Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19th CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  ____ 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. BERNADETTE “DETTE” G. ESCUDERO 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR BLUE ECONOMY, PROMOTING 
STEWARDSHIP  AND  SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL AND MARINE 
ECOSYSTEMS AND  RESOURCES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Being endowed with extensive, vast, and abundant maritime resources, our nation's 
potential in the maritime sector is yet to be fully realized, hence, this bill seeks to leverage these to 
foster sustainable economic growth, environmental conservation, and social welfare by establishing 
a Blue Economy Industry framework.  
The ocean economy of the Philippines covers 1,830 sq. km of territorial sea, and its 
coastline of more than 7,000 islands spans a total 36,289 km, making it the 5th longest coastline in 
the world. It is geographically located at the apex of the Coral Triangle, which is the global center 
of marine diversity where 76% of the world’s coral species live, and home to at least 2,228 species 
of reef fish (Asian Development Bank, 2014). 
Many studies highlight the Philippines' remarkable marine potential and emphasizes the 
urgent need to tap into the Blue Economy, which encompasses various sectors such as fisheries, 
aquaculture, maritime transportation, renewable energy, and tourism. This initiative aligns with 
global trends that promote a holistic approach to maritime resources utilization, emphasizing the 
importance of responsible governance, technological innovation, and community engagement. 
Echoing a global sentiment, the proposed legislative measure finds resonance with the 
United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 14: Life Below Water. This aligns 
seamlessly with the Philippines' commitment to responsible ocean resource utilization, positioning 
the nation as a custodian of marine ecosystems on the international stage (United Nations, n.d.). 
By adopting this framework, the country can unlock the immense potential of its maritime 
resources while safeguarding the environment and promoting inclusive growth. This measure 
reflects a strategic and forward-looking approach that aligns with global sustainability goals and 
ensures a brighter future for both current and future generations. 
BERNADETTE “DETTE” G. ESCUDERO 
September 5, 2023
4:55 pm
9050


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19th CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  ____ 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. BERNADETTE “DETTE” G. ESCUDERO 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR BLUE ECONOMY, PROMOTING 
STEWARDSHIP  AND  SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL AND MARINE 
ECOSYSTEMS AND  RESOURCES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in session 
assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Blue Economy Act." 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to: 
(a) Adopt blue economy as a framework for sustainable and safe use and development of
marine wealth  within  our Maritime  Zones, as a pillar of our national economy and
patrimony;
(b) Exercise stewardship of our seas and  coasts, and  protect  and  conserve the health
and  resilience  of marine  and  coastal  ecosystems and  habitats  to promote the well-
being,  prosperity and security of present and future  generations;
(c) Preserve   our  maritime   heritage,   recognize   the  social,  cultural,   and historical
value of our seas and coasts, and foster public understanding and respect of the value
of our seas and coasts to build a strong foundation for social responsibility;
(d) Enrich scientific  understanding of marine  and  coastal  ecosystems,  the  benefits  we
gain  from  these  ecosystems  (e.g.  carbon sequestration), their  changing conditions
and  the causes thereof, and  use the best available  scientific knowledge to inform
decisions affecting our seas and coasts and to enhance  our capacity  to respond and
adapt to changing maritime  environments;
(e) Foster international cooperation, and exercise rights and jurisdiction  in accordance with
applicable international laws, including freedom of navigation;
(f) Strategically address the factors that adversely affect the oceans and the living  and
non-living   resources   that  comprise   our   seas,  turning   threats   into opportunities
and preventing  further harm to all water bodies including  land-based pollution;
(g) Ensure a whole-of-nation approach  and a comprehensive, integrated framework for the
stewardship of our seas and coasts to facilitate cohesive action of the    National
Government,    local    authorities,     academe,    non-governmental organizations, the
private sector, and the public.
9050


Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: 
 
