Daku Island, one of the three islands of Siargao, Surigao del Norte, bodes fair to be the next tourism hotspot in Mindanao.
With an approximate area of 30 hectares, Daku Island is being developed by the local and provincial governments in Surigao del Norte into another tourist draw in Siargao, a surfer’s haven.
“We envision Daku Island to become another Boracay in the country because of its strong potential for tourism industry,” said Mayor Jaime Rusillon of General Luna.
The island is blessed with white sand beaches and two surfing areas that are now being visited by surfers from the country and around the world.
Rusillon said there is no doubt that Siargao Island is now among the foremost destinations of foreign and local tourists.
The island, a gem of Surigao del Norte province, attracts thousands of visitors especially during Holy Week and the Siargao International Game Fishing Tournament and the Siargao International Surfing Cup.
More than 7,000 visitors trooped to General Luna town this month to watch the 22nd Siargao International Surfing Cup which will run from September 23 to 29.
More than 2,000 are foreigners, some of whom are professional surfers competing for the prestigious cup.
Local and foreign tourists who visit General Luna every year do not leave the town without hopping on the Naked Island, Daku Island and Guyam Island.
Rusillon said Daku Island is one of the 19 barangays of General Luna populated by more or less 80 households.
To equip the island with facilities for visitors, the provincial government of Surigao del Norte built a P3-million tourism center building last year.
“We thank Gov. Sol Matugas for this tourism center. Visitors to the island dine and stay here overnight,” said Daku Island barangay captain Imelda Gaña.
Tourism development is among the priorities of Matugas especially on Siargao Island.
But Daku Island is special, said Rusillon, being the stop-over of island hoppers from the Naked Island to eat, splash into its cool and clear waters and rest before proceeding to Guyam Island before returning to the mainland Siargao.
Gaña said around 200 to 300 local and foreign visitors come to Daku Island everyday but the peak season is Holy Week when around 1,000 visitors come daily between April and June.
She said that aside from the tourism center, the island also has more than 30 cottages strategically situated along white sand beaches, although some tourists bring tents with them.
“They are safe here to stay. We always assure of their safety especially at night time,” she added.
Daku Island now is being provided with 22 solar street lights and a solar power charging system.