Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR BLUE ECONOMY, PROMOTING 
STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL AND 
MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Blue economy is central to the future of human security, including new sources of food, 
medicines, and renewable energy. As an archipelagic country with long coastlines, the 
Philippines has great potential to become a driver of blue economy development. Many 
of our people depend on healthy seas and oceans for their livelihoods, food security, 
health, and recreation. We are custodian to an immense waters and home to rich and 
diverse marine and coastal resources, and the sustainable use of marine and coastal 
resources is a centerpiece of our healthy sustenance and prosperity. This can only be 
done through a holistic approach addressing the needs of all coastal communities, 
promoting sustainable practices, and protecting our biodiversity. Furthermore, it is high 
time that the government effectively address the extensive effects of climate change 
and safeguard and promote sustainable development for the nation. The fragile state 
of our ecosystems demands decisive action, as impacts of climate change, habitat loss, 
and pollution threaten the very foundation of our nation’s well-being. 
This bill will allow the Philippines to account for the value of natural resources by 
integrating its worth into national accounts. This way, our national government agencies 
can make more informed decisions which balance economic growth and environmental 
protection. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good 
of the Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
August 1, 2023
8:40 am
8669


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
______________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
______________________________________________________________________ 
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 the 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; 
8669


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(e) 
Foster international cooperation, and exercise rights and jurisdiction in 
accordance with applicable international laws, including on freedom of navigation;  
 
(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 


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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.  
 


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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.  


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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:  


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(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;  
 


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(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 
Cooperation 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);  
 


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(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, 


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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 sea grass and the sea bed;  
(2) Prevention, reduction or control of marine and land-based pollution;  
(3) Improper coastal land use and the mismanagement of watersheds 
(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 


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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:  


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(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.  


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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 


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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,