CARAGA Northeastern Mindanao – Surigao del Sur (Day 1): A Roadtrip to the Unknown

Mindanao has always been perceived as a dangerous location for tourist. However, not all the provinces of Mindanao are code red (tourist unfriendly zone), in fact only a few provinces are considered dangerous. According to the latest advisory dated January 2014, tourists are advised against all travel only to the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (consisting of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao). So if you are planning to visit Mindanao, do not worry, just exercise normal security precautions, avoid the provinces enumerated above and be sure to enjoy your stay there!

My first stop for the Caraga Northeastern Mindanao series of Tra-Abel was Bislig City, Surigao del Sur with a short-side-trip to Butuan City of Agusan del Norte. Bislig is the charming city on the eastern coast of Mindanao, facing the Pacific Ocean. According to oral tradition, the city was named after a forest vine of the rattan family which grew in abundance along the river banks. This vine was noted for its strength and was credited for saving a royal couple from drowning when they once crossed the river (Source: Tourism Leaflet of Bislig City).

How to get there:

From Butuan City

From the Bancasi (Butuan) Airport, take a trike/jeepney to the City Bus Terminal where air-conditioned vans may be hired for a 3-hour trip to Bislig City at reasonable rates (a bit more expensive than bus). Regular trips of Bachelor Express (non-aircon buses) also ply the Butuan-Bislig route as early as 2:00AM daily. (Note that “Mangagoy” is the placard used by the buses instead of Bislig)

Super comfy buses of Bachelor Express

From Davao City

From Davao airport, take a taxi to the Ecoland Bus Terminal where air-conditioned vans may be hired for a 5-hour trip to Bislig City at reasonable rates (a bit more expensive than bus). Regular trips of Bachelor Express (aircon and non-aircon buses) also ply the Davao-Bislig route as early as 2:00AM daily.

From Surigao City 

There is no direct bus going to Bislig. Either you take a bus to Butuan or take a bus going to Tandag. If you opted for the Butuan Bus refer to the directions above. Meanwhile, if you chose the Tandag bound bus, you can either take a jeepney, a van or a bus from Tandag Terminal to Bislig. (According to the locals, the route Surigao-Butuan-Bislig is more comfortable since the roads on this route are more concrete and polished(?))

With little knowledge about the place I was about to go, I departed Placer, Surigao del Norte at 4:00 in the afternoon. I boarded a jeepney going to Surigao City Integrated Bus Terminal. From there I immediately took the Butuan bus (lucky for me, the bus did not take long before it departed) and enjoyed the 2-hour trip.

I arrived at Butuan City around 6:45PM, with only a smartphone and a sharky backpack as my map and companion; I searched for the area where the ‘Mangagoy’ (Bislig) bound buses were parked and with the help of Ate Vendor ng Yosi, I was finally able to locate it. Unfortunately, the buses going to Bislig only operates from 2:00AM to 4:00PM (or 2:00PM? not sure). 

 

Meet Ateng Vendor ng Yosi! LOL

With seven (7) spare hours to consume, I hailed a trike and went to Gaisano Mall to shop for the things I will be using on my Bislig-Hinatuan Tour and to eat dinner. I did some food-chain-hopping to exhaust the time remaining (Butuan City’s Mcdo, Jollibee and other restaurants are open 24 hours) before I went back to Butuan City Integrated Terminal.

The bus going to Bislig arrived at the terminal an hour late (Filipino Time!), so we departed at exactly 3:00AM instead of the 2:00AM scheduled trip. Without even a bit of rest and sleep from the other night, I was knocked-out through the duration of the trip and was only awakened when we got to Hinatuan Terminal (last stop before Bislig).

 

Hinatuan Bus Terminal

The view from the Hinatuan Terminal was really refreshing and calming. It would take away all your discomfort during the trip. At around 7:00AM, we finally arrived at Bislig City.

First Order of Business – Accommodation

Where to stay at Bislig City

The following are the most recommended accommodations in town:

Pensionne La Salle (Hotel)

Contact Person: Gail Pacquaio

Tel no.: (086) 853-8890

Room Price Range: Php500-Php1,500 (single, double, deluxe, aircon, fan, etc.)

Paper Country Inn (Hotel)

Contact person: Dolores Marcojos

Tel no.: (086) 853-3079

Room Price Range: Php900-Php1750 (standard, suite, deluxe, aircon, fan, etc.)

Casa de Babano (Hotel)

Contact Person: Wilfredo Babano

Tel no.: (086) 853-1297

Room Price Range: Php500-Php1,500 (single, double, deluxe, aircon, fan, etc.)

  

Sheilah’s Pension House (Inn)

Contact Person: Anne Tajale

Tel no.: (086) 853-1510

Room Price Range: Php450-Php1,300 (single, double, deluxe, aircon, fan, etc.)

***for the complete list of accommodations available at Bislig City, obtain a tourism leaflet from the Department of Tourism - Bislig Office.

Upon arriving at Bislig City, I hailed a trike going to Pensionne La Salle (my first and only choice…LOL) for Php8.00. Pensionne La Salle exceeded my expectations and I was really amazed by their facilities. The only problem I had was the water pressure, which was too low making it impossible to take a bath hurriedly (fast).The hotel is managed by De Lasalle John Bosco College and serves as the training ground for the school’s HRM students.

Luckily, there was an available air-conditioned single room with cable TV and C.R. for Php500.00 only. I booked the room for one night and went back to Manong Trike to inquire for a tourist driver on Tinuy-An Falls – Enchanted River Tour. He immediately offered his services and quoted me at Php1,500.00. I tried to haggle with him and we decided on the price at Php1,000.00. I told him to pick me up at 8:30AM to start my Tinay-An Falls – Enchanted River Tour.

Bislig Driver for Tinuy-An Falls & Enchanted River Tour

+639305102205

Php1,500 good for 2 to 3 persons

Bislig, dubbed as the ‘city of wonders’, did not fall short of my expectations. Find out how my short visit to this wonderful city, left me wanting more!

Follow my CARAGA Northeastern Mindanao adventure on the succeeding posts.

First Weekend Trip
Surigao Del Sur (Day 1) - A Roadtrip to the Unknown: Bislig City
Surigao Del Sur (Day 1) - Tinuy-an Falls: Little Niagra of the Philippines
Surigao Del Sur (Day 2) - Hinatuan Enchanted River: Bluer than Blue

Second Weekend Trip
Surigao Del Norte (Day 1) - Surigao City: City of Island Adventures
Surigao Del Norte (Day 1) - Siargao: Tra-Abel Enroute
Surigao Del Norte (Day 2) - The Boardwalk at Cloud 9: Sunrise Watching
Surigao Del Norte (Day 2) - Siargao Island Hopping: The Three Islands