TACLOBAN CITY – Borongan City is positioning itself to become the next major dive destination in Eastern Samar—and possibly in the entire Eastern Visayas region—as the Department of Tourism (DOT) steps up efforts to develop the city’s rich and largely untapped underwater resources.
On November 18, 2025, the DOT regional office, together with experts from the DOT–dive committee and applied technical diving and marine solutions, conducted an extensive site assessment around Ando and Divinubo, two off-shore islands known for their scenic coastlines and robust marine ecosystems.
Working in coordination with the Borongan City Tourism Office, the assessment team examined coral cover, marine biodiversity, and environmental conditions to evaluate the city’s readiness for world-class recreational diving.
The inspection forms part of the DOT’s wider strategy to identify and develop market-ready dive sites in Eastern Visayas and to craft a long-term plan anchored on responsible, safe, and sustainable dive tourism.
While the technical report has yet to be finalized, initial findings point to high potential. The dive exploration team noted that Borongan’s underwater seascapes appear to be among the most vibrant and well-preserved in the region—fueling optimism that the city could soon join the Philippines’ growing list of premier dive hubs.
The latest assessment was made possible through collaboration among DOT-8, the City Tourism Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Divinubo Community Resource Management Association (DCRMA), and the barangay councils of Ando and Divinubo.
Borongan first tagged Ando and Divinubo as potential dive sites in 2023 following exploratory surveys conducted by the City Information Office, CDRRMO, Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO), Agriculture Office, Tourism Office, and the Philippine Coast Guard.
The city government sees dive tourism as a strategic addition to its tourism portfolio—especially as a year-round attraction that complements Borongan’s established reputation as a surfing destination during peak surf months. Officials believe that diving offers significant opportunities for sustainable development, livelihood generation, and community-based tourism.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
