Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Office announced trainees of the dive certification program for community guides were given certificates for completing the program.
These were awarded on the last day of the first Dive Certification Program in the Bicol Region.
Fifteen (15) local community guides with little to no diving experience and has never been certified by any recreational dive training agency have been chosen to receive training from professional dive instructors.
Sorsogon Tourism Officer Bobby Gigantone said: ” This program is geared towards developing dive tourism in the province, in line with the vision of Hon. Chiz Escudero to make Sorsogon, a leading dive tourist destination.”
Its goal came to be when, through the aid of the Department of Tourism Region V, headed by Regional Director Herbie Aguas, a few coastal areas in Sorsogon have been indentified as potential dive sites.
“Training the local community guides and helping them become certified divers shall help the province in realizing its true dive tourism potential,” Gigantone said.
Sorsogon province has crystal to deep blue waters where a diverse marine ecosystem thrives.
With the awareness of marine environment, proper development, professional approach to diving, and a commitment to protect the waters and its marine life, the province is bound to become a world-class dive site.
The training program was held in Bulusan, Sorsogon with the support of Mayor Mike Guysayko, who also shares the same goals with Governor Chiz in taking tourism to the next level.
“We are envisioning that this will open up additional livelihood programs for our local community, therefore, paving the way for local economic growth,” Gigantone said.