Mindanaotoday.com | Underwater photo display kicks off 3rd NorthMin dive fest
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A photo exhibit that highlighted the aquatic treasure and underwater escapades of Northern Mindanao opened at SM Downtown Premier here on Wednesday, Sept. 6.
The exhibit, which will run until September 10, was organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT)-10 as one of the activities for the 3rd NorthMin Dive Festival, its flagship program to further position the region as a premier dive hub in the country.
The featured photos won during the past two NorthMin Dive Festival Underwater Shootouts held in the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Camiguin.
“We have a photo exhibit at every dive festival to educate the public on dive tourism and the wonderful dive sites that we have,” said DOT-10 Regional Director Marie Elaine Salvana-Unchuan.
Currently, there are 39 identified dive sites in the region, seven dive operators in Camiguin, and two dive resorts in Misamis Oriental – the Duka Bay Resort and Mantangale Alibuag Dive Resort.
“Right now, we have sites in Mahinog, Catarman, Mambajao in Camiguin and we also have in Misamis Oriental like Medina, Gingoog City, Talisayan, and Balingoan. We are exploring other dive sites in Misamis Oriental like Initao and Agutayan. In other parts of Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte, we are also exploring dive sites,” Unchuan further said.
Misamis Oriental Dive Fest
This year’s leg of NorthMin Dive Festival is co-hosted by the Misamis Oriental Provincial Government.
“We are thankful that DOT-10 is opening the door for dive tourism in Misamis Oriental through this particular activity. We are very glad that we were able to discover a lot of dive tourism potential in Misamis Oriental. We have in Medina, Gingoog, Balingon, and hopefully ma-restore nato ang dive site sa Agutayan island. In the future, there are plans that we are going to cover the second district of MisamisOriental, particularly Laguindingan, and Initao,” said lawyer Jeffrey Saclot, Misamis Oriental Provincial Tourism Officer.
He added that the dive fest also brings the locals livelihood opportunities while tourists can explore the beauty of the province, including underwater sites.
Misamis Oriental First Lady Erlinda Unabia who represented Gov. Peter Unabia during the opening of the 3rd NorthMin dive fest likewise expressed her appreciation to DOT-10 for promoting scuba diving in Misamis Oriental and making the province a dive destination.
“Misamis Oriental boasts of multiple coral reefs and all levels of diving. We hope that with this development in the sport of diving, we can encourage many Misamisnons to try diving and make it their hobby or their livelihood too,” Unabia added.
Activities for the Misamis Oriental dive fest included an underwater photography contest (Sept. 6-10), a Scubasurero underwater cleanup drive and coastal cleanup (Sept. 7), and free diving lessons (Sept. 9-10). DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco is also expected to arrive on Sept. 8.
Meanwhile, Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving Executive Director Marco Angelo Ancheta who also attended the opening of the 3rd NorthMin Dive Festival underscored many reasons to love Northern Mindanao and the country.
These, he said, included the unique culture and heritage, the very warm and welcoming people, the wonderful experiences, the world-renowned Filipino brand of hospitality, the unique and rich natural resources, the diverse marine ecosystems, and the abundant aquatic life. (APB/PIA-10
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