Apo Island in Oriental Negros declared 5-star diving site in the Philippines

The world renowned Apo Island in Dauin town in Oriental Negros and all marine sanctuaries in the said municipality have been declared as five-star diving sites, according to a survey conducted by a foreign organization.

In the same survey, Apo Island in Dauin recorded the highest number of marine species in the whole world with more than 550 species. Australia came in second.

With this development, the office of Mayor Rodrigo Alanano is strictly enforcing regulations on applications for berthing as it even denied application for fishing in the seawaters of Dauin.

Mayor Alanano on Friday denied the permit application of a Cebu-based dive boat operator to conduct fishing activities in the municipality.

He said even Manila beach resorts are already applying for mooring buoys in the municipality, which is allowed under their existing ordinance.

Beach resorts in Dauin were allowed to install their respective mooring bouys where visiting dive boats may drop anchor.

Alanano stressed that Dauin is not only gearing for tourism promotion but for the protection and preservation of its marine habitat so the people are assured of their livelihood.

In 2001, two sanctuaries were established by Silliman University in the coastal barangay of Lipayo and Apo Island.

Under Mayor Alanano’s leadership, it has grown to a total of 10 sanctuaries.

The revived Lipayo sanctuary is earning around P200,000 from diving fees and users fee, the mayor said. (PNA)