MAASIN CITY – Tourism stakeholders in Southern Leyte are working towards promoting Sogod Bay as the premier diving destination in Eastern Visayas.
Myra Rentuza, Southern Leyte provincial board member and chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Tourism, highlighted that Southern Leyte is globally recognized as a top diving destination, attracting divers who come to witness its diverse marine life.
Rentuza shared the story of Philp McGuire and his wife, who opened a dive resort in Padre Burgos town and successfully attracted foreign divers from around the world. She praised their efforts in promoting the dive sites in Southern Leyte and their conservation work, including coral planting, to preserve the marine environment.
Sogod Bay, shaped like a cleavage that bisects the province, boasts 11 municipalities along its coast. The bay remains largely unexplored, offering a plethora of natural underwater sights, including steep drop-offs, live coral reefs, shelves, walls, and various sea creatures.
Popular dive locations include Napantao in San Francisco, Tangkaan in Padre Burgos, and the town’s piers. Other attractions include Limasawa, the site of the first Easter Sunday Mass, and spots like House Reefs and Ghost Towns, named by scuba divers.
Darlene McGuire noted that diving in Southern Leyte has evolved into an experience akin to underwater yoga, appealing even to senior citizens. However, she mentioned that Padre Burgos has only three dive operators, posing a challenge to meet the growing demand. She suggested that the area is ripe for more investment to cater to the increasing interest in diving.
Nedgar Garvez, the provincial tourism officer, informed attendees that the Department of Tourism has designated Sogod Bay as the anchor for a regional diving site. He suggested integrating this into the ongoing provincial tourism master plan, with the assistance of Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), for the next five years.
The province is conducting cultural mapping for all 19 LGUs, as recommended by the DOT. This initiative encourages divers to spend their last two days sightseeing at other tourist attractions before leaving the province after their underwater experience.
PHIDEX, the Philippine International Dive Expo, a premier gathering for the diving community in the Philippines, is currently conducting a post-tour this week from February 26 to March 1, 2024, within the waters of Sogod Bay, Southern Leyte. Sogod Bay is known for its stunning natural beauty, diverse marine life, and thriving ecotourism industry encompassing several municipalities including Padre Burgos, Limasawa, Malitbog, Tomas Oppus, Bontoc, Sogod, Libagon, Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San Ricardo. Sogod Bay is a Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Tourism Anchor. Post-tour dives can be a great way to further explore the underwater wonders of the province. The tour aims to connect with our tourism stakeholders and provide them an opportunity to experience the dive offerings in the province of Southern Leyte. (With reports from PIA Southern Leyte)
