Panay Island

by TravelOnline, Official Philippines Wholesale Agent

Panay is an island in the Philippines located in the Visayas. Panay Island is the first stop before going to Boracay Beach, Boracay Island, Philippines in a section of Panay in the political province of Aklan. (See Map) Aklan being the gateway to Boracay has 2 airports to go to Boracay Island. One is located in Kalibo which is approximately 2+ hours by bus to Caticlan Boat Jetty then another 20-30 mins. to Boracay Island by banka boat. The other airport is located in Caticlan which is just 3 mins. van ride to Caticlan Boat Jetty and 20-30 mins. travel time by banka boat to Boracay.  Caticlan Airport is restricted to smaller planes holding between 0-60 pax where as Kalibo supports the larger aircraft that carry 150 pax.
Caticlan Airport is the most recommended route with over 20 flights a day.

Panay Island politically is divided into four provinces:
1. Aklan
2. Antique
3. Capiz
4. Iloilo
The prominent city of the Panay island is Iloilo City.

Panay is located southeast of the island of Mindoro and northwest of Negros, separated by Guimaras Strait. Between Negros and Panay lies the island province of Guimaras. To the north is Sibuyan Sea and the islands of Romblon; to the southwest is the Sulu Sea.
Panay is the location of the famous legend of Maragtas, which chronicled the arrival of the Malay race to the Philippine islands.
The island lent its name to several United States Navy vessels named USS Panay, mostly famously the one sunk in 1937 by the Japanese in the Panay incident.

The island of Panay is one of the Visayan islands, the 6th largest in the Philippines, NW of Negros. Primarily agricultural with extensive lowlands, it is a major rice and sugar cane producing area. Industries include sugar producing, lumbering and fishing.

Panay Island is located in the Western Visayas.

History

American Missions Against Panay Island
October 26, 1944 - May 6, 1945

October 26, 1944
B-24s attack a naval force of 2 battleships, 5 aircraft carriers, and 5 destroyers W of Panay; hits are claimed on a battleship and 2 carriers

March 17, 1945
B-24 hit Panay

May 6, 1945
Fighter-bombers fly support missions over

Ilo Ilo (Iloilo)
Port city on the coast of Panay. The capital of the province, Iloilo City, rests between the Iloilo and Batino rivers which from the angle of a nose. This location is the root of the province's old name, ilong-ilong which means "nose like". The port was a USN base. The USS Houston based at Cavite then sailed to Ilo Ilo arriving December 4, 1941. At Ilo Ilo, the USS Houston fueled, victualed and made ready for action which was felt to be imminent by those in USN Command. The ship left Ilo Ilo at 6:30 PM on December 7, just before a Japanese bombers attacked the port. Occupied by the Japanese until 1945. (read more - Panay Province)