President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos on November 10, 1978 issued Proclamation No. 1801 entitled "Declaring certains islands, coves, and peninsulas in the Philippines as tourist zones and marine reserves under the administration and control of the Philippine Tourism Authority."
The presidential proclamation said the Philippines abounds with natural beauty and potentials for aquatic sports, tourism and marine life conservation.
It further said that these natural resources offer great potential and tremendous advantage in the growing worldwide interest in aquatic sports. That the lack of proper government control resulted in ecological imbalance to the marine environment.
The presidential proclamation identifies the tourist zone and marine reserves in Cebu:
1. Gaubian Island and vicinity (this is South East of Mactan Island)
2. Olango Island, Sulpa Island, Hilutungan, Lasuan Island, Caohanga Island and Pangan (these is South East of Mactan Island)
3. Buyong Beach (Maribago, Mactan Island, now a barangay of Lapu-Lapu City)
4. Sogod (North of Cebu City)
The legal effect of the identification of the above following islands and zone is that no development projects or construction for any purposes shall be introduced within the zones without prior approval of the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Philippine Tourism Authority.
The proclamation mandates also the Philippine Authority Authority to delineate well defined geographic areas within the zones with potential tourism value, promulgate rules and regulations subject to the approval of the President, and coordinate the integrated development of these areas for the optimum use of natural assets and attractions, as well as existing facilities.
The Proclamation of President Marcos also includes the neighboring islands of Cebu such as the islands of Dumaguete, and
1. Apo Island
2. Siquijor Island
3. Selinog Island (between Negros and Cebu)
4. Aligway Island
It was also in the proclamation that the now famous Boracay Island in the Province of Aklan was declared as a tourist zone and a marine reserve.
Also in the Province of Bohol, the proclamation declared the following as tourist zones and marine reserves:
1. Panglao Island
2. Cabilao Island
3. Balicasag Island
The islands within the territorial jurisdiction of the Province of Palawan were also declared as tourism zones and marine reserves:
Busuangan Island, Coron Island, Puerto Princesa and Surrounding areas, Malampaya Island, Canaron Island, Solitario Island, Bacuit Bay Island, Balabac Island, Fort Bunton and Busuangga Island.
In Mindanao, the following were declared as tourism zones: Al-Sulnuan Point (west of Cagayan de Oro City) and Camiguin Island. In Davao, Maliputo Island- Talicud Island, Ligid Island and eastern side of Samal Island and in Zamboanga the Big and Small Sta. Cruz Island, Sangali Cove, Sacol Island, and Malanipa Island.