Exploring Philippines: Visiting the Island Province of Guimaras

The main purpose of visiting the Province of Guimaras is the site visit of the newly installed Wind Farm.

We started off, by taking a pumpboat from Iloilo to Jordan Ferry Terminal. Since, we’re a group of 11 and with no time to wait for other passengers to fill-in the ferry, the bosses (because there were 5 managers with us) decided to pay the single trip with only the 11 of us on board at P500.00. 

Ten to Fifteen minutes later we arrived at Guimaras Island.

 

Located in the Municipality of San Lorenzo, about 30 minutes ride from Jordan Ferry Terminal is the 52MW Wind Farm operated by Trans Asia Renewable Energy Corporation (TAREC).

The 28 strategically scattered wind turbines can generate up to 2MW each, depending on the amount wind. Windy season usually between the months of November to April, during this time we expect the wind turbines generate its full capacity.

Too, bad the wind is not at its peak during the past months, thus, some of the turbines were on standby (not moving at all) when we visited. 

Each wind turbine stands 78 meters with blade length of 44 meters. That’s how tall and long these structures are that looks like miniatures from distance. 

turbine blade on the ground

You’ll appreciate how beautiful these structures are from the viewing area. The Wind Farm has surely become one of Guimaras Tourist attractions.

After our TAREC site visit, we had our lunch at Vilches Beach Resort. The blue crabs also known as “alimasag” served were the best + the sweet slices of mangoes. 

After lunch, I had a chance to take photographs of the beach.

Then time for us to return to the mainland. But before that, Mister Driver took us to the fruit stands for the famous Guimaras mangoes.

Though the mangoes are much cheaper back in Cagayan de Oro City, I really took home with me 4 kilograms of green and ripe mango, 500ml mango puree and 3 packs of mango piaya. After all it was my first time on the island, and I want my family back home to taste the fruit/product that Guimaras is known for. 

Oh wait, I didn't saw this gigantic mango on the pier when we arrived.
  

I wished to take it home too… but too heavy… the pumpboat even with only 11 of us on board, cannot carry this gigantic mango. Hehehe

My first time experience in Guimaras was a memorable one. I got to taste the sweetest mango in the world and see for the first time actual windmills that I have only seen in my engineering textbooks. 

And most importantly, I want to thank my mother company for the opportunity to travel places for free.