(a) Aquaculture refers to the farming  of aquatic  organisms  including  fish, mollusks, 
crustaceans  and aquatic plants. Farming implies some sort of intervention in the  rearing  process  
to enhance  production,  such  as regular  stocking,  feeding, protection   from  predators,  etc.   
Farming   also  implies   individual  or  corporate ownership  of the stock being cultivated, the 
planning,  development and operation of aquaculture systems, sites, facilities and practices, and 
the production and transport; 
(b) Aquisilviculture refers to a multi-purpose production system that allows production of 
fish in a mangrove reforestation  project; 
(c) Blue economy  refers to a practical  ocean-based  economic model  using green   
infrastructure  and   technologies,   innovative   financing   mechanisms,   and proactive  
institutional arrangements for meeting  the twin  goals of protecting  our oceans   and   coasts   
and   enhancing    its   potential   contribution   to   sustainable development, including  improving  
human  well-being, and reducing  environmental risks and ecological scarcities; 
(d) Commercial fishing refers to the harvesting of fish, either in whole or in part, for sale, 
barter or trade; 
(e) Ecosystem services refer to the flow of benefits which humans gain from ecosystems, 
through biological processes and climate, hydrological  and biochemical cycles, and experiences 
that contribute  to intangible culture; 
(f) Environmental-economic accounting refers to a systematic way to measure and report on 
stocks and flows of natural assets and resources - both biotic and abiotic, renewable and non-
renewable – and ecosystem services, to determine the contribution of  the  environment  to  the  
economy  and  the  impact  of  the  economy  on  the environment; 
 
(g) Environmental-economic   accounts   refer   to  statistical   information,   in physical or 
monetary terms, about the extraction of natural resources, their use within the economy,  natural  
resource  stock levels, the changes  in those  stocks during  a specific period, and such other 
economic activities related to the environment; 
(h) Integrated  marine and  coastal  area management refers to a participatory process for 
decision-making  to prevent,  control,  or mitigate  adverse  impacts  from human  activities in the 
marine  and  coastal environment,  and  to contribute  to the restoration of degraded  coastal 
areas; 
(i) Investment promotion agencies refer to government entities created by law, executive  
order,  decree  or  other  issuance,  in  charge  of promoting   investments, granting and 
administering  tax and non-tax incentives, and overseeing the operations of the different  economic 
zones and  freeports  in accordance  with  their  respective special  laws.  These  include  the  
Board  of Investments   (BOI),  Regional  Board  of Investments-Autonomous Region in Muslim 
Mindanao  (RBOI-ARMM),  Philippine Economic Zone Authority  (PEZA),  Bases Conversion  and  
Development  Authority (BCDA), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Clark Development 
Corporation (CDC),  John  Hay  Management   Corporation   (JHMC), Poro  Point  Management 
Corporation  (PPMC), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority  (CEZA), Zamboanga  City Special 
Economic Zone Authority  (ZCSEZA), PHIVIDEC Industrial  Authority  (PIA), Aurora  Pacific 
Economic Zone and Freeport  Authority  (APECO),  Authority  of the Freeport  Area  of  Bataan  
(AFAB),  Tourism  Infrastructure   and  Enterprise   Zone Authority (TIEZA), and all other similar 
existing authorities or that may be created by law; 
(j) Land-based pollution - Municipal, industrial  and agricultural  wastes and run-off  
including  but  not  limited  to sewage  and  waste  water,  persistent  organic pollutants (including  
pesticides),  heavy  metals,  oils,  nutrients   and  sediments whether brought by rivers or 
discharged directly into coastal waters  
(k) Mariculture refers to the farming of organisms, both plants and animals, in an aquatic 
medium  or environment which may be completely marine (sea), or sea water mixed to various  


