PILAR, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte – The 13th Siargao International Game Fishing Tournament hosted by this municipality officially kicks off on Friday, April 21.
More than 60 professional anglers from different countries have registered, among them friends of Vice President Sara Duterte from the Davao region, said Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco Jose “Bingo” F. Matugas II.
Competing anglers have started to arrive for the four-day tournament which resumes three years after it was cancelled by the pandemic. Tourists and game fishing enthusiasts have also begun to arrive, Matugas said.
“All systems go, despite some minor problems that we encountered because of the pandemic,” Matugas said. “There is no place like Siargao and we Siargaonons are extremely blessed to have this piece of paradise as our home,” Matugas added.
“As we open our home island to more tourists and as we continue to host international and local sports events such as this (game fishing, surfing), we hope that our tourists and guests will also help us protect and preserve this paradise not just for us but also for our future visitors.”
Attending the grand opening ceremony are provincial and Siargao Island mayors, vice mayors, and local legislators, former Gov. and Rep. Atty. Francisco “Lalo” T. Matugas, General Luna, Surigao del Norte Mayor Sol F. Matugas, top officials from the Department of Tourism (DOT), and officials of the host town led by Mayor Maria Liza G. Resurreccion. Organizers include Rep. Matugas, DOT, and the municipal government of Pilar.
Tournament categories are Biggest Sailfish with a minimum size of 15 kilograms, the Biggest Giant Trevally or Talakitok Category with a minimum size of three kilograms, the Biggest Tanguige Category with minimum size of five kilograms, and the Biggest Dorado Category with minimum size of five kilograms.
Tourism officials in Caraga and local officials expressed confidence that more professional anglers from the Philippines and other countries will continue to compete in the annual game fishing tourney in the coming years.
Sen. Imee R. Marcos is guest speaker. The tournament ends on April 24.