FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 2711 
--r 
Introduced by SENATOR MkNNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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'11 
FEB 22 P 5 :39 
Mangroves are various kinds of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline 
coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics. 'Such bosks are also part of the mangrove 
forest biome. 1 
Mangroves protect coastal areas from' erosion, storm surge especially during 
hurricanes, and tsunamis? The mangroves' massive root systems are efficient at dissipating wave 
energy. Likewise, they slow down tidal water enough that its sediment is deposited as the tide comes 
in, leaving everything except fine particles when the tide ebbs. They also serve as breeding grounds 
and nursery of marine organisms as well as habitat for a number of wildlife species and resting place 
for migratory birds. Lastly, mangroves are good sources of raw materials for construction, furniture 
production and energy. 
Healthy mangrove ecosystems provide an abundance of goods and services of critical 
importance to humans and other species. In contrast to human made capital, these benefits are 
provided in perpetuity with no depreciation or maintenance costs, continually renewed by solar 
energy.3 
In spite of the benefits they provide, mangrove ecosystems are lost at an alarming rate around 
the world. Once covering some three quarters of tropical coastlines4, conversions to aquaculture, 
pollution, extraction, and coastal development have wiped out an estimated 113 of mangrove forests 
over the past 50 years5 and at least y, over the last century, with much of the loss occurring in the last 
two decades6. 
The country's mangrove resources continue to decline despite numerous laws 
protecting it. Efforts to restore it pale in comparison to the, problems depleting it. 
This bill aims to set a road-map responsive to the urgent needs of mangrove development and 
management in the Philippines in order to harmonize policy direction and institutions tending to the 
same end. Thus, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
1 World Vegetation, Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden, University of California 
2 "Tidal-Scale Hydrodynamics within Mangrove Swamps" Wetlands Ecology and Management, Ma2da, Y.; Kobashi, 
D. and Okada, S. (2005) 
3 "Conserving Mangrove Ecosystems in the Philippines", Farl~y, Batker, De La Torre, and Hudspeth, 2006 
4 Farnsworth and Ellison 1997 
5 Daniel M. Alongi 2002 
6 GESAMP 2001 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2711 
Introduced by SENATOR MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
'11 
FEB 22 P 5 :39 
PROMOTING A NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR THE SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT, AND PROTECTION OF MANGROVE 
RESOURCES IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
Assembled: 
ARTICLE! ' 
TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY AND OBJECTIVES 
SECTION 1. Title - This Act shall be known as the "Mangrove Resources Act of2011 ," 
SECTION 2. Policy - It is a recognized policy ofthe State to protect and advance the right of 
the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, In 
order to achieve this, there should be a broad-based community participation in the development, 
management and protection ofthe country's mangrove fortists. 
In line with this, the State should ensure the success of development, management and 
protection of natural mangrove forests and associated ecosystems therein and rehabilitating those 
mangrove areas which are degraded and ruined. Sustainable utilization of mangrove resources is 
encouraged to serve as incentive to develop more areas within the framework of community-based 
and other socially-responsive approaches. 
SECTION 3. Objectives. - The objectives of this Act are: 
, 
a. to provide appropriate direction and, support for the sustainable 
development and management of mangrove resources in the country; 
b. to provide an orderly and clear procedure in the implementation of 
mangrove rehabilitation strategies; 
c. to enhance the mangrove communities' effective and meaningful 
participation in the development, management and protection of the 
mangrove forests under various government programs and promote their 
overall socio-economic well being; 
d. to provide the necessary institutional platforms that will carry out the 
nation-wide mangrove rehabilitation and protection programs. 


SECTION 4. Definition o/Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are hereby 
defined: 
a. Mangroves - refer to areas along rivers, tidal flats, island fringes and 
other coastal areas harbouring mangrove species which are periodically 
inundated due to tide actions. 
