A PHP80-million state-of-the-art hyperbaric chamber center will operate soon in Negros Oriental, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco said on Monday.

The project funded by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) will ensure safety and convenience as scuba divers will no longer have to travel far for treatment during emergencies. It is expected to fully operate in three months.

“The beauty of modern technology, with this hyperbaric chamber center, is that it [has] emergency purposes for diver-related incidents,” Frasco said during the groundbreaking at a 300-square-meter lot in Dauin town donated by Mayor Galicano Truita.

Jetro Nicholas Lozada, assistant chief operations officer for TIEZA-Assets Management, said in an interview that the chamber has been delivered.

“Trainings for the medical practitioners and staff are ongoing,” Lozada said.

Lozada said that apart from decompression sickness, also known as barotrauma or bends, the hyperbaric chamber will treat wounds and other diseases.

The chamber can accommodate six persons at a time.

TIEZA will handle the operation and management of the facility, with Dauin receiving 10 percent of its income and the usual taxes, Lozada added.

Part of the agreement is that TIEZA will conduct a review every five years to check on the capability of the local government unit to manage the facility. If it already can, then “we will turn it over to the local government to run,” Lozada said.

He also said Frasco directed TIEZA to acquire five new units of a German brand, which is one of the world’s top three leading brands for hyperbaric chambers.

Glenn Carballo, president of the Negros Oriental Divers’ Association, expressed optimism that more scuba divers will come to the province.

“We’ve been wishing to have a chamber in the last 10 years and finally, we will have one soon. It will increase the diving tourism not only in Dauin but the whole province of Negros Oriental and the neighboring towns like Moalboal (Cebu) and Sipalay (Negros Occidental), as well,” he said. (PNA)