TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs

Siquijor
Yoga classes in Siquijor

Country > Philippines > Siquijor Island > Lazi
Date > 2023 > August
Activity > Slice of Life

Slice of Life

The Lost Dogs of Siquijor Aug 27, 2023

The Lost Dogs of Siquijor

Location Google Map: Siquijor Island, Philippines

A Serious Problem No One Sees
Siquijor has an over population of neglected dogs. A lot of them have scabies and they walk the main roads or cluster in their territorial areas scavenging for food. Puppies are left abandoned along isolated roads. Dogs are a serious problem here and nobody seems to notice - they have just become part of the landscape.

Abandoned Puppies
Some puppies are left by their owners on a particular isolated winding road towards Cambugahay Falls. I often see a liter of puppies abandoned by their owners here. Sometimes, people stop by to adopt them, some are run-over, some just die along the road due to starvation, thirst or exposure. To the fortunate few, they manage to survive and grow up along this road.

The Lost Dogs of Siquijor
puppies are left on this winding round

The Lost Dogs of Siquijor
a roadside casualty...probably from exposure

Self-Supporting Puppies
I once saw a litter of puppies on this road with one of them being a roadkill by the side of the road. There was also a strong stench. Although diminishing in numbers over the days, I kept noticing the surviving puppies when I would pass by. From puppies, they are now juveniles. I kept wondering how they managed to survive. There are no houses nearby and the road is empty except for a wooded ravine on the right side. Where is the food source? One time, I stopped just to observe what they do. The black and white went down the ravine. I followed but only by the edge. To my horror and surprise, I noticed that the slope of the ravine was full of garbage - the locals were dumping their garbage by the ravine. You don't see the garbage from street view because the ravine has a steep slope and camouflaged by trees. Ah...so this is how the puppies survive. With no owners and being out in the wild, these puppies have now become feral dogs.

The Lost Dogs of Siquijor
these puppies survived on their own and are now juveniles

The Lost Dogs of Siquijor
the garbage patch along the slope of the ravine where the feral dogs eat

Scabies All Over
Nearly all these stray dogs rummaging within the town are plagued by scabies. Of course they infect each other. When your domestic pet comes in contact with these dogs, they are likely to be infected as well.

The Lost Dogs of Siquijor
this dog lost all its hair to scabies, it's skin, cracked and bleeding. It even gave birth just weeks ago. All the puppies died.

Motorist Hazard
A lot of these dogs rest on the road. They are visible in the day and the motorcyclists swerve to avoid them. These dogs won't move unless there's a car or truck. At night, they become road hazards because motorcyclists won't see them until it's too late.

The Lost Dogs of Siquijor
dogs sleeping on a busy street is a hazard in the daytime and an accident waiting to happen at night

Noise Pollution
With so many dogs around, when one dog barks at night, all the dogs within hearing distance erupt into a chorus of howls and barking, waking up the whole neighborhood. It's tough to get a straight sleep.

Ending Thoughts
The obvious solution is for a city pound. There was such a practice where captured dogs were put to sleep, but that has been discontinued.

I thought of a pragmatic solution, but the local folks found it too radical and politically incorrect given the Zeitgeist. I proposed that the stray dogs be captured by the city pound and be cured (of scabies) and nurtured (for fattening). After a week with no claimant, instead of just killing the dog and discarding it, the dog will be cooked to feed the homeless and the starving - there are many such people who can benefit from this (nutitious high-protein food instead of scavenging food in the garbage dump). In the West, dog-eating is shunned upon, but in under-developed countries, this is life-giving food. The homeless people can man the pound and cook the unclaimed dogs - saves the municipality on public expenditure.

This approach solves the stray dogs problem, the barking noise pollution, eliminates them as road hazards, stems the dog over population and feeds the hungry. It takes pragmatic thinking and political will to see this through though.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit Yoga by Gigit | Learn English Learn English | Travel like a Nomad Nomad Travel Buddy | Donation Bank Donation Bank for TheLoneRider


Leave a comment?

Next story:

Siquijor Star Meditation Center Meditation

Siquijor Star Meditation Center

(Aug 31, 2023) Siquijor's first meditation center had a ribbon-cutting high up in the mountain to celebrate its opening. Meditators of many creeds came and celebrated - Vipassana meditators included...more »»

More on Lazi:

Lazi Local Info
  1. Resorts - Lazi has some beach/dive resorts on its west coast - Gabayan Riviera, Lazi Beach Club, Bahura Dive Resort. However, the popular area for tourist resorts are in San Juan
  2. Transport - Lazi is the junction where the jeeps begin their clockwise route (Lazi-San Juan-Siquijor Port) or the counter clockwise route (Lazi-Maria-Larena Port). Because the jeeps are rare with about 2 to 3 trips/day only in the morning, it's practical to just have a motorcycle here in Siquijor. With its affordability (a brand new Rusi motorbike is as low as P45k), people just buy motorcycles...especially those who live up in the mountains.
  3. The Boulevard - Lazi's main draw is its seaside cobblestone promenade. When the sun goes down, people gather here for eats, drinks, open-air, harbor view and the sunset
  4. Lazi Port - Lazi just recently opened up its port with Kho Shipping plying the Iligan, Tagbilaran and Cebu routes.
Lazi >> Iligan City by boat

