The Association has been informed by Del Rosario & Del Rosario, our correspondents in the Philippines, of the latest developments concerning the collection by the Province of Zambales of the Provincial Coastwatch Environmental Monitoring System User Fee.

According to Del Rosario & Del Rosario, this issue was considered by the Congress of the Philippines, which confirmed that the acts of the Province of Zambales were not in order. A report has been issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) stating that the action of the Province of Zambales is not in conformity with UNCLOS or other local regulations, and recommending that the Province suspend the ordinance which brought in the fee.

As of today, however, the Province of Zambales has yet to revise, amend or modify the ordinance.  In this respect, Del Rosario & Del Rosario has recommended that owners who have received invoices from the Province of Zambales should suspend the payment and await further developments.