Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, reflects a balance of development, nature, and tradition.

The improvement of road connectivity has strengthened access and economic opportunities for residents, while the Silonay Mangrove conservation Area showcases the city’s natural beauty and growing appeal as an eco-tourism destination. At the same time, fishing traditions remain a vital source of livelihood, sustaining families and preserving a cultural heritage deeply tied to the sea. Together, these elements highlight Calapan as a city of resilience, progress, and enduring identity.

Improved Road Connectivity in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro

For the benefit of the local population and farmers, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) constructed a new road in the Mindoro Oriental District Engineering Office (DEO).

To facilitate residents’ access to local services and transportation, 405.5 meters of roads would be developed as part of the project. The Nautical Highway is approximately 1.5 kilometers away.

The project demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving the infrastructure in the region. The regional director of DPWH MIMAROPA, Gerald A. Pacanan, received a letter from Salvador E. Abad, the district engineer.

Because the new route gives drivers more space, the roads are safer, traffic moves more smoothly, and travel times are shorter. By making things easier to access, the project hopes to encourage more people to conduct business. This will benefit local residents as well as farmers.

Silonay Mangrove in Calapan City

Located in Sitio Singalong, Barangay Silonay, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, the 42-hectare Silonay Mangrove Conservation Area and Ecotourism Site is home to a variety of flora and fauna.

This protected area supports a thriving mangrove forest, migratory birds, fireflies, and various fish species. The Tall-Silted Mangrove, Asiatic Mangrove, Mangrove Apple, and River Poison Tree all flourish in the mangrove ecosystem, which is accessible to visitors via a 300-meter bamboo boardwalk.

Numerous eco-friendly activities are also available in the area. The best time to visit if you want to see birds is from November to March. Kayaking takes visitors through mangrove channels that lead to the Silonay River and along fishing routes. The experience is enhanced by seeing dolphins in April and May. Since the water is calm and easy to kayak in during high tide, that is the ideal time to visit. At low tide, the muddy forest floor is visible, revealing a different facet of the ecosystem.

The Silonay Mangrove Conservation Area is more than just a tourist destination; it is a sanctuary that highlights Oriental Mindoro’s natural splendor and encourages ecological preservation and ethical travel.

Fishing Traditions Sustain Communities in Calapan

Residents living along Calapan’s rivers and coastlines rely on fishing as a primary livelihood. The city, traversed by the Verde Island Passage and enriched with numerous rivers and lakes, provides abundant fishing grounds that support both local families and businesses.

For generations, fishing has been more than just a source of income it is a tradition and a way of life. At dawn, fisherfolk set up traps, cast their nets, or navigate small boats to the water. Their regular catch includes tilapia, shrimp, crabs, bangus (milkfish), and other marine species that help sustain households and supply local markets.

Calapan has also seen a lot of growth in aquaculture. Fish pens and ponds, especially those near Caluangan Lake and the coastal barangays next to it, commonly grow tilapia and bangus. These not only assist households in the area to make more money, but they also make food safer.

Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, embodies a community where progress, natural beauty, and cultural heritage coexist. Its growth is guided not only by modern development but also by a deep respect for the environment and long-standing traditions, creating a city that thrives while staying true to its roots.