BUTUAN CITY (MindaNews/23 January) — Days after news got out that the Cloud 9 surfing spot was declared by CNNGO.com as number 8 of the “World’s 50 best surf spots,” surfing organizations and the provincial government of Surigao del Norte are now bracing for more visitors to the island this year.
Cloud 9, which is located in the town of General Luna in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte has been named as the major surfing destination in the Philippines and has been hosting both local and international surfing events for the past 18 years.
“We are extremely happy to be included in the world’s best surfing spots.
Can’t asked for more, at long last all our efforts paid off. With the help of the provincial government it took us 17 long years to promote Cloud 9 in Siargao as a surfing destination. This is a huge accomplishment for us,” said Zeny Pallugna, Secretary General of the Philippine Surfing Federation (PSF).
Pallugna added that she is preparing to meet Surigao del Norte Governor Sol Matugas and General Luna Mayor Jaime Rusillon to discuss future plans and how to take advantage of the present “buzz” on the surfing destination.
Matugas said they are now working and doing their best to prepare Cloud 9 for the influx of surfers and tourists.
“We are very proud and happy for the honor bestowed on Siargao, it has been a long and hard work and so much are still needed to be done.
This year we will make it bigger and more published, we are looking at ways in providing better facilities and accommodations not just for our foreign guests but for local tourists as well, she said.
Ivonnie Beltran Dumadag of the Provincial Tourism Office pointed out that they are optimistic about the upcoming surfing events.
Dumadag said they will launch the Philippine Surfing Championship Tour (a surfing circuit) in May.
The event will start with the international women’s surfing tournament on May 1-4, and the National Men’s Surfing Tournament will be on May 5-9, she said.
“Also this year we will have the 18th year of the International Surfing Cup and 2nd year Billabong Pro Junior Asia Circuit,” she added. (Erwin Mascarinas/MindaNews)