The Administrative Order No. 2004-33 is issued by the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources). This is the governing body that oversees all activities in the Philippine territory.
Acquiring a treasure hunting permit is the most important rule that every treasure hunters in the Philippines must be aware about. The fee costs 10,000 pesos while about $200 in US dollar currency.
By having a permit to excavate, it ensures that your operation will not encounter any issues that could put it to a halt.
Other than the permit, the Philippine Treasure Hunting Law also clarifies how sharing is to be distributed to all parties involve.
Treasure Hunting in Public Lands
Majority of treasure deposits are hidden or buried in the compounds of public lands. In order to excavate any of these domains, you need to acquire permission from the government.
If it happens that you have successfully recovered a certain treasure, the law states that the government is entitled with a share of seventy-five (75) percent while you, the finder, only received twenty-five (25) percent.
Does it sound fair? I’ll leave the answer to your own personal opinion.
Treasure Hunting in Private Owned Lands
On some cases, the hidden treasure that you are searching happens to be in the jurisdiction of a private owned land. Thus, you have to seek permission to both the government and the land owner.
Assuming that you are given permission by both sides and you have successfully recovered the hidden treasure, these two sides are entitled to receive their own respective shares.
The government must be given thirty (30) percent while the seventy (70) percent goes to the land owner and treasure hunters.
Treasure Hunting Underwater
The underwater territory of the Philippines is also filled with many treasures particularly sunken ships or vessels.
In order to explore and recover anything valuable from shipwrecks or sunken vessel, a permit from the government is required.
When it comes to sharing, the government takes fifty (50) percent value from all recovered items while the other fifty (50) percent goes to the group who did all the work.
Are Foreigners Allowed to Treasure Hunt in the Philippines?
The Philippine Government do allow foreigners to participate in any treasure hunting operations in the country. They just have to comply or abide with the laws and they will be just fine.
Aside from acquiring the necessary permit, of course, foreigners must have their authentic Visas.
It is also important that your presence (considering that you are a foreigner) is required when processing all the necessary papers to conduct treasure hunting in the country.
The Philippine Treasure Hunting Law is now official. So any treasure hunters who violates any of the rules can either be penalized or go to jail. Therefore, if you are a treasure hunter and you do not want to risk being caught by the authorities then, go and get your permit.
