Siargao Lagoon, Philippines. Photo courtesy of Alexander Lopez/ Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Sugba Lagoon in Carmen, Siargao Island, will be temporarily closed to visitors for one month to allow for environmental rehabilitation, the local government said.
The closure will begin on Wednesday as part of the municipality’s annual tourist holiday.
“The temporary closure is following Municipal Ordinance No. 045 declaring 32 days of annual tourist holiday for the environmental recovery and the rehabilitation of the lagoon,” the Del Carmen LGU said in a statement Tuesday.
Repairs of tourism facilities in the area will also be conducted during the monthlong break, the statement added.
Authorities said the closure aims to allow the lagoon’s ecosystem to recover and regenerate, giving local flora and fauna a period of respite.
The LGU encouraged tourists to explore other destinations in Carmen, including nearby islets, beaches, and the Mangrove Forest Site.
Visitors are advised to plan their trips accordingly and respect the temporary restriction to support conservation efforts.