SECTION 1.       Policy - It shall be the department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to ensure the sustainable use, development, management, rehabilitation and conservation of protected areas.

SECTION 2.       Objective - To preserve and protect the natural features and to promote public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the features in ways which will leave it unimpaired for future generations.

SECTION 3.       Visitor Permits - All visitors of the sanctuary shall be required to obtain visitor permit to entry to the areas.

3.1    Who can avail of a visitor permits?

Any Filipino or foreign individual or parties interested to visit the sanctuary.

3.2    Where to secure permit?

Application for visitor permit shall be filed at the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), Quezon Ave., Diliman, Quezon City or duly authorized representative at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Office at Coron or Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

3.3    Requirements and processing - The following requirements shall be satisfied before any permit shall be issued to the visitor:

3.3.1    Inform Calauit Island management of the visit;

3.3.2    Evaluation of application;

3.3.3    Approval of application;

3.3.4    Payment of entrance fees, Pursuant to Sec. 2 of DAO No. 5, Series of 1991, the following entrance fees shall be collected from each visitor:

foreign nationals - P300.00
local visitors - P50.00

3.4    Issuance - Upon filing, the permit shall be processed and in no case shall exceed 8 days

SECTION 4.       Entry to the Site - There shall be two designated entry points to the sanctuary.  These shall be located along Punda Beach and Illultuk Bay.  Only duly registered motorized banca shall be allowed to ferry visitors.

4.1    Registry - Upon arrival the visitor shall register upon presentation of the approved permit to the staff on duly at the visitor center in Calauit Island.

4.2    Inspection - All things to be brought in the sanctuary shall be inspected by the authorized staff at the entrance.  All prohibited items or devices as stated in Section 8 shall be deposited at the visitor center and shall be claimed before leaving the area.

4.3    Quarantine - All visitors shall pass through quarantine measures.

SECTION 5.       Interpretative Activities -

5.1    Visitor Center - Information materials shall be made available at the center for the visitor/s where they will be oriented about the area.

5.2    Briefing

5.2.1.   There shall be a maximum of 30 visitors to be briefed per session.

5.2.2.   There shall be a 15-30 min. briefing session at the center for all the visitors scheduled for the day.

5.2.3.   During the briefing all information on the area and its resources shall be presented.  Likewise, activities for the day-four shall be made.

5.3    After the briefing, the visitor/s shall proceed to the different interpretive activity nodes/points and pursue approved recreation opportunities set for the day's tour.

SECTION 6.       Use of Facilities - Any use of facilities shall be strictly regulated. Only the visitor center and designated areas shall be open for visitor use.

SECTION 7.       Service -

7.1    Guided-tour-Only persons accredited by the area management and Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall provide guided-tour to the visitors at approved rates.

SECTION 8.       Prohibited Acts -

8.1    Visitors going around the sanctuary without the accredited guides.

8.2.   Chasing, feeding and hurting of any wildlife species by visitors inside the sanctuary.

8.3    Gathering, cutting, taking, destroying or injuring or otherwise damaging or removing any trees, plants, corals, fish marine turtles, shells (dead or alive) and other marine organisms, shrubs, orchids, flowers, ferns, leaves (ex. Anahaw), fruit or other natural vegetation.

8.4    Mutilating, defacing or destroying objects of natural beauty or objects of interest and of scenic value.

8.5    Vandalism which include writing and engraving of trees and walls, altering/defacing facilities, boundary markers and interpretive signs.

8.6    Entering, occupying or using any facility or amenity without permission.

8.7    Carrying firearms by both military and civilians inside the sanctuary, even if they have permit to carry firearms; only military personnel such as the Marine contingents in Calauit are allowed to carry firearms.

8.8    Setting out or causing to set any fire, are not permitted, except for cooking purposes.

8.9    The throwing of cigarette butts, or any ignited matter, in any place which may start a fire.

8.10  Littering and leaving-behind refuse or garbage.

8.11  Using prohibited devices and/or equipment in pursuing recreational activities such as shooting birds and other animals, use of dynamite, poisoning of fished and other aquatic resources.

8.12  Drinking liquor or any intoxicating drinks and bringing in prohibited drugs.

8.13  Gambling

8.14  Bringing of pets (i.e. birds, dogs, cats, etc.) promenaders/visitors inside the sanctuary.

8.15  Dropping of anchors in coral rich areas.

SECTION 9.       Departure -

9.1    Visitor shall be asked to fill up evaluation forms for assessment of the tour, the area itself and suggestions for improvements before departure.  Departure time shall not be later than 8:00 P.M.

9.2    Visitors shall be asked to exit only at designated areas.

SECTION 10.    Penalties - Commission of any foregoing prohibited acts and violation of any of the terms and conditions specified in the visitor's permit or the NIPAS Act shall cause the cancellation of the permit and shall be a ground for disqualification from securing another permit in the future and shall be fined and punished as stipulated in Section 21 of R.A. 7586.

SECTION 11.    Effectivity - This Circular takes effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in newspaper of general circulation.

Adopted: 5 May 1993

(Sgd.) ANGEL C. ALCALA
Secretary