RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE BUSINESS OF SPORT SCUBA DIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES
Office of the President Memorandum Order No. 275, s. 2008, the following
rules and regulations are hereby promulgated to govern the operation of
sports scuba diving establishments and sports scuba diving
professionals in the Philippines.
Chapter I
Definition/Coverage
Section 1. Definition – For the purpose of these Rules, the following shall mean:
a. License – The privilege or authority granted
and issued by the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving to own,
operate, maintain a scuba diving establishment upon compliance with the
required minimum standards set by the Commission.b. Commission or PCSSD – The Philippine Commission for the Development and Promotion of Sports Scuba Diving.
c. Sports Scuba Diving Establishment – Any
business establishment engaged in the conduct of sports scuba diving
activities in the Philippines whether or not for a fee.d. Department or DOT – Department of Tourism.
e. MARINA – Maritime Industry Authority.
f. Scuba Diving Tour Operator – An
establishment that is duly licensed by the PCSSD to conduct sports scuba
diving activities and promotes, sells, or market sports scuba diving
tours.g. Dive Boat Operator – For establishment or person that operates a
sail or motor boat duly licensed by appropriate government agencies to
service scuba divers.h. Dive Resort – Any motor-run or sail operated
boat or dive banca with or without live-aboard facilities that are offered to the public/tourists (domestic or foreign) for a fee.i. Dive Resort – An establishment that is duly
accredited by the DOT and PCSSD that offers food, accommodation and
scuba diving facilities to the public for a fee.j. Professional Dive Center – An establishment engaged in any or all of the following activities:
1) Selling scuba diving-related equipment
2) Renting out scuba diving-related equipment
3) Providing air fill service
4) Servicing and repair of scuba diving-related equipment
5) Conducting scuba diving courses or underwater toursk. Dive Facility – An establishment engaged in any or all of the following activities:
1) Selling scuba diving related equipment
2) Renting out scuba diving related equipment
3) Providing air fill service
4) Conduct scuba diving courses or underwater toursl. Sports Scuba Diving Professional – A diver with
a rank of instructor, assistant instructor, or divemaster as certified
by an international or nationally recognized certifying agency who
conducts sports scuba diving activities in the Philippines whether or
not for a fee.m. Dive Guide – A current active certified diver
to the stated rating of a national and or International training agency
or its equivalent who is engaged in sports scuba diving with 50 to 100
dives and is familiar with the area.
Chapter II
Application and Issuance of License
Section 1. Mandatory Licensing – No person, natural or
juridical, shall operate or manage a scuba diving establishment without first being licensed by the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba
Diving.
Section 2. Who May Apply
a. Any dive professional desiring to give lessons, assist in the
training, or conduct activities related to sports scuba diving in the
Philippines whether or not for a fee.
b. Any establishment organized under Philippine laws and duly
registered with appropriate government agency/s engaged in sports scuba
diving activities whether or not for a fee.
Section 3. Branch or Extension Office – No branch
or extension office of scuba diving establishments may be operated
unless said branch or extension office shall have been licensed by the
commission.
Section 4. Requirements for Licensing
A. Dive Boat Operator
1. License/permit from appropriate government agencies to engage in
such activities as diving, fishing, boat charter, cruising, or similar
activities;
2. Certificate of ownership of vessel;
3. Incorporation papers and By-Laws for vessels owned by a juridical entity;
4. List of managerial and rank and file employees with their respective position, citizenship, and home address;
5. Complete listing of equipment with color photographs;
6. List of safety equipment and personnel and a certificate from the
owner that it or he or she owns such equipment and has trained
personnel to operate at the same time.
7. Current third party liability accident insurance;
In addition to the above equipment and personnel, a dive boat with accommodation facilities shall have the following:
1. Bunk bends (minimum size 27” x 75”) with 2½” thick mattress and a
pillow in a sheltered area of the boat that is properly ventilated;
2. A dining area with a seating capacity of not less than fifty percent (50%) of the boat’s rated passenger capacity;
3. At least one (1) toilet and shower room for every six (6) passengers. Toilet and shower room may be separated or combined;
