MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
[ Executive Order No. 473, August 5, 1991 ]
ESTABLISHMENT OF SEA LANES FOR THE USE OF FISHING VESSELS IN PROCEEDING TO AND FROM THEIR FISHING AREAS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS
WHEREAS, international disputes have frequently arisen involving foreign fishing vessels and their crews found inside the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines, particularly those occurring in waters between the Bashi and Balintang channels and of the Batanes Islands in the China Sea;
WHEREAS, it is desirable that such disputes be avoided in the interest of the international relations of the Philippines;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, do hereby order:
Section 1. Establishment of Sea Lanes. There are hereby established two (2) sea lanes to be used by foreign fishing vessels in proceeding to their fishing areas in the South Pacific Ocean (outbound) and in returning to their home ports (inbound) which are described as follows:
(a) Outbound Sea Lane:
Fishing vessels shall start at point A (at lat. 21 deg. 24 min. N and long 120 deg. - 55 min. E) sailing eastward to point B (at lat. 21 deg. - 24 min. N and long 122 deg. - 05 min. E) turning SE to point C (at lat. 21 deg. - 00 min. N and long 122 deg. - 26 min. E) and then proceeding to their destination at the South Pacific Ocean. Sea Lane from point A to C shall have a total width of 10 nautical miles.
(b) Inbound Sea Lanes:
Fishing vessels shall start at point D (at lat. 19 deg. 00 min. N and long 122 deg. - 42 min. E) sailing NW to point E (at lat. 19 deg. - 20 min. N and long 122 deg. - 27 min. E) thence bearing NNW to point F (at lat. 20 deg. - 08 min. N and long 122 deg. - 20 min. E) thence turning W to point G (at lat. 20 deg. - 08 min. N and long 121 deg. - 27 min. E) to point A (at lat. 21 deg. - 24 min. N and 120 deg. - 55 min. N) and thence proceeding to their home ports. Width of Route from point D to E, E to F and G to A shall each have a total of 12 nautical miles while the width of the Route F to G shall have a total of 6 nautical miles.
Section 2. Requirements for the Use of Sea Lanes. All fishing vessels, using the aforesaid sea lanes, shall be subject to Philippine maritime, immigration and customs laws and regulations and to monitoring and inspection by the Philippine Navy and/or Coast Guard vessels and, moreover, shall:
a. Provide prior notification to the Philippine Coast Guard and/or to the Philippine Navy each time they use the designated sea lanes;
b. Proceed without delay;
c. Stow the fishing gear of the vessels and not perform any fishing activities;
d. Refrain from the use of force of any kind, or any other acts in violation of the principles of international law embodied in the Charter of the United Nations;
e. Refrain from any activities other than those incident to their normal modes of continuous and expeditious transit unless rendered necessary by force majeure or by distress;
f. Comply with generally accepted international regulations, procedures and practices for safety at sea;
g. Not pollute the sea lanes; and
h. Not carry out research or survey activities without the prior authorization of the Philippine Government.
Section 3. Guidelines for Fishing Vessels to Enter Designated Ports. Such fishing vessels may be authorized to enter certain designated ports of the Philippines for the purpose of obtaining supplies and services; repairing of vessels; and unloading, shipping and trans-shipping of catches, provided that there are established in such ports certain infrastructures which will develop the aforesaid ports into a fishing base port, including improvements of harbor and mooring facilities; construction of ice-making, cold storage plants and relevant services, all investments in said infrastructure to be made consistent with Philippine investments laws and regulations.
Section 4. Implementing Agency. The Department of National Defense shall implement the provisions of this Executive Order and monitor compliance with relevant Philippine laws and regulations.1aшphi1
Section 5. Effectivity Clause. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
DONE in the City of Manila, this 5th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-one.
(Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO
President of the Philippines
By the President:
(Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON
Executive Secretary
The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation
