Calling out all diving enthusiasts! It is now time to take out your gears and dust it off as one of the premier diving destinations in the Philippines is now open!
Batangas is a province in Luzon popularly known for its great
marine biodiversity. Even though the province is still under General Community
Quarantine (GCQ), Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat announced the opening
after signing the PCSSD Administrative Order No. 2020-001 or the Guidelines on
the Operations of Dive Establishments under a Community Quarantine.
“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,” the tourism chief remarked.
The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases
(IATF-EID) approved Resolution No. 78, which provides for the DOT to determine
the destinations in GCQ areas where recreational diving may be allowed. Under IATF
Resolution 78, dive establishments and resorts in specific areas under GCQ and Modified
GCQ areas may accept guests from GCQ and Modified GCQ areas for recreational
diving purpose. Prior to the IATF-EID Resolution, travel for the purpose of
recreational diving was not allowed in between areas under GCQ and MGCQ.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat also emphasized that
the DOT remains optimistic yet cautious of the reopening of recreational
diving.
“We remain optimistic yet cautious of its 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 announced.
“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.
Aside
from your masks, fins, snorkels, regulators, and other gear, don’t forget to
secure the following documents before heading to Batangas:
- Medical Clearance
- Negative RT-PCR result within 72 hours (3 days) before actual arrival
- Confirmed Booking from the resort or hotel
- Valid IDs
*Required documents are subject to change without prior
notice.
DOT ACCREDITED DIVE SITES
Through its regional office for Region IV-ACALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), the DOT also provided a digital contact tracing application to the Mabini, Batangas local government unit (LGU) for a more efficient tracing measure. There are already 6 dive establishments and 2 liveaboards accredited by PCSSD in Region IV-A.
“The DOT accreditation certifies that
the dive establishments are conforming to the minimum health and safety
guidelines and are ready to accept guests again. We encourage the dive resorts
and stakeholders to take advantage of the free and online DOT-accreditation
platform at https://accreditation.tourism.gov.ph,” Puyat added.
GETTING TO BATANGAS
Just south of Manila and easily accessible by land and sea,
Batangas has some of Luzon’s best dive sites, including Balayan Bay, Cathedral
Rock, Beatrice Rock, Twin Rocks, and Mainit Muck.
If you have a private transfer from Manila, take the South
Luzon Expressway.
To lessen your worries, why not let us take you
there, right? Let our friendly drivers drop you off you to Batangas with ease.
Talk with us live on our website or chat
us on our official Facebook page.
Here’s a preview of our diving escapade in Bauan,
Batangas:
Know more about Bauan, Batangas by checking out our blogs: Beneath Bauan: A Diving Experience or Bauan, Batangas: A Diver’s Haven in the South
Reference: Department of Tourism
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