the local government of Sablayan declaring the reef a special "Tourism Zone and Marine Reserve" three years later. In 1996, the entire reef was declared a protected natural park by then-president Fidel Ramos. In 2006, the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources submitted the reef to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre for consideration as a World Heritage Site. Following a survey by the local chapter of the World Wide Fund for Nature, fishing within the reef was banned by the Philippine government in September 2007. The marine park opened for tourists to help generate funds for its protection as well as provide an alternative livelihood for hundreds of fishermen in the area. All people accessing Apo Reef need to pay an environmental fee. Marine biodiversity See also Apo Reef Light List of protected areas of the Philippines List of reefs List of World Heritage Sites in the Philippines Tubbataha Reef Verde Island Passage References Bibliography Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Conservation of Priority Protected Areas Project, Apo Reef Natural Park Brochure. Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro; List of Proclaimed Marine Protected Areas; Protected Areas And Wildlife Bureau, 2004. External links Apo Reef Natural Park Official Website (DENR) Travel Guide: Sablayan (Apo Reef/Pandan Island) Coral reefs Underwater diving sites in the Philippines Reefs of the Philippines Natural parks of the Philippines Landforms of Occidental Mindoro Islands of Occidental Mindoro Tourist attractions in Occidental Mindoro World Heritage Tentative List for the Philippines