Additional flights to boost Siargao tourism
BUTUAN CITY – Additional flights to and from the paradise island of Siargao in Surigao del Norte province are expected to draw more foreign and local tourists.
Gov. Sol F. Matugas and Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas ll said that the additional flights to and from Sayak (Siargao) Airport, will make it easier for tourists to accesss the island, renowned for its pristine beaches and world class surfing areas.
“Aside from boosting our tourism industry, the livelihood of our local villagers will also increase,” Gov. Matugas told the Manila Bulletin yesterday.
Siargao Island is the acknowledged surfing and game fishing capital of the Philippines.
It is the home to world-surfing breaks. The most well-known of these is the “Cloud 9” in General Luna town, which is where the annual Siargao World Surfing Cup is held every September.
Cebu Pacific, through its whollyowned subsidiary Cebgo, increased flight frequencies to Siargao starting yesterday.
Passengers will be able to choose from 12 weekly flights between Cebu and Siargao.
“With these additional frequencies extended by this airline company, tourists can explore more our island, one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines,” Rep. Matugas added.
He said that he has asked the national government and the House of Representatives to earmark 11.2-billion for various infrastructure projects on the island.
He said the P1-billion [fund] will be allocated for the construction of more roads and bridges while 1200 million will be allocated for seaports and multipurpose buildings.
“Tourism facilities are very vital, especially now that Siargao Island is already in the world map of tourism,” the neophyte Surigao del Norte solon said.
He added that he also got the nod from the national government for an additional budget this year for urban planning for the entire Siargao (20 million), the 2017 World Surfing Cup (10 million), World Game Fishing Tournament (10 million), and 1350 million for the Sayak Airport upgrade.