Speaker Alvarez promises funding, facilities for Siargao
April 1, 2018 | 2:30pm
Pro surfer Martin Taniegra in a promotional photo for the Philippine Surfing Championship Tour in 2017. Michael Eijansantos, file
MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez (Davao del Norte) on Saturday promised funding to address the lack of infrastructure in Siargao island, Surigao del Norte.
Alvarez said that he, Surigao del Norte Governor Sol Matugas and Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas (Surigao del Norte) are already taking steps to address problems like the lack of first aid and medical facilities to deal with emergencies and health issues faced by locals and visitors.
The House speaker made the statement in response to broadcaster Karen Davila's concerns following an unfortunate experience in Siargao
In a Facebook post last Friday, Davila shared that one of her sons met an accident while surfing in Siargao.
Davila said they hired surfer trainers to teach her sons David and Lucas as they attempted to try the water sport in one of the major surfing areas in Cloud 9, a famous surfing spot in Siargao.
The area, called Jacking Horse, is intended for beginners.
However, Davila’s son David, came back bleeding after hitting the rocks in the shallow waters. Davila then discovered that there were neither first aid clinics nor trained medical personnel at the beach.
The trainer also disappeared after the accident.
Lack of qualifications for instructors
Davila said the nearest hospital was 45 minutes away. She also raised concerns on how there are no life guards on the beach.
She also found out that anybody who surfs in Siargao is allowed to train tourists
"Some of the trainers are habal-habal drivers, who train on the side for extra income. The instructors have no professional certifications. No requirement to be certified. No system of vetting trainers," Davila shared.
"Anybody with a surfboard, who wants to earn P500 an hour can train. Period," she added.
Davila raised her concerns to General Luna Mayor Jaime Rusillon, who explained that there are no clinics, nurses nor life guards in the area because it is a fifth-class municipality.
Provinces, cities and towns are classified according to income. A fifth-class municipality has an average annual income of between P1 million and P3 million.
"Karen, we're a fifth-class municipality and we lack doctors, and we are not ready for the influx of tourists, we were shocked," Davila quoted the mayor as saying.
Davila however, lamented Rusillon's explanation, citing how P1.2 billion had been allocated to Siargao to improve the infrastructure and to boost tourism.
Aside from General Luna, the municipalities of Burgos, Dapa, Del Carmen, San Benito, Pilar, San Isidro, Santa Monica and Socorro are also on Siargao.
The broadcaster called the attention of the Department of Tourism to act on the lack of medical facilities and personnel on Siargao right away.
DOT: General Luna town mayor did not deploy rescue team as ordered
Tourism Undersecretary Katherine De Castro said the surfer hired by Davila were not accredited by the Department of Tourism. Although news reports from 2016 mention accreditation programs for surf instructors, a document posted on the department's website says standards are still under process.
The department's website does not have surf instructors among its list of accredited establishments and frontliners in the Caraga region.
According to the non-government International Surfing Association, a first batch of 17 surf instructors took the ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor Course in May 2017.
De Castro also said Gov. Matugas ordered the deployment of rescue teams in crowded destinations in the nine municipalities on the island. She said that all towns followed the directive except Mayor Russilon.
The DOT said it has dispatched more teams to tourists areas in Siargao such as Cloud 9, Magpupungko and the Boulevard.
Meanwhile, Alvarez reminded local government units in popular tourist sites that they should ensure that tourist facilities in their areas are properly maintained. He added that there should be first aid facilities, ambulance and personnel for medical emergencies.
"Beach resorts should always have lifeguards on duty and surfing and diving instructors should have proper training and possess the requisite certification," Alvarez said in a release.
"LGUs, in coordination with the Department of Tourism, should conduct regular inspections of the facilities of tourist destinations to ensure public safety at all times," he added.
Alvarez also suggested that Siargao's Cloud 9 surfing site should have adequate lighting at night and prohibit nighttime surfing to prevent any untoward incident.
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