SIARGAO'S WARM WELCOME, BITTER GUESTS

Excessive misbehavior of tourists deserves no hospitality from our Filipinos.

Recently, Siargao Island's surfing grounds have been flooded not with water, but with reports of some Israeli tourists performing acts of hooliganism—an act of disruptive, unlawful actions done by young groups. Locals become concerned not only about overtourism but also about the growth of invasive tourism. Residents experience uncomfortable situations in their very own home while the other side relaxes along its scenic beaches.

This is not the outcome we expected when we show a genuine, welcoming hand. When tourists enter our land, they are no more than just visitors— they do not own the place we call home, nor should they place their flags everywhere they walk. Our warm greetings are not there because we favor you; it is there because we have respect.

This issue is no longer new; it just continues to repeat as if nothing happened. Back on September 14, 2025, around 80 residents stood their ground against the planned Chabad House to be built in General Luna, Siargao. A petition against the construction of the Chabad House was also launched, garnering at least 3,550 signatures.

For Israelis, a Chabad House is a community center where they can show their religion, their version of "home". For the locals, however, the religious movement divides the island's already unique culture and replaces its people's identity as if it never existed. These malicious behaviors not only cause discomfort, it causes a whole cultural disruption.

While there is no problem for these Israelis to practice their Judaism, the problem lies in the other purpose of the Chabad House—promoting Noahidism, a religious movement meant to target the non-Jews. This is not just about religion; it's how the development and increase of these centers could cause a loss of cultural heritage.

Local Government Units (LGUs) need to decide now whether they are for the foreigners or for their people. If they choose to serve their purpose, to serve their people, then they should act fast because the more time these residents endure these kinds of behaviors, the deeper the rift grows—and the greater the risk of permanent cultural change. It won’t just stop with setting up ‘camp’, it continues with occupation.

Government officials should no longer just rely on the announcement of the consequences, hoping that it will make a change. Instead, they should strengthen the implementation of the Operations Order No. SBM-2015-025, wherein most rights and privileges given to Filipino citizens are not permitted to foreign tourists, specifically for political rights, which are exclusive for only Filipinos. Moreover, the government should consider the blocking of Executive Order No. 408, which gives visa-free privileges to foreigners and enables them to stay in the country for 30 days.

Foreigners should know the boundaries of their actions, considering whether their acts are allowed within the hosting country’s law. The value of visas should be brought back since it allows people to legally enter the country if they have a specified purpose, enabling authorities to set grounds for immigrants. Without these, foreigners will continue to have more privilege in our country than us Filipinos.

If Siargao remains a soon-to-be foreign land where its culture, social climate, and people are lost, then it would no longer be the "Surfing Capital of the Philippines" I always knew. It becomes a place where we become the foreign tourists of our own land.

Our hospitality will remain, but this time it should be reserved for those who actually deserve it.

Editorial Cartoon by: Mary Fianza