First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Francis N. Bangilinan 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The increase in the number of scuba diving sports enthusiasts klas long 
been realized with the issuance of Letter of Instruction No. 745 on September 
29, 1978. Further, It was issued in recognition of the fact that Pthilippine 
Marine Resources can be a source of livelihood and recreation for a large 
segment. Letter of Instruction No. 745 created the Philippine Commission on 
the Promotion and Eevelopment of Sports Scuba Civing and mandated said 
body to formulate the necessary standards to safeguard human lives and to 
ensure the orderly conduct of underwater activities. Since then, the number 
of divers, dive shops and resorts grew in sizeable amount. 
Alongside this popularity, however, is the concurrent rise in the 
alarming numbeT-of unfortunate underwater incidents caused by accidents, 
negligence or otherwise. A perusal of the existing Letter of Instruction No. 745 
revealed the lack of government body, which holds supervisory and control 
power over underwater activities and its incidents that could have a 
contributory factor in these happenstance. 
Owing likewise to the importance of scuba sports and technicr,l diving 
to the promotion of Philippine tourism, the need to regulate the underwater 
activities is crucial. This proposed bill aims to provide standard basic dive 
rules to all levels/kinds of divers, regulate the sport and expand the 
the existing governmental agencies. This endeavors to promote 
and protect the safety of its enthusiasts through the formulation 
and the imposition of sanctions and penalties for violations therefore. 
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THIRTEENTIH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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technical diving establishments, with the end view of developing the 
the safety of its divers, and the imposition of the proper penalties for 
S E N  
sport, 
violations 
lntroduced..by Senator Francis N. Pangilinan 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Republic of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Shori Jil'le. This Act shall be known as "An Act Strengthening 
the Philippine Commission on the Promotion and Development of Scuba 
Sports and Technical Diving". 


Section 3. Composifion of the Philippine Commission on the Promotion 
and Development of Scuba Sports and Technical Diving (PCSSD). The PCSSD 
shall bg~composed of the Secretary of the Department of Tourism as Ex- 
Officio Chairman, one representative from the Department of National 
Defense to be appointed by the Secretary of the Department of National 
Defense, one representative from the Department of Environment and 
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Natural Resources (DENR) to be appointed by the 
five others from the diving communities and 
Chairman, as members. 
Section 4. Functions and Powers of the PCSSD. The PCSSD shall have 
the following functions: 
(a) Promulgate program and projects geared to the development 
of the country as a premier diving area in Asia; 
(b) Formulate rules, regulations, safety standards and operating 
procedures to implement the development of sports and 
technical scuba diving; 
(c) Undertake studies, researches and surveys for possible incentives 
to the private sector who may wish to undertake projects and 
programs beneficial to the development of Scuba Diving 
Tourism; 
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- (d) Promote, market and develop diving related infrastrucfure to 
ensure growth of diving tourism; 
(e) License and regulate all diving establishments to ensure the 
safety of domestic and international diving tourists; 
( f )  Conserve the country's marine resources, specifically in 
high touristic value: 
(9) Accredit dive groups, resorts, shops, filling stations and 
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(h) License dive masters, instructors and the like: 
(i) Provide minimum safety standards for diving operations: 
(j) Define diving malpractices and other diving violations: 
(k) Create and appoint a committee, motu proprio or upon 
complaint, to investigate divers, diving groupsiassociations in 
cases of violations or imminent danger of violating diving rules 
and procedures which may be prejudicial to the interest of the 
sport and the general public. 
(I) Pass upon the validity of the issuance and use of diving licenses 
issued by the appropriate organizations, whether lo al or 
Impose the proper sanctions, after proper notic I and 
foreign: 
hearing, such as but not limited to the imposition of 
fines/penalties and the suspension and revocation of licenses, 
for violations of the laws, rules and regulations, which may 
include: 
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(m) 
a. Serious misrepresentation or fraud in the procurement of 
licenses and/or accreditation with the appropriate 
governmental agency; 
b. Failure to comply with the Standard Diving Procedures 
pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Philippine 
Commission on the Development and Promotion of Sports 
Scuba 8, Technical Diving; 
c. - Failure or refusal to comply with any lawful order of the 
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PCSSD: 
d. Other causes analogous to the foregoing: 
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(n) To 
issue preliminary or 
permanent injunctions, whether 
prohibitory or mandatory, in all cases over which it has 
jurisdiction; 
(o)To exercise such other powers as may be provided by law, 
including those which may be implied from, or which may be 
necessary or incidental to carrying out the express powers 
granted hereunder. 
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Sec. 5. lrnplernenfing Rules and Regulations. The PCSSD is hereby 
directed to formulate the implementing rules and regulations within three (3) 
months from the enactment of this Act. 
Section 6. 
Repealing clause. 
All laws, presidential decr es or 
les or 
issuances, executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders, 
regulations contrary or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, t 
modified or amended accordingly. 
Section 7. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fiffeen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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