Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by REP. FRANCISCO “KIKO” B. BENITEZ, Ph.D.,  
REP. SHARON S. GARIN, REP. AMIHILDA J. SANGCOPAN, 
REP. CHRISTOPHER V.P. DE VENECIA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In his Last Farewell, Jose Rizal described the Philippines as “pearl of the orient sea”. His 
description represents both history and aspiration of the Filipino rooted in the sea. Rizal had 
dedicated his life to the recovery of the political agency and dignity of the Filipino from 
colonial repression. He challenged and corrected colonial distortion of our pre-Hispanic history 
and heritage as he believed that “to foretell the destiny of a nation, it is necessary to open the 
books that tell of her past”. In his annotation of Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, for 
example, Rizal boasted indigenous shipbuilding capacity and trade with Japan to repudiate 
colonial representation of Native Filipinos as an inferior civilization.  
Rizal also lamented the colonial suppression of indigenous oral traditions that narrated 
mythologies and genealogies that traced our origins. “Filipinos had had minstrels who had 
memorized songs telling their genealogies and of the deeds ascribed to their deities. These were 
chanted on voyages in cadence with the rowing…” [Emphasis added] but “[t]hese traditions 
were almost completely lost as well as the mythology and the genealogies of which the early 
historians tell, thanks to the zeal of the missionaries in eradicating all national remembrances 
as heathen or idolatrous,” Rizal wrote.  
He spoke of a glorious maritime past, of a flourishing indigenous maritime culture and 
economy, of a shining pearl in the Pacific. And as he believed that the past foretells the future, 
Rizal had spoken of our maritime destiny: prosperity from the sea.   
An archipelagic and maritime nation 
The Philippines has vast potential as a blue economy. We are the world’s second largest 
archipelagic state. Our maritime domains, including our exclusive economic zone (EEZ), have 
a total area of 2.2 million sq. km.1 and compose 88% of our national territory. The Filipino is 
essentially a creature of the sea, descended from master maritime navigators. Almost 60 
percent of our people live in coastal communities; 315 of our municipalities and 25 of our cities 
are coastal2.  That our basic political unit is named after the boat that brought our Austronesian 
ancestors to Philippine shores is testament to the centrality of the sea in our identity.  
1  Fisheries  Statistics  of  the  Philippines  2018-­2020.  Philippine  Statistics  Authority.  
2  Legal  and  Jurisdictional  Guidebook  for  Coastal  Resource  Management  in  the  Philippines.  
Department  of  Environment  and  Natural  Resources,  Department  of  Interior  and  Local  Government,  
November 11, 2021
11:15 am
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Our maritime economy is driven by rich marine resources. The Philippines is at the heart of 
the Coral Triangle, one of the most diverse marine habitats in the world. Our total coral reef 
area is 797,719 hectares which host and nurture an amazing diversity of aquatic life. The Verde 
Island Passage alone, which lies between Batangas and Mindoro, is home to the highest 
concentration of marine species in the planet – nearly 60% of the world’s known fishes.  
Indeed, the sea has blessed us with crucial ecosystem services and abundant harvests. The 
Philippines is one of the world’s leading fish producing countries. According to the State of 
World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020 report of the Food and Agriculture Organization, the 
Philippines produced 1.89 million tons of marine capture fisheries in 2018, the 11th highest in 
the world. We are also 11th in aquaculture fish production. 
Our maritime economy is not only dependent on fisheries. Maritime freight and transportation, 
marine energy, and coastal and marine tourism are also pillars of our maritime economy. The 
Philippines is in fact one of the world’s top suppliers of seafarers. And our beaches are named 
one of the world’s best beaches. 
Altogether, according to the NSOC, ocean-based industries generated 11.9 billion USD in 2016 
or 6.96% of Philippine GDP, and employed 2.2 million workers or about 5.3% of the country’s 
total employment. 
Blue economy: Economy and ecology 
The challenge for us is to transform our ocean-based industries into sustainable activities. In 
the face of growing threat from climate change, we need to act now to transform our maritime 
economy into a low-carbon, blue economy. 
Sustainable management of our marine and coastal resources begins with recognizing and 
understanding their value, both economic, cultural and social. We cannot manage something 
without measuring it. We therefore need to institute an accounting system that puts monetary 
value on our marine and coastal resources, including their ecosystem services, or the gains that 
humankind derive from carbon sequestration and other natural processes that the ocean 
performs. 
We need to transition to blue economy, to sustainable maritime economic activities that protect 
our marine wealth and our maritime heritage. After all, our history, culture and economy are 
inextricably linked to the sea. Our fortunes dance with the ebb and flow of tides, to the rhythm 
of the waves.  
Comprehensive framework for blue economy 
Our relationship with the sea is increasingly diminished by our abuse and excess. Our marine 
and coastal resources are also depleted by overexploitation and pollution. We therefore need 
to strengthen enforcement of laws and regulations to prevent illegal, unreported, unregulated 
fishing, and protect marine and coastal ecosystems. We need to harmonize policies and 
Department  of  Agriculture,  Bureau  of  Fisheries  and  Aquatic  Resources,  and  the  Coastal  Resource  
Management  Project.  1997.	
  