degrees with fresh water. This definition would include both the sea and inland brackishwater 
areas; 
(l) Marine  scientific  research  refers  to  any  research   activity,  which  is conducted  for 
exclusively peaceful purposes,  for the purpose  of increasing scientific knowledge about the marine 
environment, including all natural resources, toward the benefit of mankind  and according to the 
United Nations Convention  on the Law of  the Sea; 
(m) Maritime domain awareness refers to the effective understanding of any activity that 
could impact upon the security, safety, economy or environment; 
(n)  Maritime spatial planning refers to a process by which human activities in  Maritime  
Zones  are  analyzed   and  organized,   based  on  best  available  scientific knowledge, and to 
achieve economic, ecological and social objectives; 
(o) Ocean-based activities refer to activities that are undertaken in the ocean, e.g.   
fisheries   and   aquaculture, offshore  oil  and   gas,   mining,   ocean   energy, desalination,    
shipping    and    marine    transportation,    marine    tourism,    marine construction; 
(p) Ocean-related activities refer to activities that use products from the ocean (e.g.,  
seafood  processing,  marine  biotechnology,  chemicals,  salt,  etc.) and  produce products and 
services for the ocean and ocean-based activities (e.g., ship building and repair, ports, tourist 
resorts, communication, maritime  insurance  and law, maritime technical services, etc.); 
(q) Subsistence    fishing    -   fishing     for    personal     consumption    or 
traditional/ceremonial purposes; 
(r)  Ocean  literacy  refers to an understanding of the ocean's  influence  on humans and 
human influence on the ocean. 
 
Sec. 4. Scope of Application.  - For purposes  of this Act, the Philippines  shall exercise   
sovereignty,    sovereign   rights   and   jurisdiction,   in   accordance   with international law,  as 
appropriate,  in internal  waters,  archipelagic  waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive 
economic zone and continent shelf, herein collectively referred  to as "Maritime  Zones", including  
its seabed and subsoil,  and any and all maritime features within  the Maritime Zones now known  
or to be known in the future, without  prejudice   to  the  power,   authority  and  right  granted   
exclusively   to  the Bangsamoro  Government under  Republic Act No. 11054, also known  as the 
"Organic Law for  the Bangsamoro  Autonomous  Region in Muslim  Mindanao,"  or the  powers  of 
Protected Area Management Boards over protected seascapes to explore, develop, and utilize 
natural  resources  within  its territorial  jurisdiction. 
 
                                                                             
CHAPTER II 
NATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL 
 
Sec. 5. National Maritime Council.  - The National Coast Watch Council, created under  Executive 
Order  No. 57, Series of 2011, is hereby renamed  and reconstituted as the National  Maritime  
Council, herein  referred  to as the "Council,"  and its functions expanded  to  include   the  
formulation  of  an  integrated  strategy   to  promote  blue economy and ecosystem-based 
management of coastal and marine  resources. 
 
Sec. 6. Composition. - The Council is composed  of the following: 
 
(a) Executive Secretary, as Chairperson; 
(b) Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning; 
(c) Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources; 
(d) Secretary of National Defense; 
 
(e) Secretary of Foreign Affairs; 


(f) Secretary of Justice; 
(g) Secretary of the Interior and Local Government; 
(h) Secretary of Agriculture; 
(i) Secretary of Tourism; 
(j) Secretary of Transportation; 
(k) Secretary of Trade and Industry; 
(l) Secretary of Energy; 
(m) Secretary of Science and Technology; and 
(n) Secretary of Finance. 
 
Department Secretaries  may  designate   an  Undersecretary,  whose  portfolio covers 
matters  directly or principally relating  to the development or management of coastal  and  marine   
resources   and  ecosystems,  if applicable.   They  shall  sit  in  a permanent capacity, and their 
acts shall be considered the acts of their principals. 
 
Sec.  7.  Secretariat.  -  The Coastal  Watch  Council  Secretariat,  created  under Section 4 of 
Executive Order No. 57, Series of 2011, is hereby renamed as the National Maritime Office and shall 
continue  to provide  technical and administrative support to the Council. 
 
