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Siargao is one of the two major islands of the province Surigao Del Norte, and is located in the Caraga Region of North Eastern Mindanao.

With a surface area of 437 sqm, Siargao is made up of 48 islands and islets and holds a total of 9 municipalities.

Burgos

Dapa

Del Carmen

General Luna

Pilar

San Benito

San Isidoro

Santa Monica

Socorro

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Known as the surfing capital of the Philippines, this coastal community faces the Pacific Ocean. Strong winds from the Pacific Ocean are further intensified by the Mindanao current, producing powerful waves as they approach the shore, making it perfect for surfing conditions. Aside from this, the island also faces the Philippine Trench and is in close proximity to the Philippine Deep which is approximately 10,700 meters below sea level.

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Terrain

Rolling to Steep

Highest Elevation Point

291 meters above sea level, located along the middle of Bucas Grande Island

Defining Ecosystems

mangrove swamps

broad reef flats

Climate Type 2

No pronounced dry season

Rainfall Season: November to January

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Aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

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SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production

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SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production

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What deprivation needs to be addressed? Poor solid waste management

Why does it need to be addressed?

Siargao’s waste management issue needs to be addressed before it leads to irreversible adverse effects on the state of the island, its livelihood and residents.

Improper waste management leads to land and water pollution. Beautiful landscapes and clear beach waters are the two main factors that attract local and international tourists. With tourism being one of Siargao’s main sources of income, the urge to preserve these resources are strong. Aside from this, Siargao has limited water sources as it is so water pollution poses a big threat to their potable water system. According to DR. Melinda Palencia of DOST,  “most septic tanks in the island have a bottomless design which allows wastewater to quickly seep through the ground. This poses a higher risk of contamination in freshwater and seawater.”  An increase in land and water pollution also threatens the island’s rich biodiversity.

Poor waste management also contributes to the obstruction of drains in the island. Because of Siargao’s geographical location and low elevation, the country is vulnerable to typhoons and surges. Issues in drainage will contribute to the island’s flood problems.

Siargao is also opening up its borders to tourists for the first time after the Typhoon Odette crisis, which is why an increase in plastic pollution from face masks and personal protective equipment is easily foreseeable.

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Although tourism has boosted the island’s economy and has provided more jobs for the locals and opportunities for small businesses, it has also contributed to environmental stress. An increase in the number of tourists means there is also an increase in waste generation. Because of this, Siargao faces issues concerning the consumption of single-use plastics, especially coming from tourists who use this material for packing goods, water, and food.

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In the 1980s, Siargao emerged on the surf scene and the island’s tourism has developed ever since. The Siargao Cloud 9 Surfing Cup and the International Game Flying Fish Tournament are two significant sports events that have drawn the attention of local and international tourists. In addition to this, Siargao has become reputable for its mesmerizing tourist attractions therefore causing a surge in the number of tourists visiting the island.

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Sources of waste:

Households

Tourists

Offices

Shops

Schools

Markets

Average annual waste generation per municipality: 300 - 2,000 tons

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DENR shuts down open dumpsite in Siargao

The article states that authorities halted the operation of a two-hectare dumpsite in Sitio Santa Rosa due to an abundant amount of untreated waste. Operations of the dumpsite violated the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which prohibits open dumping of waste. Moreover, the law states this act also states that waste should be disposed of in a materials recovery facility or a sanitary landfill.

However, the municipality could not afford to operate its own sanitary landfill which led to the town’s former mayor offering the lot as an alternative dumpsite.

In the defense of the local government operating the dumpsite, they argued that they were not prepared for the amount of garbage brought in by the sudden influx of tourists on the Island.

More articles related to issues with waste disposal:

Siargao hostel ordered closed for violating environment laws

DENR issues notices of violation to 90 Siargao firms

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Aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

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What deprivation needs to be addressed? Potable water shortage

Why does it need to be addressed?

