To ensure the dissemination of accurate, proper information on crocodiles, Palawan wildlife and biodiversity conservation as well as the comfort, safety and enjoyment of tourists, the following rules and regulations are hereby promulgated to govern the DENR-PWRCC accreditation of ecological destination guides:

SECTION 1. DEFINITION

SECTION 1.1.   Definition of Terms .  When used in these rules, the following terms and/or acronyms shall, unless these context otherwise indicate, have the following meaning:

a.    PWRCC - the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center;

b.    Wildlife - means wild form and varieties of flora and fauna in all developmental stages, including those which are in captivity or are being bred or propagated;

c.    Accreditation - a certification issued that the holders is recognized by the DENR - Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center as having complied with its minimum standards in pursuit of ecological destination guiding activities within its facility;

d.    Ecological Destination Guide - an individual who guides visitors, both foreign and domestic in points of interest or ecological destinations which have been identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as suitable for environmental awareness and recreational purposes, for a fee, commission or any other form of remuneration;

e.    DENR - the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

f.     NRDC - the Natural Resources Development Corporation.

SECTION 2.  STANDARD REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCREDITATION OF PWRCC ECOLOGICAL DESTINATION GUIDES

SECTION 2.1.   Who May Apply .  A resident Filipino citizen or a permanent resident alien who:

a.    is at least eighteen years of age;
b.    is physically and mentally fit;
c.    is of good moral character and must not have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude, in this country or anywhere in the world;
d.    possesses good to excellent command of foreign language(s), preferably English, and/or Filipino;
e.    has excellent knowledge of the Philippines in general, and Palawan in particular - its people, history, culture customs, traditions and natural resources especially wild species of flora and fauna; and
f.     has documents to prove a minimum of six (6) months of experience in tourist guiding or related-practice, but in the absence thereof, proof that applicant is at least in second year college and/or a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Tourism/Biology/Environmental Science/Zoology or has successfully completed a related course.

SECTION 2.2.   Requirements for the Issuance of Accreditation .  An applicant for accreditation as ecological destination guide shall submit/comply with the following:

a.   Certificate of good health issued by any duly licensed physician that the applicant is physcally and mentally fit to be ecological destination guide;
b.   Valid clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (current year);
c.   Valid clearance from the Philippine National Police (current year);
d.   Certificate of good moral character issued by the captain of the Barangay where the applicant is residing;
e.   Proof that the applicant is a licensed tourist guide by the City Government of Puerto Princesa or any municipality of Palawan;
f.    Certificate of training on basic life support from the Philippine National Red Cross or its equivalent institution;
g.   Valid visa from the Bureau of Immigration and the proper permit from the Department of Labor and Employment, in the case of permanent resident alien;
h.   Certificate of completion or proof that the applicant has passed a training on wildlife ecological destination guiding conducted by DENR-PWRCC or any other organization duly authorized/recognized by DENR-PWRCC to conduct such training; and
i.    Approval by the Ecological Destination Guide Accreditation Board;
j.    Other requirements that the PWRCC, the DENR and other concerned agencies may require from time to time.

SECTION 2.3.   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 by NRDC upon payment of ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY (Php 150.00) PESOS, payable to Natural Resources Development Corporation (NRDC) to be deposited on a separate bank account for the operation of the PWRCC.

SECTION 2.4.   Validity of Accreditation.  Accreditation is valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of issuance, unless revoked due to valid reasons by the PWRCC.

SECTION 3. ACCREDITATION PRIVILEGES.

As a special benefit, all accredited ecological destination guides will be exempted from paying the entrance fee every time they bring tourism to DENR-PWRCC, which non-accredited tourist guides are subject.

Accredited tourist guides will also be included in the mailing list of the PWRCC Bulletin, get invited and discounted to DENR-PWRCC sponsored/hosted activities such as conferences, symposia, fora and the like which are tourism-related/relevant, receive complimentary copies of information and education materials not to mention limited promotional items and other freebies.

SECTION 4. ECOLOGICAL DESTINATION GUIDES ACCREDITATION BOARD

Ecological Destination Guides Accreditation Board shall be established to administer the accreditation of ecological destination guides and decide on other matters relative to the implementation of these Rules and Regulations.

The Board shall be composed of the following:

1.         Undersecretary for Policy and Technical Services or its designated Representative - Chairman

2.         PAWB Assistant Director - Vice Chairman

3.         President or designated Representative, Natural Resources Development Corporation (NRDC)

4.         Project Director, PWRCC

5.         Project Coordinator, NRDC PWRCC Business Project

The Project Director, PWRCC shall submit a list of qualified Ecological Destination Guides for consideration to the Board for its evaluation and approval.

The Board shall meet from time to time at the call of the Chairman or Vice-Chairman when the need arises to consider pending matters.

SECTION 5. GROUNDS FOR CANCELLATION OF ACCREDITATION

SECTION 5.1.   Grounds for Cancellation of Accreditation .  Any of the following acts, omissions or circumstances shall be sufficient ground for the cancellation of accreditation.

a.      Making 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 or 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 DENR and other concerned government agencies;

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

e.      Any cause which disqualifies the grantee by reason of physical or mental incapacity or which otherwise renders the accreditation unnecessary or immaterial; and

f.       Any other act or omission inimical to the interest of the tourism industry and DENR-PWRCC or in violation of any environmental laws, rules and regulations.

g.      The cancellation shall be decided by the Board upon complaint of any party, after proper investigation, and the notice of cancellation issued by NRDC.

SECTION 6. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 6.1.   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 6.2.   Repealing Clause.  All existing rules and regulations issued and/or observed by DENR-PWRCC which are inconsistent with the provisions of these Rules and Regulations are hereby repealed and superseded accordingly.

SECTION 6.3.   Effectivity.   These Rules and Regulations shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 30 Aug. 2000

(SGD.) ANTONIO H. CERILLES
Secretary