Tourism Facilities in Siargao Help Locals, Foreigners

Local and foreign tourists in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte have benefited much from several tourism facilities built through the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

PCF is an incentive fund given by the DILG to high-performing cities, municipalities and provinces which have complied and passed the key requirements under the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG).

DILG Secretary Ismael D. Sueno said that good performing local government units (LGUs) will be able to use their PCF incentives for development projects in their areas.

“The LGUs who are granted the Seal of Good Local Governance will get not only the PCF incentive but they will also be able to access other DILG projects,” Sueno said.

Tourism Lounge in General Luna

In the most visited town of General Luna, the tourism lounge in Dacu Island now serves as a temporary shelter for tourists who avail of the island-hopping adventure. Dacu Island is one of the three islands offering tourists the unique experience.

The P1 million PCF incentive of the provincial government was used for the construction of the said tourism lounge in Dacu Island.

According to barangay captain Imelda Gania, visitors to Dacu Island can rent the tourist lounge for P300 to P500 per day.

Tourism Lounge in Dapa

In the municipality of Dapa, first time tourists who have just alighted from the boats docked along Dapa port can now go directly to the nearby tourism lounge for information and help on how to explore the nine municipalities of Siargao Island.

The said tourism facility is built from the P1 million PCF incentive of the provincial government of Surigao del Norte. A staff from the provincial office is now assigned there to assist tourists and locals alike. Personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) are also stationed at the tourist lounge.

Women Center in Sta. Monica

Meanwhile, the ground floor of the two-storey Sta. Monica Women’s Center in the municipality of Sta. Monica is now used as venue for various activities of the Local Government Unit (LGU), women associations, and even senior citizens.

The second floor of this center also provides accommodation for visitors and tourists. There are three bedrooms, a living room and kitchen for guests to stay in while visiting the various tourist spots in Siargao.

The women center is built through the P1 million PCF incentive of the municipal LGU with P3.9 million LGU counterpart.

“Now we can provide accommodation to visitors here in our town plus we earn from the rental at the ground floor,” said Municipal Vice-Mayor Arwela Dolar. (DILG)