Lazi to Iligan City route by Kho Shipping was just opened up in early April 2023. Before, going to Iligan City meant going to Siquijor Port, 30 km away. This also meant that on the way back, you have to be in Siquijor before 2pm to catch the last jeep to Lazi. With this direct route, there is no 'last trip' to catch.

  1. Lazi Port - take Kho Shipping to Iligan City, Tu-Th-Sat, 6 hours, Lazi departure 5 am, arrival in Iligan City Port 11 am, economy P800, tourist P1100, tickets available at Lazi office 2pm-10pm M-Sat

    2. Lazi to Iligan City
Lazi >> Cagayan de Oro by boat

Lazi to Cagayan de Oro route by Kho Shipping was just opened up in early September 2023. Before, going to Davao meant going to Iligan first, then bus to CDO and then bus to Davao City. Now, Iligan can be completely bypassed saving about 3 hours on the trip.

  1. Lazi Port - take Kho Shipping to Cagayan de Oro, Tu-F-Sun, 6 hours, Lazi departure 6 am, arrival in Cagayan de Oro Port 12 noon, economy P1,100.00, tourist P1,400.00, tickets available at Lazi office 2pm-10pm M-Sat

    2. Lazi to Cagayan de Oro
Lazi >> Dumaguete by boat

Lazi to Dumaguete route by Kho Shipping was just opened up in early September 2023. Before, going to Dumaguete meant going to Siquijor Port, 30 km away. This also meant that on the way back, you have to be in Siquijor before 2pm to catch the last jeep to Lazi. With this direct route, there is no 'last trip' to catch.

  1. Lazi Port - take Kho Shipping to Dumaguete, M-Th-Sat, 3 hours, Lazi departure 1 am, arrival in Dumaguete Port 4 am, economy P300, tourist P500, tickets available at Lazi office 2pm-10pm M-Sat

    2. Lazi to Dumaguete
Lazi >> CDO >> Davao City by boat/bus

Lazi to Cagayan de Oro route by Kho Shipping was just opened up in early September 2023. Before, going to Davao meant going to Iligan first, then bus to CDO and then bus to Davao City. Now, Iligan can be completely bypassed saving about 3 hours on the trip.

  1. Lazi Port - take Kho Shipping to Cagayan de Oro, Tu-F-Sun, 6 hours, Lazi departure 6 am, arrival in Cagayan de Oro Port 12 noon, economy P1,100.00, tourist P1,400.00, tickets available at Lazi office 2pm-10pm M-Sat

    2. Lazi to Cagayan de Oro

  2. Cagayan de Oro Port - arrival 12 noon. Take a jeep to East Terminal (Agora) to catch the Davao-bound bus
  3. CDO East Terminal (Agora) - take bus going to Davao City, 8 hours, PHP 875. This terminal is open 24 hours and there is always a bus going to Davao - no need to pre-purchase tickets
  4. Davao Bus Terminal - you'll arrive at the Davao Bus Terminal, close to SM City. From there you can take a cab ride to your hotel. There are many jeeps that will also take you to the Poblacion town center, 15 mins, PHP 12
Lazi >> Tagbilaran >> Cebu by boat

Lazi to Cebu entails a stopover at Tagbilaran - you only pay for one ticket (I've broken down the individual trips in case you're boarding from Tagbilaran). From the 5pm boat departure from Lazi, it would cost PHP 1000 (it's odd that it's cheaper to pay for the individual trips rather than paying for both...PHP 845 vs 1000) and take about 10 hours.

  1. Lazi Port - take Kho Shipping to Tagbilaran, W-F-Sun, 4 hours, Lazi departure 1 am, arrival in Tagbilaran Port 5 am, economy P475, tourist P750, tickets available at Lazi office 2pm-10pm M-Sat

    2. Lazi to Tagbilaran to Cebu

  2. Tagbilaran Port - arrival 5 am, layover 1 hour, departure for Cebu 6am (5 hours), economy P370, tourist P520
  3. Cebu Port - arrival 11 am

More on Siquijor Island:

Siquijor Island Local Info

Jeeps - there are only 2 routes for jeeps within Siquijor Island - and they are rare. Most people have their own motorcycle transport.

