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.
