President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. bared on Friday the initial plans of his administration to help strengthen the tourism industry of Dinagat Islands along with its continuing efforts to rebuild from the damages brought by Typhoon Odette.

“Kaya’t hindi lamang ang pag-recover ng mga nasira, mga building na kagaya nito at ‘yung mga nakikita natin na nasira noong Typhoon Odette, kung hindi mayroon na tayong plano para sa tourism industry ng Dinagat,” President Marcos said in his speech.

President Marcos led the distribution of rice in San Jose, Dinagat Islands, known for its pristine beaches and is home to one of the largest bonsai forests in the country.

President Marcos gave his assurance that the province is included in the connectivity efforts of the government, such as putting up an airport and maximizing the use of seaports to allow easy access to local and foreign tourists in the place.

“Dinagat, medyo isolated nang konti kaya’t kailangan natin gawan ng paraan para unang-una maganda ‘yung sa airport, ‘yun ang pinaka-madali,” President Marcos said.

“Pangalawa, ‘yung Ro-Ro, lahat ng nalagyan ng Ro-Ro nagamit nang husto ‘yan. Kaya’t malaking bagay, mas madali nang pumunta sa Surigao, hindi na po kayo masyadong nahihirapan,” he added.

This is the second time that President Marcos visited the Dinagat islands. He first visited the locality in December 2021 in the aftermath of super typhoon Odette. He was then a presidential aspirant and, together with his running mate, and now Vice President Sara Duterte, brought relief assistance and supplies to the victims and affected communities.

The province was one of the worst-hit areas by the typhoon which incurred over P1.1 billion worth of agricultural damage and nearly P2.8 billion damage to infrastructure and facilities. PND