The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) barred all ships with a gross tonnage of 150 and up from sailing in the vicinity of the 4,470-square kilometer area-to-be-avoided (ATBA) in the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP) to avoid the risk of accidental groundings. The order was likewise issued after the area was declared as particularly sensitive sea area (PSSA) in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Ship Routing 2017 edition,” Commodore Joselito dela Cruz, commander of PCG – Palawan said. Notice to Mariners: Dela Cruz, said the prohibition order was contained in the Notice to Mariners signed and sent by Lieutenant Commander Eugenio Federico, Acting Deputy Chief of the Coast Guard Staff for Maritime Safety Services, CG-8, last September 18.

Coast Guard, IMO beef up drive to preserve, protect Tubbataha Reefs. (2017, September 23). Manila Bulletin, p. 6.