TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. ________ 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES LANI MERCADO-REVILLA, 
BRYAN B. REVILLA AND RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA III 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR BLUE ECONOMY, PROMOTING 
STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL AND 
MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES, REORGANIZING AND 
RENAMING THE NATIONAL COAST WATCH SYSTEM AS THE 
NATIONAL MARITIME MONITORING SYSTEM, AND PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
God has blessed the Philippines with a Blue Economy. As an 
archipelago, it has an abundance of diverse marine resources that is the envy 
of many nations. With such configuration, a significant number of our 
countrymen derive their livelihood - directly or indirectly - from our seas, and 
we enjoy, with almost a nonchalance, the harvest therefrom. A natural benefit 
of having coastal areas - of which we have about 36,289 kilometers -is also a 
tourism industry which provides jobs to many more. Our marine wealth 
conclusively comprises a substantial portion of our economy. Perhaps just as 
important are related sectors - marine transport and seafarers - that 
contribute positively to our economic growth. 
In recognition of the value of the country's maritime character, the 
framers of our Constitution in their wisdom defined our national territory in the 
1987 Constitution thus: "The Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and 
waters embraced therein, and all other territories over which the Philippines 
has sovereignty or jurisdiction, consisting of its terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial 
domains, including its territorial sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the insular 
shelves, and other submarine areas."(1) It states further: "The waters around, 
between, and connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of their 
breadth and dimensions, form part of the internal waters of the Philippines." 
We therefore have laws that give flesh to this pronunciation and aim to 
preserve, protect, manage and develop this resource. However, it is quite 
evident that we need to adopt a more coherent approach - one that will 
address current concerns and be responsive likewise to changes that come 
August 28, 2025
9:41 am
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with time. Even as we breathe, we already experience the physical 
manifestations of climate change that affect our people's lives and, of course, 
our nation's future. Our responsibility not only to this, but also to future 
generations compel us to move, to take concrete actions that will ensure the 
sustainability of our activities and the survival and flourishing of our maritime 
gifts. While we exploit responsibly to meet the demands of our people and the 
world, we have to address challenges, both natural and man-made, 
decisively. The need to balance the economic, social, and environmental 
dimensions of sustainable development in relation to oceans is a key 
component of the blue economy.(2) 
Henc, e, this measure is proposed to establish a framework for the 
blue economy - an integration of the interventions the government and its 
branches have implemented to address multi-faceted needs and which 
enjoyed varying measures of success. It is comprehensive, science-based, 
holistic, and aims to bridge gaps and plug holes, to finally realize the 
Constitutional mandate. In sum, it is necessary for the following very 
important reasons: 1) economic growth, 2) food security, 3) environmental 
sustainability, and 4) climate change mitigation.(3) 
This proposed measure has been approved on third reading by the 
House of Representatives during the 19th Congress. 
In view of the foregoing considerations, the favorable approval of this 
bill is earnestly sought. 
Sources: 
1. 1987 Philippine Constitution
2. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/cee24b6c-2e2f-5579-
b1a4-457011419425/content
3. https://www.nextias.com/blog/blue-economy/#Importance_of_Blue_Economy
REP. LANI MERCADO - REVILLA, MSLG, DM (hc)
Representative
2nd District of Cavite 
REP. BRYAN B. REVILLA
REP. RAMON JOLO REVILLA III
Representative
Representative
AGIMAT Partylist
1st District of Cavite