4. The capacity to hold enough fresh drinking water for the passengers
and crew computed at a minimum of forty (40) liters per person, per
tour day; and
5. At least two (2) service boats.
B. Professional Dive Center
1. Pertinent registration certificate (SEC Registration
Certificate and/or Business Name Registration Certificate), permits from
concerned local government unit (LGU) and other appropriate government
agencies;
2. List of managerial and rank and file employees with their respective position, citizenship, and home address;
3. Current and valid third party liability accident insurance;
C. Dive Facility
1. Pertinent registration certificate (SEC Registration
Certificate and/or Business Name Registration Certificate), permits from
the concerned LGU and other appropriate government agencies;
2. List of managerial and rank and file employees with their respective position, citizenship, and home address;
3. Current third party liability accident insurance.
D. Sports Scuba Diving Professionals
1. Certified true copy of a national or internationally recognized current and valid status card or certification;
2. A sworn affidavit that he/she will adhere to the safety and
ethical standards of his/ her certifying agency or a copy of the
contractual agreement with his/her contractual agency;
3. For foreign nationals, a valid and appropriate visa from the
Bureau on Immigration and Deportation for a minimum period of 3 months;
4. Current employment permit from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE);
5. Current and valid third party liability accident insurance;
6. Certificate of employment for foreign national employed by a Dive
Establishment, who conducts sports and scuba diving activities whether
or not for a fee.
Section 5. Accreditation – Resorts which provide board and
lodging to scuba divers and establishments engaged in the promotion of
scuba diving tours duly accredited by DOT, may be accredited by the
Commission as Dive resorts and Scuba Diving Tour Operators respectively
upon submission of the license to operate from the appropriate LGU and
accreditation certificate from the Department of Tourism. There shall be
no accreditation fee. However, they shall pay the required processing
fee and the cost of the accreditation sticker.
Section 6. Inspection of the Applicant Establishment – An
inspection of the facilities, equipment and premises of the applicant
establishment shall be conducted by the Commission to be composed of a
team from NAVSOG and PCSSD for the purpose of determining whether it
meets the minimum standards set by the Commission within a reasonable
period after submission of the documentary requirements and upon payment
of the required fees.
Section 7. Inspection Before Issuance of Permits by LGU –
The inspection of the facilities, equipment and premises of the
applicant establishment shall be conducted before any permit is issued
by the concerned local government units to ensure compliance with
operating and safety standards.
Section 8. Issuance of License – The establishment
applicant shall be issued the License within fifteen (15) working days
after inspection and submission of all documentary requirements and
payment of all necessary fees. Licenses for individual applicants shall
be issued 5 working days upon submission of all documentary requirements
and payment of all necessary fees.
Section 9. License Fee – The following schedule of
license fee shall be collected from the applicants that have complied
with the requirements for registration and licensing with the
Commission:
A. Sports Scuba Diving Establishments Annual License Fee 1. Dive Boat Operator P 5,000.00 2. Professional Dive Center 5,000.00 3. Dive Facility 5,000.00 4. Branch or Extension Office 1,500.00 B. Sports Scuba Diving Professionals Annual License Fee 1. Dive Instructor P1,000.00 2. Assistant Dive Instructor/Divemaster 750.00
The above license fee may be increased by the Commission to cover
expenses incurred in adopting and applying new technology in the conduct
of the inspection to ensure welfare and safety of sports scuba diving
stakeholders and clients or enthusiasts.
Section 10. Validity of License – The license issued under
these Rules and Regulations shall be valid for a period of one (1) year
from the date of its issuance by the Commission.
Section 11. Display of Permits and Other Documents – The following must be displayed conspicuously by the licensee in his establishment:
a. Current and appropriate PCSSD license of the establishment
b. Permits from the LGU
c. List of diving professionals and technical staff employed or
contracted by the establishment with their respective positions.
Section 12. License Cards – Dive Instructors/Assistant Dive
Instructors, and Dive-masters, shall be issued License cards which they
must carry whenever they engage in the activity for which they have
been licensed by the Commission.
Section 13. Replacement of Loss of License Cards – A
written notice of loss shall accompany a request for replacement of lost
license card. Replacement shall be issued within one (1) month from the
date of notice of loss. The applicant shall pay the appropriate
replacement cost in accordance with existing guidelines of the
Commission.
Section 14. Renewal of License – Application for the
renewal of license shall be filed on or before its expiration. Late
applicants shall be subjected to an administrative penalty equivalent to
fifty percent (50%) of the scheduled fees.