  1. Siquijor Port to Lazi - last trip leaves at 3pm from station near market
  2. Lazi to Siquijor Port - jeeps depart from the Lazi Port area. 5 jeeps, the last trip at 12:30 pm. Lazi to San Juan, P50.
  3. Larena Port to Lazi - jeeps are unpredictable. As of this writing, there is only 1 jeep plying the Larena-Lazi route. This jeep leaves Larena for Lazi at 9:50am. After that, no more jeep. You'll have to take a tricycle to Siquijor Pob for jeeps going to Lazi
  4. Lazi to Larena Port - 6am (daily) and 9 am (M-Th)

Food - these were suggested by a local to me

  1. Lechon manok & liempo - roasted pork belly and chicken at Joel's in Siquijor Poblacion. I've tried this myself...yummy, even if the chicken was no longer hot
  2. Bibingka - sweetened rice cake by Fidy's Bibingka (P30) in Sawang, Maria. I've come back for this and I buy for other people as well as 'pasalubong' - they love this
  3. Siopao - at the Rosita store near Thrifty (P25) in Siquijor Poblacion
  4. Peanut butter - by Rene. Just ask around in Siquijor Poblacion. It's popular
  5. Torta - sweet cakish bread at the Thrifty story in Siquijor Poblacion
Siquijor Island Map
Siquijor
Siquijor - Dumaguete Boat Trips (as of Jan 2023)
  1. Montenegro Lines - at Siquijor Port, P234.00/pax, P169/bicycle, 7:30am/10:00am/2:00pm/4:30pm

    2. Montenegro Lines, Siquijor to Dumaguete

  2. Aleson Shipping - at Siquijor Port, 6 am and 6 pm daily, 1:30 pm M-Sat, Regular P200.00/pax, Aircon P250.00/pax

    3. Aleson Shipping, Dumaguete to Siquijor

  3. Ocean Jet - 40 mins,at Siquijor Port, 0919.066.5964, www.oceanjet.net, marketing@ocenajet.net, 6:00am/6:00pm, P350/pax (tourist/open air), P580/pax (business class)

    Ocean Jet

Siquijor - Tagbilaran - Cebu City Boat Trips (as of Jan 2023)

En route to Cebu City, the ferries usually make a stop-over to Tagbilaran (Bohol) to pick-up more passengers or unload.

  1. Ocean Jet - 2 hours, 8:20am, at Siquijor Port
    To Tagbilaran: P800/tourist & open air, P1200/business class
    To Cebu: ?
  2. Lite Ferries - at Larena Port,
    To Tagbilaran: T-Th-Sun, P475/standard, 7pm, 3 hours, PHP?
    To Cebu: T-Th-Sun, 7pm, 7 hours, PHP 650

Siquijor - Plaridel Boat Trips (as of Jan 2023)
  1. Lite Ferries - at Larena Port, T-Th-Sun, 2:00 am, 5 hours, PHP?

Siquijor - Cebu (Liloan) - Cebu City BUS Trip (as of Jan 2023)

There is only one bus plying this route - Sugbo Urban. Tourist class coach, a/c, comfortable, Sun-Fri (these dates keep changing). P420 for bus, P275 for ferry to Liloan. Larena Port around 5 am, makes a clockwise roundtrip around Siquijor Island - Larena, Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi (stops at Lazi market for breakfast and leaves 6:50 am), San Juan, Siquijor (arrives 8am, P50 from Lazi to Siquijor Poblacion) and catches the 1pm ferry at Larena Port (Sundays at 3 pm) for Liloan, Cebu and resumes its land route. Arrives Cebu City (South Bus Terminal) 10 pm.

Sugbo Urban is the cheapest and most convenient way because it goes around the island (clockwise) along the circumferential road, passing through - Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi, San Juan, Siquijor...and back to Larena where it takes the ferry at 1 pm. This saves you the hassle and high transport cost of a tricycle. Besides, it's a long trip from the other side of the island to be taking by tricycle.


Sugbo Urban

Sugbo Urban

Suggested Destinations After Siquijor Island

These are the nearest popular destinations from Siquijor by boat

  1. Bohol - Bohol is an island northeast Siquijor. Tourist attractions are Chocolate Hills, Tarsier Monkey, Loboc River Cruise, Beaches of Panglao, whale sharks (recent offering), freediving (recent offering)
  2. Cebu - Cebu City is the usual gateway into the Visayas. But in Cebu Island itself, there are many offerings - Whale Sharks of Oslob, sardine run at Moalboal,Thresher Shark of Malapascua
  3. Dapitan (Zamboanga del Norte) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.
  4. Dumaguete - Dumaguete is a small charming progressive coastal town in Negros Oriental. Cafe and restaurants line the famous Boulevard Boardwalk. Tourist attractions include Japanese Shrine, Casaroro Falls, snorkeling along the southern coastline (Dauin, Masaplod Norte, etc), Balinsasayao Twin Lakes
  5. Plaridel (Misamis Occidental, Mindanao) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.