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. ________ 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES LANI MERCADO-REVILLA, 
BRYAN B. REVILLA AND RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA III 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR BLUE ECONOMY, PROMOTING 
STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL AND 
MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES, REORGANIZING AND 
RENAMING THE NATIONAL COAST WATCH SYSTEM AS THE 
NATIONAL MARITIME MONITORING SYSTEM, AND PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
CHAPTER 1 
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 equitable and sustainable
development and safe use 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, through strong institutional mechanisms
for maritime monitoring and regulatory enforcement, 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
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build a strong foundation for social responsibility; 
(d) Enrich scientific understanding of marine and coastal ecosystems, 
the benefits we gain from these ecosystems like 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 multi-stakeholder 
engagement, and exercise rights and jurisdiction in accordance 
with applicable international laws, including on freedom of 
navigation; 
(t) 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, nongovernmental organizations, the private 
sector, and the public; and 
(g) Promote, support and monitor science, technology and innovation 
programs of public and private academic and research institutions 
to strengthen interdisciplinary research in marine science, and to 
develop emerging technologies to catalyze growth of new 
maritime sectors. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: 
(a) Aquaculture refers to fishery operations involving all forms of 
raising and culturing fish and other fishery species in fresh, 
brackish, and marine water areas; 
(b) Aquasilviculture refers to a multi-purpose production system that 
allows production of fish and other aquatic species in a mangrove 
reforestation project; 
(c) Aquatic resources refer to fish and other living resources of the 
aquatic environment that have or will have commercial value when 
utilized; 
(d) Blue economy refers to the integrated, holistic, cross-sectoral, and 
cross-stakeholder approach for the sustainable, resilient and 
inclusive use, governance, management and conservation of 
oceans, seas as well as marine and coastal resources and 
ecosystems for economic growth, leveraging green infrastructure 
and technologies, innovative financing mechanisms and proactive 
institutional mechanisms, and improving human well-being and 
social equity, and reducing environmental risks and ecological 
scarcities; 


(e) Blue carbon refers to organic carbon that is captured by marine 
and coastal ecosystems, such as algae, seagrass, mangroves, 
and other plants growing in salt marshes and coastal wetlands; 
(f) Blue public expenditure refers to public expenditures that address 
issues related to coastal and marine resources, environmental 
degradation, and development aspirations that depend on marine 
resources and environments; 
(g) By-catch refers to fish or other marine species that a fisher does 
not intend to catch, including juveniles of commercially valuable 
species and biologically-important species caught unintentionally 
while trying to catch a certain type of fish; 
(h) Commercial fishing refers to the taking of fishery species by 
passive or active gear for trade, business and profit beyond 
subsistence or sports fishing, to be further classified as: small scale 
commercial fishing, or fishing with passive or active gear utilizing 
fishing vessels of three and one-tenth (3.1) gross tons (GT) up to 
twenty (20) GT; medium scale commercial fishing or fishing utilizing 
active gears and vessels of twenty and one tenth (20.1) GT up to 
one hundred fifty (150) GT; and large commercial fishing or fishing 
utilizing active gears and vessels of more than one hundred fifty 
(150) GT; 
(i) Contiguous zone refers to the contiguous zone of the Philippines to 
the waters beyond and adjacent to its territorial sea and up to the 
extent of twenty-four (24) nautical miles from the baselines from 
which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured; 
(j) Continental shelf refers to the seabed and subsoil of the submarine 
areas of the Philippines that extend beyond its territorial sea 
throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer 
edge of the continental margin, or to a distance of two hundred 
(200) nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of 
the territorial sea is measured, where the outer edge of the 
continental margin does not extend up to that distance; 
(k) 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; 
(1) 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; 
(m)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; 
(n) Exclusive economic zone (EEZ) refers to the waters beyond and 
adjacent to its territorial sea and up to the extent of two hundred 
(200) nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of 
the territorial sea is measured, as established by Presidential 
Decree No. 1599, otherwise known as the "Philippine Exclusive 
Economic Zone of 1978", and to the extent consistent with the 
other provisions of this Act and with the provisions of the 1982 
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); 
(o) Fisheries refer to all activities relating to the science and act of 
business of fishing, culturing, preserving, processing, marketing, 
developing, conserving, and managing of aquatic resources, and 
environment; 
(p) Integrated coastal management (ICM) refers to a holistic and 
integrative management that incorporates the following 
components: (1) connectivity of various ecosystems environment 
and resources; (2) various sectors and stakeholders; (3) 
institutional arrangements that are relevant; and (4) assessment of 
drivers of coastal ecosystem degradation, management planning 
and implementation, including research and education, to address 
coastal degradation and biodiversity losses, and to improve the 
well-being of communities in coastal and interconnected areas; 
(q) Integrated Marine and Coastal Area Management (IMCAM) 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; 
(r) Internal waters refer to waters on the landward side of the 
archipelagic baselines not forming part of archipelagic waters under 
Section 4 of this Act and delineated in accordance with Article 50 of 
the UNCLOS; and waters on the landward side of the baselines of 
the territorial sea of territories outside of the archipelagic baselines, 
drawn in accordance with Article 8 of the UNCLOS; 
(s) Investment promotion agencies (IPAs) 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), 
Bangsamoro Board of Investments, Philippine Economic Zone 
Authority, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Subic Bay 
Metropolitan Authority, Clark Development Corporation, John Hay 
Management Corporation, Poro Point Management Corporation, 
Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, Zamboanga City Special 
Economic Zone Authority, PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority, Aurora 
Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, Authority of the 
Freeport Area of Bataan, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise 
Zone Authority, and all other similar existing authorities that may be 
created by law; 
(t) Mariculture refers to the sea farming of aquatic plants and fishes; 
(u) 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 UNCLOS; 
(v) Maritime domain awareness refers to the effective understanding of 
any activity that could impact upon the security, safety, economy or 
environment; 
(w)Maritime spatial planning refers to a process by which human 
activities in maritime zones are analyzed and organized, based on 
best available scientific knowledge, to achieve economic, 
ecological and social objectives; 
(x) Maritime zones refer to the maritime zones of the Philippines 
comprising the internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, 
contiguous zone, EEZ, and continental shelf; 
(y) Ocean-based activities refer to activities that are undertaken in the 
ocean, such as fisheries and aquaculture, offshore oil and gas, 
mining, ocean energy, desalination, shipping and marine 
transportation, marine tourism, and marine construction; 
(z) Ocean-related activities refer to activities that use products from the 
ocean such as seafood processing, marine biotechnology, 
chemicals, salt, and produce products and services for the ocean 
and ocean-based activities such as shipbuilding and repair, ports, 
tourist resorts, communication, maritime insurance and law, and 
maritime technical services; 
(aa) Subsistence fishing refers to fishing for personal consumption or 
traditional/ceremonial purposes; and 