. 
b. Community or Mangrove community - group or groups of people 
residing within or adjacent to the FSP mangrove subproject site who are 
willing and committed to participate in the implementation of the 
subproject and long- term community-based forest management on the 
site; 
c. Community-Based Forest Management Agreement for mangrove 
areas - a production sharing agreement entered into by and between a 
community and the DENR to develop, utilize, manage and conserve a 
specific portion of mangrove forest consistent with the principles of 
sustainable development; 
d. Department - refers to the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources. 
e. Mangrove enrichment planting -refers to the direct planting of 
propagules or nursery -raised mangrove seedlings to sparsely vegetated or 
poorly stocked natural mangrove areas with the purpose of re-stocking and 
enriching the area; 
'. 
f. Non -Government Organization (NGO) -
group of persons or 
organizations, commonly referred to as Assisting Organization (AO) with 
various expertise contracted by the DENR to assist in the implementation of 
its projects 
g. People's Organization (PO) -a group of people living within or adjacent to 
DENR mangrove subprojects organized into an association, cooperative or 
any other appropriate form of organization to implement the component 
strategies of a particular community-based mangrove project; 
h. Reforestation - refers to planting of mangrove species in degraded areas 
formerly vegetated with mangrove species; 
i. Afforestation - refers to the establishment of mangrove plantations in 
suitable areas not previously vegetated with mangroves. 
j. Multiple-use - refers to the consideration and recognition of the multiple 
uses of mangrove forests and its ability to provide multiple benefits; 
k. Aquasivicultnre - combination of tree plantation technologies and fish or 
other sea products culture designed to obtain optimum economic and 
environmental benefits from mangrove forests. 
I. Sea ranching - refers to the culture of economic fishes and other sea products 
in an enclosed or strictly protected area with the main purpose of utilizing or 
harvesting the mature individuals and in restocking adjacent areas. 
SECTION 5. Basic Principles in Mangrove Management. - The basic guiding principle in 
the national mangrove management shall be sustained ecplogical soundness and economic viability 
of all mangrove areas in the country. As such, all mangrPve forests whether natural or man-made 
shall be managed primarily to safeguard their ecological integrity as a life support system as well as 


sustain the economic benefits derived through scientific and well-planned utilization strategies for 
the benefit of the communities dependent on them. 
The continuous protection and sustainability of all mangrove areas shall be one of the basic 
requirements of any mangrove plan or development fra11Jework to be followed by all government 
agencies or private entities involved in mangrove development and management taking into 
consideration the multiple economic uses of mangrove forests. Any environmental protection 
strategy shall consider these two basic management principles aimed at deriving optimum economic 
and environmental benefits from mangrove resources. 
' 
SECTION 6. Mangrove Development and Rehabilitation Strategies. - Conversion of all 
natural mangrove forests into non-mangrove land uses shall not be allowed and all existing natural 
mangroves shall be strictly protected under RA 7586 otherwise known as the National Integrated 
Protected Areas System Act of 1992. Degraded mangrove areas, coastal areas appropriate for 
reforestation and afforestation and all current mangrove areas under intensive management shall be 
allowed to be developed and utilized under the following conditions: 
a. 
Natural mangrove stands shall be declared as protected areas and as such, no 
harvesting of mangrove trees for whatever purpose and the collection of tan barks 
and other products shall be allowed; 
b. 
Second growth mangrove areas may be classified into protection forest and 
production forest. Likewise, no cutting and harvesting of mangrove products in 
second growth protection mangrove forest such as mangrove trees, tan barks and 
nipa shall be allowed; 
c. 
New mangrove plantations developed strictly for protection and for ecological 
purposes shall not be subjected to harvesting; 
d. Second growth mangrove areas classified as production areas shall be developed 
and these can be subjected to sustainable harvesting as indicated in a mangrove 
management plan. Development can be in the form of reforestation or 
enrichment planting of appropriate mangrove species; 
e. 
