The Department of Tourism remains optimistic that Siargao, Surigao del Norte’s popular tourist destination, will continue to thrive despite recent concerns about the increasing number of Israelis on the island.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said this in response to the concerns of residents of the well-loved surfing site, saying it has echoed the sentiments of various locals.
On July 4, a Facebook post of Siargao-based singer and community organizer Maria Lalaine Tokong, where she lamented about the locals losing their “sense of security” due to the growing presence of Israelis on the island, went viral.
She said that she felt like almost half of the people living in Siargao are no longer locals.
Tokong said they have observed a growing presence of young Israeli travelers, many from military service, some arriving in groups, with some intending to rest, heal and peace, but they have also observed behaviors that “don’t align with the soul of this island.”
Among the concerns cited are dominance, loud parties, reckless driving, among others.
“Siargao used to feel like a place where we knew every face walking down the road. Where children could play until dark without fear. But lately, there is a subtle tension in the air, a feeling that we are no longer in control of what’s happening around us, on our own land. That kind of unease is hard to explain, but I’m sure locals feel it, that —
‘We are feeling less at home in our home,’” the Siargao-based singer wrote.
Furthermore, she cited that some of them plan to build an Israeli Cultural Center, a Chabad House on the island.
While she raised concerns about the Israeli visitors, Tokong clarified that the locals’ concerns are not about hate.
“Let me be clear: this is not about hate. I believe in the goodness of people. I’ve met Israelis I deeply respect and care for. But what we’re experiencing, the growing number of Israeli visitors and the consistent cultural insensitivity is real. It must be acknowledged, our only way of letting you know what’s going on, our side of the story,” Tokong clarified.
“These concerns about loud parties, aggressive responses when asked nicely to respect rules, disrespectful behavior, the disregard for local customs are not imagined. They are not rooted in racism or religion, they are rooted in lived experience,” she added.
The complaints of the residents and local business owners were also compiled by Siargao-based non-governmental organization, Project Paradise, as early as April this year, according to a report of Arab News.
Asked for the DOT’s response to this issue, Frasco assured the residents that the DOT has echoed the concerns to the Embassy of Israel in Manila.
“We did echo the concerns that have been aired by certain sectors in Siargao and emphasized the necessity of ensuring that there is always respect for our local customs, traditions and culture,” Frasco said in a media briefing on Thursday, July 31.
“The ambassador received these sentiments well and assured me that their embassy also continues to monitor and liaise with their nationals that are now based in Siargao,” she added.
Frasco emphasized that for the DOT, “tourism is about bridging cultures and fostering understanding among a variety of peoples who don’t have the same background, don’t come from the same countries, but are united in the aspiration to be human and to enjoy each other’s company.”
“So we’re hopeful that tourism in Siargao will continue to thrive and that peace will reign among the locals as well as the tourists there because Siargao continues to be a very exciting and preferred destination for the country,” she added.
The tourism chief also supports the efforts of the local government units of Siargao to continue to engage with the local communities in managing issues on the island.
