QuestionsQuestions (MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 12)
The rules were promulgated pursuant to LOI No. 745, which created the Philippine Commission on the Development and Promotion of Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD), and it sets standards for accrediting sports scuba diving establishments and professionals in the Philippines.
Individuals may apply if they are Filipino citizens, or foreign nationals with proof of permanent residency (BI) and a work permit (DOLE), and who have the required permits/licenses from other concerned authorities. Establishments may apply if they are organized under Philippine laws, duly registered with relevant government agencies, and engaged in sports scuba diving activities, whether or not for a fee.
Before a branch/extension office starts operation, it must also secure PCSSD accreditation; the branch/extension office must be separately accredited before operating.
Requirements include: (1) Philippine Coast Guard permit; (2) MARINA Registration Certificate; (3) business license/permit from LGU and other authorities; (4) vessel certificate of ownership; (5) SEC/Bureau of Domestic Trade and incorporation documents if the vessel is owned by a juridical entity; (6) list of employees with positions, citizenship, and home address; (7) list of safety equipment; and (8) compliance with PCSSD Scuba Diving Safety Standards.
It must have: (1) pertinent registration certificate (SEC registration or BDT registration of business name); (2) list of employees (with at least one Dive Master and one Dive Instructor); (3) compliance with PCSSD Scuba Diving Safety Standards; and (4) appropriate business license/permit from the LGU and other concerned authorities.
They must submit: (1) pertinent registration certificate; (2) list of employees with at least one Dive Master and one Dive Instructor; (3) compliance with minimum standards for diving operations and standard diving procedures (Chapters III and VIII of the guidelines); and (4) business license/permit from the LGU and other concerned authorities.
They must submit: (1) a copy of the individual’s Philippine or internationally recognized certificate/credentials; (2) appropriate visa (BI) and work permit (DOLE) for foreign nationals; and (3) compliance with PCSSD Scuba Diving Standards.
The applicant must submit proof of training from a concerned government agency or a PCSSD-recognized international certifying agency; for foreign nationals, the applicant must also have the appropriate BI visa and DOLE work permit; and must comply with PCSSD Scuba Diving Standards.
Fees are annual except where specified: Professional Dive Center/Shop/Facility—PHP 2,000.00; Branch/Extension Office—PHP 500.00; Professional Dive Instructor—PHP 1,000.00; Assistant Dive Instructor/Dive Master—PHP 750.00; Advanced Open Water Diver—PHP 750.00 (one-time charge for government personnel).
For establishments: PCSSD issues the certificate within 30 working days after inspection if requirements are satisfactorily met. For individuals: certificates are issued within 5 working days after complying with all requirements and paying the fees.
Accreditation is valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance.
Divers using scuba must provide proof of training (C-card/Diver’s Certification Card, Diving Log Book, or proof of Advanced Open Water Diver training, or a valid PCSSD accreditation ID/certificate). Without such proof, they may dive only after undergoing and passing an evaluation dive conducted by an instructor, demonstrating required skills (equipment assembly, mask clearing, regulator recovery/clearing, air sharing, and buoyancy control/hovering).
Non-training dives conducted by an accredited establishment are supervised dives under the Dive Master’s direct control. Divers must log in with the establishment’s Dive Master and observe the establishment’s rules. The Dive Master must log in his Master Log required data for every dive (names of divers/buddies, destination, sign-out/in, weather/surface/underwater conditions, and actual dive profile).
Key mandatory items include: mandatory buddy system; mandatory use of buoyancy control device (BCD); mandatory use of an alternate air source and dive instruments (depth gauge, pressure gauge, and dive watch or equivalent); and a maximum sports scuba diving depth of 130 feet (40 meters), confined to depth/time required by U.S. Navy Air Decompression Tables or equivalent.