(bb) 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 commitments under the UNCLOS and other related treaties 
which the Philippines has ratified, in internal waters, archipelagic waters, 
territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone and continental 
shelf, herein collectively referred to as "maritime zones", including its seabed 
and subsoil, and any and all maritime features within the maritime zones and 
where appropriate, the relevant airspace above the territorial sea, internal 
waters and archipelagic waters now known or to be known in the future. 
CHAPTER II 
NATIONAL MARITIME MONITORING SYSTEM 
SEC. 5. National Maritime Monitoring System. - The National Coast 
Watch System, established under Executive Order (EO) No. 57, series of 
2011, is hereby renamed as the National Maritime Monitoring System. 
SEC. 6. National Maritime Council. -The National Coast Watch 
Council, created under EO 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. 
In addition to the powers and functions of the Council enumerated in 
Section 3 of the same EO, the Council is likewise further mandated to: 
(a) Steer the development, research, and sustainable resource 
explorations in maritime zones, especially in areas with high 
economic potential such as the Philippine Rise and the West 
Philippine Sea; 
(b) Coordinate the maritime regulation or licensing and law 
enforcement for strengthened preparedness and responsiveness 
to potential security threats or concerns in the country's maritime 
areas and zones; and 
(c) Build capacities in monitoring, including the use of digital and 
innovative technologies for security and surveillance activities. 
The Council is likewise authorized to convene committees or sub 
committees to oversee the abovementioned functions. In this way, all 
strategic maritime zones will be covered and will reduce the call for the 
creation of new bodies or authorities to manage the same. 


SEC. 7. Composition of National Maritime Council. - The Council is 
composed of the Executive Secretary as Chairperson and the Secretaries of 
the following national agencies as members: 
(a) Department 
of 
Economy, 
Planning, 
and 
Development 
(DEPDev); 
(b) Department of Environment and Natural Resources; 
(c) Department of National Defense; 
(d) Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA); 
(e) Department of Justice; 
(f) Department of the Interior and Local Government; 
(g) Department of Agriculture; 
(h) Department of Tourism; 
(i) Department of Transportation; 
(j) Department of Trade and Industry; 
(k) Department of Energy; 
(l) Department of Science and Technology; 
(m)Department of Finance; 
(n) Department of Education (DepEd); 
(o) Department of Information and Communications Technology; 
(p) National Security Council; and 
(q) Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. 
Department Secretaries may designate an alternative representative, 
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. 8. National Maritime Secretariat. - The Coastal Watch Council 
Secretariat, established under Section 4 of EO 57, series of 2011, is hereby 
renamed as the National Maritime Secretariat and shall continue to provide 
technical and administrative support to the Council and perform its functions 
under the same EO. 
SEC. 9. National Maritime Coordination Center. -The National Coast 
Watch Center, established under Section 5 of EO 57, series of 2011, is 
hereby renamed as the National Maritime Coordination Center and shall 
continue to be the operational support unit of the National Maritime 
Monitoring System and perform its functions under the same EO. 
SEC. 10. Support Agencies. - In order to ensure the efficient and 
effective discharge of its responsibilities, in addition to the agencies 