Sec. 8. Support Agencies. - Section 6 of Executive Order No. 57, Series of 2011 is hereby amended  
to include  the following agencies to provide  material  or technical support to the Council, as may 
be deemed necessary: 
 
                    (a)       Climate Change Commission; 
                    (b)       Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; 
                    (c)       Board of Investments; 
                    (d)       Securities and Exchange Commission; 
                    (e)       Philippine Statistics Authority; 
                    (f)        National Mapping and Resources Information  Authority; 
                    (g)       Environmental Management Bureau; 
                    (h)       Biodiversity Management Bureau-Coastal and Marine Division; 
                    (i)        Bureau of Agriculture  and Fisheries Standards; 
                    (j)        Philippine Fisheries Development Authority; 
                    (k)       Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries; 
                    (1)       Maritime Industry  Authority; 
                    (m)      Philippine Ports Authority; 
                    (n)       Philippine Reclamation Authority; 
                    (0)       Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources 
     
 
 
Research and Development; 
                    (p)      Philippine  Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services 
       
 
 
Administration (PAGASA); 
                    (q)       Department of Foreign Affairs-Maritime  and Ocean Affairs Office 
                    (r)     
National Museum-Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division; 
                    (s)       University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute; and 
                    (t)        Investment promotion agencies. 
 
In order  to ensure  the efficient and  effective discharge  of its responsibilities,  the  Council  
may  create  working  groups,  and  call upon  other  departments, bureaus, offices  and   
instrumentalities   of  the   Government,   and   academic   and   research  institutions engaged  in 
marine  science and ocean-based  or ocean-related activities to participate in working  groups,  as it 
may deem necessary. 
CHAPTER III 


POLICY FRAMEWORK ON BLUE ECONOMY 
 
Sec. 9.  Policy Framework on Blue Economy.  - The Council  shall, within  six (6) months   from  
the  effectivity  of  this  Act,  formulate   a  Policy  Framework  on  Blue Economy,  herein  referred  
to as the Policy Framework.  The Policy Framework shall serve  as  the  basis  for  marine   spatial   
planning,   determination  of  investments  to enhance maritime  domain  awareness,  the 
preservation of value  and sustainability of ocean resources  and  their  protection from threats  
such  as land-based pollution and overfishing  and enforcement of economic and environmental 
regulations within  our Maritime  Zones.  The Policy Framework shall be subject  to mandatory 
review  and modification every five (5) years. 
 
Sec.  10.  Components  of the Policy  Framework  on  Blue  Economy.  -  The  Policy  Framework 
shall include  the following components: 
 
(a) Review  of  all  existing  policies,  plans,  programs,  projects,  rules  and 
regulations on ocean-based  and ocean-related activities;
(b) Adherence  to international maritime laws; 
(c) Analysis  of current  and  emerging  trends  and changes  in demography,   
consumption,  trade,  technology,  environmental quality  and  climate  that  show  
the interaction between  environments and damage estimation;
(d) Environmental-economic accounting  of coastal  and  marine  assets  and 
resources,  and ecosystem  services from coastal  and marine  environments, 
including assessment of losses due to degradation or major pollution events such 
as oil spills; 
(e) Priority    strategic    and   sustainable    ocean-based    and   ocean-related 
economic activities, which may include: 
(1) Fisheries, including  commercial  fishing,  but  with  preference  to 
subsistence  fisheries, as mandated by Section 7, Art. XIII, of the 
Constitution; 
(2) Aquaculture, mariculture and aquasilviculture;  
(3) Marine and coastal tourism; 
(4) Environmentally and hydrologically appropriate reclamation; 
(5) Shipping, logistics and maritime transport; 
(6) Ship-building and ship repair; 
(7) Exploration, exploitation and extraction of oil and natural gas; 
(8) Production of renewable energy from marine sources; 
(9) Submarine mining or extraction of minerals and aggregates; 
(10) 
Installation of submarine cables and pipelines; 
(11) 
Bioremediation, Marine biotechnology and bioprospecting; 
(12) 
Desalination; and                                
(13) 
Underwater cultural heritage and maritime archaeology. 
 
