. Retrieved from: https://www.denr.gov.ph
- Commission on Audit (COA). Annual Financial Reports of Local Government Units, 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.coa.gov.ph
- Wikipedia Contributors. Carles, Iloilo and Estancia, Iloilo. Retrieved July 2026 from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carles,_Iloilo and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estancia,_Iloilo.
Data on population, municipal revenues, assets, poverty incidence, and local economic profiles were compiled from publicly available government records, PSA statistics, official local government information, and municipal profile data available as of July 2026.