DUMAGUETE CITY - referred to as a university town because of the presence of seven universities and colleges, where students of the provinces converge to enroll for tertiary education. The city is also called “The City of Gentle People”. It is where you can find the Siliman University one of the oldest school in the Philippines. The city attracts a considerable number of foreign tourist, particularly Europeans, because of easy ferry access from Cebu City, the availability of beach resorts and dive site, and the attraction of dolphin and whale watching in nearby Bais Bay. Dumaguete is also famed for its proximity to top dive spots in the Philippines like: Sumilon ,Apo Island and Siquijor, all of which are accessible by boat from the Negros Oriental Province. Apo Island is one of the world’s best known marine santuaries. It began in the year 1982 with the initiative of Silliman University Marine and Biology Department. It became a protected reserve by the National Integrated Protected Area Act under the jurisdiction of the Protected Area Management Board.