Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 900

Introduced by Rep. MARIO VITTORIO “MARVEY” A, MARINO
5th District, Batangas

AN ACT DECLARING THE VERDE ISLAND PASSAGE MARINE
CORRIDOR AS A MARITIME PROTECTED AREA AND AN
ECOTOURISM ZONE, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE
VERDE ISLAND PASSAGE MANAGEMENT BOARD, DEFINING
ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Verde Island Passage is one of the rich biodiversity areas in the country and
has been declared the center of center of the world’s marine shore fish diversity by
marine scientists. As'stth, the national government and local government units have
taken measures to protect, conserve and sustainably use biological diversity to ensure
and secure the well-being of the present and future generations of Filipinos.

Then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for instance, issued Executive Order
No. 578 which established a national policy on biological diversity and created an ad
hhoc task force to ensure the protection, conservation and sustainable use of biological
diversity in the Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor, and formulate a Verde Island
Passage Management Plan in consultation with stakeholders, the private sector, civil
society and local communities.

Local government units, in cooperation with national government agencies, law
enforcement, and civil society, signed a memorandum of agreement to create a
network for the protection and sustainable management of the Verde Island Passage.

Despite these significant steps, the Verde Island Passage remains vulnerable.
Human activities such as fishing, shipping, tourism, and navigation still pose a serious
threat. Thus, this bill seeks to urgently declare the Verde Island Passage Marine
Corridor as a Marine Protected Area and an Ecotourism Zone. The bill also proposes
the creation of a management body that shall implement the existing management
plan and the policies enunciated in the proposed Act.

In view of the foregoing, the early pass 's earnestly requested.

MARIO VITTORIO “MARVEY” A. MARINO


Point

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._900_

Introduced by Rep. MARIO VITTORIO “MARVEY” A. MARINO
5 District, Batangas

AN ACT DECLARING THE VERDE ISLAND PASSAGE MARINE
CORRIDOR AS A MARITIME PROTECTED AREA AND AN
ECOTOURISM ZONE, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE
VERDE ISLAND PASSAGE MANAGEMENT BOARD, DEFINING
ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Verde Island Passage
Marine Corridor Protected Area Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ Considering the Verde Island Marine
Corridor is recognized as the world’s center of marine biodiversity, it is hereby
declared the policy of the State to conserve and protect its marine resources and
promote the welfare of the human communities therein, their culture and way of life
insofar as they are in harmony with nature. Towards this end, the State shall ensure
the optimal resource utilization, conservation, protection, and promotion of the
sustainable coastal and marine development of the areas covered by the Verde Island
Passage Marine Corridor.

SECTION 3. Scope. — The Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor lies between
the southern coast of the province of Batangas and the northern coast of Mindoro
Island, more particularly described as follows:

LONGTITUDE LATITUDE

x y
Coordinates Coordinates DEG MIN SEC DEG MIN SEC Remarks
7 7 Boundary bet. San Juan &
12145733 13.81120 121 27 26 3 4B 40 Sariaya (River)
rangers 1356896 121s} 581834 Naherm tp of Marndugue
Boundary of Buenavisa &
2 2 ay
mons pa) m2 tg Ban ot
122.14901 12,90621 122 8 36 13 S4 22 Water
122,14901 12.11870 122 7 7 13 45 39° Water
ra0sse7 1274913122 S88 AST Water
Taos 1274823 BW
122.08031 12.74514 122 4 49 3 44 43° Water
ious 1274501122 Water


122.0176 12.7518 122 Sater
12148678 1299637 121-2912 13,59. Boumndary b/w Pinamalayan &

Gloria

12002122 13.44654 12017, S813. 2648p of Paluan (Cape Calavite)
120.0240 13.8239 120.1 1613, 52,57 Cabra Island

12002450 1389695 1201 31.13.33. 48 Cabra Island A

120.5886 14.22214 120351941320 Cabral Island A

SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. ~ The terms used in this Act are as follows:

Existing Management Plan shall refer to the Verde Island Passage Management
Plan formulated and completed by the Ad Hoc Task Force on Verde Island Passage
pursuant to Executive Order No. 578 issued on November 8, 2006.

Non-Government Organization (NGO) ~ any civic, developmental, environmental.
or philanthropic non-stock, non-profit organization, duly registered, having by-laws,

ically-elected representatives, with qualifications, expertise and objectivity
ies concerning community organization and development, or resource and
environmental conservation, management relative to protected areas.