Blogs

Siquijor Blogs
Siquijor Island
  1. Canghaling Cave November 14, 2023
  2. Kings and Queens November 13, 2023
  3. Barangay Vote-Buying October 22, 2023
  4. Real Estate Mapping October 1, 2023
  5. Learning Cebuano: Oct October 1-31, 2023
  6. Oct Food Hack: Pizza, Kinilaw, Coconut Bread, Fish Okuy, Carrot Omelette,Lemon-Grass Tea October 2023
  7. Sep Snapshots: Fisherman, Granny, Pedicure, Big Fish, Garbage September 1-30, 2023
  8. Sep Food Hack: Fish Tinola, Ratatouille, Chayote Omelette, Flat Bread September 2023
  9. Together Forever Sep 11, 2023
  10. The Cigarette Talk Sep 1, 2023
  11. Siquijor Star Meditation Center Aug 31, 2023
  12. The Lost Dogs of Siquijor Aug 27, 2023
  13. Moving to a Bungalow! Aug 22, 2023
  14. Aug Chronicles: CDO produce August 31, 2023
  15. Aug Snapshots: Pan de Sal, Palpitate, Taho, Tuna, Pineapple August 1-31, 2023
    16. [an error occurred while processing this directive]
  16. July Chronicles July 31, 2023
  17. July Snapshots July 1-31, 2023
  18. Learning Cebuano: July July 1-31, 2023
  19. June Chronicles June 31, 2023
  20. June Snapshots June 1-31, 2023
  21. Learning Cebuano: June June 1-31, 2023
  22. May Chronicles May 31, 2023
  23. May Snapshots May 1-31, 2023
  24. Learning Cebuano May 1-31, 2023
  25. In Search of a Cool Climate May 25, 2023
  26. The 64 km Bike Ride May 16, 2023
  27. Lazi Fiesta May 15, 2023
  28. The Boulevard Opening May 5, 2023
  29. April Snapshots April 1-30, 2023
  30. Learning Cebuano...Again! April 1-30, 2023
  31. Kris Visits Siquijor Mar 17 - Apr 15, 2023
  32. Exploring Siquijor with Marky Mar 25 - Apr 11, 2023
  33. Siquijor Healing Festival April 5-8, 2023
  34. The Talk at United Church of Christ April 2, 2023
  35. Mar Snapshots Mar 1-31, 2023
  36. Vigil for the Ghost Ship of Siquijor March 31, 2023
  37. Judging an Essay on Gender Equality Mar 29, 2023
  38. The Thief, the Shaman, the Elves and the Police Mar 20, 2023
  39. Finally Acquiring the Motorbike Mar 18, 2023
  40. Bitcoin Blunder Mar 15, 2023
  41. Maria's Unsung Beaches Mar 11, 2023
  42. Lagaan Falls Mar 9, 2023
  43. Tibhong Spring Water Source Mar 8, 2023
  44. Bolo-Bolo Natural Spring Mar 2, 2023
  45. Reasons to Get a Wife March 1, 2023
  46. Feb Snapshots Feb 28, 2023
  47. Camagung-Ong Natural Spring Feb 28, 2023
  48. Heeeere's Johnnie! Feb 26, 2023
  49. Manifesting a Motorbike from Thin Air? Feb 18, 2023
  50. The 'Bad Guy' of Siquijor Feb 15, 2023
  51. Amazement from Drivers License Renewal in Siquijor Feb 15, 2023
  52. Locong Falls Feb 9, 2023
  53. Inguinal Hernia? Goodbye ABS! Feb 4, 2023
  54. Jan Snapshots January 31, 2023
  55. In Search of Tubod Cold Spring Jan 27, 2023
  56. 1:4:2:3 Nadi Shodana Jan 26, 2023
  57. Lazi's Boulevard Jan 22, 2023
  58. Lazi: A Monthly Stay Jan 21, 2023
  59. 7 Days in Maria, Siquijor Jan 14-21, 2023
  60. Capilay Spring Jan 17, 2023
  61. Siquijor: In Search of Resonance Jan 9-14, 2023
  62. Riding Around Siquijor's 86km Coastal Road Apr 3, 2012
  63. Exploring the Cantabon Cave of Siquijor Feb 23, 2012
  64. Jovee and Missy's Excellent Adventure Nov 6-7, 2010
  65. Freediving in Siquijor's Marine Sancturaries Apr 23-24, 2010
  66. Island Tour of Siquijor Apr 22, 2010
  67. Kram's Siquijor Wedding Apr 21, 2010

Currency Converter
Currency Converter

»» back to Slice of Life
»» back to Homepage

ARCHIVE: 2023 | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV

1970 | 1973 | 1975 | 1976 | 1979 | 1981 | 1996 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ALL BLOGS