Section 15. Documents Required for Application for Renewal of License
– The application for renewal of license shall be signed by persons
authorized to sign the application and shall be supported by the
following documents:
A. Sports Scuba Diving Establishments
1. Certified true copy of the amended or revised SEC Registration
Certificate, By-Laws, Articles of Incorporation, Partnership if
applicable;
2. List and information sheets of additional personnel, if any,
including any change in the organizational chart of the establishment;
3. Barangay or Police or NBI Clearance of the Manager;
4. Marketing and other statistical data that the Commission may require;
5. Valid and adequate accident liability insurance.
B. Sports Scuba Diving Professionals
1. Submission of marketing statistical data – number of students
trained for the year, their respective nationality, gender, and similar
relevant information;
2. Submit either an NBI or Barangay or Police Clearance;
3. Photocopy of Current Diver’s Certification Card (C-Card);
4. Valid and adequate accident liability insurance.
Chapter III
Employment of Staff
Section 1. Qualification of the Manager – To qualify as Manager, an applicant shall:
a. Be a citizen and resident of the Philippines or foreign national with permanent resident status; and
b. In case the manager is a foreign national, a Filipino under study should be trained to take on the job.
Section 2. Employment of Staff – In the employment of other members of the staff of an establishment, the following conditions shall be complied with:
a. That the staff member is of good moral character and have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.
Chapter IV
Prohibited Acts
Section 1. Dive establishments and dive professionals shall prohibit the following acts:
a. Collection or destruction of corals;
b. Capture of or harm to endangered marine species;
c. Use of toxic chemicals in the course of diving;
d. Spearfishing using scuba;
e. Salvage of or transferring with any sunken artifacts without the necessary permit from proper authorities.
Chapter V
Imposition of Fine, Suspension, Cancellation and/or Non-Renewal of License
Section 1. Grounds for the Imposition of Fine, Suspension, Cancellation and/or Non-renewal of License
– Any of the following acts of omissions shall be sufficient grounds
for the imposition of fine, suspension or cancellation of the license
depending on the circumstance and gravity of each given case:
a. Non-compliance with, or non-submission of, any of the requirements for the renewal of the license;
b. Violation of any of the provision of the Rules, circulars and orders of the Commission;c. Fraudulent representation, written or oral, by the Chief
Executive Officer/Manager of the establishment for the purpose of
securing issuance of renewal of any license under these Guidelines;
d. Gross and evident bad faith in dealing with clients or
fraudulent solicitation of business or similar schemes that works
against the overall interest of the sports scuba industry as determined
by the Commission;
e. Tolerance of gross misconduct, dishonesty or misrepresentation
committed by any of the establishment’s officer or employee against its
clients to the detriment of sports scuba diving in the Philippines; or
gross misrepresentation in its advertisement and promotion that
downgrade sports scuba diving or is detrimental to marine conservation.
f. Employment or hiring of scuba diving instructors, assistant scuba diving instructors. And dive masters who are not holders of a license or permit issued
by the Commission including working visa or work permit issued by
appropriate government agencies in the case of non-Filipino employees,
whether contractual or permanent.
g. Failure to pay fines as fees, dues, and contributions, imposed under existing laws;
h. Failure to obey or comply with the duly promulgated orders, decisions and ruling of the Commission;
i. Violation of any laws, administrative orders, circulars,
directives, and rules and regulation either of the Commission or of any
other government agency as found by the latter.
Chapter VI
General Provisions
Section 1. Insurance – It is mandatory for all dive
establishments and dive professionals engaged in the conduct of sports
scuba diving activities to be covered with valid adequate accident
liability insurance. Evidence of coverage with an insurance company
acceptable to the Commission must be presented.
Section 2. Advertisements – Broadcast or print
advertisements must conform to the advertising ethical standards set by
the domestic advertising industry association governing fraudulent
representations.
Section 3. Rental, Loan, or Transfer of Controlled Scuba Diving Equipment
A. Sports scuba diving establishments and professionals are
prohibited from selling, renting, lending or transferring any of the
following controlled scuba diving equipment or their accessories unless a
record is made of any such sale, lease, loan, or transfer indicating
therein the name, address, and diver’s certification card or other
reputable proof of diver qualification of the vendee, rentee, or
transferee:
1. Low pressure or high pressure air compressor
2. Diving regulator
3. Air cylinder
4. Buoyancy compensator
5. Diving instruments such as computers and gauges
B. Professional Dive Centers and Dive Facilities shall control and
limit rentals of the following controlled equipment to one (1) set per
certified diver, upon presentation of a C-card:
1. High pressure air compressor for breathing purposes
2. High pressure air cylinder for scuba diving purposes shall be limited to a maximum of two (2) sets
3. Diving regulator
4. Buoyancy compensator
5. Diving instruments such as computers and gaugesInstructors are exempted from the above mentioned limitations on the number of equipment to be rented.
