Launching of Siargao Farmland and SIIT Farm Tourism Center
In commemoration of the Philippines’ 122nd Independence Day, the Founder and President of Siargao Island Institute of Technology Dr. Sol Forcadilla Matugas with her behalf Gov. Francisco “Lalo” Matugas spearheaded the Inter-Agency Tree Planting and Launching of Siargao Farmland and SIIT Farm Tourism Center.
Participants are the heads and employees of the different government and private agencies to name: Congressional Office, Kapitolyo Nan Siargao, DepEd Siargao, DepEd Surigao del Norte, Siargao District Hospital, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Land Transportation Office, Department of Public Works and Highways, Regional Trial Court Branch 31, Provincial Engineering Office, Siargao Scout Council, and Siargao Island Institute of Technology faculty and staff.
The 6-hectare land is located along the highway of Km. 3, Brgy. Osmeña, Dapa, Siargao Island, SDN in front of the following government offices: Regional Trial Court Branch 31, Land Transportation Office, Division of Siargao, and TESDA Office. The land is owned by the Matugas family which originally has palm trees and currently toiled for the development of Eco Tourism in Siargao.
Founder and President of SIIT and the Mother of Siargao Madam Sol Forcadilla Matugas in her message said that “This Independence Day be free and lift up to God who knows everything about us because for this past four months we are all been hiding at home to avoid the deadly Corona Virus Disease and Siargao is free from the said virus.”
“I would like to invite all of you today to co-celebrate with me in an area that has been neglected for years. I’ve been looking up this place whenever I pass this area I said Kanin-o ba ini lupa? Mutubag sab si Lalo ‘Ako iton’ Aw imu baja ini? Uno kaha sa ilayum? I was so curious of what is inside this property and then I consulted contractors and engineers. Then they are planning to make use of this land for housing project, I said ‘Let us give this to our people of the island to relieve themselves from stresses, stress from poverty, and stress from the job they are doing. Everything was for profit, we should think of project that would sustain our physical needs. That we never thought of the other side of development and that is the appreciation of beauty.” She added.
Tourism industry has been one of the most important factors that impact the economic, cultural, social, and environmental status of the island. The influx of tourists to the island has helped much in the island development – economically, socially and culturally. Much has been done by tourism in the development of the island; however, it has also posed great challenges to the entire island and the government in the province of Surigao del Norte.
Cheryl V. Bantilan, the program head of the College of Tourism Management of SIIT, in her rationale of the project reiterated that in response to the pandemic happening this year, Siargao Farmland and SIIT Farm Tourism Center has been conceived. This project has been initiated by the SIIT founder and president, Dr. Sol Forcadilla Matugas.
Siargao Farmland and SIIT Farm Tourism Center is the training and practicum ground for the SIIT Tourism students for them to be well-prepared and empowered on their future career and endeavours after graduation and to achieve the vision of SIIT which is trailblazing global competence and high moral values graduates.
In addition, this farm will attract visitors generally for educational and recreational purposes while encouraging economic activities that can provide both the farm and local community to promote local products of Siargao Island for their additional income.
This farm is also envisioned to provide among the many activities that can be experienced are: children’s park or kidlandia, adults can experience salad making, learning the flora and fauna which are grown in the island, bicycle riding, and nature-based arts and crafts.
One of the highlights in the farm is the SIIT nature and wellness camp. It is a center for retreats, farmers’ market, educational events, and workshops that aim to empower and transform lives. Furthermore, tourism students from SIIT will assist the tourists in preparing meals from freshly cut vegetables and picked fruits from the farm.
Governor Francisco “Lalo” T. Matugas said in his speech that this project is due to the initiative of his beloved wife Ma’am Sol intended for the people of Siargao most especially for the farmers. They wanted to develop this land for agriculture, gainful employment, enhanced productivity and sustainable livelihood. (jep | RPN DXKS)
