QuestionsQuestions (PCSSD)
No person, whether natural or juridical, shall operate or manage a scuba diving establishment without first being licensed by the PCSSD.
Any dive professional who desires to give lessons, assist in training, or conduct activities related to sports scuba diving in the Philippines, whether or not for a fee; and any establishment organized under Philippine laws and duly registered with appropriate government agencies engaged in sports scuba diving activities, whether or not for a fee.
No branch or extension office may be operated unless that branch/extension office is licensed by the Commission.
Among others: license/permit from appropriate government agencies; proof of vessel ownership; incorporation papers/by-laws for juridical entities owning the vessel; list of managerial and rank-and-file employees with citizenship and addresses; complete listing of equipment with photographs; list of safety equipment and trained personnel plus owner’s certification; current third-party liability accident insurance; and additional requirements if with accommodations (bunk beds/mattresses, dining capacity, toilet/shower per passenger ratio, fresh drinking water capacity, and at least two service boats).
Pertinent registration certificate (SEC or business name); permits from the concerned LGU and other appropriate government agencies; list of managerial and rank-and-file employees with citizenship and addresses; and current and valid third-party liability accident insurance.
Pertinent registration certificate and LGU/other permits; list of managerial and rank-and-file employees; and current third-party liability accident insurance.
A certified true copy of current valid certifying agency status card/certification; sworn affidavit to adhere to safety and ethical standards or a copy of contractual agreement; for foreign nationals, a visa valid for at least 3 months; current employment permit from DOLE; current and valid third-party liability accident insurance; and a certificate of employment for foreign nationals employed by a dive establishment doing sports scuba diving activities.
Resorts providing board and lodging and establishments promoting scuba diving tours and accredited by DOT may be accredited by the PCSSD as Dive Resorts and Scuba Diving Tour Operators upon submission of the LGU license to operate and DOT accreditation certificate. There is no accreditation fee, but they must pay processing fees and the cost of the accreditation sticker.
After submission of documentary requirements and fees, the Commission conducts an inspection to determine compliance. The establishment applicant shall be issued the License within 15 working days after inspection and submission of all documentary requirements and payment of fees; individual applicants are issued within 5 working days upon compliance.
One (1) year from the date of issuance.
Current and appropriate PCSSD license of the establishment; LGU permits; and the list of diving professionals and technical staff employed or contracted with their respective positions.
Application for renewal must be filed on or before expiration. Late renewal subjects the applicant to an administrative penalty equivalent to 50% of scheduled fees.
They must prohibit: collection or destruction of corals; capture of or harm to endangered marine species; use of toxic chemicals in diving; spearfishing using scuba; and salvage or transferring sunken artifacts without the necessary permit from proper authorities.
Employment or hiring of instructors/assistant instructors/dive masters who are not holders of a license or permit issued by the Commission (and for non-Filipinos, without the proper work visa and work permit).
It is mandatory that all dive establishments and dive professionals engaged in sports scuba diving be covered with valid adequate accident liability insurance, and they must present evidence of coverage with an acceptable insurance company to the Commission.
They are generally prohibited from selling, renting, lending, or transferring controlled equipment (e.g., air compressors, regulators, air cylinders, buoyancy compensators, and diving instruments) unless a record is made indicating the name/address and the buyer/rentee/transferee’s diver certification card or other proof of diver qualification. For Dive Centers/Facilities, rental limits apply: one set per certified diver for compressors for breathing, regulators, buoyancy compensators, instruments; and high-pressure air cylinders limited to a maximum of two sets. Instructors are exempt from the equipment rental limitations.
All scuba courses must be conducted by a licensed and certified instructor or by an assistant instructor with current teaching status. A complete record of each student must be kept on file for at least five (5) years.
Every complaint must be under oath or affirmation and must include names and addresses of complainant and respondent, date the action arose, grounds relied upon, and the relief sought. The Commission may still take cognizance of violations it learns about even without a formal complaint.