Section 4. Conduct of Scuba Diving Courses
a. All scuba courses must be conducted by a licensed and certified
instructor or by an assistant instructor with a current teaching status.
b. Complete record of each student must be kept on file for at least five (5) years.
Section 5. Airfill Station
a. Scuba cylinders, brought in for filling must have a hydrostatic test date of not more than five (5) years.
b. Customers bringing in tanks for filling must present proof of diving certification.
c. Professional Dive Centers/Facilities shall likewise keep records
of all airfill. Each cylinder must have the serial number, hydrostatic
test date recorded and filed by the airfill station as part of the air
station compressor log.
d. All compressors must be carefully maintained and filters changed
per operator’s manual or manufacturer’s specifications to prevent
contamination of air in the cylinder. An accurate log book of the
compressor’s daily operations must be kept.
Section 6. Equipment and Repair Service
a. A complete record of all repair jobs done must be kept on file for at least five (5) years; and
b. A file on scuba cylinders not passing the hydrostatic test must
be kept. The owners of these condemned cylinders must be informed of the
cylinder’s condition. Condemned cylinders cannot be filled.
Chapter VII
Rules and Procedures Governing Complaints and Hearing Before the Commission
Section 1. Form and Contents of Complaints – Every
complaint filed with the Commission must be under oath or affirmation
and shall included the names and addresses of the complainant and
respondent, the date when the action arose, the grounds relied upon the
relief sought under these Rules and Regulations, Provided that the
Commission may take cognizance of the violation of any of the provisions
of these Rules and regulations that may come to its knowledge even
without filing of formal complaint.
Section 2. Complaint of Tourists or Transients – Where the
complainant is a foreign tourist or transient who is about to leave the
country, a simple statement duly signed by the complainant shall be
sufficient in order for the PCSSD to take cognizance thereof and act on
the same in the most efficient manner with due regard to the
requirements of due process of law at all times.
Section 3. Number of Copies – An executed original
and three copies of the complaint and other documents in support
thereof shall be filed with the Commission. Where the complainant is a
foreign tourist, Section 2 of this Chapter shall apply.
Section 4. Answer – Upon receipts of the complaint, the
Commission shall furnish the respondent a copy thereof together with all
its supporting annexes and shall require the respondent to file his
answer thereto within seven (7) working days from receipt of such
complaint together with the respondent’s own evidence or supporting
documents.
Section 5. Hearing and Investigation – The Executive Director
shall act on the complaint and/or may request the assistance of an
expert from within the Commission or the DOT to assist in the
disposition of the case in accordance with these Guidelines and the
applicable provision of rules and regulation promulgated by the
Commission. In all cases, the hearing and investigation of a complaint
shall be conducted as soon as practicable and the report or resolution
thereof shall be issued or promulgated within fifteen (15) days from the
time that the case has been submitted by the parties for resolution or
decision.
Section 6. Appearance of Counsel – Given the administrative
nature of the proceedings in the Commission, a party may or not be
represented or assisted by a counsel. The Commission encourages however
that a party be as much as possible assisted and/or represented by
his/her counsel or choice in the interest of due process.
Section 7. Testimony Taken Under Oath, Etc. – The testimony
of all witnesses shall be made under oath or affirmation, and all
proceedings shall be taken down recorded and transcribed by a duly
appointed personnel of the Commission who shall avail of a tape recorder
or any other modern device available for the purpose, so as to ensure
the faithful recording and transcription of the proceedings of the case.
Section 8. Nature of Proceedings – The proceedings before
the Commission shall be administrative, non-litigious and summary in
nature. Nothing in these Rules and Regulations shall prevent the
Commission from resorting to applicable rules in ordinary legal
proceedings in the interest of rendering justice to a case.