regulations on ocean-based industries that have long been in silos. We as a whole nation need 
to assume greater responsibility for the protection of our coasts and seas. 
This bill consolidates all interventions in a single framework that promotes a whole-of-nation 
approach to sustainably develop, manage, protect and preserve our marine and coastal 
resources. This bill enshrines and shines new light on the Philippines as the “pearl of the orient 
sea”. 
This bill reminds us that we are a nation with close affinity with the sea and that we must not 
take advantage of the bounty of the sea. We must not forget that we are only stewards of nature. 
We have to ensure that the benefits we enjoy now will be enjoyed by our children and our 
children’s children too.  
In view of the foregoing, we earnestly seek for the immediate enactment of this measure. 
REP. FRANCISCO “KIKO” B. BENITEZ, Ph.D. 
REP. SHARON S. GARIN 
REP. AMIHILDA J. SANGCOPAN 
REP. CHRISTOPHER V. P. DE VENECIA  


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by REP. FRANCISCO “KIKO” B. BENITEZ, Ph.D.,  
REP. SHARON S. GARIN, REP. AMIHILDA J. SANGCOPAN, 
REP. CHRISTOPHER V.P. DE VENECIA 
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 Congress 
assembled: 
CHAPTER I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
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 on freedom of navigation; 
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(f)  
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.   
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
 
(a)  
Aquaculture refers to the farming of aquatic organisms including fish, molluscs, 
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 biotic, 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)  
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; 
 
(k)  
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; 
 
(l)  
Maritime domain awareness refers to the effective understanding of any activity 
that could impact upon the security, safety, economy or environment; 
 
(m)  
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; 
 
(n)  
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; 
 
(o)  
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.); 
 
(p)  
Subsistence 
fishing 
– 
fishing 
for 
personal 
consumption 
or 
traditional/ceremonial purposes; 
 
(q)  
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,” 
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)  
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; 
(b)  
Board of Investments; 
(c)  
Securities and Exchange Commission; 
(d)  
Philippine Statistics Authority; 
(e)  
National Mapping and Resources Information Authority; 
(f)  
Environmental Management Bureau; 
(g)  
Biodiversity Management Bureau-Coastal and Marine Division; 
(h)  
Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards; 
(i)  
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority; 
(j)  
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries; 
(k)  
Maritime Industry Authority; 


(l)  
Philippine Ports Authority; 
(m)  
Philippine Reclamation Authority; 
(n)  
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research 
and Development; 
(o)  
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services 
Administration (PAGASA); 
(p)  
Department of Foreign Affairs-Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office; 
(q)  
National Museum-Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division; 
(r)  
University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute; and 
(s)  
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, 
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 and climate that show the interaction between the economy 
and the environment, and present threats and pressures on coastal and marine environments; 
  
(d)  
Environmental-economic accounting of coastal and marine assets and 
resources, and ecosystem services from coastal and marine environments; 
 
(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 aquisilviculture; 
(3)  
Marine and coastal tourism; 
(4)  
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)  
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; 
 
(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. – The State shall adhere to the 
provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and relevant 
international conventions relating to maritime activities. Towards this end, the Council shall 
establish mechanisms for the full and effective implementation and enforcement of the 
following international maritime instruments and their subsequent amendments: 
(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.  
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. 
 
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 Programme 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 Programme 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)  
Identification, protection, prevention of alteration and destruction, and 
restoration of coastal and marine habitats, particularly areas important for reproduction, 
inter alia, coral reef systems; 
(2)  
Prevention, reduction or control of marine pollution; 
(3)  
Protection of coastal and marine environments from land-based sources, 
including proper coastal land use and watershed management; 
(4)  
Establishment of closed fishing areas; 
(5)  
Reduce by-catch. 
 
(c)  
Establishment of mechanisms and guidelines for research, monitoring and 
assessment 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. 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 under the Fisheries Code, as amended, 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, and preserve ecosystem 
services. 
  
SEC. 20. Industry Development Plans. – The Council, through working groups 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 of 2008;” and 
(d)  
RA 10771, or the “Philippine Green Jobs Act of 2016.” 
 
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 Learning 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 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 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,