Law Summary
Scope of the Guidelines
- Applies to all individuals and seacraft seeking entry for visitation, enjoyment, or research.
- Prohibits extractive activities such as game fishing inside the Park.
Issuance of Visitor and Seacraft Entrance Permits
- All persons (tourists, dive operators, dive masters, tour guides) must register with the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD) and secure entrance permits.
- Maximum of 40 persons (crew and visitors) allowed inside the Park simultaneously.
- Applications for entrance permits may be submitted to DENR-Region 4 Office in Manila or PENRO in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
- Applications forwarded to the Undersecretary for Environment and Research for approval.
- Required information for visitors includes names, nationality, diving licenses, and travel itinerary; group permits require names and number of visitors.
- For boats, required documents include crew list, registration papers, and certifications of seaworthiness and diving operation suitability.
- Scientific research proposals must include research plans, researcher details, itinerary, and funding source.
- Applications must be submitted at least 9 working days before entry date.
- Maximum duration of stay is 96 hours.
- Permits are non-transferable and must be obtained from the Office of the Undersecretary for Environment and Research.
- Permits presented to PENRO in Puerto Princesa for recording.
- Applicants must sign the application form to acknowledge compliance commitment.
- Unused permits due to valid reasons (e.g., typhoons) must be surrendered within 10 days after expiration for rescheduling; failure results in cancellation.
- Fees for permits are non-refundable.
- Special Collecting Officers designated by the Regional Executive Director to collect fees in Manila and Palawan; they must meet COA qualifications.
Applicable Fees and Charges
- Entrance Fees:
- Philippine Nationals: P50.00 per person per visit.
- Foreign Nationals: US$10.00 or peso equivalent per person per visit.
- Sea Crafts: P500.00 per boat per visit.
Mode of Fee Collection
- Entrance fees collected by authorized Special Collecting Officers before permit issuance.
- Government Official Receipts issued as payment proof.
- Payments must be cash, payable to DENR Region 4 Office Manila or DENR Puerto Princesa Office.
Responsibilities of Special Collecting Officers
- Issue official receipts and collect park use payments.
- Prepare and submit quarterly revenue collection reports to the Secretary and RED, with copies to the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB).
- Ensure remittances are made to the National Treasury.
Restrictions on Use and Conduct Inside the Park
- Tourists and visitors are prohibited from visiting the two islets.
- Disturbance of animals and plants inside the Park is not allowed.
- Hunting, killing, wounding fish or wildlife, gathering/collecting eggs, corals, shells, or any Park resources is strictly forbidden.
- Scientific specimen collection requires a gratuitous permit from the Secretary or authorized representative.
- Vandalism—including cutting, injuring, destroying plants; molesting/scaring birds; breaking/handling eggs; defacing boundary markers or signs—is strictly prohibited.
- Disposal of waste materials into the sea in any form or quantity is strictly prohibited.
- Violations may result in permit cancellation and penalties as per DENR regulations.
Effectivity of the Circular
- The guidelines take effect 15 days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation.