By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo / Special to the BusinessMirror
Part Two
WITH a new secretary, Wanda Corazon T. Teo, now at the helm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), the agency wants to shine a light on other less-known destinations in the Philippines.
To do this, however, she said infrastructure development is of primary importance, as well as adequate connectivity, either by land, air or sea.
“I would like to focus on infrastructure development,” she told reporters during her first news briefing on July 1 last year, as she enumerated her priorities during her term of
office. “Airports should be improved, as well as the roads to the destinations.”
She added the DOT also intends to improve facilities in “underdeveloped destinations”. Thereafter, the agency will ramp up its advertising campaign not just to promote the Philippines in general, but also a select number of perceived rising stars among local tourism destinations.
Having just launched a new brand campaign during the Miss Universe beauty pageant in Manila on January 30, the DOT’s first advertisement—“When with Filipinos/Anak”—focuses on our generosity and unique style of hospitality, treating visitors like family, which makes for a “more fun” visit to the Philippines.
Enchanted River
FEATURED in the DOT’s first ad is the Enchanted River in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. A recipient of the much-coveted Certificate of Excellence from crowd-sourced travel review site Trip Advisor, the Enchanted River is so called because of its unique color, almost a deep turquoise green to blue sapphire and locals spinning tales of fairies, engkantos (environmental spirit) and other spirits that supposedly protect it.
Fishermen also talk about fish that thrive in the cool springs-fed river but cannot be caught. There is also an extensive underground cave network within the river, which is surrounded by a lush forest ecosystem.
Traveling to the river, however, is less than enchanting.
To get there, one must fly to Butuan City or to Tandag City, the capital of Surigao del Sur (90 minutes or two hours by air, respectively). From either city, one needs to travel by bus to (Mangagoy) Bislig, for three hours. It will take another three hours from Bislig to Hinatuan on a habal-habal, what locals refer to a modified motorbike designed to carry more than two passengers.
So a tourist’s best bet is to stay overnight in Bislig first, to catch one’s breath and sleep, before setting off early the next day to go to the river. (Other popular sights in Surigao del Sur are Tinuy-An Falls in Bislig; Cagwait White Beach in Tandag; and more islands with beaches in Bislig.)
Basic accommodations are available in Bislig, such as pension houses, bed and breakfasts and inns. It’s also a haven for seafood, which makes it an exciting place to dine. DOT data show visitor arrivals in Surigao del Sur numbering 181,159 in 2015.
Surfing capital
ANOTHER destination Teo wants to promote is Surigao del Norte, specifically Siargao, known as the “surfing capital of the Philippines”. The resort island is home to Cloud 9, the most popular surfing spot in the Philippines.
World competitions are held annually in Siargao, as major surfing heavyweights troop to the island and ride out Cloud 9’s waves. If one isn’t into surfing, island-hopping is also another favorite activity for tourists who want to snorkel or just dig their heels and sunbathe on white sand beaches.
With SkyJet (https://www.flyskyjetair.com/) now offering direct flights from Manila to Siargao daily, travel time to this surfer’s paradise has been reduced to one hour and 40 minutes, from the previous two hours and 20 minutes via Cebu Pacific (https://www.cebupacificair.com), which connects to the resort island only via Cebu. Most resorts can book a private van to pick up its guests arriving at the Sayak airport.
Major carriers also fly directly from Manila to Surigao City, temporarily suspended, however, due to the closure of the city airport, which was damaged by the recent earthquake. Tourists then take a 15-minute jeepney or tricycle ride to the pier, before embarking on a three-hour ferry ride to Siargao island, north of the city.
Tourists have a myriad of choices in terms of accommodations in Siargao, from ordinary bed and breakfasts/pension inns to luxury resorts.
Foreign and local tourists numbering 618,813 visited Surigao del Norte in 2015.
To be concluded
Image credits: Nonie Reyes