Resident Divemaster Ryan Tomol, SLSU Bontoc joins marine eco-tourism survey
By the ongoing MOA between Plongeurs du Monde (PDM) as partners of SLSU Bontoc and the provincial government of Southern Leyte, a team composed of dive masters conducted a reassessment survey of possible dive sites in Liloan, So. Leyte on March 25-26, 2024.
With the support of the Liloan Municipal Tourism Office and Southern Leyte Tourism Office, Roberto Adanza, Jr. (PGSL-SLTIPC), Jairus Bag-ao B(PGSL-PVETO), Kerby Altarejos (LGU Liloan), and Ryan Tomol (SLSU Bontoc) were requested to be part of the said survey.
The main purpose of the diving activity focused more on the aesthetic value of the marine environment of Ollie’s Wall and Punta diving sites as future eco-tourism areas of LGU Liloan.
Resident divemaster Ryan Tomol said, “Ollie’s Wall is established and known internationally by scientific divers because of its pristine area. Based on our observation, boulder-type corals are present which is good at withstanding strong current and turbulence.”
The Punta diving site was also assessed as a possible area for snorkeling, scuba, and freediving activities. Mr. Tomol further explains that the Punta diving site is famous for explorative divers due to its high rugosity which indicates a healthy marine ecosystem.
“Diverse coral cover and richness is essential because it can create a healthy habitat for our marine species. It also can mitigate for diseases to spread quickly because the marine ecosystem is somewhat just like monocropping in agriculture which makes mono-species more vulnerable to diseases,” Mr. Tomol explained.
LILOAN, SO. LEYTE AS ECOTOURISM HUB
The dive survey is part of the eco-tourism project of the town just like the founding of Tagbak Marine Park, a highly visited marine eco-park site entering Panaon Island. With these developments, the LGU Liloan is also eyeing coral restoration and nursery projects to ensure sustainable eco-tourism management.
SLSU Bontoc in its continued efforts to guarantee the protection of the marine environment of the province, and in partnership with Plongeurs du Monde (PDM), this dive survey is only a baseline of how we can better protect the resources below water.
