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

Chapter I
Definition
Section 1. Definition of Terms. - When used in these rules, the following terms shall, unless the context otherwise indicate, have the following meaning:

a. Caving - shall mean any activity that involves the exploration of caves or underground passages and features except wet passages when explored with the use of scuba diving equipment;

b. Cave Guide - shall mean an individual who guides tourists, both foreign and domestic, inside caves which have been identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and/or other concerned agencies, both government and private as suitable for tourism and recreational purposes, for a fee, commission, or any other form of remuneration;

c. Department - the Department of Tourism

d. Accreditation - a certification issued by the Department that the holder is recognized by the Department as having complied with its minimum standards in pursuit of caving activities.

Chapter II
Standard Requirements for Accreditation of Cave Guides
Section 2. Who May Apply. - A resident Filipino citizen or a permanent resident alien who is 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 cave guide shall submit/comply with the following:

a. Certification issued by the Philippine Cave Guides Association, Inc. (PCGAI) or any other duly recognized caving clubs/organization by the Department of Tourism and by the National Cave Management Committee or concerned Regional Cave Management Committee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that the applicant has the necessary caving skills and equipment as well as the experience in guiding others inside natural caves or underground rivers;

b. Certificate of good health issued by any duly licensed physician that the applicant is physically and mentally fit to be a cave guide;

c. Valid clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation;

d. Certificate of good moral character from the Barangay Captain where he is residing;

e. Proof that the applicant has passed a tour guiding seminar for caving duly conducted by the Department or any caving organization duly authorized by the Department to conduct the seminar;

f. 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;

g. Certificate of training on basic life support from the Philippine National Red Cross or its equivalent institution;

h. Such other requirements that the Department of Tourism and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 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 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY (P150.00) PESOS and THIRTY PESOS (P30.00) PESOS, respectively, and shall be valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of issuance thereof.

Section 4.1 The Department shall every month furnish the DENR copies of certificates of accreditation issued to Accredited Cave Guides.

Chapter III
Grounds for Cancellation of Accreditation
Section 5. Grounds for Cancellation of Accreditation. - Any of the following acts, omissions or circumstances 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;

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 or in violation of any environmental laws, rules and regulations.

Chapter V
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 and 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.

Adopted: 07 June 1999

(SGD.) GEMMA CRUZ-ARANETA
Secretary

Attested by:

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