Seventy participants have confirmed their attendance in the 1st Siargao Invitational Game Fishing Tournament scheduled April 16 to 19, according to Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco T. Matugas.
Matugas gave an additional P200,000 from his provincial development assistance program (PDAF) for the big event.
The solon met Tuesday with Siargao Island’s nine mayors and ranking officials of government agencies involved in the tournament, such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Tourism (DoT).
Aside from several activities during the four day fishing competition,
A “Miss Siargao†contest, in the charge of Dapa Mayor Peter Ruaya is expected to add color to the four-day festivities.
The tournament to is the first of its kind in the southern island and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a surfing dilettante, is the scheduled guest of honor and speaker at the opening ceremonies at the Magpopongko Beach.
Among the entries are those from Australia, United States of America, Hongkong, Japan, Malaysia, Korea and Indonesia, and other neighboring Asian countries.
Matugas added that three of the country’s national and prestigious game fishing clubs, the Philippine Game Fishing Foundation, the Philippine Sports Fishing Club and the Silver Jack Fishing Club of Manila, have also confirmed participation.
Meanwhile, in an effort to make other tourist destinations accessible in this so called “Siargao Island of Paradiseâ€, where the famous surfing sports haven is also located, the DPWH is also fast-tracking several multi-million infrastructure projects in the island.
Concurrently, Ratugas said the DPWH regional and provincial district engineering offices and local government units (LGUs)are cementing the P130-million Dapa-Del Pilar section of the highway.
Construction and improvement of the P140-million airport’ terminal, runway extension, parking area, fencing and ATO offices is ongoing while a P70-million bridges in General Luna is alo under construction.
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Game fishing contests are all the rage in coastal communities these days. There are many held in New Zealand and Australia and I also think in the US. It is a great way to feature local fish and cuisine if local restaurants participate.
The resort
Lucod beach resort is an outstanding facility on the whole Island and has a mix of native and modern ambiance, the rooms are spaceous, fresh and clean. Perfect for a longer vacation, relaxing, gastronomy, reconnecting with nature hosted by a warm Swiss (Biel) / Filipina (Maasin) hospitable couple, who likes to provide all the service needed.
To escape from everything and all the stress it is perfect. Small corners with comfortable sofa’s to read or to play a game of chess, …
The restaurant and bar can count up to 30 persons, they have a multi-funtional-space, two billiards, darts, internet, karaoke, badminton, volleyball, satelite-tv, guides for excursions, massages, boat-trips for island hopping and big-game-fishing.
It has direct acces to a very large bay which is excellent for wind-surfing, kite-surfing, kayaking.
The bay is very near (20 minutes boattrip) to the Philippine-deep-sea for the fish fanatics.
It’s also the closest to the natural rock pools of Magpopongko at Pilar.
To contact or for more information you can send an email to lucodbeach@msn.com, Mr. Robert S.
I hope the Invitational Game Fishing Tournament went well.
Stevie