EV seen as new snorkeling destination

Underwater view at Maslog Fish Sanctuary, Lawaan, Eastern Samar [Photo by: Roneil Canillas]

TACLOBAN CITY – Seeing Eastern Visayas's potential of becoming one of the snorkeling destinations in the country, a training of snorkeling guides was recently held in Limasawa, Southern Leyte by the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD), an attached agency of the Department of Tourism.

“Our target are places with successful marine protected areas to be able to establish community-based tourism,” said Louie F. Mencias, PCSSD national director of the Buhay Dagat Program.

He said that he and three other trainers gave lectures and practical exercises to more than 20 participants of the 6-day Buhay Dagat training in the island town of Limasawa.

Mencias disclosed that Limasawa was chosen because it has an existing marine protected area and that the local government unit has shown interest to put up a Buhay Dagat group in the municipality. “Limasawa is really beautiful, it has crystal clear water surrounding the island. Actually in our assessment we found out that snorkeling is feasible in the area,” he said.

He added that they are also looking into Daram, Samar as the next program beneficiary. Also in the line up is Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

Under the Buhay Dagat program, Mencias said they first look if the proposed snorkeling destination has a successful marine protected area and then, since it has something to do with tourism, the safety and security of the place. Also considered is the accessibiltiy and tourism traffic of the place because, according to him, they want the community to earn.

Another thing they want to know is if the place is ideal for snorkeling, he said.

Though his office has something to do with scuba diving, Mencias explained that they are promoting snorkeling because scuba diving is already being taken cared of by big resorts and dive shops.

In scuba diving, he said the community is always left out. For example, he said, Limasawa is a dive site but the town's benefit from tourism is only user fee. “Pinupuntahan na lang sila kasi nasa kanila ang attraction, sila ang nagbabantay pero wala silang kita kundi user fee ( (Tourists only come to their place because the attraction is there and they are safeguarding the place but they have no income except user fee,” he said.

 

Snorkling in one of the  one the fish sanctuaries in Lawaan, Eastern Samar [Photo by: Roneil Canillas]

“But snorkeling is something they can do,” he added.

Mencias said the snorkeling market is very big. “Everybody can go snorkeling including those who don't know how to swim because they could be given a personal flotation device. This is unlike scuba diving where you have to be in good physical condition and you also haveto undergo training and have expensive diving equipment,” he said.

He expressed hope that snorkeling would generate more interest and support for marine protected areas, to be able to establish community-based tourism.

He disclosed that Limasawa is already the eighth in the list of Buhay Dagat beneficiaries. According to him, the program was already implemented in Bohol, Pangasinan, Negros Occidental, and Occidental Mindoro, among other places. (VEN LABRO)