(f) Guiding    framework    for   integrated     marine    and    coastal    area  
management;   
(g) Guiding framework for blue finance; 
(h) Priority research and development agenda,  maximizing  opportunities  created 
for    pollution control, remediation, used water economics and other industries 
that address threats; 
(i)  Promotion   of  ocean  literacy  and  social  responsibility   towards   the 
       
 
     protection of coastal and marine environments; 
(j)  Enhancement  of capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines  and civilian 
agencies to enforce laws, rules and regulations to protect our marine wealth; 


(k) Goals, targets and indicators for growth, resilience and sustainability  of  priority 
strategic and sustainable ocean-based and ocean-related activities, including its 
contribution  to Gross Domestic Product and job creation; 
 
 
CHAPTER IV 
ADHERENCE TO INTERNATIONAL MARITIME INSTRUMENTS 
 
Sec.  11. International Maritime Instruments  Implementation and Reporting. – The Council shall 
establish  mechanisms  for the full and  effective implementation and enforcement   of   the   
following   international    maritime   instruments   and   their subsequent amendments and  the  
reporting  of compliance  and  adherence  to  the  President and Congress: 
 
(a) Convention  on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna; 
(b) UNESCO Convention   on  the  Protection  of  the  Underwater  Cultural  Heritage; 
(c) International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, and its 
Protocol of 1988 (SOLAS 74) 
(d) International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships and its Protocol 
of 1978 (MAPROL 73/78); 
(e) Convention  on the International Regulations  for Preventing  Collisions at Sea, 1972, 
as amended (COLREG 72); 
(f) International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 and its Protocol of 1988, as amended  
(LL 66); 
(g) International Convention on the Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969 (TONNAGE 
69); 
(h) Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime 
Navigation, 1988 (SUA) and its Protocol; 
(i) International Convention  on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation 
1990 (OPRC 1990); 
(j) International Convention  for the Control  and  Management of Ships' Ballast Water 
and Sediments, 2004 (BWM 2004); 
(k) Convention   on  the  Prevention  of  Marine  Pollution  by  dumping   of Wastes and 
Other Matter, 1972, as amended,  and its 1996 Protocol (LCP); 
(l) Special Trade Passenger Ships Agreement, 1971 (STP 71); 
(m) Convention   on  the  International  Mobile  Satellite  Organization,   as amended  
(IMSO 1976) and its Operating  Agreement (INMARSAT); 
(n) International Convention  on Standards  of Training,  Certification  and 
Watchkeeping  for Seafarers, 1978, As Amended  (STCW 78); 
(o) International  Convention   on  the  Control  of  Harmful   Anti-Fouling Systems on 
Ships, 2001 (AFS 2001); 
(p) Protocol  of  1992  to  Amend  the  International  Convention   on  Civil Liability for 
Oil Pollution Damage, 1969; 
(q) Protocol   of  1992  to   amend   the   International  Convention    on   the 
Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 
1971; 


Sec. 12. Application. - Unless otherwise indicated, the international conventions enumerated in the 
preceding section shall apply to: 
 
 
(a) All ships, whether seagoing or coastwise, which are registered under the 
Philippine flag; 
(b) All persons,  partnerships,  corporations,  firms and  other  entities  duly 
registered  or licensed in the Philippines  to engage in ocean-based  or ocean-
related enterprise, or those acting on their behalf; 
(c) All foreign ships that are within the waters, ports, harbors and offshore terminals  
of the Philippines  regardless  of whether  or not they are registered  in,  or 
belong to, State Parties to the conventions sought to be implemented by this Act; 
(d) All entities that have land-based  activities with substantial  positive  or adverse 
impact on the marine ecosystem; 
 
 
CHAPTER V 
ENVIRONMENTAL-ECONOMIC ACCOUNTING 
 
Sec. 13.  Environmental-Economic Accounting.  - The Council  shall undertake environmental-
economic accounting of maritime ecosystems and resources, based on the United Nations System 
of Environmental-Economic Accounting. Members of the Council  and  heads  of support agencies  
shall  contribute   data  on  environmental-economic accounts relating to their mandates  including  
damage  estimation  and sea level rise projections. 
 
