Spratly Island Holy Week Voluntourism 2025
Experience the transformative power of voluntourism this upcoming Holy Week 2025. Participate in community outreach programs, explore the island's beauty, and connect with the local people of Pag-Asa Island.
NOT YOUR ORDINARY DESTINATION ( A HOLY WEEK VOLUNTOURISM PROJECT)
DATES: APRIL 13 TO 18, 2025
Kalayaan is the sole municipality located within the Republic of the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea. Politically associated with the Province of Palawan, the municipality is considered the country's smallest in terms of population.
Its lone barangay, Pag-asa, is home to less than 300 people who primarily rely on fishing for a living. The municipality, located in the area known as the Spratlys or Spratly Islands, has jurisdiction that includes vast municipal waters that stretch from the northernmost portion of Mainland Palawan to its southernmost half near Malaysian Borneo.
For many years, the municipality was hidden from the Filipino public due to a mix of geographical and political causes.
TOUR ITINERARY
DAY 0: APRIL 12, 2025 (SATURDAY)
- Arrival of participants in Puerto Princesa City (own arrangement)
DAY 1: APRIL 13, 2025 (SUNDAY)
- 2:00 to 3:00 AM: Departure to Bataraza Port
- 9:00 AM: Briefing and Preparation for departure (breakfast-1, Food Pack)
- 9:00 to 10:00 AM: ETD going to Pag-Asa Island
- 1:00 PM: Lunch on board (L1)
- 6:00 PM: Dinner on board (D1)
DAY 2: APRIL 14, 2025 (MONDAY)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast on board (B2)
- 9:00 to 10:00 AM: ETA in Pag-Asa Island
- 10:00 AM: Welcome Program in Pag-Asa Covered Court
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at Pag-Asa Covered Court (L2)
- 1:30 PM: Homestay and Camp Area Delegation
- 2:00 to 3:00 PM: Children's Art Class and children Storytelling
- 3:00 to 5:00 PM: Children's party games
- 6:00 PM: Children's feeding and gift giving
- 7:30 PM: Dinner at Camp area dining facility (D2)
DAY 3: APRIL 15, 2025 (TUESDAY)
- 6:00 AM: Breakfast at Camp area dining facility (B3)
- 7:00 AM: Coastal cleanup activity
- 9:00 to 11:00 AM: Adult fun and games
- 12:30 PM: Fellowship lunch with community (L3)
- 1:30 PM: Gift-giving activity
- 3:00 PM: Sports program for kids / 3x3 basketball Match Team Volunteers (4 players) vs Team Pag-Asa (4 players)
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at camp area dining facility (D3)
DAY 4: APRIL 16, 2025 (WEDNESDAY)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast at camp area dining facility (B4)
- 9:00 AM: Recreational activities (game, fishing, etc..)
- 12:30 PM: Lunch at camp area dining facility (L4)
- 7:00 PM: Volunteers Thanksgiving Party (D4)
DAY 5: APRIL 17, 2025 (THURSDAY)
- 7:00 AM: Preparation for departure
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at camp dining facility (B5)
- 9:30 AM: ETD from Pag-Asa Island
- 12:30 PM: Lunch on board (L5)
- 6:30 PM: Dinner on board (D5)
DAY 6: APRIL 18, 2025 (FRIDAY)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast on board (B6)
- 10:00AM: ETA in Bataraza Port
- 10:00 to 11:00 AM: Departure from Bataraza Port (L6 packed lunch)
- 4:00 PM: Arrival in Puerto Princesa (accommodation on own arrangement)
- 7:00 PM: Group dinner at Food Park (own expense)
DAY 7: APRIL 19, 2025 (SATURDAY)
- Departure of participants from Puerto Princesa (own arrangement)
TRAVELER'S GUIDELINES FOR KALAYAAN VOLUNTOURISM
- Travel Time:
- The journey from Puerto Princesa to Bataraza Port via land may take approximately 4 hours.
- From Bataraza Port to Pag-asa Island, the sea travel may take around 32 hours each way, totaling 64 hours round trip. Please prepare accordingly for the long travel duration.
- Bring Cash:
- No ATM machines on the island. Ensure you bring sufficient cash, as there are no ATM facilities on the island. Small denominations are recommended for convenience.
- Bring your own water tumbler
- Help us promote sustainability by bringing a reusable water tumbler. Refilling stations will be available during the tour.
- Mobile network availability
- The only mobile network available on the island is Smart Communications. Please plan your communication needs accordingly.
- Internet Access
- Free Wi-Fi provided by DICT is available, but only in limited areas of the island. Connectivity may not be reliable in other locations.
- Clothing
- Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for outdoor activities. Don’t forget essentials like sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses for sun protection.
- Respect local rules and guidelines
- Follow the instructions of your guide and respect the local community, environment, and culture for a pleasant and harmonious experience.
Inclusions
- PHP 3,000 Donation for the outreach activities
- Rountrip boat/lantsa transfers (Bataraza Port to Pag-Asa to Bataraza Port)
- 6 days full board meals
- Access to all outreach activities of the project
- Sustainable tourism fee
- Environmental Fee
Exclusions
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Van transport fare from Puerto Princesa to Bataraza Port (v.v.): PHP 450 per person
- Insect Repellant (Lotions and Sprays and patches)
- Tent (if you opt to stay in the campsite)
- If you opt to stay in a Homestay, PHP 500 per person per night
- Sleeping bag, small pillow and mini fan for comfort (optional)
- Dry bag at least 10 liters for extra protection of your gadgets
- Powerbank
- Swimming gears
- Snorkeling gears
- Sandals or slippers
Terms and Conditions
- A 50% downpayment is required to confirm a reservation. Payment may be done through bank transfers, online payment platforms, or other payment options available as indicated on the booking confirmation.
- All bookings made throughETOURS PHare confirmed upon receipt of the downpayment and booking voucher.
- Cancellation fees will apply once a tour is confirmed.
- 30 days prior to arrival date: 75% refund of downpayment
- 15 days prior to arrival date: 20% refund of downpayment
- 10 to 14 days prior to arrival date: 10% refund of downpayment
- 4 days or less to arrival date—no refund
- No show: No refund
- Please note that we reserve the right to modify itinerary or schedules in response to extenuating circumstances beyond our control, such as weather or force majeure. In such cases, we will provide an alternative itinerary that guarantees the same level of quality and experience as the original plan.
- ETOURS PHreserves the right to cancel any tours without prior notice due to safety or operational issues, force majeure, or other factors beyond our control. In such cases, we will provide a full refund or offer an alternative tour package.
- Please note that all participants in any tour package booked throughETOURS PHare responsible for their personal belongings and safety throughout the duration of the tour.
- By booking withETOURS PH, you agree to fully comply with the rules and regulations prescribed by our tour guides and staff, as well as any applicable government and local laws. Failure to comply may result in cancellation of the tour, with no refund provided.
- We highly recommend that you carefully read and understand the terms and conditions before booking any tour package with us.