DOT airlifts 416 tourists in Siargao, more than 700 still stranded

By ERWIN M. MASCARIÑAS
Correspondent

BUTUAN City ― At least 416 foreigners have been airlifted from Siargao Island to Clark International Airport in Pampanga in a special flight meant to rescue stranded tourists off the island.

“For two days, March 20-21, the Department of Tourism-Caraga with the help of the provincial government of Surigao del Norte arranged five sweeper flights, from Sayak Airport in Del Carmen town, Siargao Island to Clark for tourists stranded in the island,” said Mary Jean Camarin, Regional Director of DOT-Caraga.

Zander Plaza, Acting Administrator of the Province of Surigao del Norte said that upon arrival at Clark, buses will take the passengers from the airport to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where outbound flights from Manila to the tourists’ respective countries are waiting.

The province previously suspended flights to Sayak Airport as well as Surigao Airport on the mainland after Governor Francisco Matugas in his Executive Order no. 20-010-A, closing the island to non-residents and visitors on March 18.

Camarin pointed out that while tourists were able to leave Siargao, they have an estimated of around 700 who are mostly Filipino’s still stranded on the island.

“We are still trying to validate and finalize the lists of those still stranded in the island together with our counterparts in the provincial government,” said Camarin.  

According to the list compiled on the stranded tourists in Siargao, most of the stranded tourists are Filipino’s with other nationalities from Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, Finland, France, Sweden, Belgium, United States, Canada, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Norway, Slovak Republic, Poland, Italy, Lithuania, and Australia.  

Raquel Penaso, from Bulihan, Malolos Bulacan expressed her concerns as there are nine of them who went on vacation with a senior citizen, a 10-year-old child, and a three-year-old toddler.

“We fear that our budget might run out and that our mother might end up in the hospital since she needs her monthly check-up for irregularities on her blood pressure,” said Penaso.

Penaso with her family arrived in Siargao on March 16 with a return flight scheduled on Mach 19.

DOT Caraga is still looking at any possibilities they can arrange another set of flights to help and facilitate those who are still on the island.