Siargao's biodiversity now a tap away with this game app
Discover Siargao's natural treasures like Mindanao Flying Tree, Paka Gadikit, and Platymantis Paka
By Mat Richter
Explore the island’s biodiversity at your fingertips with “Siargao Flora & Fauna Puzzle,” an offline mobile game developed by the Department of Science and Technology-National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP).
According to DOST, the app draws inspiration from the hit game “Candy Crush” but features new animal species found in the country’s surfing capital.

“Each level is an idle and visual way to understand the habitat and behavior of Siargao’s natural treasures like Mindanao Flying Tree, Paka Gadikit, and Platymantis Paka through the app feature called ‘Siargao Journal,’” the department said.
The NCRP-funded project involved environmental researchers, with Dr. Cecilia Banag-Moran leading the assessment, research, inventory, and biological survey of Del Carmen's mangrove forest in Siargao.

Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte 1st Congressional District Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas II endorsed the research-based game as a safe educational tool for parents and children to learn about the island's species.
“Let us explore Siargao Island through this game app, especially for our children, and learn more about the types of plants and animals that continue to thrive in Siargao’s rich biodiversity,” he said.