SAFETY OF TOURISTS. Personnel from the MDRRMO of Del Carmen in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, with the support of the Philippine Coast Guard, provide security assistance to visiting tourists through the Malasakit Help Desk. Foreign and local tourists start to visit the town as Siargao Island opened its tourism activities. (Photo courtesy of MDRRMO Del Carmen)
BUTUAN CITY – As tourism starts to reopen in the town of Del Carmen in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, the local government unit has strengthened its Malasakit Help Desk to ensure the safety of visiting local and foreign tourists in the area.
The help desk, stationed at the tourism wharf of the town, is manned by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) with the support of the personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
“The safety of visitors and travelers is the top priority of the LGU of Del Carmen,” the MDRRMO said in a statement Tuesday.
It added that their staff and PCG personnel are assigned daily at the tourism wharf where boat travels to the different tourist sites of the town start.
“Passengers of all outgoing motor bancas are provided with security assistance to ensure their safety during their visits to tourist sites,” the MDRRMO said.
Del Carmen is famous for its tourism sites that include Sugba Lagoon, the Mangrove Boardwalk, and the Pamonoan Island.
The town is also home to the 4,000-hectare mangroves that are being protected under the National Integrated Protected Area System Act.
Last Oct. 28, Mayor Proserfina Matugas-Coro issued Executive Order No. 54 that requires all boat operators, captains, and crews of sea vessels, motor launches, motor bancas, and pump boats to present vaccination cards before resuming operations.
The measure, Matugas-Coro said, is aimed to protect visitors and guests from the threat of the pandemic as Siargao Island opened its tourism activities. (PNA)
