TACLOBAN CITY — Northern Samar is poised to join the country’s rising dive tourism destinations after the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 8 identified six underwater areas across three island municipalities as potential dive sites during an assessment conducted from November 20 to 22.
The three-day activity, carried out by the Eastern Visayas Dive Committee in partnership with Applied Technical Diving and Marine Solutions, supports national efforts to promote sustainable and community-based tourism, in line with the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), the Tourism Act of 2009 (RA 9593), and Executive Order No. 120 series of 2020, which prioritizes the development of niche tourism products such as dive tourism.
The assessment covered the following areas known for their ecological potential and underwater attractions.
Parola Area, Sitio Milisbigis, and Sitio Belat in Barangay Aguin, Capul; Barangay Pilar Marine Protected Area and Barangay Vinisitahan in San Antonio; and Puntang Taas and Basyaw on Sila Island, San Vicente.
These locations were selected for their biodiversity, coral presence, and suitability for future tourism development.
The dive team completed the survey despite rainy weather and time constraints, with assistance from support divers who ensured safe operations.
DOT-8 expressed appreciation to the local government units of Capul, San Antonio, and San Vicente, as well as the Provincial Government of Northern Samar, for facilitating the assessment. The team also acknowledged the support of Tugkad Freediving Club, Villa Roma, and Sila Island Resort.
Tourism officials said the evaluation brings Northern Samar closer to positioning itself as a major dive tourism destination in Eastern Visayas, boosting both environmental conservation efforts and future livelihood opportunities for coastal communities.
(ROEL T.AMAZONA)