enumerated under Section 6 of EO 57, series of 2011, the Council may call 
upon other departments, bureaus, offices and instrumentalities of the 
government, representatives from maritime industries, 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. 11. 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 develop modem physical infrastructure and 
build an enabling environment for blue economy to prosper, and 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. 12. 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 in our 
maritime zones, including seafood processing and storage, and 
commercial research and development (R&D) activities for 
biomass resource and fish stock estimation, artificial intelligence for 
forecasting fish stocks and supply; 
(b) Compliance to local and international maritime laws; 
(c) Analysis of current and emerging trends 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 goods and services from coastal 
and marine environments; 
(e) Priority strategic and sustainable ocean-based and ocean-related 
economic activities within our maritime zones, which may include 
the following: 
(1) Fisheries, including commercial fishing, but with preference to 
subsistence fisheries, as mandated by Section 7, Article XIII, of 
the Constitution; 


(2) Aquaculture, mariculture and aquasilviculture and support 
industries, including seafood processing and storage, and 
aquaculture feed milling; 
(3) Marine and coastal tourism; 
(4) Shipping, logistics and maritime transport; 
(5) Shipbuilding and ship repair; 
(6) Production of renewable energy from marine sources; 
(7) Installation of submarine cables and pipelines; 
(8) Marine biotechnology and bioprospecting; 
(9) Desalination; 
(10) Underwater cultural heritage and maritime archaeology; and 
(11) Commercial R&D activities and commercialization of new and 
emerging technologies developed from locally undertaken 
R&D; 
(f) Principles and indicators to guide environmental impact 
assessment of ocean-based and ocean-related economic activities, 
taking into account the environmental-economic accounting of 
marine resources and ecosystem services that will be affected; 
(g) Adoption of integrated marine and coastal area management; 
(h) Strategies to promote blue finance; 
(i) Priority research and development agenda, including development 
of innovative technologies, and human capital to support the blue 
economy; 
(j) Promotion of ocean literacy and social responsibility towards the 
protection of coastal and marine environments; 
(k) Enhancement of capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines 
and civilian agencies to enforce laws, rules and regulations to 
protect our marine wealth; 
(l) 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; and 
(m)Such other components as may be determined by the Council as a 
result of its periodic review, to ensure that the Policy Framework is 
continually updated and adapted to the needs of the times. 
CHAPTERIV 
COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL MARITIME INSTRUMENTS 


SEC. 13. International Maritime Instruments. - The Council shall 
direct the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee, as created under EO No. 
159, series of 2021, to Facilitate the Ratification of/Accession to and 
Implementation of Maritime Conventions (ICCRIMC) to establish mechanisms 
for the full and effective implementation and enforcement of the following 
international maritime instruments and their subsequent amendments, 
including, but not limited to the following: 
(a) 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; 
(b) Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of 
Flora and Fauna; 
(c) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 
(UNESCO) Convention on the Protection of the Underwater 
Cultural Heritage; 
(d)International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as 
amended, and its Protocol of 1988 (SOLAS 74); 
(e) International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 
and its Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78); 
(f) Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing 
Collisions at Sea, 1972, as amended (COLREG 72); 
(g) International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 and its Protocol of 
1988, as amended (LL 66); 
(h) International Convention on the Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 
1969 (TONNAGE 69); 
(i) Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety 
of Maritime Navigation, 1988 (SUA) and its Protocol; 
(j) International 
Convention 
on Oil 
Pollution 
Preparedness, 
Response and Co-operation 1990 (OPRC 1990); 
(k) International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' 
Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWM 2004); 
(l) Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by dumping of 
Wastes and Other Matter, 1972, as amended, and its 1996 Protocol 
(LCP); 
(m)Special Trade Passenger Ships Agreement, 1971 (STP 71); 
(n) Convention on the International Mobile Satellite Organization, as 
amended (IMSO 1976) and its Operating Agreement (INMARSAT); 
(o) International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and 
Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, As Amended (STCW 78); 
(p) International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti Fouling 
Systems on Ships, 2001 (AFS 2001); 
(q) Protocol of 1992 to Amend the International Convention on Civil 
Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969; 
(r) Protocol of 1992 to amend the International Convention on the 
Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil 
Pollution Damage, 1971; and 
(s) Other relevant maritime treaties, conventions, or instruments as 
may be agreed upon in the future. 


