Preparations are underway for the three-day 2nd International Game Fishing Tournament which will be held on May 7-9, 2009 in Pilar town in this scenic and paradise Siargao Island.

Organizers of the tournament announced on Wednesday that more than 100 foreign and local anglers have already manifested their commitment to participate and catch the largest bony fish in the open sea off the northeastern tip of the Caraga Region composed of the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Dinagat Islands.

Officials of the Department of Tourism (DOT), the First District of Surigao del Norte, the municipal government of Pilar and the Siargao Game Fishing Tournament 2009 said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to witness the big affair and hand out the prizes of almost half-a-million pesos to the anglers who will tally the highest weight points and heaviest catch during the three-day international tourney.

Last year, President Arroyo opened the 1st International Game Fishing Tournament, also at Pilar town.

The organizers said that as of this date, foreign anglers from Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Russia, Taiwan, the United States and other Asian countries have already signified their eagerness to participate in the big fishing sea tournament.

Rep. Francisco T. Matugas, the “Father” of the big fishing tourney, said that the event is expected to again put the Philippines in the world map as an important international game fishing venue and will boost the island’s tourism industry that features a world-class surfing destination -– “Cloud Nine” (General Luna), the largest mangrove forest plantation in the country with 8,760 hectares, pristine white sand beaches, and tropical marine life-rich coral reefs.

Matugas is resolute that tourism is the prime vehicle for development in the island and of the whole province of Surigao del Norte.

“Once fully developed, the tourism industry will be a major contributor to uplift the lives of the people of my province,” stressed Matugas, who is also a former governor of Surigao del Norte.

Various infrastructure projects costing more than P400 million, including roads and airport development, are ongoing to make the scenic island more accessible to both domestic and foreign tourists.

Get Philippine Travel News on your inbox - Join Lakbay Pilipinas Mailing List