The uncertain future of the Balicasag dive spot is giving tourism stakeholders sleepless nights. Three stakeholders who spoke on condition of anonymity gave this admission in separate interviews. A tourist guide recalled the warnings of environment experts that the dive spot might lose its attraction in five years if concrete steps are not made to prevent its deterioration. “This is a clear and present danger,” the guide said categorically. He noted that over the years, the dive spot has steadily lost some of its allure because of the steady strain caused by a combination of factors.   “One is the constant stream of effluents into the ocean floor that damage the corals,” the source said.

There have been differing opinions on where the effluents come from including those who believe that the government-operated resort on the ocean is one major source. Some divers noted that there is no waste treatment facility in Balicasag which means that the government is not setting a good example for the private resort owners. “The resort was put up supposedly to make it the base of the marine conservation project, but up to now the efforts do not measure up to standards,” the guide noted. A diver said that it is unfortunate that while stakeholders are debating on what is causing major damage to the dive spot, nothing concrete is being done about it. “While they argue and debate, the destruction continues,” he added.

The diver said those who have plunged into the deep over the years have seen how the dive spot has deteriorated and that no concrete steps have been taken to stop the deterioration. He added that it is unfortunate that while there have been many announcements about the plans for Balicasag and the conservation efforts, the reverse is true on the scene.  “It is the same old story of people fighting over turf while doing nothing to solve the real problem,” a resort owner said in a separate interview. He said it is sad that the goose that lays the golden eggs that is the Balicasag dive spot is slowly being strangled to death by the destruction caused by the lack of a coherent program to protect and preserve it.   “It is ironic that while we pretend to express concern (to attend to the dive spot), nothing is actually being done about it,” he added.

The resort owner said that if resort owners really care for Balicasag, they should set aside their individual quarrels and join hands to rescue the dive spot. “This is the most urgent concern at this time,” he added. According to him, while most Boholanos believe that the white sand beaches are the magnets for the tourists, most of them actually come for the Balicasag dive spot.  “If the Aquino administration is really serious about tourism development and environmental protection, it can start by making Balicasag island a model in marine conservation which is what previous administrations committed but never fulfilled,” he added.  The tourist guide said the government and the stakeholders should realize the urgency and act fast. He said all the other controversial issues in Panglao such as the reclamation project does not mean anything at this point compared to the deterioration of the Balicasag dive spot. “The threat of the reclamation project, if true, is at best speculative. The dive spot is clear and present danger,” he concluded.