MALACAÑANG
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

MEMORANDUM ORDER No. 275

REASSUMPTION OF THE REGULATION OF SPORTS SCUBA DIVING ACTIVITIES BY THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION ON THE PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS SCUBA DIVING (PCSSD)

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 7160, also known as the Local Government Code of 1991, endeavored that local government units be self-reliant and that in addition to the powers they currently discharge, these units are mandated to discharge the functions and responsibilities of national agencies and offices devolved to them particularly those relating to tourism facilities and other tourist attractions, acquisition of equipment, regulation and supervision of business concessions, and security services for facilities;

WHEREAS, the functions and responsibilities devolved do not include regulation, promotion and development of recreational diving;

WHEREAS, it is the Philippine Commission on the Promotion and Development of Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD) which is empowered and authorized to regulate, promote and develop recreational diving as provided for under Letter of Instruction No. 745, S. 1978;

WHEREAS, the regulation, promotion and development of recreational diving is a highly technical activity which will require professional technical expertise;

WHEREAS, there is also a need to regulate and ensure the safety of local and foreign divers and which assurance can only be achieved through proper regulation and monitoring of the different dive establishments, persons, and facilities which offer services to dive enthusiasts;

NOW THEREFORE, I GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order that:

SECTION 1. The Philippine Commission on the Promotion and Development of Sports Scuba Diving is directed and authorized to exercise the power and function of regulating the operation of dive establishments and activities of dive professionals, in accordance with its mandate under Letter of Instruction No. 745, S. 1978.

SECTION 2. The Department of the Interior and Local Government is directed to coordinate with all local government units to effect the immediate and efficient implementation of this Order.

SECTION 3. This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila this 23rd day of November, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Seven.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary