Food not enough as tourist arrivals mount in Siargao

DAPA, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte – Officials in this island have consulted with officials of the powerful Regional Development Council (RDC) in Caraga region on how to ensure “food sufficiency” with the continuous influx of both foreign and domestic tourists here.

In a consultation meeting held at “Kapitol Nan Siargao” here recently, the local officials, along with the mayors of the island’s nine towns, voiced their concern on how to sustain “food sufficiency” in the island which has been saddled with massive tourist arrivals.

The local officials here laid down some of the foundation for inclusive growth in the island, for the RDC to support.

The town mayors asked the RDC, chaired by Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol F. Matugas, to let the Department of Agriculture (DA) support them with low cost, yet high-quality agricultural seeds that could be grown by the island’s farmers.

The officials here also asked the RDC to help them avail of the government’s fish program from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), which could provide fishermen with high-quality fingerlings such as lapu-lapu, tuna, crabs, oyster, squid, and bangus.

“To address the islands’ official concern, we urged the mayors, councilmen and barangay officials to exert their unified effort and action plan in formulating integrated development plan for Siargao, so that we can properly address the needs of the island,” Matugas, told The Manila Bulletin on Monday.

The governor, said the island officials’ “unified effort” will help boost eco-tourism, while addressing food sustainability by developing more agricultural products.

Siargao Island is comprised of the municipalities of Burgos, Dapa, Del Carmen, General Luna, Pilar, San Benito, San Isidro, Santa Monica and Socorro and has a total population of close to 100,000.