Siargao. A name that evokes images of turquoise waves, golden sunlight, and the salt-sweet scent of ocean air. To the world, it is the Surfing Capital of the Philippines. To the lucky few who call it home, it is sanctuary and soil—an island of not just beauty, but of belonging. Yet behind the postcard-perfect views lies a quiet, steadfast rhythm: the heartbeat of a growing community and the people who care for it.
As Siargao emerges from a humble fishing and surfing haven into a globally known destination, its needs have evolved beyond roads and resorts. In this new chapter of transformation, a different kind of hero rises—not clad in wetsuits, but in white coats. This is the story of the doctors of Siargao. Those who chose not just to heal, but to stay. To serve. To build. And to believe in the health of an island reborn.
1. Healthcare on the Rise: Siargao’s Growing Medical Landscape
With tourism booming and local populations increasing, the demand for healthcare on Siargao Island has surged. Yet the island’s medical infrastructure is still catching up—scarred by Typhoon Odette in 2021 and stretched thin by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, resilience has always been the way of islanders. Clinics reopened. Volunteers flew in. Local medical professionals stayed. From barangay health workers to municipal doctors, Siargao's healthcare system continues to grow from grassroots to specialization.
Main Healthcare Facilities on Siargao
Siargao District Hospital (Dapa, Surigao del Norte)
The island’s main public hospital, now upgraded to Level I, offering basic surgical, medical, pediatric, and OB-GYN services. Recently renovated after Odette, the hospital is the backbone of island-wide care.
Dapa Rural Health Unit
The center for preventive medicine, maternal care, and barangay outreach programs. Staffed by dedicated general practitioners and nurses.
Private Clinics
Several clinics have emerged in General Luna and Dapa, catering to both locals and foreign residents. Examples include:
Siargao Medical Clinic – A trusted facility for basic consultations and minor procedures.
2. Meet the Doctors: The Faces Behind the Frontlines
Dr. Carolyn Lapore-Tumaneng – The Guardian of Dapa
Known locally as “Doc Carol,” she has been serving as one of the key physicians at Siargao District Hospital. Her work during the height of the pandemic and the aftermath of Typhoon Odette became legendary—often working 16-hour shifts with limited power and supplies. She is an advocate for community health education and continues to train young nurses and midwives.
Dr. Jonathan Abanilla – The Island’s First Radiologist
As Siargao’s medical community began expanding, Dr. Abanilla helped introduce portable ultrasound and x-ray services to clinics in General Luna. He frequently hosts diagnostic camps for expectant mothers and elderly patients in the more remote parts of the island.
Dr. Shaira Bacolod – The General Luna Go-To
A young, energetic general practitioner who runs a private clinic in General Luna. Fluent in both English and Bisaya, she bridges the gap between international tourists and local health needs. She's known for her calm demeanor and her dedication to mental health awareness—something often overlooked in island communities.
Dr. Nestor Gamo – The Island’s Traveling Healer
Instead of opening his own clinic, Dr. Gamo serves as a freelance physician traveling between barangays, especially inland communities and northern municipalities like Burgos and Pilar. He often conducts house-to-house consultations, particularly for elderly patients who have difficulty reaching clinics.
3. Challenges They Face
While the dedication of these doctors is unparalleled, Siargao still faces systemic challenges:
Lack of specialists – Most residents still need to travel to Surigao City or Butuan for more complex procedures like dialysis or oncology care.
Limited emergency facilities – Despite the beauty of Siargao, ambulance services and ER resources remain limited.
Power and connectivity issues – Affect diagnostics, telemedicine, and medical record systems, especially during storms.
Still, these doctors persist—learning, adapting, innovating. Several clinics now collaborate with Philippine Red Cross, DOH Caraga, and nonprofits to bring mobile clinics and training to the island.
4. The Community That Heals With Them
Siargao’s healthcare success isn't just about its doctors—it’s about the entire community of care.
Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) play a vital role in vaccinations, nutrition programs, and maternal care.
Midwives and Traditional Birth Attendants (Hilot) still offer essential birthing support in remote areas, often collaborating with municipal doctors.
NGOs and Volunteer Programs, such as Doctors to the Barrios and Siargao Masaya Medical Missions, continue to bring much-needed assistance to the underserved.
5. What the Future Holds: Toward a Healthier Siargao
The Department of Health has identified Siargao as a priority area for infrastructure improvement. Proposed future developments include:
A new Siargao Provincial Medical Center equipped with diagnostic laboratories and specialty services
Scholarships for local youth to study medicine and return as licensed doctors
Partnerships with international medical volunteers to bring expertise and training
Local leaders and health champions dream of a day when no patient has to leave the island for treatment—and every child can grow up with access to complete care.
Beneath the crashing surf and swaying palms, in quiet clinics and modest wards, a different kind of magic is unfolding. It is not made of waves or wanderlust—it is built on compassion, grit, and the unshakeable belief that even the most remote corners of the Philippines deserve dignity in health.
The doctors of Siargao do not just treat illness. They treat fear, isolation, and the invisible gaps in a changing society. They are not just doctors; they are stewards of hope, shepherds of resilience.
And in every life they save, every fever they ease, every mother they comfort, the island beats louder. Stronger. Brighter.
The island heals—because they stayed.
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