CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — The Department of Tourism (DOT) through its infrastructure arm— the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) intends to establish a hyperbaric chamber in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro to further strengthen the dive tourism portfolio and divers’ wellbeing.
DOT MIMAROPA Regional Director Roberto P. Alabado III said the facility aims to enhance the safety and welfare of divers while promoting Puerto Galera as the diving capital of the Philippines.
“The establishment of the hyperbaric chamber will significantly improve safety standards for diving activities in Puerto Galera, known as the diving capital of the Philippines,” he said.
Recently, TIEZA Assistant Chief Operating Officer Jetro Nicolas Lozada inspected the Puerto Galera Molecular Laboratory, where the facility will be located. He emphasized that the hyperbaric chamber would be equipped with advanced medical equipment ready for operations.
Meanwhile, the local government unit (LGU) of Puerto Galera is optimistic that the new hyperbaric chamber will boost the town’s tourism industry.
“We are hopeful that with the addition of this new facility, we will see even more growth in our tourism sector. Ensuring the safety of divers is one of our priorities,” Mayor Rocky Ilagan said.
The DOT-TIEZA also plans to establish additional hyperbaric chambers in key destinations of Boracay, Camiguin, Cebu and Negros Oriental. These new facilities would supplement the 15 existing hyperbaric chambers across the country, DOT MIMAROPA said. (ALG/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
