Hundred Islands
Also known as: Hundred Islands · Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) · Alaminos Hundred Islands
Definition
The Hundred Islands National Park is a protected area in Alaminos, Pangasinan, comprising 124 islands and islets (123 at low tide) scattered across the Lingayen Gulf. Established in 1940 by President Manuel L. Quezon as the first national park in the country and Southeast Asia, it is known for mushroom-shaped, vegetation-capped limestone islands, coral reefs, beaches, and clear turquoise waters. The islands are about two million years old.
Identities
| Database | Identifier |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | Hundred Islands National Park |
| Wikidata | Q594107 |
| DBpedia | Hundred_Islands_National_Park |
Also Known As
- Hundred Islands
- Hundred Islands National Park (HINP)
- Alaminos Hundred Islands
Examples and Analogies
The Hundred Islands resemble a scattered archipelago of green-capped mushrooms rising from turquoise sea, sculpted over millions of years by waves and weather. The largest, Governor and Quezon Islands, are activity hubs, while tiny islets are quiet refuges.
Usage Scenarios
The park offers island hopping, swimming, snorkeling and diving over coral gardens, kayaking, zip-lining, cliff jumping, and camping. Developed islands like Quezon, Governor, and Children’s Island feature pavilions, decks, and accommodations.
Strategies
Management is led by the Alaminos city government with the Department of Tourism and DENR. Strategies balance tourism with reef and island protection, including designated conservation zones, coral rehabilitation, mangrove replanting, and solid-waste management.
Security and Safety Measures
Licensed boat operators and guides manage island-hopping, with mandatory life vests and weather monitoring by the Coast Guard. Swimmers and divers are briefed on marine hazards, and lifeguards station on busy islands. Reef-protection rules prohibit stepping on coral, collecting shells, and littering.
Historical Context
The islands were declared a national park on January 18, 1940, by President Quezon, the first in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. They formed roughly two million years ago from uplifted ancient coral seabed. Tourism grew steadily through the late 20th century, and the park remains a flagship of the Ilocos Region.
Challenges and Controversies
The park faces unregulated tourism, coral damage from boats and trampling, plastic pollution, and typhoon impacts. Controversy surrounds garbage management, the accuracy of the “hundred” count, and proposals for commercial development.