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While Batangas is still under general community quarantine (GCQ), its dive sites are now open to tourists, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced on Wednesday, October 14.
“Dive establishments in Batangas Province, insofar as the area is still under General Community Quarantine (GCQ), are hereby determined to be permitted to accept guests for Recreational Diving, taking into consideration the general preparedness of the area and its impact on the tourism industry,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, who chairs the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD).
Puyat made the announcement after she signed PCSSD Administrative Order No. 2020-001 or the Guidelines on the Operations of Dive Establishments Under a Community Quarantine.
The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) had earlier approved IATF Resolution No. 78, which authorizes the DOT to determine tourist destinations in GCQ areas where recreational diving may be allowed.
Under IATF Resolution 78, dive facilities and resorts in specific areas that are under GCQ and modified GCQ (MGCQ) may accept guests from either GCQ or MGCQ areas for recreational diving.
Prior to IATF Resolution 78, the government did not allow diving-related travel between GCQ and MGCQ, the least restrictive form of quarantine.
‘Cautious’ optimism
Batangas has some of the country’s best dive spots, especially in Mabini town. The dive spots include Balayan Bay, Cathedral Rock, Beatrice Rock, Twin Rocks, and Mainit Muck.
The tourism chief said that the government will continue to strictly enforce safety protocols to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
“We remain optimistic yet cautious of its [Batangas’] reopening to recreational diving. We remind everyone to Test Before Travel and likewise reiterate that only those with a valid DOT and/or PCSSD Accreditation will be permitted to operate,” Puyat said.
“While guests of all ages from GCQ and MGCQ areas are welcome, the activity is off-limits to those with comorbidities and currently pregnant,” she added.
The DOT, through its regional office, has provided a digital contact tracing app to the Mabini municipal government to help in its COVID-19 response effort, as the town once again welcomes divers from other parts of the country.
Accredited dive sites
The DOT said that the PCSSD has accredited two liveaboards and 6 dive establishments in Calabarzon, as well as and 241 dive establishments and 10 liveaboards nationwide.
As of October 8, a total of 222 establishments have secured the Certificates of Authority to Operate (CAO) from DOT.
“The DOT accreditation certifies that the dive establishments are conforming to the minimum health and safety guidelines and are ready to accept guests again,” Puyat said.
She urged dive resorts and other stakeholders to use the online DOT accreditation platform at https://accreditation.tourism.gov.ph. – Rappler.com
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