Sec. 14. Framework. - The Philippine  Statistics Authority  (PSA) shall develop a framework   for  
the  collection,  compilation,  processing,  analysis,  publication   and dissemination of 
environmental-economic accounts and its integration in the national accounts: Provided, That PSA 
shall integrate the collection of environmental-economic accounts into the Community-Based 
Monitoring  System for local government units (LGUs); Provided, further, That the PSA shall 
coordinate  with and provide  technical assistance  to  Members  of  the  Council,  support agencies,  
investment promotion agencies  and  LGUs  to  ensure  compliance  to  standard  environmental-
economic accounting  techniques,  methodologies,  concepts,  definitions  and  classifications  to 
prevent duplication in collection of statistical information. 
 
 
CHAPTER VI 
INTEGRATED MARINE AND COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT 
 
Sec.  15.  Integrated  Marine  and  Coastal  Area  Management  (IMCAM) – The Integrated  Marine 
and Coastal Area Management  (IMCAM) shall be the framework to  address  human   impacts  on  
marine  and  coastal  biological  diversity,  and  for promoting conservation and sustainable use of 
this biodiversity. 
 
Sec. 16. Elements of the National IMCAM Framework. -- The Council shall develop and  implement 
the  National  IMCAM Framework  within  one  (1)  year  from  the effectivity of this Act to provide 
direction, support  and guidance to relevant member and  support  agencies,  LGUs and  other  
stakeholders,  according  to the Elaborated Program  of Work on Marine  and Coastal Biological 
Diversity  contained  in the Annex to Decision VII/5  of the  Conference  of the Parties  to the  
United  Nations Environmental  Program Convention on Biological Diversity. 
Accordingly, the National IMCAM Framework  shall consider  the following elements: 
 


(a) Building capacity of stakeholders, in both national  and local levels, to apply   
relevant    policy   instruments   to   address    legal   issues,    institutionalize   
participatory  processes,  and  develop  strategies  to promote  multidisciplinary 
and multisectoral ecosystem-based management of coastal and marine 
environments; 
(b) Direct action to protect coastal and marine environments  from negative impacts, 
such as: 
(1) Alteration   and   destruction,  of  coastal  and   marine  habitats, 
particularly  areas important  for reproduction, inter alia, coral reef systems, 
sea grass areas and the sea bed; 
(2) Marine and land-based pollution; 
(3) Improper    coastal   land   use   and    the   mismanagement   of 
watersheds; 
(4) Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, by-catch especially of 
threatened  species; 
(c) Establishment of mechanisms  and guidelines  for research, monitoring, 
assessment and valuation  of coastal and marine ecosystems and resources, 
including indicators to measure natural and human-induced impacts.  
 
 
CHAPTER VII 
PROTECTION  AND  CONSERVATION OF COASTAL AND  MARINE RESOURCES 
 
Sec. 17.  Protection  of Endangered Species.  - The Council  shall spearhead  the conservation,  
protection   and  rehabilitation   of  rare,  threatened   and  endangered aquatic species as it may 
determine,  including  their habitats  and migratory  routes such as the East Asian Current. It shall 
recommend to the President and Congress the designation  of coastal  and  marine  areas  as 
protected  areas  under  the  Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System, or sanctuaries 
of local conservation areas under  the Fisheries Code and the Local Government  Code, and in 
compliance with the  relevant   provisions   of  international  treaties   and   agreements   such  as,  
the Convention  on the  International  Trade  in Endangered  Species of Wild Flora and Fauna,  the 
United  Nations  Convention  on the Law of the Sea,  and Convention  on Biological Diversity. 
 
