Apo island: The Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) is actively campaigning for a reduction in scuba diving fees at Apo Island, located in Dauin town, as well as other diving sites in the Visayas, citing potential negative impacts on tourism.
According to Philippines News Agency, Edward Du, president of NOCCI, emphasized in an interview that Apo Island is a significant eco-tourism and diving destination attracting both local and international tourists year-round. He expressed concerns that increasing diving fees could adversely affect the tourism sector in Negros Oriental, which heavily relies on scuba diving as a major attraction.
Du highlighted that the Negros Oriental Divers Association, part of NOCCI, fears that dive fees at Apo Island may rise as per legal requirements, prompting them to seek the chamber's assistance. Under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order 2016-04, the minimum national user fee for scuba diving in protected areas of the Philippines is set at PHP800 for Filipinos and PHP1,800 for foreigners, with fees varying by location.
Apo Island, declared a Protected Landscape and Seascape under the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act in 1994, is managed by a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) comprising local government units, communities, NGOs, and stakeholders. Harold Biglete, a local scuba diver and business operator, confirmed that current fees at Apo Island remain unchanged, following concerns raised by stakeholders. Presently, divers are charged PHP300, including entrance and whole-day dive fees.
The PAMB also sets fees for snorkelers and those swimming with turtles, among other activities. Du revealed that NOCCI, along with other Visayas business chambers, recently passed a resolution urging the DENR to lower diving fees at Apo Island, Malapascua in Cebu, and Bohol, among other dive sites. This resolution, finalized on Wednesday, will be submitted through the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry to lobby the DENR for their request.
