More cops, medical teams deployed in Siargao Island for Lent, summer vacation

GENERAL LUNA, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte – Governor Sol F. Matugas on Monday ordered all the nine local government unit (LGU) chief executives to deploy more medical teams in their respective tourist destinations in the “Paradise Island” of Siargao as tourists started to arrive last Sunday (April 14).

The governor sent her order to the nine mayors of the island, especially the town mayor of General Luna where the bulk of tourists, both foreign and domestic, stay.

The provincial chief executive also directed all tourist resorts in the island, particularly the country’s surfing capital of General Luna town to let their respective rescue and medical teams ready to respond to any untoward incident.

“Local responders (disaster

teams in every town’s disaster councils) must be on the ground on a 24-hour basis so that the very needs of our citizens, tourists and guests must be immediately attended,” Matugas added, in her directive to the different mayors in the island.

P/Brig. Gen. Gilbert DC Cruz, regional director of Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) has also ordered the deployment of more tourist cops in this “Paradise Island” in an effort to secure the influx of tourists here.

The region’s top police official personally visited all the police stations here and ordered all field unit commanders and municipal chief of police to stay on-alert on a 24-hour basis, and be at their respective command posts so that they would be ready to respond to any untoward incident.

Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte First District solon Rep. Francisco Jose F. Matugas ll also appealed to all tourists to help the provincial government protect and preserve the beautiful island of Siargao.

“We hope that our tourists and guests will also help us protect and preserve this paradise not just for us but also for our future visitors,” he said.

“May we all do our part in maintaining its beauty, tranquility and rich waters for the sake of the next generations of Siargaonons as well as the next generations of anglers, surfers, enthusiasts and tourists from around the world,” Rep. Matugas stressed.

The Sayak National Airport in Siargao Island already has 12 flights to Siargao daily, from different origins, including several direct flights from Manila and Cebu, by three major airlines.

Several sea fast-crafts (on the hour basis) also cater tourists and guest now from mainland Surigao City to Siargao Island.