Sec. 18. Policy Coordination. - The Council shall harmonize rules and regulations of all relevant 
agencies responsible for the implementation and enforcement of laws to prevent  and  eliminate  
illegal fishing such  as Republic Act (RA) No.  8550,  also known as the "Philippine Fisheries Code of 
1998," as amended by RA 10654. 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
DEVELOPMENT  PLANNING 
 
Sec. 19. Maritime Spatial Planning. - The Council shall undertake a nationwide maritime spatial 
planning to identify the spatial and temporal distribution  of priority activities and uses and the 
interactions thereof in Maritime Zones, in order to reduce conflict among uses, facilitate 
complementary uses, mitigate environmental impacts, prevent marine dead zones and preserve 
ecosystem services. 
 
Sec.  20. Industry Development Plans.  - The Council,  through  working  group created for the 
purpose, shall prepare  five-year and ten-year development plans for each priority  strategic  and  
sustainable  ocean-based  or  ocean-related  industry,  in accordance with the Policy Framework. 
 


Sec.  21. Integration with Area  and National Development Plans.  - The National Economic and 
Development Authority  shall integrate  the maritime  spatial plan and industry   development plans  
into  the  Philippine  Development Plan,  the  National Priority Plan, the National  Physical 
Framework  Plan, and Area Spatial Development Framework. 
 
Sec.  22.  Inclusion in Strategic Investment  Priority  Plan.  -  The  Council  shall recommend  to 
the Board of Investments the inclusion of identified  priority strategic ocean-based and ocean-based 
activities in the Strategic Investment Priority Plan. 
 
Sec. 23. Blue Economic Zones. - Investment promotion agencies shall encourage the establishment 
of blue economic zones and the transformation of existing special economic zones (SEZs) into the 
same, where  locator enterprises  engaged  in ocean based  or ocean-related  activities  shall enjoy 
the privileges,  benefits,  advantages  or exemptions   granted   to  economic  zones  and  freeports  
in  accordance   with  their respective special laws. 
 
In addition,  the incentives  provided for under  the  following  laws  may  be granted to 
blue SEZs: 
a. RA 9003, or the "Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000;"  
b. RA 9275, or the "Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004;" 
c. RA 9513, or the "Renewable Energy Act of2008;" and 
d. RA 10771, or the "Philippine Green Jobs Act of2016." 
 
Blue SEZs may also qualify for financing provided for under  RA 11293, or the         
"Philippine Innovation Act." 
 
 
CHAPTER IX 
BLUE FINANCE 
 
Sec.  24.  Role  of the Bangko Sentral  ng Pilipinas (BSP).  -  In the exercise of its regulatory 
powers over financial institutions,  the BSP shall mandate banks and quasi-banks  to  adopt   the  
United  Nations   Environment  Programme  Sustainable   Blue Economy  Finance  Principles  as  a  
foundation of corporate   governance   and  risk management. 
 
Sec.  25.  Role of Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (SEC).  -  The SEC shall encourage  the 
issuance of blue bonds where proceeds  will be exclusively applied  to finance or refinance, in part 
or in full, strategic and sustainable ocean-based or ocean- related  activities,  in accordance  with  
ASEAN Green  Bonds  Standards  and  Green Bonds Principles, as developed  and may be revised 
from time to time by the ASEAN Capital   Markets   Forum   and   the   International    Capital   
Market   Association, respectively. 
 
Sec.  26.  Role  of Government  Financial Institutions.  - The  Land  Bank of the Philippines  and 
the Development Bank of the Philippines  shall allocate five percent  (5%) of its regular loan 
portfolio for credit to strategic and sustainable  ocean-based or ocean-related enterprises. 
 
 
CHAPTER X 
MARINE SCIENCE AND  OCEAN LITERACY 
 
Sec.  27.  Marine Scientific Research. - The State recognizes  marine science as a foundation of 
maritime governance, insofar as rules governing the use of coastal and marine resources must be 
based on the sound scientific understanding of the marine environment.  In accordance with 


UNCLOS, the Philippines has the exclusive rights to regulate,  authorize  and  conduct marine  
scientific research  in our  internal  waters, archipelagic waters and territorial sea; whereas, the 
Philippines has rights to regulate, authorize   and  conduct  maritime   research  in  our  exclusive  
economic  zone  and continental  shelf:  Provided,  That  the  marine  scientific research  activities  
shall  not unjustifiably interfere with other legitimate uses of the sea and shall not constitute the 
legal basis for any claim to any part of the marine environment or its resources. 
 