Water is one of the basic necessities as human beings. The absence of clean, potable water dents a hole in our health, agriculture, and livelihood. Water shortages and interruption are common in the island of Siargao and are a pressing issue that needs to be faced immediately. More especially now that Siargao is still recovering from Typhoon Odette, which completely devastated the island with its aftermath, leaving the island thirstier than it was before. There was an increase in the incidence of diarrhea due to the water shortage caused by the Typhoon. Additionally, this is an issue that may progress even more as Siargao opens up its borders to tourists once again as the demand for water further increases.

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Level 1 Water System

Hand pumps, shallow wells, rain water collection, purchasing water from suppliers

Level 2 Water System

Piped water from a borewell or spring system to a communal water point

Level 3 Water System

Water managed from local water districts found in the municipalities of Dapa, Del Carmen, and Socorro

More than half of Siargao’s residential population are highly dependent on fresh springs and groundwater for their fresh water supply. However, due to the local climate and problems with water collection, potable

Water shortage is a recurring issue for the island’s residents. Fresh springs usually dry up from June to September and groundwater sources are often infiltrated with saline water or wastewater from poor waste management.

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4-day water interruption 'Surfing Capital' irks residents

Due to issues with a submessible water pump, residents in Barangay Catangnan have been resorting to groundwater for their water supply. However, Alladen G. Villar, officer-in-charge of General Luna Water System, Inc. (GLWSI), says that groundwater is not a reliable source for potable water due to its salinity.

According to Rudy Figuron (Catangnan Resident), “This is an endless problem in our town. This frequent problem is still not solved and this would discourage investors.”

Residents in the barangay have also turned to rainwater collection and buying potable water by the bucket.

More articles related to the issues in water supply:

Siargao grappling with water and food scarcity

Siargao Island residents appeal for clean water, food after Odette’s wrath

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Positive Impacts:

This technology is extremely helpful to the state of the island as the risk of accumulating wastewater is high due to so many rising tourist establishments and hotels. It also ensures the safety of other groundwater sources since this septic tank design is not bottomless, unlike the septic tanks that they currently have. It also exposes the locals to this kind of technology and opens their minds to replacing old septic tanks and  adopting even more eco-friendly septic tanks on the island, in order to create long term avoidance of water pollution.

Negative Impacts:

The negative impact of this technology falls primarily in the hands of those in charge of managing the Eco-friendly Septic Tank System of Siargao. Wastewater contamination of surface and groundwater sources may still occur and even worsen if these septic systems are not properly maintained.

Although solid waste contributes to the accumulation of wastewater, the Eco-sep system funded by the DOST does not address the solid waste problem present that is independent from this issue, such as the extensive use of single use plastic.

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Recently, Siargao local, Colz Vidal partnered with Unique Water Corp. to supply purified water through a mobile water station. The machine converts groundwater to purified water, providing potable water to those in need on the island.

Positive Impact:

It was able to provide emergency relief to the residents of Siargao during these difficult times and quickly supplied the high demand for potable water on the island. It also introduces a micro water system that the residents of Siargao may adopt in their own homes to cope with frequent water interruptions in the island.

Negative Impact:

As helpful as this technology is to the residents of Siargao, it is unfortunately a band aid solution to the looming water problem in Siargao. The machine is fueled by a generator and Vidal shared on her Instagram account that the water machine was not able to carry out relief operations in San Isidro due to technical difficulties with the motor. Paying for the water machine is dependent on donations of the public, which does not make the project sustainable in the long run.

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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Annual Population Growth Rate (2015 - 2020)

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Annual Population Growth Rate (2015 - 2020)

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Annual Regular Revenue of Surigao del Norte (2016)

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Annual Regular Revenue of Surigao del Norte (2016)

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The main livelihood of the locals stem from fishing and coconut farming, allowing them to produce P7,000 per month

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https://www.siargaoislands.net/p/about-siargao.html

https://surigaodelnorte.gov.ph/geography/