Protected Area ~ a clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and
managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long term
conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.

VIPMB ~ Verde Island Management Board.

VIPMC ~ Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor.

SECTION 5. Verde Island Passage Management Board. — A Verde Island
Passage Management Board is hereby created under the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) to implement the existing management plan and
policies enunciated under this Act. It shall be composed of:

a. The Secretary of the DENR, as Chairperson;

b. The Govemors of the Province of Batangas, the Province of Marinduque, the

Province of Mindoro Occidental, the Province of Mindoro Oriental, and the
Province of Romblon, as co-chairpersons;

c. The Executive Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(DA-BFAR), as member;

a. The Regional Director of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region IV-A, as
member;

b. The Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
Region IV-A, as member:

c. The Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA), as member;


d. The Regional Director of the Department of Health (DOH) Region [V-A, as
member;

e. The Regional Director of the Department of Interior and Local Government
(DILG) Region IV-A, as member;

£ The Regional Director of the Department of Finance (DOF) Region IV-A, as
member;

g. The Regional Director of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Region IV-A, as
member;

h. The Regional Director of the Department of Energy (DOE) Region [V-A, as
member;

i, The Regional Director of the Department of Transportation (DOTt) Region
IV-A, as member;

j. The Regional Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Region
IV-A, as member;

k. The Regional Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region
IV-A, as member;

1. The Regional Director of the Department of National Defense (DND) Region
IV-A, as member;

m. Two (2) representatives from the academe, to be appointed by the President
upon recommendation of the DENR Secretary, as members; and

n. Two (2) representatives from NGOs, to be chosen from among themselves in
an election duly called for the purpose, as members.

SECTION 6. Term. — Except for government officials who shall serve ex-officio,

every VIPMB member shall serve for a term of three (3) years; Provided, That the
said member remains connected with the sector being represented. Whenever a
vacancy occurs during the term of a member who does not represent the government,
anew member shall be chosen in the same manner as the original process to serve the
remaining term of the predecessor.

SECTION 7. Powers and Functions of the Board. - The VIPMB shall have the

following powers and functions:

a. Formulate the Verde Island Passage Marine Protected and Ecotourism Master
Plan that is consistent with the existing Management Plan.

b. Ensure the proper implementation and enforcement of existing laws, rules and
regulations, policies, and programs within the VIPMC:


c. Decide matters relating to planning, resource use and protection, and general
administration of the area in accordance with the existing Management Plan
Framework;

d. Coordinate with national and local agencies, local government units, local
communities, the academe, non-government organizations, and such other
institutions to ensure the conservation, management, and proper zoning of
coastal waters to reduce possible conflict in the use of resources in VIPMC;

e. Provide guidelines and best practices for coastal and foreshore development
planning that take into account the likelihood for increase storm activity,
saltwater intrusion, and other climate change impacts;

f. Initiate partnerships with the private sector and the local government units
concemed on establishing processes for dealing with pollution, including but
not limited to oil spills, through the Environmental Impact Assessment
System;

g. Facilitate access to technical assistance and information among different
agencies, sectors, and local government units;

h. Regulate construction, operation, and maintenance of structures and utilities
within the VIPMC;

i. Generate funds and accept donations and grants and exercise accountability
over all funds that may accrue to the VIPMC;

j. Convene a conflict resolution mechanism;

k, Provide adequate measures to ensure consultation and participation of
stakeholders;

SECTION 8. The Secretariat. - The Board, through a Resolution, shall establish
a Secretariat to provide administrative support to the VIPMC Management Board.
The Secretariat shall have the following functions:

a. Coordinate day-to-day activities related to the implementation of the
Management Plan;

b. Arrange and service meetings of the Board; and
c. Prepare the necessary reports and documents.

SECTION 9. Appropriations, - The amount necessary for the initial operating
expenses of the VIPMB shall be charge d to the appropriations authorized for the
DENR. Thereafter, the sum necessary for the continued operation and maintenance of
the VIPMB shall be charged from the user fees to be imposed by the respective local
government units concerned. This income shall be derived from the tourist fess,
contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting from the use of the
portions of VIPMC.



SECTION 10. /mplementing Rules. ~ Within 90 days from its effectivity, the
VIPMB and other concerned agencies shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.

SECTION 11. Separability Clause. — All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with any provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders,
memorandum circulars inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15)
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved,