Travel and Tourism

NEW WASHINGTON, AKLAN

Economy

With its coastline location and vast ricefields, the chief industries in New Washington are fishing and rice farming.

Through the years, the town has proven to be a promising spot for tourism what with edifices that have either historical or spiritual significance and locations that can be categorized as havens for leisure and relaxation. Examples include the NHI-recognized commemorative monument of Jaime Cardinal Sin and the Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary in Poblacion, the Pink Sisters’ Convent in Polo, the Sunrise/Sunset Viewing at Tambak Seawall and the Sampaguita Gardens Resort.

Education

All the barangays have either an elementary or primary school. There are four secondary schools, namely: New Washington National Comprehensive High School and Montfort Technical Institute (MTI) in Poblacion, Candelaria National High School in Candelaria and Ochando National High School in Ochando. Tertiary education is centered at Aklan State University - College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, which is located in Poblacion. Vocational courses are also offered at MTI. Some families send their children to schools in Kalibo, Capiz, Iloilo and Manila, among others.

Cultural and Historical Significance

New Washington observes two (2) annual fiestas as a town. One is a patronal fiesta in honor of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, which is held on the second Saturday of October and the other is a civic fiesta commemorating the heroes of Pacto De Sangre, which is held from March 1 to 3. The Pacto De Sangre, or blood compact, took place in the then Sitio Kuntang (now Barangay Ochando) on March 3, 1897. It was participated in by New Washingtonians of the past as a show of support to the Filipinos’ revolution against the Spaniards. A commemorative marker was put up in the area where the event took place in Barangay Ochando. While the patronal fiesta is characterized by pious reflection, the civic fiesta involves three (3) days of merry-making.

Leisure

The municipality has an abundance of beach resorts located near the shores from Mabilo to Dumaguit. The past decade saw an influx of inland resorts, which became a hit among Aklanon tourists. The inland resorts in the town are mostly in Poblacion, examples of which are Sampaguita Gardens Resort, Maria Mercedes Resort and Frogs Hollow Resort. For free means of leisure and entertainment, residents go to the town plaza, which houses the Jaime Cardinal L. Sin Park, the Rizal Park, the Municipal Children’s Park and the Municipal Auditorium and Sports Complex.

Restaurants are also present in the municipality. Among the more famous are Oriental Flavors (fine-dining) and Poolside Restaurant at Sampaguita Gardens, the Residence River Restaurant (Seafoods) in Tambak and the unnamed restaurant in the heart of Poblacion, which offers well-loved filipino dishes by the iconic Nanay Puring.

Travel New Washington

Get in

New Washington, Aklan is accessible by sea or by air. You can take a ship from one of the piers at the Manila North harbor to the port of Dumaguit. In the late 60’s and early 70’s this is the mode of transportation of foreign and local tourists who flock to Kalibo at the height of the popularity of the Ati-atihan festival. The rich and famous of Ilo-ilo and Negros used to charter ships and anchored them at Dumaguit when attending the Ati-atihan festival, a sort of floating hotel.

By ship is also the mode of transportation for backpackers who want to immerse in local culture on their way to the world famous Boracay. They take a leisurely trip from the east (Dumaguit)to the west(Caticlan).This is until there is a direct route by ship to Boracay via Caticlan.

There used to be a port in the town of New Washington, until the Lagantik river become heavily silted that render it inaccessible. The Lagantik river route is now mainly used by barges and ship of small tonnage carrying cargo. The town is situated in the narrow strip of land approximately 300 meters long from the old municipal building to the north and the port of New Washington to the south. From the sea side you can see the river. The port is at the Lagantik river that runs westward from Dumaguit to the town proper and beyond. New Washington has been the gateway to Kalibo the capital of Aklan and other towns and to Manila because of the presence of the port. Before the construction of the Kalibo-Banga-Balete-Altavas road, buses from the province of Capiz and Ilo-ilo took the Altavas-Batan route, then by barge to Dumaguit and continue the trip to Kalibo.

You can also go by air using the Kalibo International Airport. New Washington is only 9 kilometers away along well paved road. Transportation is not a problem.

Explore

There are several resort to see in New Washington. One is the Maria Mercedes and Frogs Hollow resorts both located at sitio Malogo a kilometer away from the town proper. Sampaguita Garden Resort and Convention is at Rizal street just across the Aklan State University, College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, New Washington campus.

To the west going to Kalibo is the Bay Park at barangay Tambak. There is a band playing every Saturday night. Adjacent to the Park is a place for family picnic, swimming and fishing. It is a good place to unwind during weekends.

In sitio Contang at barangay Ochando is the site of Pacto de Sangre (Blood Compact) on March 3, 1897.The Blood Compact is a radical way of expressing their loyalty to the aims of the revolution against Spain by signing their name in blood.

Across the Lagatik river to the south, 20 minutes boat ride from the town proper is the Isla Kapispisan Mangrove Reforestation Aquasilviculture and Eco-tourism Project. It won First Place in the Regional Development Council (RDC) and National Development Authority (NEDA) Search for Best Public Sector Project Award in Region 6. It is under the Aklan State University (ASU) College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (CFMS), New Washington campus. The project hope to reforest the wetlands and bring back marine resources in the area. It is one big step to help the environment and have a positive impact on climate change.Here you will see mangrove trees just starting to grow and others in different stages of development.

In the town plaza you will see the statue of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin previous Archbishop of Manila facing the Holy Rosary church. The park is named after him, a fitting tribute since his ancestral home is just across the park. He is the leader of the world famous peaceful People Revolution that serve as model for other countries. The peaceful revolution installed Corazon Aquino as President and bring back democracy in the country. Jaime Cardinal Sin is a native son of New Washington.

Sleep

There are several places you can choose from, during your stay in New Washington. It depends on what you want to experience and inclination. For a rustic setting ‘far from the maddening crowd’ there is Maria Mercedes resort. It is located at Malogo about two kilometers away from the town proper. It is named after the mother and mother in law of the owner. Here, you will get pampered in a way, only a loving mother can. If you love the night life, the Rainbows Inn is the place for you. You will not miss it on your way from the Kalibo International Airport to New Washigton (on the right) because of its eye catching facade. It is very close to the Bay Park at Barangay Tambak. The Bay Park is the place where you can see the beautiful sunrise, and they say it is also where the sun set because of the video bars and the pubs as night falls. If you are lucky you will see and hear a live band playing. In the morning you can take a swim on the beach for free to wash the hangover away. New Washington is also known for the Sampaguita Garden Resort and Convention Center, at Rizal street in the poblacion. It is just across the Aklan State University School of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, New Washington campus. For the hotel connoisseur this the place to be, a first class amenities in a rural setting. You will be in for a lot of surprises. It is Christmas here, the whole year round with their Christmas cottage. You may also bring home some souvenir from their very popular Precious Moment brand./TE