Officials push wider promotion of Southern Leyte dive sites

Posted on May 29, 2026 at 1:39 pm

PADRE BURGOS, Southern Leyte – Tourism officials and stakeholders want to bring more local and foreign divers to Southern Leyte by promoting the province’s dive sites and improving tourism facilities.

The push was highlighted during the four-day Sogod Bay Underwater Experience organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office from May 20 to 23.

DOT Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said cooperation among local governments, tourism workers, and dive operators is important in growing the province’s diving industry.

“We cannot promote or responsibly develop any form of tourism if there is no cooperation and if we are not united,” Tiopes said during the event.

The gathering was attended by provincial officials, dive operators, tourism groups, and local government representatives from Southern Leyte and nearby provinces.

Officials from the local government of Padre Burgos, led by Mayor Maria Fe Crispina Poblete, also joined the event along with representatives from Daram, Borongan City, and the provincial government of Eastern Samar.

Activities included dive forums, coral-planting activities, and diving activities in Napantao and Limasawa.

Southern Leyte 2nd District Rep. Christopherson Yap said more work is still needed to improve roads, accommodations, and other tourism facilities in the province.

“There are still many things that we have to do to advance sustainable tourism initiatives in Eastern Visayas, especially in Southern Leyte,” Yap said.

Vice Gov. Rosa Emilia Mercado said diving tourism can help provide jobs and livelihood opportunities for coastal communities.

Southern Leyte has become known among divers for its coral reefs, muck diving sites, and whale shark encounters, particularly in Sogod Bay and Panaon Island.

The province has more than 20 dive sites and around 400 coral species, making it one of the emerging diving destinations in the country.

Photos by: April Cuesta