Pursuant to Section 20 of Republic Act No. 7586 (NIPAS Act of 1992), DENR Administrative Order No. 05 Series of 1991, DENR Administrative Order No. 25 Series of 1992 and in order to provide guidelines and regulations for entry and conduct of activities inside the TRNMP, the following guidelines are hereby promulgated for the guidance and compliance of all concerned.

SECTION 1.       Objectives - It shall be the purpose of this Circular to protect and conserve the resources of the TRNMP by regulating entry, duration of stay and activities of visitors inside the Park.  This guideline set forth the requirements needed in the approval of visitors and seacraft entry, mode of fee collection and regulations regarding use, period of time of sojourn and conduct of activities inside the park.

SECTION 2.       Scope - This guideline shall cover all individuals and seacraft wanting to enter the marine park for the purpose of visitation, enjoyment and research.  Activities such as game fishing and other extractive activities are not permitted inside the park.

SECTION 3.       Issuance Of The Visitor And Seacraft Entrance Permits -

3.1       Any person (i.e. tourist, dive boat operator/owner, dive master, tour guide) must first register at the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD) and secure an entrance permit before entering the Park.  The maximum number of person, (crew and visitors) to be admitted at any one time is forty.

3.2       Application for entrance permit shall be filled either with the DENR-Region 4 Office, at L and S Bldg., Roxas Blvd., Manila or with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Pto. Princesa, Palawan, or whichever is convenient to applicant/s.  The applications shall be forwarded to the office of the Undersecretary for Environment and Research for his approval.

3.3       The following pertinent information and documents should be affixed and attached to the application forms. For visitors: Their name/s and nationality/ies with xerox copy of their diving license (Certification Cards) and itinerary of travel in the area for evaluation and consideration.  In case of a group visitor permit, the applicant (i.e. tour operators ) shall indicate the number and names of all visitors or companions that will be covered by the permit.  For boats/seacraft: Name and number of crew, registration papers and certification from the PCSSD Philippine Coast Guard as to its seaworthiness and appropriateness for SCUBA diving operations, respectively. For scientific researches, the proponent should submit their research plans/activities including the names and number of researchers, itinerary of travel and identity of funding institution.

3.4       Request for entrance permits must be filled at least nine (9) working days before the actual date of visit/entry to the Park.  The duration of stay in the Park will be limited to a maximum of 96 hours between arrival and departure.  Entrance permits are non-transferable.

3.5       Approved permits shall be obtained from the Office of the Undersecretary for Environment and Research, at DENR, Visayas Avenue, Diliman Quezon City.  Entrance permits issued should be presented to the PENR Office in Pto Princesa, Palawan for acknowledgment, recording and future reference.

3.6       Permits shall be issued only when the applicant had affixed his/her signature on the application form signifying his knowledge and commitment to comply with all existing rules and regulations concerning the Park.

3.7       In case the issued entrance permit was not utilized due to valid reason (e.g. typhoons) within the prescribed validity period, it should be surrendered to the nearest DENR Office within ten (10) days after the expiration date for re-scheduling.  Failure to do so will mean cancellation of said entrance permit.  Payment of entrance permits are non-refundable.

3.8       Special Collecting Officers shall be designated by the Regional Executive Director to collect fees in Manila and Palawan.

The designated Special Collecting Officers must meet the qualifications set by the Commission on Audit (COA).

SECTION 4.       Applicable fees and charges    -

4.1       Entrance Fees:

4.1.1    Phil. National - P50.00/person/visit

4.1.2    Foreign National - US $10.00 or the current peso equivalent/person/visit

4.1.3    Sea Crafts     - P500.00/boat/visit

SECTION 5.       Mode of Collection -

The following procedures shall be observed in the collection of fees:

5.1       Entrance fees shall be collected by the duly authorized Special Collecting Officer(s) prior to issuance of approved permits.  Government Official Receipts shall be issued as proof of payment.

5.2       The payment of fees shall be made on cash basis only, payable to the DENR Region 4 Office, Manila or to the DENR Office in Pto. Princesa, Palawan.

SECTION 6.       Responsibility of Special Collecting Officers -

6.1       Shall issue government official receipts and collect payments generated for the use of the Park;

6.2       Shall prepare and submit to the Secretary, as approved by the RED, and copy furnish the PAWB Quarterly reports on revenues collected and remittances to the National Treasury

SECTION 7.       Restrictions regarding use and conduct of activities inside the Park -

7.1       Tourists and visitors are not allowed to visit the 2 islets.  Visitors are not allowed to disturb any of the animals and plants inside the Park.

7.2       Hunting, killing and/or wounding of fish and wildlife, gathering/collecting of eggs, corals and shells or any resources of the Park is strictly prohibited. In case of scientific research, collection of specimens shall be covered by a gratuitous permit issued by the Secretary or his duly authorized representative.

7.3       Vandalism which includes cutting, injuring, destroying the plants; molesting and scaring the birds in the islet; breaking and handling eggs, defacing and detaching boundary markers and park signs are strictly prohibited.

7.4       Disposal of waste materials to the sea (i.e. plastics, bildged water, etc.), in any form and quantity, is strictly prohibited.

7.5       Violations of any of the above-mentioned terms and conditions stipulated will be sufficient ground for the cancellation of the permit and the permittee shall be liable to the penalties provided for under existing rules and regulations of the DENR.

SECTION 8.       This Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Adopted: 10 May 1993

(Sgd.) ANGEL C. ALCALA
Secretary