Palawan Grandma's Home

24/09/2026

PROTECTED NESTS GIVE PHILIPPINE COCKATOOS A CHANCE TO RETURN TO PUERTO PRINCESA

A Philippine Cockatoo pair whose brood was poached last year has raised new young in the Iwahig Penal Reservation. The Katala Foundation Inc. (KFI) stepped up nest protection this breeding season, working with the PCSDS and DENR. KFI said the effort effectively doubled the number of young cockatoos added to the population from previously vulnerable nests, and helped foil at least one observed poaching attempt. Camera-trap data also show that birds protected in the program's early years have now joined the breeding population. The species remains critically endangered, and KFI is calling for legally protected habitat, including the proposed Malabo Forest Critical Habitat.

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22/09/2026

Puerto Princesa to Host 2027 World Dragon Boat Championships

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan is preparing to return to the global sporting stage as host of the 2027 ICF Dragon Boat Club Crew World Championships, scheduled for October 28 to 31, 2027. The international competition is expected to bring thousands of paddlers, coaches, officials, supporters, and visitors to Palawan, with local organizers anticipating more than 5,000 paddlers. The International Canoe Federation has officially placed Puerto Princesa on its 2027 competition calendar, confirming another major international sporting event for the Philippines.

The city already has experience hosting elite international dragon boat competition. In 2024, Puerto Princesa hosted the ICF Dragon Boat World Championships, an event that established infrastructure, equipment, organizational systems, and local experience that can now be used for the 2027 championship. The ICF Dragon Boat Committee later inspected the proposed venue at the Palawan International Cruise Port and found it suitable, noting the availability of nearby accommodations and equipment including dragon boats, starting machines, and course-setting materials. Philippine Paddling Federation President Len Escollante said organizers intend to build on the standard established during the successful 2024 event rather than start preparations from scratch.

Hosting thousands of international athletes also represents a significant sports tourism opportunity for Puerto Princesa and Palawan. A competition of this scale can generate activity for hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, tour operators, local businesses, and other tourism-related industries while showcasing the Philippines to athletes and visitors from around the world. Puerto Princesa has increasingly positioned itself as a destination capable of hosting major sporting events, and the city government has confirmed the October 28 to 31, 2027 championship as part of its growing international sports calendar. From the waters of Palawan to the world stage, thousands of paddlers will once again converge in the Philippines for one of dragon boat racing's major global competitions.

Photo courtesy: International Canoe Federation

Science Department |

05/09/2026

Puerto Princesa to host 2027 world dragon boat tilt, over 5,000 paddlers expected

“Ang sabi nga, baka mga 5,000 paddlers ang darating,” Bayron said during a press conference on September 2.

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08/08/2026

02/08/2026

21/07/2026

Nasa dalawampu’t apat (24) na cruise ships umano ang inaasahan na dadaong sa pantalan ng Puerto Princesa sa susunod na taon, ito’y ayon sa City Tourism Department.

19/07/2026

Palawan was ranked #1 on U.S. News & World Report's "World's Best Islands to Visit in 2025", earning international recognition for its spectacular natural landscapes, crystal-clear waters, limestone karst formations, and extraordinary biodiversity. The island province placed ahead of renowned destinations such as Sardinia (Italy) and Santorini (Greece), further strengthening its reputation as one of the world's premier travel destinations.

The ranking highlights many of Palawan's iconic attractions, including Kayangan Lake in Coron, the dramatic lagoons and limestone islands of El Nido's Bacuit Bay, and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors are also drawn to its coral reefs, world-class diving and snorkeling sites, white-sand beaches, mangrove forests, and rich terrestrial and marine biodiversity.

Beyond its scenery, Palawan is widely recognized for its emphasis on sustainable tourism. Protected areas, marine conservation programs, and responsible tourism initiatives aim to balance economic benefits with environmental protection. While tourism has brought jobs and investment to local communities, authorities and conservation groups continue to stress the importance of managing visitor numbers, protecting fragile ecosystems, and supporting local livelihoods to preserve the province's natural heritage.

This recognition reinforces the Philippines' standing as a world-class ecotourism destination. It also serves as a reminder that maintaining Palawan's global appeal depends on continued conservation efforts, responsible travel practices, and the long-term protection of the island's forests, reefs, wildlife, and coastal ecosystems.

Science Department |

16/06/2026

Another international recognition is shining the spotlight on one of the Philippines’ top island destinations.

EL NIDO NAMED AMONG BBC’S WORLD’S BEST BEACH ESCAPES

El Nido, Palawan has been included in BBC’s list of the world’s eight best beach escapes, joining renowned destinations in India, Italy, Puerto Rico, Scotland, and other countries.

According to the Department of Tourism, the recognition highlights the Philippines’ ability to compete with world-class travel destinations. “This recognition proves that El Nido… can offer the same level of quality vacations as our global counterparts,” said DOT Officer-in-Charge Verna Buensuceso.