SEC. 14. 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 that 
engage in ocean-based or ocean-related enterprise, or those 
acting on their behalf; and 
(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. 
SEC. 15. Reciprocity. - The rights and privileges of foreign vessels 
and aircraft in Philippine archipelagic waters herein provided are recognized 
under conditions of reciprocity and mutual respect. The President of the 
Philippines is hereby authorized to institute countermeasures and other 
appropriate steps as may be recommended by the DFA in response to 
foreign states that do not abide by, or that act inconsistently with the 
UNCLOS, or which do not ensure that vessels and aircraft under their 
authority comply with their rights and obligations under the convention. 
CHAPTER V 
ENVIRONMENTAL-ECONOMIC ACCOUNTING 
SEC. 16. Environmental-Economic Accounting. - The Philippine 
Statistics Authority shall include the environmental-economic accounting of 
marine ecosystems, as part of the Philippine ecosystem and natural capital 
accounting system, in the generation of the Philippine ocean economy 
satellite accounts. 
CHAPTER VI 
INTEGRATED MARINE AND COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT 
SEC. 17. Integrated Marine and Coastal Area Management. - The 
IMCAM shall be the framework to address human impacts on marine and 
coastal ecosystem, and for promoting its conservation and sustainable use. 
The Integrated Coastal Management Framework, principles, and 
mechanisms shall be aligned and shall be an integral part of the IMCAM 
framework to be developed under this Act. 
SEC. 18. 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, local government units 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) Build 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, and closed seasons, in 
accordance with Republic Act (RA) No. 8550, also known as 
the "Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998", as amended by RA 
10654; and 
(5)
Reduction of by-catch. 
(c) Establish mechanisms and guidelines for research, monitoring and 
assessment of coastal and marine ecosystems and resources, 
including indicators to measure natural and humaninduced 
impacts; and 
(d) Establish guidelines and mechanisms on green and blue 
businesses. 
CHAPTER VII 
PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF COASTAL AND 
MARINE RESOURCES 
SEC. 19. 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 of the Philippines and Congress the 
designation of coastal and marine areas as protected areas under the 
Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System or under RA 8550, 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 UNCLOS, and 
Convention on Biological Diversity. 
SEC. 20. 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 RA 
8550, as amended. 
CHAPTER VIII  
DEVELOPMENT PLANNING 
SEC. 21. Maritime Spatial Planning. - The Council, in consultation 
with relevant agencies, regional bodies and local government units (LGUs), 
shall undertake a nationwide maritime spatial planning, guided by the 
standards of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, 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. 22. Industry Development Plans. - The Council, through 
working groups created for the purpose, shall prepare five-year and ten year 
development plans for priority strategic and sustainable ocean-based or 
ocean-related industry, in accordance with the Policy Framework and in 
consideration of the existing development plans and strategies formulated by 
agencies involved in coastal and marine protection and development. The 
Council shall also ensure the integration of the framework in existing industry 
plans. 
SEC. 23. Integration with Area and National Development Plans. - 
The DEPDev 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. 24. Inclusion in Strategic Investment Priority Plan. - The 
Council shall recommend to the BOI the inclusion of identified priority 
strategic ocean-based and ocean-related activities in the Strategic 
Investment Priority Plan. 
SEC. 25. Blue Economic Zones. - Investment Promotion Agencies 
(IPAs) shall encourage the establishment of blue economic zones and the 
transformation of existing special economic zones into the same: Provided, 
That Registered Business Enterprises (RBEs) engaged in ocean-based or 
ocean-related activities in these blue economic zones, duly registered by an 
IPA, may be entitled to the incentives under Title XIII (Tax Incentives) of the 
National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. 
In addition, the incentives provided under this Act shall be without 


