Concepcion, Iloilo

Concepcion is located on the north-eastern part of Panay Island (known as the mainland), together with some 16 other, smaller, associated islands. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of San Dionisio, in the south by the municipality of Ajuy, in the west by the municipality of Sara, and in the east by the Visayan Sea. It has a total land area of 9,702.04 hectares.[5]

Concepcion is 97 kilometres (60 mi) from Iloilo City.

The largest of the 16 Concepcion Islands is Pan de Azucar at 1,840 hectares (4,500 acres), which has the 573 metres (1,880 ft) high Mount Manaphag rising from its center.[6]

In the 2015 census, the population of Concepcion, Iloilo, was 43,159 people,[3] with a density of 500 inhabitants per square kilometre or 1,300 inhabitants per square mile.

The primary industry of the people of Concepcion is in fishing.[5] The Visayan Sea, where Concepcion is situated, is one of the most prolific in fish production and provides a significant proportion of fish in the region. In 2007, the number of registered fishermen stood at 7,957.[11] Fishing is followed second by farming, with much of it being subsistence farming. The principle cash crops are rice, corn and vegetables,[5] along with bamboo and coconuts. Poultry and livestock are raised for local consumption.[5]

Poverty incidence was extremely high in the early 21st century, with 87% of the population being below the government poverty line in 2000,[5] with a reduction to 47% in 2004.[12] A contributing factor was the rapidity of population growth in the municipality, with a growth rate of 2.76% in 2002, or four babies being born every day in the municipality.

There is one institution of higher learning in the municipality, Concepcion Polytechnic College, which offers bachelor's degrees in fisheries and agriculture, as well as a masters in public administration.[5]

Concepcion is a host to beautiful islands with white sand beaches and sandbars. Among them are Bulobadiangan Island, Agho Island, and Pan de Azucar.[13]

The annual Tampisaw Festival, held the fourth week of April[14] on four of the islands, attracts tourism.[12]

The Concepcion Power Station is a 270-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant located by the coast of Barangay Nipa, Concepcion, Iloilo. The plant is sponsored by the Palm Concepcion Power Corporation (PCPC), a subsidiary of real estate company A Brown Company. Currently Unit 1 of the station has begun operating since August 2016 while Unit 2 is planned for 2019.[15]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Concepcion, Iloilo.

• Concepcion Profile at PhilAtlas.com
• Official Homepage
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System