1st Siargao Invitational Game Fishing Tournament

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo leads the ceremonial fishing of the 1st Siargao Invitational Game Fishing Tournament in Pilar, Surigao del Norte. Siargao island is famous for its surfing waves, long stretch of white sand beaches, vast mangrove forest, pristine mountain lakes, unique limestone forest and deep waters teeming with a plethora of marine life. Assisting the President is Pilar Mayor Lucio Gonzales, Rep. Francisco Matugas of the First District of Surigao del Norte. (in red ). (Rrodolfo Manabat-OPS/NIB Photo)

 By Lilybeth G. Ison

PILAR, Siargao Island, April 17

In her commitment to bolster development in the countryside, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Thursday formally opened the 1st Game-fishing Tournament here.

In her keynote speech during the opening rites, the President said development in rural areas is not just promoting agriculture nor putting up more infrastructure projects, but also develop other aspects such as tourism and environmental protection.

She said this game-fishing tournament and the now world-famous surfing activity in Siargao has put the Island in the world tourism map.

“Siargao will now be known as an adventure-tourism destination in the Philippines,” she added.

President Arroyo however, said that to attract more investments and tourists to come to the Island, “we must improve our facilities such as infrastructure and water system.”

As such, she turned over a P10 million check to the local government in the area for the improvement of water system in the entire Siargao Island.

The President also announced that she had directed the Department of Health (DoH) for the upgradiug of government-operated Siargao Hospital.

She also released some P72 million check for the completion of the Sayak Airport located in Del Carmen town, which she earlier ordered to fasttrack its expansion to boost tourism activity in the area.

On the other hand, 1st Dist. Rep. Francisco “Lalo” Matugas, in an interview, said the tournament marked as another milestone in the history of Siargao Island wherein renowned anglers from all over the world came and participated in the event.

He said this gamefishing event, the first-ever to be held in the country, has definitely put Siargao in the map as another “must see” tourist destination.

Around 75 participants from 15 countries joined the three-day sports event including three of the Philippines’ leading gamefishing clubs –the Philippine Gamefishing Foundation, the Philippine Sports Fishing Club, and the Silver Jack Fishing Club of Manila.

Big prizes await individual winners for the highest weight points and the biggest and heaviest catch.

Meanwhile, Pilar town Mayor Lucio Gonzales said “this is probably the moment for Pilar to be given due recognition for its inherent potentials that not all municipalities in Siargao can offer.”

“This gamefishing tournament is the avenue for us to boost our pride being Pilarnons, which for a long time had never given an opportunity to be recognized especially in the potentials we have in terms of tourism aspect,” he said.

The event had also helped provide a sweeping development of basic infrastructures in the town, especially the repair of road network from Osmena to the town proper and also the road connecting to the famous Magpopongko rock formation and natural swimming pool, another tourism site located about three kilometers from Pilar town proper, he added.

Meanwhile, Tourism Caraga Director Letty Tan said the game-fishing event in Pilar “will be added in the roster of sports activities in Siargao Island next to the already world famous surfing competition in Gen. Luna town slated every second week of September.”

“The improvement of the tourism potentials of Pilar will be our next agenda in our department because we have seen the positive response especially the local government unit (LGU) who is willing and able to work closely with us on how we can possibly improve the basic tourism facilities they have,” she said.

The DoT had conducted a “homestay training” to those interested resident owners in Pilar who are willing to accomodate tourists.

Tan said the home-stay program will cater and provide an answer to the much-needed hotel accomodations in the town.

The DoT also conducted training for boatmen for them to be able to acquire know-how on the proper facilitation of anglers that will be riding their boats going to the fishing site.

The President was accompanied here by Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Trade Secretary Peter Favila and Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye. (PNA)

source file from: balitapinoy.net