BUTUAN CITY – More than two months after Typhoon "Odette" devastated the province, Surigao del Norte Gov. Francisco T. Matugas said that tourism sites in the province, particularly in the island of Siargao, are now open. Siargao Island is the acknowledged world-class surfing destination in the Phil
BUSINESS AS USUAL. This photo, taken in October 2021, shows the iconic diving board at the Sugba Lagoon. The famous Sugba Lagoon in Del Carmen town in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte is set to resume operations starting Friday (Feb. 25, 2022) more than two months after the devastations of Typhoon Odette. (Contributed photo by Ivy Marie Mangadlao) BUTUAN CITY - More than two months after Typhoon Odette pummelled Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte, the world-class surfing destination in the Philippines and one of the 2021 Times' World Greatest Places is reopening to tourists, starting in Del Carmen town. Lani Lipio of the municipal tourism operations office of Del Carmen told reporters Thursday that the Sugba Lagoon, one of the popular destinations in Siargao, will be open to tourists starting February 25. "We are open but we are also reminding tourists that not all amenities will be available such as cottages and other services. In Sugba Lagoon, we just set up a tent where t
SAFETY OF TOURISTS. Personnel from the MDRRMO of Del Carmen in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, with the support of the Philippine Coast Guard, provide security assistance to visiting tourists through the Malasakit Help Desk. Foreign and local tourists start to visit the town as Siargao Island opened its tourism activities. (Photo courtesy of MDRRMO Del Carmen) BUTUAN CITY - As tourism starts to reopen in the town of Del Carmen in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, the local government unit has strengthened its Malasakit Help Desk to ensure the safety of visiting local and foreign tourists in the area. The help desk, stationed at the tourism wharf of the town, is manned by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) with the support of the personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). "The safety of visitors and travelers is the top priority of the LGU of Del Carmen," the MDRRMO said in a statement Tuesday. It added that their staff and PCG personnel
BUTUAN CITY - Starting November 1, operators, captains, and crewmen of all water transport in Del Carmen town in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte will have to present their vaccination cards to ensure the safety of those visiting local tourist spots. This was mandated in Executive Order (EO) 54 issued by Mayor Proserfina Matugas-Coro on October 28 and sent to news outlets on Saturday. "Siargao Island is now opened to accept tourists, guests, and visitors, such that it is important for the local government unit of Del Carmen to look into protection of their health while they are in our area, especially visiting our famous tourist destinations," she said in the EO. Among the spots frequented by foreign and local tourists in Del Carmen are the Sugba Lagoon, Mangrove Boardwalk, and Pamonoan Island. Amid the continuing threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Matugas-Coro cited the need to vaccinate all those involved in transporting passengers, tourists, and visitors i