AS PART of the 35th International Coastal Clean-up, the Department of Tourism (DOT) 7, together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 7, Lapu-Lapu City Government and Crimson Resort, has conducted a Dive Clean-up on Sept. 18, 2020.

A total of 41.94 kilos of garbage was collected by the divers mostly composed of construction materials, glass bottles, fish traps, diapers, discarded ropes, shoes and plastic bottles.

DOT 7 Director Shahlimar Hofer Tamano has emphasized the importance of ensuring the cleanliness of our coastal waters and dive sites, and the protection of the marine ecosystem.

“Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor or Central Visayas region is a marine park. To name a few, we have Apo Island, Cabilao, Balicasag, Malapascua, Moalboal and Mactan as one of the biggest operations and dive spots in the region,” he said.

Cebu, together with Bohol and Apo Island (Negros Oriental), has been identified as one of the country’s top diving destinations. Earlier this month, the Philippines was awarded as the Best Overseas Diving Area in the annual Marine Diving Awards in Tokyo, Japan. This is the first time the country was given the prestigious award.

Aside from the dive clean-up, the DOT also conducted another edition of its Oplan Islas, a mobile accreditation program partnership between the DOT 7, Philippine Coast Guard and Maritime Industry Authority that provides a one-stop shop venue for water tourist transport operators, boat men and dive operators to process their documents for registration and accreditation. In coordination with the Lapu-Lapu City Government, a total of 24 water tourist transport operators and eight dive operators submitted and processed their documents. (PR)