CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — Puerto Galera Mayor Rocky D. Ilagan is rallying the local diving community to unite behind the Diving Capital Campaign—an initiative to cement Puerto Galera as the premier diving destination in the Philippines.
Ilagan eloquently explained why Puerto Galera deserves the esteemed title of the diving capital.
According to Ilagan, Puerto Galera’s location adjacent to the Verde Island Passage, renowned as the global hub of marine shore fish biodiversity, presents divers with a matchless opportunity to explore an underwater treasure trove.
Ilagan also added that the municipality offers more than 40 world-class diving sites, all conveniently situated within close proximity to diving centers, ensuring that the divers can seamlessly explore the underwater wonders.
Ilagan highlighted Puerto Galera’s deep connection to the diving world, boasting 62 dive shops affiliated with major dive organizations, contributing to the vibrant diving culture defining the region. Additionally, its proximity to Metro Manila provides a hassle-free escape for diving enthusiasts.
Puerto Galera’s international acclaim includes being the first UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in the Philippines since 1976, and the acknowledgment of Puerto Galera Bay as one of the world’s most beautiful bays.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco gets to see the wonders of the sea in popular dive spot Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro on April 12, 2023.
Frasco, who sits as chair of the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving, said the dive site continues to be unaffected by the oil spill caused by the sunken tanker MT Princess Empire off the coast of Oriental Mindoro last February.
“Notwithstanding the difficulties, the challenges, and the calamities this province has and is facing, the Philippines, including Puerto Galera and Mindoro continues to be a beautiful tourist destination,” she said.
In an interview with the media, she said the visit aimed to encourage more tourists to continue visiting Puerto Galera.
“Napakaganda ng Puerto Galera [Puerto Galera is beautiful]. We are very hopeful that the message is sent across to everyone that they should come and visit Puerto Galera,” she said.
As posted in the Municipality of Puerto Galera’s Facebook page, the Diving Capital Campaign will kick-start with a series of events on October 5, coinciding with Sabang Oktoberfest 2023.
The celebration includes a beach and underwater clean-up drive, a diving bazaar, and an evening gala with the official launch of the campaign, featuring a live entertainment, fireworks, and the unveiling of the Diving Capital logo symbolizing Puerto Galera’s unwavering commitment to its role as the diving capital. (GATS/PIA MIMAROPA)
Puerto Galera Mayor Rocky D. Ilagan, together with the Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco gets to see the wonders of the sea in popular dive spot Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro on April 12. The site remains unaffected by the oil spill caused by a sunken tanker in February. (Photo courtesy of DOT)
