Provincial Tour: Road Trip 1

Destination: Municipalities of Sison, Tubod and Mainit in Surigao del Norte

With the promo collaterals of the province in hand, we traveled the national highway southward outside the city's vicinity.

First stop: Biyabid Waterfalls in the Municipality of Sison

29 kilometers away from the city, Sison is the first municipality outside the geo-political jurisdiction of Surigao City with its Poblacion located just alongside the national highway. And about 4 kilometers westward from the Poblacion lays the seven-stage cascading Biyabid Waterfalls named after its home place Brgy. Biyabid.

The barangay is primarily accessible by single motorcycles, stationed in the Poblacion, that are rough road tolerant.

From the barangay proper, the waterfalls can be reached by trekking in the lush vegetations at about 10 minutes. Unorganized tour guides who are usually residents of the village are available upon request from the amiable and accommodating barangay chairman. The service is for free for now but a token in the form of one bottle of Tanduay will likewise show the appreciation.

In spite being underdeveloped, I especially like the fact it retained its natural aspect where you got to walk in the mud (when its raining) or trek the green meadows under the shades of trees before reaching the falls.

Second stop: Songkoy Cold Spring in the Municipality of Tubod

36 kilometers south of Surigao City and 88 kilometers away from Butuan City. From barangay Rosario in Tubod just beside the national highway, one can take the local means of transport 'habal-habal' to fare you from the rough road. But a 30-minute trekking could be a fun experience too. Chit-chatting while heading there.

Songkoy Cold Spring is a favorite destination during Summer because of its reputed cold spring water. It will practically chill you to the bones. Families and groups of friends alike used to hang out and have picnic in the nearby huts around this rock-bordered natural pool.

Third stop: Mainit Lake in the Municipality of Mainit

Home to infamous pidjanga or freshwater gobi (which my mother used to cook with coconut milk wrapped in Gabi leaves) and other freshwater fishes such as tilapia. The lake, which is named after its location, has an approximate area of 14,700 hectares and a 50 km stretch lakeshore and is known to be the deepest and the fourth largest lake in the country.

Boating and game fishing are among the activities that can be enjoyed in the lake. Limestone islets also resided within the lake that added beauty in the panoramic view seen from above the highway on top of the mountain. Travelers passing by take notice of this beautiful scenery always.

Concerned residents of the municipality are now initiating a move to protect and preserve the lake from alarming danger of the janitor fishes invasion and quarrying.

Photo credit: nasipsite (flickr)

The lake can be reached by taking public transport at the overland terminal in Surigao City. The travel time is about 45 minutes. It is about 44 kilometers away from the City of Surigao, traversed by the Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway for 39.5 kilometers then turning right to the Mainit-Malimono Road for 4.5 kilometers leading to the lakeside where the center of the municipality is located.