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New hyperbaric chamber in Negros Or boosts marine tourism safety

Philippines | National

New hyperbaric chamber in Negros Or boosts marine tourism safety

By Trixee Rosel

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has inaugurated a new hyperbaric chamber in Dauin, Negros Oriental, which it said, will enhance diver safety and advance sustainable marine tourism in the region.

DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the facility will elevate the marketability of Negros Oriental’s marine tourism, particularly Dauin, a renowned dive destination known for its proximity to Apo Island.

Strategically situated near the island, the chamber is designed to provide immediate medical intervention for divers experiencing decompression sickness.

As a vital component of the DOT’s Dive 7 Circuit, Dauin continues to attract diving enthusiasts with its rich marine biodiversity and access to world-class dive sites, including Zamboanguita.

The government is also prioritizing the region’s tourism infrastructure, exemplified by the recent contract signing for the Dumaguete (Bacong) Airport expansion, aimed at bolstering the province’s tourism growth.

Tourism arrivals in Negros Oriental have surged nearly 200 percent since 2023, driven by the flourishing dive tourism sector and sustained investments in infrastructure and safety measures.

Building on this success, the DOT plans to replicate Dauin’s model by establishing additional hyperbaric chambers in key dive destinations, such as Daanbantayan in Cebu, Catarman in Camiguin, Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro, and Boracay in Aklan, complementing the 15 existing chambers nationwide.

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