Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

4100
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. MUJIV S. HATAMAN of the Lone District of Basilan and
HON. AMIHILDA J. SANGCOPAN of Anak \danao (AMIN) Part

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the month of May of every year as the “Marine
Turtle Awareness Month.”

The second paragraph of Section 2, Article XII of the Constitution provides:

“The State shall protect the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic
waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and
enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.”

The Philippines is an archipelago endowed with vast coastal and ocean
resources that include critical habitats such as mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds,
alluring seascapes, and rare marine flora and fauna, all of which provide both
economic and ecological benefits.

The government has long recognized the existence of marine turtle species
within the Philippine seas. On December 11, 1998, Proclamation No. 57 was issued
declaring the month of May of every year as “The Month of the Ocean’ in the entire
country and providing for the conduct of activities for its celebration. Under
Proclamation No. 57, various national government agencies are mandated to
promote sustainable development of coastal and marine resources and ensure that
the marine environment is protected from all forms of degradation.


In 2001, Republic Act No. 9417, otherwise known as the “Wildlife Resources
and Protection Act,” was approved seeking to conserve the country’s wildlife
resources, including turtles, and their habitats for sustainability.

The month of May is the peak season for fishing in the Philippines and thus
provides an appropriate venue for direct beneficiaries to show their support for
initiatives pertaining to the promotion of the sustainable development of marine
turtles.

This proposed measure, therefore, seeks to declare the month of May of every
year as the “Marine Turtle Awareness Month.”

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

HON, pe ae _poR fh Fr smccoran
ik

Lohe District of Basilan \danao Partylist



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

4100
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. MUJIV S. HATAMAN of the Lone District of Basilan and
HON. AMIHILDA J. SANGCOPAN of Anak Minadanao (AMIN) Party-List

AN ACT
DECLARING THE MONTH OF MAY OF EVERY YEAR AS THE “MARINE
TURTLE AWARENESS MONTH”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. The month of May of every year is hereby declared as the

“Marine Turtle Awareness Month.”

All heads of government agencies and  instrumentalities, including
Government-owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC), Local Government Units
(LGU) and employers in the private sector, shall encourage and afford sufficient
time and opportunities for their employees to engage and participate in any activity
conducted within the premises of their offices or establishments in celebration of the

“Marine Turtle Awareness Month.”


SEC. 2. The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, in coordination
with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall prepare and implement annual program of

activities pursuant to the observance of the “Marine Turtle Awareness Month.”

SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,