The Department of Tourism (DOT) confirmed Friday, October 17, that all tourists in Siargao Island remained safe after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck off General Luna, Surigao del Norte, early in the morning.
Local authorities in General Luna and Del Carmen immediately suspended all tourism activities as a safety precaution.
The suspension covered surfing at Cloud 9, island-hopping tours to Guyam, Daku, and Naked Islands, and water activities at Sugba Lagoon.
DOT said its regional office deployed teams to assess the condition of tourism workers, including boatmen, surf instructors, tour operators, and accommodation staff.
“No injuries or stranded tourists have been reported as of this time,” the agency said.
The department reported that Sayak Airport in Del Carmen and Dapa Sea Port continued normal operations, with no flight cancellations or diversions.
DOT urged tourists to stay alert for aftershocks, follow instructions from local authorities, and avoid restricted or damaged areas. It said all water-based tourism activities would resume only after the local government units and concerned agencies issue safety clearances.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded the quake at 7:03 am and reported a series of aftershocks ranging from magnitude 1.2 to 4.4 as of 8:07 pm.
Tourists who need help may contact DOT through hotline 151-TOUR (151-8687), mobile 0954-253-3215, or email [email protected].
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.