Question & AnswerQ&A (DENR MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 14, s. 93)
The main objective is to protect and conserve the resources of TRNMP by regulating entry, duration of stay, and activities of visitors to ensure sustainable use of the marine park.
All individuals and seacraft wanting to enter the park for visitation, enjoyment, and research purposes are covered. Extractive activities such as game fishing are not permitted.
Any person including tourists, dive operators, dive masters, and tour guides must register with the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD) and secure an entrance permit.
Applications can be filed with DENR Region 4 Office in Manila or the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, whichever is convenient.
Visitors must provide their name, nationality, a xerox copy of their diving license, and itinerary of travel. Boats must provide the crew list, registration papers, and certifications from PCSSD and Philippine Coast Guard.
The duration of stay is limited to a maximum of 96 hours (4 days) between arrival and departure.
A maximum of forty persons (crew and visitors) are allowed at any one time.
Philippine nationals pay P50 per person per visit; foreign nationals pay US$10 or its peso equivalent per person per visit; and seacrafts pay P500 per boat per visit.
Payments must be made in cash to the DENR Region 4 Office in Manila or the DENR Office in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and must be duly acknowledged by government official receipts issued by authorized Special Collecting Officers.
Hunting, killing or wounding fish and wildlife, collecting eggs, corals, shells, or any park resources, vandalism, disturbing animals or plants, disposing of waste materials into the sea, and visiting the two islets are strictly prohibited.
The Office of the Undersecretary for Environment and Research, after receiving applications forwarded from DENR regional or provincial offices, grants approval for entrance permits.
The permit must be surrendered to the nearest DENR office within ten days after expiration to allow re-scheduling; failure to do so results in cancellation of the permit, and fees paid are non-refundable.
They collect entrance fees, issue government official receipts, prepare and submit quarterly revenue and remittance reports to the Secretary through the Regional Executive Director.
Violations can lead to cancellation of permits and the permittee being liable to penalties under existing DENR rules and regulations.
It took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two newspapers of general circulation following its adoption on May 10, 1993.