Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon hails the recently concluded Deep Mati Freediving Festival.

The first freediving festival in the region, the event showcased the beauty of Pujada Bay, one of the most beautiful bays in the world.

“The Bay Deep Mati Freediving is an introduction to what Davao Oriental can offer. With Mati City being the first city in the Philippines to regulate freediving as a sport, other similar endeavors in more potential tourism destinations surely will follow suit,” said Governor Malanyaon.

“Truly, this makes us proud and at the same time honored as this strengthens and validates our tagline Davao Oriental Beautiful,” she added.

She lauded the efforts of the City Government of Mati, headed by Mayor Michelle Rabat, and the Department of Tourism (DOT)  Region XI, led by Regional Director Tanya Rabat-Tan, for organizing the grand event. She applauded the event as it strongly supports and complements her administration’s thrust in making the province of Davao Oriental a premier tourist destination and pushing for sustainable tourism development.

“As the Governor of this province, I have strongly remarked on “sustainable tourism development” as one of the pillars and a weapon of this administration in combatting poverty. Surely, we are on our way to achieving this as we carefully lay the foundations for this endeavor,” the Governor said.

The freediving event was held on September 25-26, 2022, and was participated in by local and foreign divers who discovered, explored, and experienced the magnificence of Pujada Bay’s underwater paradise.

“I am happy and pleased to welcome everyone to our beautiful province. I want you to experience the delight, fun, journey, and tales worth sharing. As you return to your respective homes, you will think how much your colleagues and friends would also want to come and visit the beautiful Davao Oriental,” Governor Malanyaon said. PIO | Underwater Photos Courtesy of Dondon Uyan