BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The world-famous Tinuy-an Falls, often called the Little Niagara of the Philippines, is riding a wave of renewed attention as the 2026 Palarong Pambansa brings thousands of athletes, coaches, and game officials to the Caraga Region.
On May 28, around 180 visitors from the national games made their way to Tinuy-an Falls and the scenic Bislig Baywalk, according to the City Government of Bislig. The tourists came from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao — including delegations from the National Capital Region, CALABARZON, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
We are so incredibly grateful to all the athletes, coaches, and Palarong Pambansa guests who chose to make memories in our beautiful city, the city government posted. Your visits keep our community thriving and our smiles bright.
Why Tinuy-an Falls Matters
Tinuy-an is a three-tiered waterfall in Barangay Burboanan, about 30 minutes from downtown Bislig. Its wide curtain of cascading water has earned comparisons to Niagara Falls and made it one of Surigao del Sur top tourist draws. The falls has been featured in travel magazines across Southeast Asia.
The surge in visitors comes at a strategic time. With the Palarong Pambansa running through May 31 in host province Agusan del Sur with Bayugan City as co-host, Bislig City expects even more tourist arrivals throughout the week.
Tourism Sector Ready
Department of Tourism – Caraga Region Director Ivonnie Dumadag said preparation for the influx began as early as last year, with training sessions for tourism workers and frontline personnel, plus accreditation enforcement for tourism establishments.
We anticipated high visitor traffic for this event, Dumadag said, adding that the DOT hopes to sustain the momentum and ensure a comfortable stay and seamless travel for all visitors in the region.
Dumadag also congratulated Bislig City for its support as the national games continue across Caraga.
About Palarong Pambansa 2026
The 2026 Palarong Pambansa opened on May 25 and concludes on May 31. It is the Philippines premier national games for student-athletes from all regions. The event is hosted by Agusan del Sur with Bayugan City as co-host.
As athletes compete on the field, Bislig City competes for the attention of the country — and Tinuy-an Falls is its winning card.