Port Barton
Port Barton is a sleepy one-road town tucked between a sandy white bay and an expanse of verdant padi fields surrounding lush jungle foothills. It is easy to be mesmerized by but impossible to get lost in Port Barton. With an economy that largely survives on fishing and farming, there is never a shortage of caribou and egrets grazing lazily together in harmony – a symbiotic relationship that is indicative of the closely-knit population of 4,400 on this small, simple tranquil paradise. Stay long enough and everybody will know your name in this neighborhood of bright smiles and welcoming nods.
Port Barton began with no name: according to historical records dating far back as 1890, it was christened ‘Itaytay’ which translates to ‘meaning unknown’. Its elusive origin comes as no surprise as the Palawan natives of the Tagbanua who resided there were a nomadic people, their customs and traditions just as itinerant. The demand for lumber in the early 20th century inevitably turned Itaytay into a logging depot, which embraced new settlers but repelled the indigenous people who then fled to the mountains. What was left was a melting pot of natives not endemic to the region. But more change was to come. A decade later saw the arrival of an English military man, Colonel Burton, whose economic survey of Palawan made Itaytay into his home station, hence its new name, Port Barton.
Port Barton has about a dozen small tourist resorts, which offer simple accommodation (principally along the beach) and some restaurants offering local and international fare. Connected by road to Puerto Princesa and with a reasonable selection of boats for hire, Port Barton is an ideal base and stopover for the exploration of Northwestern Palawan, particularly the San Vicente municipality.