Pursuant to the authority vested in the Department of Tourism by Executive Order No. 120 "to promulgate rules and regulations governing the operations and activities of all persons, firms, entities and establishments that cater to tourists, to provide standards for accreditation of hotels and resorts, and to prescribe rules and regulations governing the issuance of license to travel agencies and the provisions of Presidential Decree Nos. 189 and 1463 not inconsistent with said Executive Order, the following new provision and amendments of the Resort Code of 1989 are hereby promulgated to govern the business and operation of all resorts in the Philippines.

SECTION 1.       Chapter II, Section 3 of the Resort Code of 1989 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 3.            Classes of Resorts . - For purposes of registration and licensing, resorts shall be classified as follows:

Class "AAA"
Class "AA"
Class "A"
Special Interest Resort"

SECTION 2.       A new provision is hereby inserted after Chapter II, Section 6 of the Resort Code of 1989, to read as follows:

Special Interest Resort - This refers to a resort as defined under Chapter I of these Rules located at appropriate seaside, seaborne, mountain, forest, lake, or river sites, providing facilities and equipment for the conduct of special interest activities such as skin and scuba diving, sailing, water skiing, and similar activities, wildlife observation, and bird watching, cave exploration, backpacking, hiking, camping, trail riding (either motorized or on horseback), tribal visits and safaries, target shooting and hunting.  Theme parks such as marine/aquarium parks may qualify under this classification.

a.       Minimum requirements - For purposes of registration and licensing, the following are the basic requirements for the establishment, operation and maintenance of special interest resorts:

1.    Location - The camp and ground site shall be well drained and not subject to flooding. It shall be distant from any source of nuisance and shall not endanger sources of any water supply and other natural resources.

2.    Lounge and reception counter - There shall be a reception counter and a reasonably furnished lounge commensurate with the size of the resort.

3.    Room accommodation - There shall be at least five (5) bedrooms for letting for permanent site operations.  The bedroom shall be reasonably spacious and provided with comfortable bed(s), as well as sufficient and fresh supply of clean linen, mirror, and electric fan (except in places where electricity is not available).  For movable operation, a minimum of sixteen (16) guests plus the staff shall be accommodated in tents, leantos, and the like.  Where permanent tents are used, flooring shall be at least four (4) inches above the ground.  Tents shall be provided with adequate beddings suitable for tropical use.  Theme parks may be exempted from this requirement.

4.    Toilet and bathroom - There shall be separate clean toilet and bathroom facilities for male and female guests which shall be provided with sufficient supply of running water and situated in appropriate and accessible areas.  The same shall be supplied with soap and toilet paper. Adequate portable chemical toilets shall be provided at the camp site for mobile groups.  In the absence of chemical toilets, temporary sanitary latrines shall be provided based on acceptable Philippine standards.

5.    Lighting, furnishings, and ventilation - Lighting arrangement and furnishing in all rooms shall be of good standard. In areas where there is no electrical power, each room shall be provided with non-hazardous portable lights.  Adequate means of ventilation shall also be provided.

6.    Staff and service - An adequate number of trained, experienced, courteous, and efficient staff shall be employed.  They shall wear clean uniforms at all times.  The front-line staff shall have a good speaking knowledge of English.

SECTION 3.       Chapter IV, Section 18 (d) of the Rules and Regulations is hereby amended to read as follows:

" (d)      Annual General Liability Insurance for guests in the amount of not less than the following:

Class "AAA" P100 ,000.00
Class "AA" 50,000.00
Class "A" 20,000.00
Special Interest Resort 20,000.00"

SECTION 4.       Chapter IV, Section 26 of the Rules and Regulations is hereby amended to read as follows:   CacTSI

"SECTION 26.          Registration and Annual License Fees.  The following schedule of fees shall be collected from applicants that have complied with the requirements for registration and licensing of resorts:

Registration Fee

Class "AAA" P5 ,000.00
Class "AA" 3,000.00
Class "A" 1,500.00
Special Interest
Resort        1,500.00

License Fee

P2 ,000.00
1,000.00
500.00
500.00"

SECTION 5.       These amendments shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 9 Aug. 1990

(SGD.) PETER D. GARRUCHO, JR.
Secretary