GENERAL LUNA, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte – The 2010 Siargao Surfing Festival was launched Thursday in this “paradise island” in the Caraga region of Northeastern Mindanao.

The launching of the Siargao surfing festival is in preparation for the weeklong 16th International Surfing Competition from Sept. 21 this year.

At least 35 rated surfers from all over the world are participating in the international surfing competition.

The launching of the surfing festival was attended by top provincial and municipal officials led by Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco T. Matugas (1st district) and his wife Gov. Sol Matugas.

Lined up for the surfing festival are the 2010 National Surfing Competitions and other foreign and local surfing contests held at the country’s surfing capital.

Other activities are various sports events, cultural and talent shows, and tourism and trade fairs.

Among the special guests invited during the opening and closing ceremonies of the 16th International Surfing Competition 2010 are President Aquino, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, and Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, said Representative Matugas.

Thursday’s launching of the surfing festival was held at Paseo Cabuntog here.

Representative Matugas, Governor Matugas, tourism officials and organizers of the event laid down the surfing activities to local and national media.

The municipal chief executives, along with other officials, also laid down their respective programs in attending to the local and foreign tourists.

“Starting the series of surfing festival until the international competition, we expect this year’s surfing festival will be a big bang to our local tourism industry,” Representative Matugas said.

For her part, Governor Matugas, also said re-invigorating Surigao del Norte’s tourism industry is one of the priority development agenda of her administration.