Pursuant to the provisions of Executive Order No. 120 the following rules and regulations are hereby promulgated to govern the accreditation of mountain guides.

Chapter I

SECTION 1. Definition of Terms - When used in these Rules, the following terms shall, unless the context otherwise indicate, have the following meaning:

a. Mountain Guide - shall mean an individual who guides tourists, both foreign and domestic to mountain and forest areas for a fee, commission, or any other form of lawful remuneration.

b. Local Mountain Guide - shall mean an individual who guides tourists, both foreign and domestic to mountain and forest areas located in a specific region or particular locality in the Philippines, for a fee, commission, or any other form of lawful remuneration.

c. National Mountain Guide - shall mean an individual who guides tourists, both foreign and domestic to mountain and forest areas in any part of the Philippines for a fee, commission, or any other form of lawful remuneration.

d. Department - The Department of Tourism.

e. Accreditation - A certification issued by the Department that the holder is recognized by the Department as having complied with its minimum standards in the operation of the establishment concerned or in exercise of a certain profession.

Chapter II

Standard Requirements for a Mountain Guide

SECTION 2. Who May Apply - Only resident Filipino citizens, at least eighteen years of age, physically and mentally fit, and of good moral character may qualify for accreditation.

SECTION 3. Requirements for Issuance of Accreditation - An applicant for accreditation as mountain guide shall submit the following:

1. Proof that the applicant has passed a seminar for mountain guides duly conducted by the Department or other agencies duly authorized by the Department to conduct the seminar.

2. Certificate of good health issued by any duly accredited government physician;

3. Clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation;

4. Mayor's permit and/or municipal license;

5. A certification issued by the Department of Tourism Regional Office that the applicant has the necessary skills and experience in mountain guiding for local guides, and a certification from the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines or any duly recognized association of mountain guides for national guides;

6. Certificate of training from the Philippine National Red Cross;

7. Latest Income Tax Return (for renewal only);

8. Such other requirements that the Department may require from time to time.

SECTION 4. Issuance of Accreditation and Identification Card - Upon compliance with all the requirements of the preceding section, a certificate of accreditation and an identification Card shall be issued upon payment of SIXTY (P60.00) PESOS and TWENTY TWO (P22.00) PESOS, respectively, and shall be valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of issuance thereof.

Chapter III

Grounds for Cancellation of Accreditation

SECTION 5. Grounds for Cancellation of Accreditation. Any of the following acts or omissions shall be sufficient ground for the cancellation of accreditation:

a. Making any false declaration or statement or making use of any such declaration or statement or any document containing the same or committing fraud or any act of misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining the grant of accreditation.

b. Failure to maintain the standards and requirements for accreditation as prescribed in these Rules;

c. Violation of or non-compliance with any of the provisions of these Rules, promulgated orders, decisions and circulars issued by the Department and other concerned government agencies;

d. Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude or any overt act of dishonesty, misrepresentation, or misconduct; and

e. Any other act or omission that works against the interest of the tourism industry.

Chapter IV

Miscellaneous Provisions

SECTION 6. Separability Clause - The provisions of these Rules are hereby declared separable, and in the event that said provisions or any part thereof are declared invalid, the validity of all the other provisions shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause - All existing Rules and Regulations or Circulars issued by the Department of Tourism which are inconsistent with the provisions of these Rules and Regulations are hereby repealed and superseded accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity - These Rules and Regulations shall take effect immediately.

Approved and Promulgated this 12th day of October 1994.

Adopted: 12 Oct. 1994

(SGD.) VICENTE J. CARLOS
Secretary

Attested by:

(SGD.) EVELYN B. PANTIG
Undersecretary
Tourism Services and Regional Offices