Executive Order No. 35, September 17, 2001

TRANSFERRING THE FUNCTION OF ISSUING LICENSES OR PERMITS FOR TREASURE HUNTING AND SHIPWRECK RECOVERY PERMITS FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

WHEREAS, Section 4(8), Chapter I, Title XIV, Book IV of the Administrative Code of 1987 vested upon the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) the authority to issue licenses and permits for activities related to the use and development of aquatic resources, treasure hunting, salvaging of sunken vessels and other similar undertakings;

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 416, s. of 1990, effected the transfer of the function of issuing treasure hunting licenses or permits, including those for treasure hunting within the territorial waters of the Philippines, from the DENR to the Office of the President;

WHEREAS, the abovesaid function can be better performed by the DENR, being the agency tasked to exercise supervision and control over the countrys land, forest, water and mineral resources and to enforce natural resources and environmental laws, rules and regulations;

WHEREAS, under Section 31, Chapter 10, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987, the President of the Republic of the Philippines has continuing authority to reorganize the Office of the President and to transfer any function under the Office of the President to any department or agency.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. The function of issuing licenses/permits for treasure hunting and shipwreck recovery is hereby reverted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Section 2. The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources shall take the steps necessary to effect this transfer of function and shall issue such guidelines and rules and regulations concerning the issuance of such permits and licenses.

Section 3. All executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 4. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 17th day of SEP, in the year of Our Lord, two thousand and one.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO

Executive Secretary