Siargao Island - Famous "Paradise Island" in Surigao del Norte, Philippines

DAPA, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte - The famous ''Paradise Island'' of Siargao, the Philippines' surfing capital, was recently cited as one of Southeast Asia's top tropical wonderlands by Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia.

The prestigious magazine with its corporate headquarters in Hong Kong has included Siargao in its list of ''8 Ultimate Islands.''

Related story: Sinulog 2013

Similarly, Siargao has been named as the eighth best surf spot in the world by CNNGo, the travel website of the Cable News Network.

The global media network based its ranking from the list of the world's 50 best surf spots compiled by Jade Bremmer, an avid surfer who has surfed many surfing locations in the world.

Siargao is also included in the ''Destinations to watch in 2013'' by Condè Nast Traveller, a well known travel magazine based in the United Kingdom. Particularly mentioned is Dedon Island in Siargao, a high-end resort operated and owned by contemporary world-class furniture brand Dedon.

All these recognitions have further encouraged officials of this northeastern-tip province of Mindanao to boost their effort in putting more state-of-the-art infrastructure to be able to meet the needs of tourists, both foreign and domestic.

Siargao Island, faces the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Deep, the second deepest water in the world, at more …

Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco T. Matugas (1st District), Rep. Guillermo A. Romarate, Jr., Gov. Sol F. Matugas, and the island's nine municipal mayors with their respective legislators and village officials have agreed to unify their approaches in developing the province's tourism destinations.

Mayor Peter ''Boy'' Ruaya of Dapa, the jumping-board town leading to the different destinations in the island, has taken moves to boost tourism infrastructure and transport.

Related story: Boracay tunnel in the works? 

As a result, the Department of Tourism (DOT-13) is expecting more than the usual increase in foreign tourist arrivals on Siargao Island and the rest of Caraga Region in the months and years to come.

''We have really noted the increase in arrivals of tourists from all corners of the globe, and that's why we are also increasing our tourist structures and other needs including tourist guides,'' said Region XIII DTI Regional Director Leticia DC. Tan.