GENERAL LUNA, Siargao Island—A masterplan by a renowned urban planner is in the pipeline to position Siargao Island as eco-friendly, prime tourist destination in the country.
The masterplan will strive to strike a balance among people, the environment and economy, while seeking to align both public and private sector-led projects to Siargao’s longterm development goals, said Karmi Palafox, senior urban planning consultant for Palafox Associates.
Palafox disclosed that their firm has recently secured the consultancy services for island’s masterplan, which was commissioned by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
An electronic copy of the contract from TIEZA’s website showed that Palafox Associates won the bidding for the project, which was awarded last December 27.
In devising the masterplan, Karmi Palafox said their firm aims to address the breakneck pace of development in Siargao—home to the country’s surfing mecca, Cloud Nine—which is increasingly putting a strain on the island’s delicate ecosystem.
Architect Felino Palafox Jr., the firm’s founder, assured that Siargao’s masterplan will incorporate the best planning and development practices in the world and takes a balance among three essential factors—the development of island’s tourism industry, the environment and natural resources, and the welfare of local residents.
Karmi Palafox said the masterplan will depart from the common development approach, she said often gives premium on the profit side. A substantial consideration will also be given to the island’s cultural and heritage sites, she added.
Palafox said the masterplan will provide snapshots of the future for the stakeholders to plan around.
“We will consider the potentials and constraints of different areas in the nine towns in Siargao,” Palafox said.
The plan, she said, will be put up by experts that include urban and environmental planners, architects, engineers, designers, socioeconomic and environmental specialists, financial and market research specialists, a waste management specialist, and infrastructure and traffic specialists.
“We will be holding a series of consultations with the communities in March and April to know and understand what the people envision for the island’s future,” she said.
Consultations from different communities are slated on March 12 at the Santa Monica Gymnasium in Santa Monica; March 13 at the Del Carmen Convention Center; March 14 at Kapitolyo Nan Siargao in Dapa town; and March 16 will be at Baile in General Luna town. The consultation will continue on March 18-19 in Socorro. (Roel N. Catoto/PNA)
