SURIGAO CITY, SURIGAO DEL NORTE

Suhoton Cave Surigao Surfing Surigao Sunset Little Baguio Sagisi Island

Surigao City Gateway to Mindanao! Postal Code 8900 Area Code 8681 Land Area 934 sq.km. Population 104,400 Dialects Spoken 95% Surigaonon, Visayan and influences of the Cebuano and Boholano dialects with a Tausug accent can be traced.Majority can speak and talk Tagalog and English. Background Surigao City is located on the coast of the province of Surigao del Norte, a mosaic of islands that lies at the rim of the Asian continental shelf. It is perched at the northeastern tip of Mindanao and faces that abysmal canyon known as the Philippine Deep. People and Culture The Surigaonon is of rich Malay stock with a sprinkling of Chinese, Japanese and Arab blood. Glints of European and American influences are also evident in the Surigaonon's appearance and culture. The Surigaonons are peace-loving and gentle. Its favorable climate makes them non-temperamental. They have the humor of the Visayan, the frugality of the Ilocano and other traits which were inherited from their forebears who ventured into this part of the archipelago. Area Profile Butuan, the provincial capital, is located at the central part of Agusan del Norte province. It lies flat along the banks of Agusan River following along course within the province of Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte and drains into Butuan Bay. Butuan serves a strategic center of the Northern Mindanao region. The national highways from Misamis Oriental, Surigao and Davao traverse the city and meet at the junction of Barangay Ampayon, effectively linking the Northern Mindanao provinces together. Commerce and Industry The city has a lot of arable land, although very little is being cultivated. Abaca, copra, maiz are the most important agricultural products. However, the city receives much of its income from mining. Commerce and Industry Butuan, like the Caraga Provinces, is primarily an agricultural province. It is also one of the leading rice producer after Bukidnon. Butuan is also a major timber producer in the region. There are 23 lumber producers and plywood plants in the city. Butuan's rattan is one of the best in the country. Other products include corn, vegetable, coconuts and bananas. Amenities Only the major island barangays of Surigao City have electricity, and in most cases, only enough to light their homes. Water is obtained from springs and wells. There are no telephones, restaurants, supermarkets or hotels except in the mainland. Fishermen and scuba divers will have to bring their own equipment. Surigao's vacation spots are not commercially developed yet; but then, nobody is really complaining. And so it shall remain to be a special hideaway of rustic charms and beauty. How to get There By Air, Butuan is, 1 hour and 30 minutes away by plane from the national capital, Manila and 50 minutes from Cebu City. Philippine Airlines flies from Manila three times a week (Monday, Wednesday & Friday) for Cagayan de Oro and Cebu flies daily. WHERE TO GO City Park - The park features a tree house, pavilion, and a children's playground. The City Tourism Office is on the second floor of the City Hall building. Santo Niño Shrine - The shrine is situated at Ceniza Heights, 4km from the city proper. It's a quiet place that offers a nice view of Surigao City. Surigao Memorial Park - From the park, about 7km from the city proper, one has a nice view on Surigao's harbor and the off-shore islets. Manjagao Mangrove Forest - The cradle of marine life and sanctuary of various species of fish, the mangrove forest is one of nature's most interesting habitat. A boat ride along the naturally-carved water channels amidst the jade-colored lush of mangrove trees and visible coral undergrowth, is an island tropical treat one rarely experience. Buenavista Cave - A 45-minute pump boat ride from Surigao City, this enchanting cave holds picturesque stalactites and stalagmites. The highlight of the journey into this cave is one of its innermost caverns, where a throne-like form sits above knee-deep water. Located at Barangay Buenavista, Hikdop Island. Del Carmen - The Crocodile Sanctuary of the Philippines, this is the home of the country's largest crocodiles, usually found in Del Carmen's vast and well-preserved mangrove forest. Located in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte. Pearl Farm - Their beauty and luster made them one of Surigao's prized dollar earners. One can experience the underwater scenery of the pearls' marine environment in a natural aquarium of incomparable beauty. The farm is the pride of Barangay Nabago, 30 minutes by land or by sea from Surigao City proper. By Boat, Transport is daily to and from Cebu (Cokaliong and Trans-Asia shipping companies, Waterjet fastcraft), and weekly to Manila (Sulpicio Lines) and vice versa. The Lipata Ferry Terminal in Surigao City serves commuters from the province and other parts of Mindanao bound for Luzon through Eastern Visayas (Leyte). By Land, Buses and jeepneys link the province to oher points of destination in Mindanao (such as Butuan, Cagayan de Oro and Davao). The different municipalities of the province is accessible by jeepney and motor launches. Credits Informations from ClickMindanao.com Photos from DTI SURIGAO DEL NORTE

Source: lakbaypilipinas.com