CEBU, Philippines — The arrival of BE Group of Companies in Siargao Island is seen to elevate the standard for promoting “green developments,’ as it commits to constructing a sustainable resort facility in the Philippines’ renowned surfing capital.
“We are grateful to the people who have the vision to protect Siargao Island by declaring it as a protected area. As such, there are provisions of the law that will ensure its management and protection,” said Department of Tourism (DOT-Caraga) regional director Ivonnie Beltran-Dumadag.
The DOT Regional Office, on the other hand, Dumadag noted will continue to enhance the overall tourism experience thru accreditation. “This way we can strictly monitor tourism related establishment’s compliance to quality services and facilities.”
“BE Group’s presence in the island is a welcome development as it will accommodate the increasing number of global and domestic tourists in our internationally-acclaimed destination and their commitment to building a sustainable resort development is aligned towards the direction of maintaining the ecological balance in this protected island,” Dumadag told The Freeman.
The Cebu-based BE Group of Companies officially broke ground on the largest resort facility on Siargao Island. It is located on a 5,000-square-meter beachfront property in the municipality of General Luna, renowned for its Cloud 9 Surfing area attraction.
Boasting of close to a hundred rooms, BE Siargao is targeted to be completed and commence commercial operations by 2026.
BE Group president and chief executive officer (CEO) Grand Benedicto pledged to build a sustainable project, or green hotel facility on the Island, keeping Siargao’s ecological balance and its island vibe appeal.
Adhering to Siargao’s local building code, BE Resort Siargao will build only up to a three-story structure, with careful attention to installing sustainable amenities.
“We will install solar panels to augment our power requirements. We will have a gray water line and an STP [Sewage Treatment Plant] that will recycle water so we will have zero discharge, and a cistern tank to collect rainwater for irrigation,” assured Benedicto, during the ceremonial groundbreaking of the project held on March 12, 2024, in Siargao Island.
To date, Siargao has a total of 1,270 hotel/resort rooms provided by the 148 DOT-accredited establishments.
The ceremonial groundbreaking was graced by the Benedicto Family, led by Benedicto Group Matriarch Helena Benedicto, the Group’s president and chief executive officer (CEO) Grand Benedicto and Surigao Del Norte government officials. Among those in attendance were 1st District Congressman Francisco Jose “Bingo” Matugas II, General Luna Mayor Sol F. Matugas, former Governor Francisco “Lalo” Matugas, and Department of Tourism-Caraga’s Dumadag.
Congressman Bingo Matugas said BE Group’s decision to put up sustainable investments in Siargao, re-affirms the Island’s position on the global stage by offering world-class hospitality service and amenities and enhancing the island experience.