Dumaguete, Apo Island
- Thread starter skuba dude
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Now that would be a real blast! Wish I was invited. 
clgsamson
Koya Kap
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These types of experiences are common.....unfortunately. The new regulations concerning fees will fix some of the challenges facing the traveling diver. Most operators build in the costs you mentioned in their fees. I did discover that if you take your SB members on a dive, show them what it takes to make a dive happen they become more sympathetic to the operator's costs and the tourist's dilemma with fees. I find it helpful to SHOW them what happens so they better understand the challenges. It was worth it to me for them to have a FREE trip to see what happens in our business.....food for thought.
That's not true, david. I paid the same amount. I got 2, though.
Maybe it was two for $5, getting old I guess... like this thread.
dutchpickle
Contributor
Kan Upi - Apo Island Beach Resort
Apo Island Beach Resort - Philippines
Liberty's
Libertys Lodging and Pauls Diving - Philippines
Sharkman
Adventure Dive - Philippines
There was a time when you could do Apo on the cheap, staying with locals and using your own snorkel.
dp
Apo Island Beach Resort - Philippines
Liberty's
Libertys Lodging and Pauls Diving - Philippines
Sharkman
Adventure Dive - Philippines
There was a time when you could do Apo on the cheap, staying with locals and using your own snorkel.
dp
Izel
Contributor
We'll be diving Apo Island on August 20 - 25 (including Siquijor and Balicasag). I got a lot of useful pointers on this thread. Thanks! I hope the weather will participate. Do you guys think this is a good time?
Gi
Gi
nstead
Registered
@skuba dude: As someone who travelled extensively in the Philippines, and worked as a Dive Guide on Apo in the late 1990's, I know that Apo Island is a genuine Marine reserve.
As with many Marine Reserves, it is split into two areas: A "Sanctuary" on the East side of the Island, approximately 450m x 500m in side, and the "Reserve", which surrounds the rest of the island for 500m out to sea.
Fishermen from Apo Island are allowed to fish in the Reserve, and only for consumption on the island itself, not to sell on the Mainland. They are also not allowed to use Destructive fishing methods such as Dynamite or Cyanide. The small population of the island means that this fishing is sustainable - the fishermen catch no more fish today than they did over 20 years ago.
The Marine Park fees pay for the Marine Guard, for maintaining Diving Buoys, for cleaning the beaches, and also for improved facilities for the islanders, such as maintaining the Power generator, Improvements in the Island's Water supply, and to pay for the Village Children to attend High School on the mainland.
The Coral Reef Alliance has an interesting article on Apo Island, which explains why the Island is a big success in Marine Conservation terms. If it were not for the Marine Park fees, much of this would not have been possible.
It really annoys me when Divers pay $1000s to big Multinational Corporations for Scuba Gear, Flights, etc, and then bitch about paying a few dollars a day to the local communities.
As with many Marine Reserves, it is split into two areas: A "Sanctuary" on the East side of the Island, approximately 450m x 500m in side, and the "Reserve", which surrounds the rest of the island for 500m out to sea.
Fishermen from Apo Island are allowed to fish in the Reserve, and only for consumption on the island itself, not to sell on the Mainland. They are also not allowed to use Destructive fishing methods such as Dynamite or Cyanide. The small population of the island means that this fishing is sustainable - the fishermen catch no more fish today than they did over 20 years ago.
The Marine Park fees pay for the Marine Guard, for maintaining Diving Buoys, for cleaning the beaches, and also for improved facilities for the islanders, such as maintaining the Power generator, Improvements in the Island's Water supply, and to pay for the Village Children to attend High School on the mainland.
The Coral Reef Alliance has an interesting article on Apo Island, which explains why the Island is a big success in Marine Conservation terms. If it were not for the Marine Park fees, much of this would not have been possible.
It really annoys me when Divers pay $1000s to big Multinational Corporations for Scuba Gear, Flights, etc, and then bitch about paying a few dollars a day to the local communities.
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CROSS-THREAD POST
Joint denr-dilg-lgu memo circular
Now there is mention of fees in another thread....
I understood that the JOINT MEMO took care of that problem. Did I miss something?
Quote:
Originally Posted by bttmdwllr
I just want to inform everyone that a joint memorandum circular was signed and issued by Secretaries Durano, Puno and Atienza a few weeks ago at the Dive Congress held at the PTA clamshell in Intramuros.
The memo was basically for the LGU units, Mayors in particular regarding the standardization of dive fees.
Dive areas were separated (as MUNICIPALITIES) and CLASSIFIED into 4 categories and depending on the category, there was a maximum daily/annual dive fee that Mayors can impose.
So goodbye, 150 per dive, 400 per dive dive fees GOODBYE CAMERA FEES.
It also outlined what the fees were to be used for --mainly conservation and enforcement.
We thank USEC Cynthia Carrion for spearheading this initiative as well as the private sector members of the PCSSD and the Commissioners for addressing this pain in the diver's behinds (this is a public forum...) issue.
Anyone who wants a copy of the memorandum circular can email me at yvetteclee@gmail.com
Joint denr-dilg-lgu memo circular
Now there is mention of fees in another thread....
I understood that the JOINT MEMO took care of that problem. Did I miss something?
Quote:
Originally Posted by bttmdwllr
I just want to inform everyone that a joint memorandum circular was signed and issued by Secretaries Durano, Puno and Atienza a few weeks ago at the Dive Congress held at the PTA clamshell in Intramuros.
The memo was basically for the LGU units, Mayors in particular regarding the standardization of dive fees.
Dive areas were separated (as MUNICIPALITIES) and CLASSIFIED into 4 categories and depending on the category, there was a maximum daily/annual dive fee that Mayors can impose.
So goodbye, 150 per dive, 400 per dive dive fees GOODBYE CAMERA FEES.
It also outlined what the fees were to be used for --mainly conservation and enforcement.
We thank USEC Cynthia Carrion for spearheading this initiative as well as the private sector members of the PCSSD and the Commissioners for addressing this pain in the diver's behinds (this is a public forum...) issue.
Anyone who wants a copy of the memorandum circular can email me at yvetteclee@gmail.com
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