Section 4Sec./Art. 4

Definition of Terms. - For purpose of this Act:

(a) Archipelagic sea lanes refer to the designated sea lanes in the archipelagic waters and air routes thereabove through which foreign vessels or aircraft may exercise the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage;

(b) Archipelagic sea lanes passage refers to the exercise of the rights of navigation and overflight in the normal mode solely for the purpose of continuous, expeditious, and unobstructed transit between one part of the high exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and another part of the high seas or an EEZ: Provided, That such passage is not prejudicial to the peace, good order, and security of the Philippines;

(c) Archipelagic waters refer to the waters on the landward side of the archipelagic baselines as defined in the Philippine Maritime Zones Act;

(d) Associated protective measures refer to measures that the Philippines may adopt to regulate international maritime activities for the protection of areas at risk from navigation and overflight. These shall include all measures adopted or proposed for adoption in accordance with the regulations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO);

(e) Bioprospecting refers to the research, collection, and utilization of biological and genetic resources for purposes of applying the knowledge derived therefrom for commercial purposes;

(f) Hydrographic survey refers to a survey for the determination of data relating to bodies of water. It may consist of the determination of one or several of the following classes of data: depth of water; configuration and nature of the bottom directions and force of currents, heights and times of tides and water stages; and location of topographic features and fixed objects for survey and navigation purposes;(g) Oceanographic survey refers to a study or examination of any physical, chemical, biological, geological, or geophysical condition in the ocean or any part of it. It is an expedition to gather data, samples, or information for such studies or examinations;

(h) Right of innocent passage refers to the continuous and expeditious passage of foreign vessels through the territorial sea that is not prejudicial to the peace, good order, or security of the Philippines. The passage includes stopping and anchoring, but only insofar as the same are incidental to ordinary navigation or are rendered necessary by force majeure, distress, or to render assistance to persons, ships, or aircraft in danger or distress. Passage shall be considered prejudicial to the peace, good order, or security of the Philippines if, in the territorial sea, the vessel engages in any of the activities enumerated in Article 19 of the UNCLOS. Subject to Article 53 and without prejudice to Article 50 of the UNCLOS, ships of all States shall also enjoy the right of innocent passage through archipelagic waters;

(i) Traffic separation scheme refers to a routeing measure for the separation of opposing streams of traffic by appropriate means and by the establishment of traffic lanes; and

(j) Territorial sea refers to the adjacent belt of sea measured twelve (12) nautical miles from the baselines as defined in the Philippine Maritime Zone Act.