prejudice to the following laws: 
(a) RA 9003, otherwise known as the "Ecological Solid Waste 
Management Act of 2000"; 
(b) RA 9275, otherwise known as the "Philippine Clean Water Act of 
2004"; 
(c)
' 
RA 9513, otherwise known as the "Renewable Energy Act of 
2008"; and 
(d) RA 10771, otherwise known as the "Philippine Green Jobs Act of 
2016". 
The RBEs operating within blue economic zones may also qualify for 
financing provided under RA 11293, otherwise known as the "Philippine 
Innovation Act", as applicable. 
CHAPTER IX  
BLUE FINANCE 
SEC. 26. 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. 27. 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, eligible Blue 
Economy activities, in accordance with SEC Guidelines, the Association of 
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Green Bonds Standards and Green 
Bonds Principles, as developed and may be revised from time to time by the 
SEC, ASEAN Capital Markets Forum, and the International Capital Market 
Association, respectively. All designated Blue Projects or Activities must 
provide clear benefits to ocean health and the blue economy or must 
contribute substantially to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 
(UN SDG) 6 or 14, which shall be assessed and, where feasible, quantified 
by the Issuer. 
SEC. 28. Role of Government Financial Institutions. - The Land 
Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines shall 
provide credit to strategic and sustainable ocean-based or ocean-related 
enterprises. 
SEC. 29. Blue Public Expenditures. -The Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM) shall allocate funds to implement blue economy 
programs, activities and projects (PAPs), in consonance with Section 15 of 
Republic Act No. 9729, as amended. The DBM shall include blue public 
expenditures as part of its efforts to increase convergence in programming 
and implementation of climate change and disaster risk reduction PAPs 
through the Risk Resiliency Program. 


CHAPTER X 
MARINE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND INNOVATION (STI) 
AND OCEAN LITERACY 
SEC. 30. 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. 31. Marine Technology and Innovation. - The State recognizes 
that science, technology, and innovation have a critical role in harnessing 
ocean resources for the blue economy while ensuring sustainability. Marine 
technology and innovations are needed to address technical and logistical 
constraints that impede the development of Philippine blue industries. Among 
these technologies are advanced materials, subsea engineering and 
technology, sensors and imaging, big data analytics, autonomous systems, 
biotechnology, nanotechnology, marine spatial planning, and circular blue 
economy. The government shall also support the development and adoption 
of locally-developed marine-related technologies. 
SEC. 32. Ocean Literacy Framework. - The DepEd, 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 economic, socio-cultural, spiritual, scientific and 
political importance/significance of the ocean to humankind m general and 
the Filipinos in particular; 
(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. 33. Archipelagic Sea Lanes. - The President of the Philippines 
shall designate sea lanes and air routes thereabove, 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 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. 34. Role of Local Government Units. - Cities and municipalities 
shall continue to exercise jurisdiction over municipal waters, pursuant to RA 
7160, otherwise known as the "Local Government Code of 1991", as 
amended, and RA 8550, as amended subject to the jurisdiction and authority 
of national government agencies as stated in the provisions of special laws 
as the case may be. Consistent with this mandate, LGUs shall act as the 
frontline agencies in the formulation, planning, and implementation and 
enforcement of the law of IMCAM in their respective jurisdictions. The LGUs 
shall integrate the National Maritime Spatial Plan in their Comprehensive 
Development and Annual Investment Plans. 
SEC. 35. 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. 36. Joint Congressional Oversight. - For the effective 
implementation of this Act, a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee is 
created, to be known as the Blue Economy Oversight Committee, which 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. 37. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's 
appropriations of the Office of the President. Thereafter, such amount shall 
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 


SEC. 38. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Council shall 
issue the necessary rules and regulations to efficiently carry out the 
provisions of this Act within sixty (60) days from its effectivity. 
SEC. 39. 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. 40. 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. 41. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,