Marine  scientific  research  by  foreign  states  and  competent   international organizations  
may only be conducted  with the express consent of and the conditions set forth by the Council, in 
accordance with the UNCLOS. 
 
Sec. 28. Ocean Literacy Framework. - The Department of Education, Commission on Higher  
Education,  Technical Education  and  Skills Development Authority  and other   government  
agencies  implementing  sector-specific   literacy   programs,   in consultation with relevant 
Members of the Council or support agencies, shall integrate into  the  curricula   of K-12,  the  
Alternative   Leaming   System,  general  education programs  of higher  education  institutions,  
technical and  vocational  education  and training, and other community-based training programs, 
the essential principles and fundamental concepts of ocean sciences to develop the following 
competencies: 
 
(a) Understanding the importance  of the ocean to humankind 
(b) Communicating about the ocean in a meaningful  way; and,  
(c) Making informed and responsible decisions regarding  the ocean and its resources. 
 
 
CHAPTER XI 
FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION 
 
Sec. 29. Archipelagic  Sea Lanes. - The Council shall designate sea lanes and air routes  there 
above,  suitable  for the continuous  and expeditious  passage  of foreign ships and aircrafts 
through or over the archipelagic waters and the adjacent territorial sea, and shall, where necessary 
as regards to the safety of navigation, require foreign ships exercising the right of innocent passage 
to use such lanes and traffic separation schemes in accordance with the UNCLOS. 
 
 
CHAPTER XII 
ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS 
 
Sec. 30. Role of Local Government Units. - Cities and municipalities shall continue to exercise 
jurisdiction over municipal waters, pursuant to RA 7160, also known as the "Local Government  
Code of 1991," as amended, and RA 8550, as amended. Consistent with this mandate, local 
government units shall act as the frontline agencies in the formulation,  planning    and   
implementation   of   IMCAM   in   their   respective jurisdictions.   LGUs  shall   integrate    the   
National   Maritime   Spatial   Plan   and opportunities such as the National  Sewage and Septage 
Management Plan and the funds under  the Clean Water Act in their Comprehensive Development 
and Annual Investment Plans. 
 
Sec. 31. Inter-LGU Cooperation. - Consistent with the provisions  of RA 7160, as amended,  LGUs  
may  group  themselves,  consolidate   or  coordinate   their  efforts, services, and resources for the 
accomplishment of the objectives of this Act. 
 
 


CHAPTER XIII 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
 
Sec. 32.  Congressional Oversight. - For the effective implementation of this Act, a Congressional  
Oversight  Committee  is created to be known as the Blue Economy Oversight Committee. The Blue 
Economy Oversight Committee shall be composed of five (5) Senators and five (5) Representatives  
to be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
respectively. The Minority shall be entitled to pro rata representation.  The Blue Economy Oversight 
Committee  shall be jointly chaired by the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Economic 
Affairs and the Chairperson of the House Committee on Economic Affairs. 
 
Sec. 33.   Appropriations.   -   The  amount   of  One   Hundred  Million   Pesos (P100,000,000.00)  
as  initial  funding   for  the  Council  to  be  charged   against   the unexpended Contingency  Fund 
of the Office of the President  is hereby appropriated. Thereafter, the amount  needed for the 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
Sec.  34.  Implementing  Rules  and  Regulations.  - The  Council  shall  issue  the implementing 
rules and regulations  within sixty (60) days from the approval  of this Act: Provided, That failure to 
issue rules and regulations shall not in any manner affect the executory nature of the provisions  of 
this Act. 
 
Sec.  35.  Separability  Clause.  -  If any provision  of this Act is held  invalid  or unconstitutional, 
the remaining  provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
Sec. 36. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules and regulations 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
Sec.  37.  Effectivity.  - This  Act  shall  take  effect  fifteen  (15)  days  after  its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,