QuestionsQuestions (LTO ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. AO-91-005)
It is issued pursuant to Section 20 of Republic Act No. 7586 (NIPAS Act of 1992), and in relation to DENR Administrative Orders No. 05 (s. 1991) and No. 25 (s. 1992), to provide guidelines for entry and conduct inside the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park (TRNMP).
To protect and conserve TRNMP resources by regulating (1) entry, (2) duration of stay, and (3) activities of visitors, including requirements for approval of visitors and seacraft entry, mode of fee collection, period of sojourn, and conduct of activities.
All individuals and seacraft wanting to enter for visitation, enjoyment, or research are covered.
No. Activities such as game fishing and other extractive activities are not permitted inside the park (Section 2).
He/she must first register at the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD) and secure an entrance permit before entering the park.
Forty (40) persons at any one time (crew and visitors combined).
Applications may be filled with the DENR-Region 4 Office in Manila or with the PENRO in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The applications are forwarded to the office of the Undersecretary for Environment and Research for approval.
Their names and nationalities, xerox copy of their diving license (Certification Cards), and itinerary of travel for evaluation. For group permits, the tour operator must indicate the number and names of all covered visitors/companions.
Name and number of crew, registration papers, and a certification from the PCSSD on Philippine Coast Guard as to seaworthiness and appropriateness for SCUBA diving operations.
Their research plans/activities, names and number of researchers, itinerary of travel, and identity of the funding institution.
Requests must be filed at least nine (9) working days before the visit/entry. The duration of stay is limited to a maximum of 96 hours between arrival and departure.
No. Entrance permits are non-transferable (Section 3.4).
Permits must be presented to the PENR Office in Puerto Princesa, Palawan for acknowledgment, recording, and future reference.
It must be surrendered to the nearest DENR Office within ten (10) days after the expiration date for re-scheduling. Failure to surrender means cancellation of the permit.
No. Payment of entrance permits are non-refundable.
(1) Php 50.00 per person per visit for Filipino nationals; (2) US$10.00 or current peso equivalent per person per visit for foreign nationals; (3) Php 500.00 per boat per visit for sea crafts.
Strict prohibitions include disturbing animals/plants (Section 7.1), hunting/killing/wounding fish and wildlife and collecting eggs/corals/shells or any resources (Section 7.2), vandalism (Section 7.3), and disposing waste materials to the sea (Section 7.4). Violations are sufficient ground for cancellation of the permit and permittee liability to penalties under existing DENR rules and regulations (Section 7.5).