Section 9. Preliminary Conference – In any action, the
Executive Director and/or any person designated by the Commission to
hear and investigate the complaint may direct the parties and their
counsel before the actual hearing to appear before it for a conference
to consider:
a. The possibility of an amicable settlement of private interest involved in the case;
b. The clarification of issues involved;
c. The possibility of obtaining admission or stipulation of facts; and
d. Such other matters as may aid in the just, speedy, and inexpensive disposition of the case.
The Executive Director or the designated hearing officer shall rule
or make an order upon the action taken at the conference and such rule
or order when entered shall serve as a guide in the subsequent course of
action or hearing of the case unless further modified in the interest
of justice.
Section 10. Amicable Settlement – Unless it shall be
prejudicial to public interest or to third parties, the Executive
Director or the designated hearing officer of the case may endeavor to effect an amicable settlement of the case at any stage of the
proceedings, provided, it shall not be contrary to any law, rule or
regulation nor against public policy. The amicable settlement shall be
reduced in writing, duly signed by the parties and their counsel,
whenever applicable, which shall be the basis of an order or resolution
of the case by the Commission.
Section 11. Production of Relevant Documents – The
Executive Director or the designated hearing officer shall have the
authority to administer oath or affirmation and to receive evidence,
provided however, that, production of relevant documents or evidence
material in the resolution of the complaint may be compelled by the
Executive Director or the hearing officer from a concerned party.
Non-submission or compliance with the production or submission of said
evidence or documents as required shall be required and the case shall
be resolved in accordance with the available documents or evidence on
record. Consideration of the documents or evidence submitted by a party
pursuant to this provision shall not be bound by the technical rules on
evidence, provided, however that the Executive Director or the
designated hearing officer may adopt applicable laws and the rules of
court in suppletory character in the interest of the speedy and proper
resolution of the case.
Section 12. Resolution/Decision – The Executive Director
shall resolve or decide the case within fifteen (15) days from the
submission thereof by the parties for resolution/decision. Resolution or
decision shall be promulgated by the Executive Director. Whenever a
case is heard and investigated by a designated hearing officer, he/she
shall submit his/her report of hearing and investigation together with
copies of the transcribed proceedings and all pertinent documents of the
case to the Executive Director within seven (7) days from submission of
the case for resolution/decision by the parties and the Executive
Director shall, upon consideration of the entire documents of the case,
shall promulgate the resolution or decision of the case within seven (7)
days from the transmittal of the case by the hearing officer.
Section 13. Motion for Reconsideration – The party
adversely affected by any resolution or decision may file a motion for
reconsideration within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the resolution
or decision, which motion for reconsideration shall be based solely on
any of the following grounds:
a. Newly discovered evidence which materially affects the resolution or decision rendered; and
b. Errors of law or irregularities prejudicial to the substantial
rights and interest of the party adversely affected have been
committed.
The Motion for Reconsideration shall be resolved by the Executive Director within ten (10) days from receipt thereof.
Section 14. Appeal – The resolution or decision rendered by
the Executive Director including the resolution in a motion for
reconsideration may be appealed by an adverse party to the Commission
within seven (7) days from receipt thereof. The Commission shall resolve
said appeal within ten (10) days from receipt thereof which resolution
shall be concerned as final in so far as the case before the Commission
is concerned and in the event of imposition of an administrative
penalty, the same shall be applied and satisfied against the adverse
party in accordance with the tenor of the decision and these rules and
regulations, without prejudice however on the part of the adverse party
to resort to subsequent appeals before higher authorities or tribunals
pursuant to existing laws.
Section 15. Applicable Periods – The period to file answer
and other responsive pleadings shall be seven (7) days from receipt of
the order by the concerned party. Failure to comply with said period,
without justifiable written excuse favorable considered by the Executive
Director or of the designated hearing officer of the case, shall be
deemed a waiver on the part of the party. Action of the Executive
Director or the designated hearing officer on the written excuse shall
be final and non-appealable.
Section 16. Continuous Hearing of the Case – Hearings and
investigation of a case shall be conducted continuously within the
period set by the Executive Director or the designated hearing officer.
Failure by a party to attend a scheduled hearing despite notice shall be
deemed a waiver on its part to be present and to present evidence in
its favor and the hearing shall proceed ex parte.
Section 17. Special Board of Inquiry – The Commission shall
create a Special Board of Inquiry to be chaired by one Commissioner
with four (4) members to be designated by the Commission representing
the following disciplines:
a. Technical;
b. Medical;
c. Legal; and
d. Representing the Dive Community.
