Nestled within the heart of Surigao City lies a natural wonder waiting to be visited and explored by eco-tourists and nature enthusiasts alike.

Barangay Day-asan’s century-old mangroves have long been a well-kept secret. Still, thanks to the visionary efforts of the city government, this ecological gem is set to take center stage in Surigao’s burgeoning tourism scene.

As part of the city’s ambitious tourism program, the recent launch of the weeklong Suroy Surigao Plus initiative has shone a spotlight on the diverse array of attractions that Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands have to offer.

“The Suroy Surigao Plus (Visit Surigao Plus) aims to bring into limelight the tourist destinations that Surigao City, Surigao del Norte mainland, and Dinagat Islands can offer to visitors, both local and foreign tourists,” said Roselin Merlin, head of the tourism office of Surigao City, in an interview on Wednesday.

The program, which concluded on Tuesday, was joined by known social media influencers from Cebu, travel and tour operators from Davao City, and media representatives from the Caraga Region.

Increased tourist arrivals

Aside from promoting tourist spots, the Suroy Surigao Plus is also geared at capturing more visitors to the featured areas and increasing the number of tourist arrivals this year in Surigao City.

Data from the city tourism office indicated that Surigao City recorded an 18.4 percent rate increase in tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to the previous year. Last year, 170,357 arrivals were logged in Surigao City, compared to 143,770 in 2022. Of these, 167,689 were local tourists, and 2,668 were foreign visitors.

“Surigao City has long been utilized as a jump-off point of Siargao Island. Tourism has been one of the ways where we can be at par with the other cities in the Philippines,” said Vice Mayor Alfonso Casurra, who represented Mayor Pablo Yves Dumlao II during the weeklong conduct of the Suroy Surigao Plus.

Casurra added that Mayor Dumlao’s marching order is “to shift from the traditional way of promoting the city to a more advanced way of using technologies.”

A must-see ecological gem

The Day-asan Mangrove Forest is a prime example of Surigao City’s natural beauty and ecological significance.

Spanning over 600 hectares, the Day-asan Mangrove Forest beckons visitors to want to immerse themselves in its tranquil surroundings and witness the wonders of nature up close.

Day-asan can be reached from the city proper of Surigao by any transportation that passes a concrete road for about seven to ten minutes. Upon arriving in a designated area, boats are available for rent at PHP1,000, which is reasonable for ten persons for a ride of 45 minutes to one hour.

Boating through the winding waterways, guests can marvel at the towering century-old mangroves that line the banks, their roots reaching deep into the rich, fertile soil.

One of the highlights of a visit to the Day-asan Mangrove Forest is the iconic 500-meter floating walkway that offers a unique vantage point for observing these majestic trees.

Stepping onto the floating walk, visitors are greeted by a breathtaking panorama of lush greenery and nature’s soothing sounds. It is a moment of pure serenity, a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life and reconnect with the natural world.

“I’ve been operating a boat to ferry visitors and tourists around the mangrove forest for more than two years now,” said a boat operator who only identified himself as Mamerto.

Inviting more tourists to visit Day-asan would generate additional income for around 20 boat owners operating in the mangrove forest.

“Upon hearing the city government’s plan, especially in promoting Day-asan, I and the rest of the boat operators here are glad,” Mamerto said.

Merlin said that beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Day-asan Mangrove Forest also serves as an invaluable educational resource for students and nature enthusiasts keen on learning about mangroves’ vital role in maintaining ecological biodiversity.

Guided tours also offer insights into the complex ecosystems supported by mangroves and the importance of conservation efforts to preserve these habitats for future generations.

Merlin said that the city government of Surigao, together with the local government units of Placer and Tagana-an in Surigao del Norte, are working to declare more than 21,113 hectares of mangrove forests as a Protected Landscape and Seascape in the province.

“This measure is still for legislation. Declaring Day-asan and other mangrove forests in nearby towns as protected areas will help us protect this treasure,” she said. (PNA)