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| Southern Leyte is working to promote Sogod Bay as a top diving spot, highlighting its marine life and underwater sights. Tourism stakeholders aim to attract more visitors and boost the local economy. Photo: Sogod Bay Scuba Resort/Facebook |
EASTERN VISAYAS – Sogod Bay, in the province of Southern Leyte, is set to become the premier diving destination in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines. This initiative is being spearheaded by local tourism stakeholders, including provincial board member and chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Tourism, Myra Rentuza.
Southern Leyte has gained global recognition as a top diving destination due to its diverse marine life, steep drop-offs, live coral reefs, shelves, walls, and a wide variety of sea creatures. Sogod Bay, with its unique shape resembling a cleavage that cuts through the province, is home to 11 municipalities along its coastline, each offering its own unique diving experience.
Among the popular dive sites in Sogod Bay are Napantao in San Francisco, Tangkaan in Padre Burgos, and the town's piers. The bay is also known for its rich historical significance, with Limasawa being the site of the first Easter Sunday Mass in the Philippines.
To develop Sogod Bay further as a premier diving destination, the Department of Tourism has designated it as the anchor for a regional diving site. This designation will be included in the province's tourism master plan for the next five years, with the assistance of the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU).
The provincial tourism officer, Nedgar Garvez, has expressed optimism about the province's diving potential, particularly with the support of the tourism department. The province is also conducting cultural mapping in all 19 local government units (LGUs) to encourage divers to stay longer and visit other tourist attractions in the province after their underwater adventures.
The upcoming Philippine Dive Expo, which will be held from February 23 to 25, will provide an opportunity for Southern Leyte to showcase its diving destinations to a global audience. The McGuire couple, who successfully attracted foreign divers to Padre Burgos with their proactive approach, will be attending the expo to promote the province's diving attractions.
With its rich marine biodiversity, unique dive sites, and historical significance, Sogod Bay is poised to become a premier diving destination in the Eastern Visayas region and beyond. —iTacloban (Source: PIA)