President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said tourists and residents should adopt eco-friendly practices in Siargao Island, one of the country’s prime surfing destinations.
President Marcos was represented by his youngest son, William Vincent Marcos, as the Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker at the 27th Siargao International Surfing Cup held at Cloud 9, General Luna, Siargao Island on Wednesday.
“As we embark on this new chapter, I enjoin everyone to promote surfing and adopt eco-friendly practices that will help us protect and conserve our environment,” Mr. Marcos said in a speech.
The President also highlighted that the event reinforces the perseverance of the people of Siargao in building back and recovering from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Super Typhoon Odette in recent years.
The President also asked the locals to support responsible fishing practices, purchase sustainably sourced seafood, and opt for eco-friendly cleaning and personal care products.
Siargao is renowned as the surfing capital of the Philippines and is home to some of the best beaches in Asia. It is ranked 10th among the Top Islands in Asia for the Condé Nast 2023 Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
The President also encouraged Siargaonons to support government initiatives for the development of Siargao.
Among these programs is the Training on Homestay Pilipinas, which enlightens residential owners about the formal and systematic procedures to accommodate tourists.
President Marcos said that the government continues to pursue developmental efforts such as the New Siargao Airport Development Project to support tourism and trade growth of the island.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources also initiated a program for typhoon-hit towns to strengthen their adaptive capacities and resilience to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
“I look forward to the continued growth and prosperity of this annual competition as well as the perpetuation of your rich legacy in the global surfing community,” Mr. Marcos said.
“Our government remains staunch in its commitment to supporting Siargao Island in its efforts to achieve economic recovery and sustainable development. Let us, therefore, unite as one to bring forth a greener, more secure, and more progressive Philippines for all,” he added.