Question & AnswerQ&A (LETTER OF INSTRUCTION NO. 745)
The purpose is to create the Philippine Commission on the Promotion and Development of Sports Scuba Diving to formulate safety standards, promote tourism, and ensure the orderly conduct of underwater sports scuba diving activities.
President Ferdinand E. Marcos, as the President-Prime Minister, issued the Letter of Instruction directing the creation of this Commission.
The Commission is composed of the Minister of Tourism as Chairman, one member from the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, one member from the Ministry of National Defense, one member from the Ministry of Natural Resources, and five other members from the diving communities and industries appointed by the Chairman.
The Commission shall promulgate programs and projects to develop the country as a premier diving area, formulate rules, regulations, safety standards, and operating procedures for sports scuba diving, conduct studies and surveys for incentives to private sector projects, and implement marine conservation programs, especially in areas of high touristic value.
Due to the substantial increase in scuba diving enthusiasts and the activity's contribution to tourism, there was a need to formulate safety standards to safeguard human lives and ensure orderly underwater activities.
The Commission is expressly directed to formulate and implement marine conservation programs, particularly in areas of high touristic value, as part of its mandate.
Scuba diving is recognized as the second largest special interest tourist activity and has contributed significantly to tourism development in the Philippines.
The Commission can undertake studies and surveys to identify possible incentives to the private sector that may want to undertake projects and programs beneficial to scuba diving tourism development, within the framework of relevant Presidential Decrees.
The Letter of Instruction took effect immediately upon its signing on September 29, 1978.
The Chairman of the Commission, the Minister of Tourism, has the authority to appoint the five members from the diving communities and industries.