The Special Board of Inquiry shall be tasked with the following functions:
a. Conduct fact-findings investigation on cases of accidents involving a diver or a scuba diving establishment;
b. Submit its findings through a written report to the Commission;
c. Provide the Commission with complete information on facts
gathered in a particular investigation and render technical advice to
the Commission on how similar situation may be addressed or avoided in
the interest of safety of the divers and for the purpose of upgrading
existing policies and rules and regulations of the Commission.
The Special Board of Inquiry, in the conduct of its investigation,
may require the appearance of witnesses to provide material information
which testimony shall be recorded by the Board.
Section 18. Reporting the Accident to the Commission –
Diving accidents that warrant professional medical attention should be
reported in writing within 48 hours by the dive leader and the dive
establishment to the Commission containing all pertinent data about that
particular dive(s); likewise, the involved dive leader and the scuba
diving establishment shall make available to the Commission the victims
scuba diving equipment.
Section 19. Preliminary Hearing – The Executive Director of
the Commission shall immediately, within one week after the receipt of
the report, activate the Special Board of Inquiry that shall immediately
conduct a preliminary hearing of the incident.
Chapter VIII
Other Promotional and Conservation Activities
Section 1. Purpose – The Commission shall also undertake
activities intended to promote and develop recreational diving among
local and foreign tourists, as well as the formulation and
implementation of programs on marine conservation in the Philippines.
Section 2. Types of Activities – The types of other activities which the Commission is mandated to undertake are:
a. Promote scuba diving and skin diving among local and foreign enthusiast;
b. Discover and open for development potential scuba diving sites in the country;
c. Develop scuba diving sites by encouraging and providing
incentives in accordance with applicable laws to private sector
investors to ensure that proper facilities are built and made available
to the industry;
d. Plan and/or draft plans for the future development of the sport of scuba diving in the Philippines;
e. Educate the general public on the benefits of scuba diving;
f. Issue guidelines for the conduct of sports scuba diving activities;
g. Coordinate with local government units and national government agencies to pursue interest in the sport;
h. Accredit qualified stakeholders that will be allowed to
participate in various promotions aspect of the sport and collect
reasonable fees for the purpose;
i. Regulate the activity to ensure that it is conducted in a safe and responsible manner;
j. Undertake environmental protection and conservation efforts to preserve the natural beauty of the various dives sites;
k. Propose legislation that will benefit scuba diving;
l. Perform other related activities in consonance with the mandate of the Commission.
Chapter IX
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. Administrative Penalties – The
Commission through its resolution or decision promulgated by the
Executive Director may impose any of the administrative penalties
provided for under these Rules and Regulations against any person,
natural or juridical, found liable for violating the same.
Section 2. Confidential Character of Data – All information
and documents received by or filed with the Commission in pursuance of
the requirements of these Rules and Regulations shall be treated as
confidential and shall not be disclosed to any private party without the
consent of the party who submitted said information or upon order of
the court. Any official or employee of the Commission who shall violate
the provision of this Section shall be guilty of an offense under
applicable laws and rules and regulations of the Commission.
Section 3. Means to Carry into Effect the Purpose, Intent and Spirit of These Rules –
If the procedure to be followed in a given situation is not
specifically provided for under these Rules and Regulations, any
suitable procedure or mode of proceedings which appears conformable to
the purpose, intent, and spirit hereof may be adopted by the Commission
in the interest of the promotion and development of sports scuba diving.
Section 4. Enlistment of Aid, Assistance, and Support of Other Government Agencies
– In the implementation of the provisions of these Rules and
Regulations, Circulars and enforcement of resolutions and decisions of
the Commission or any person acting under it, the Commission may enlist
the aid assistance, and support of any concerned government agency to effect the same.
Section 5. Separability Clause – The provisions of these
Rules are separable and in the event that any one or more provisions are
declared invalid by any competent authority, the validity of other
provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby.
Section 6. Repealing Clause – All existing Rules and
Regulations, Circulars, Administrative Orders which are inconsistent
with the provisions hereof are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
Chapter X
Effectivity
These Rules and Regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general
circulation.
Adopted: 28 Jan. 2009
(SGD.) SEC. JOSEPH ACE H. DURANO
Department of Tourism