International Events Boost Tourism Industry In Siargao Island

The yearly international events regularly held in Siargao Island in the province of Surigao del Norte are big boosters to the tourism and economic growth in the island.

The prestigious Siargao International Game Fishing Tournament that concluded on Sunday, April 17 in Pilar town was able to gather 55 professional anglers from 9 countries including the Philippines.

Surigao del Norte 1st District representative Francisco Matugas said international events have paved the way in the improvement of the infrastructures in Siargao that further developed its tourism industry.

“The concreting of the 162-kilometer circumferential road is already completed that made tourism spots in the island more accessible to tourists, both local and foreign,” Matugas pointed out during the opening of the event.

He added that improvement of the airport in Siargao is already on the bag with the approval of the P3-billion expansion program aimed to widen and expand its runway and terminals.

“The expansion of Siargao airport is ready for bidding,” Matugas stressed, citing that the bidding will probably proceed after the May 2016 elections.

Regular flights from and to Cebu City is presently being catered by Siargao airport but Matugas said its expansion will accommodate bigger planes and more flights in and out of the island.

The island is also the venue of two world surfing events that attract local and foreign tourists every year. For 2016, two world surfing events are scheduled in Siargao, one in June and another in September.

Local businesses in Pilar town gained as the three-day game fishing event wrapped up on Sunday.

Among the sector that benefited most from the event are the catering and home stay programs of local residents organized by the Department of Tourism in the area (DOT-CARAGA).

Under the home stay program, residents were trained into basic hotel and restaurant management and services.

Local and foreign tourists, including the anglers stay in residences in Pilar town accredited by DOT-CARAGA under its home stay program.

The recently-concluded world event in Pilar was joined by professional anglers from the USA, Spain, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, Netherlands and the Philippines.

Surigao del Norte Governor Sol Matugas expressed gratitude to countries and anglers who joined the event.

Governor Matugas also thanked the residents in the area for their continued support to every international event.

To further boost the capability of Siargao Island, the congressional and provincial governments work hand-in-hand to improve facilities and venues for future events.

Construction of the P300-million sports complex that can accommodate 5,000 persons in already underway in the town of Dapa.

Matugas said Siargao Island will be hosting the 2017 regional games once the sports complex is completed.

Construction of the P100-million convention center in General Luna town is also 20 percent complete and is expected to be opened to various activities early next year.

General Luna hosts the yearly world surfing events every June and September. (PNA) LAP/LCM/ALEX LOOEZ/LDP/SSC