Panglao Dive Festival kicked off yesterday, June 16, 2021, at the Modala Strip in barangay Doljo in Panglao, in successful opening ceremonies attended by national, provincial and local government officials including tourism stakeholders.
Panglao mayor Leonila Montero led the opening ceremonies.
The activity is part of the Department of Tourism Central Visayas’ 1st Dive 7 Summer Festival. Other dive festivals were also conducted in the localities of Moalboal, Malapascua, and Lapu-Lapu City, in Cebu province: Dauin in Negros Oriental and in Siquijor.
The 5-day festival will end this June 20, 2021, according to information from the Municipality of Panglao.
The staging of the said dive festival is part of the efforts to revive and rejuvenate the tourism industry in the said town, which has been severely affected by the pandemic.
In her speech, Mayor Montero said the people of Panglao should remain strong as they face the challenges of the pandemic.
She added that people should hope that one day the tourism industry will return to its normal self.
Moreover, Gov. Arthur Yap in his speech said there is a need to reclaim our lives and livelihood affected by the pandemic by following strictly the health protocol.
Meanwhile, DOT Central Visayas regional director Shalimar Tamano said it is the agency’s focus to unite the marketing efforts targetting divers since 60 to 70% of the dive sites in the country are located in Central Visayas.