Surigao City Unveils New Ecotourism Initiative to Showcase Day-asan Mangrove Forest

SURIGAO CITY — Surigao City has launched a new tourism initiative, Suroy Surigao Plus, aimed at boosting visitor numbers and showcasing local attractions like the Day-asan Mangrove Forest. The weeklong event recently concluded, marking a significant effort by local authorities to promote the region’s natural beauty and ecological importance.

According to Philippines News Agency, head of the tourism office of Surigao City, the Suroy Surigao Plus program is designed to highlight the diverse attractions across Surigao City, the Surigao del Norte mainland, and the Dinagat Islands. The initiative drew participation from social media influencers, travel and tour operators, and media representatives, contributing to an 18.4 percent increase in tourist arrivals this year compared to last. The city reported 170,357 arrivals in 2023, up from 143,770 in 2022, with the vast majority being domestic tourists.

Vice Mayor Alfonso Casurra, representing Mayor Pablo Yves Dumlao II, emphasized the city’s strategic shift towards using advanced technologies in tourism promotion. Surigao City has traditionally served as a gateway to Siargao Island, but local leaders are now focusing on directly attracting tourists to Surigao’s own sites.

The Day-asan Mangrove Forest, spanning over 600 hectares, stands out as a key feature of this initiative. Accessible via a short drive and boat ride from the city center, the forest offers guided tours that allow visitors to explore its vast mangrove ecosystems. The highlight of these tours is a 500-meter floating walkway that provides unique perspectives on the ancient mangrove habitats and their role in maintaining ecological biodiversity.

Local boat operators, like Mamerto, who has been ferrying tourists around the mangrove for over two years, have welcomed the increased focus on Day-asan. The promotion is expected to boost income for approximately 20 boat owners operating in the area.

Merlin also highlighted ongoing efforts to declare over 21,113 hectares of mangrove forests in Surigao del Norte as a Protected Landscape and Seascape. This legislative measure aims to preserve the ecological treasure for future generations, ensuring the sustainability of both the environment and the local tourism industry.