An official of the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PSSCD) shared that the high diving cost in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) is hurting the diving community who want to get access to the diving sites of the island.
Dr. Fred Medina, commissioner of PSSCD, told media that the diving community is appealing for a fair and reasonable diving cost.
He assured that the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Samal is willing to sit down and listen to their sentiments.
I supposed it’s a work in progress because I think the LGU is very interested to know the sentiments of the diving community especially after the lockdown all of us are affected, with this and when it comes to fees and access to the dive sites there has to be a better way to manage it. In our last meeting with DOT, we were already given that LGU of Samal will sit down with us. The cost is hurting the diving community. It’s a work in progress as it appears that they are willing to listen,” Medina said during the PEP Talks at SM Lanang Premier on Thursday.
In January this year, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat reported that she want to enhance the promotion of Davao Region’s dive sites as the region’s travel industry strengthens outdoor destinations for its recovery program.
The DOT has identified Samal Island, which remains the top destination with 14 dive sites. There also new sites available in Davao Oriental, Davao De Oro, and Davao del Sur.
“Samal is the most accessible and we have very good dive sites. I’ve been diving a lot also in Davao Oriental in Tarragona, Cateel, Boston, and there are so many good dive sites there,” Medina said.
To achieve the goal of DOT, Medina said there has to be closer cooperation between the LGUs, DOT, PCSSD, and stakeholders/scuba divers.
He said the diving atmosphere has to be diver-friendly which includes access to the dive sites, security, and fair and reasonable diving fees.
“All of these when there is close coordination in the private sector and the LGU when it comes to tourism promotion, I am sure we can always come up with fair and reasonable fees and security-all of these have to be a concerted effort between the private sector and the LGU,” he said.
Medina said there are more than 500 certified divers in Davao Region.
Meanwhile, the LGU of Samal will hold the Samal Dive festival ‘Summery Saya sa Isla” from May 28 to 29, 2022.