Establishment of new mangrove plantations through afforestation may be 
undertaken in suitable areas within mangrove forests classified as production 
areas for sustained economic harvest such as' nipa plantations for shingles and 
sap, bakawan plantations for timber productio\l, and other mangrove plantations 
for products such as poles, fuel wood, eXlJdates, tannin and other similar 
products. Provided, that no commercial harvesting shall be allowed. Harvesting 
of mangrove timber products shall be for domestic purposes only and this shall 
be subject to rules and regulations promUlgated by the mangrove community 
with the approval of the Department. Fishpond development of not more than 
10% of the afforested area may be allowed; 
f. 
Thinning of plantations and utilization of thinned materials are to include value 
added processing/marketing; 
g. Natural mangrove forests may be developed for ecotourism provided that physical 
structures to be built shall further enhance ecological functions of the area as well 
as conform with its overall development plan approved by the community, the 
LGUs and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer; 
h. 
Sea ranching in all appropriate mangrove areas are allowed provided that this 
shall be in consideration of reforestation or /ffforestation in suitable production 
mangrove sites; 


Existing mangrove projects such as the Coastal Environmental Program (CEP), Forestry 
Sector Subprojects (FSP), CommunitY-Based Resource Management (CBRM), and other government 
programs shall continue to operate und.er this Act. Additional project components consistent with 
those allowed in this Act may be identified for implementation subject to availability of funds within 
the respective programs, as allowed by law. 
SECTION 7. Incentives and Institutional Support. - As incentive to plantation developers 
which include but are not limited to the communities, private sector, local government units and 
other interested parties, integration of fishpond development in the overall development plan 
whenever feasible is encouraged. Provided, that no natural mangrove stand shall be converted into a 
fishpond. Provided, further, that the area of the fishpond shall not be more than 10 % of the area 
earmarked for development and situated in production mangrove areas. 
Selective cutting of mangrove plantations is also allowed until optimum plantation spacing is 
reached with enough provision for natural seeding. As such, initial closer spacing in all plantations is 
encouraged. 
SECTION 8. Management Strategies. -
8.1 Project Implementation Approaches 
8.1.1 Community-Based Forest Management Approach (CBFM) - The CBFM shall be 
the main project implementation approach for projects to be implemented under this Act. 
Communities living within or outside mangrove areas whose sources of livelihood are closely linked 
to the mangrove areas may apply for tenure of the same under the CBFM program. 
Within one year from obtaining tenure over the mangrove area, the CBFM people's 
organization (PO) shall submit to the Department through 'the CENRO a sustainable mangrove forest 
development plan which includes, among others, the classification of the mangrove area in strict 
protection areas and production areas, plans to protect and'maintain the strict protection areas and for 
developing the production area. 
The CBFM permit may also be provided to communities within proclaimed protected 
mangrove areas. Similarly, a sustainable mangrove management plan shall be submitted by the PO to 
the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) within one year from obtaining the tenure over the 
mangrove area. No harvesting shall be allowed in mangrove areas within protected areas. However, 
the PO may be allowed to develop the area for tourism purposes as well as other development 
projects compatible with the protected area status of the mangrove area as provided for in RA 7586 
otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Area System Act of 1992. 
8.1.2 Mangrove Forest Adoption by Private Organizations - A program for the adoption 
of mangrove forests or portions thereof by private citizens; groups, partnerships or corporations shall 
be encouraged under this Act. Such arrangement shall be only be limited to the strict protection of 
mangrove forests as identified and development of degraded mangroves or other appropriate areas 
through different rehabilitation strategies. It shall be covered by a memorandum of agreement 
(MOA) between the DENR Regional Office concerned which would ensure the protection of the 
area. The State shall allow integration of income generating components under this arrangement such 
as but not limited to ecotourism, aqua-silviculture development and other economic activities 
allowed under Section 6 of this Act for purposes of generating funds to sustain the protection of the 
areas placed under such arrangements. The DENR Regional Office shall have the primary 
responsibility of monitoring and evaluating the compliance of its partners with respect to the terms 
and conditions of the MOA. Specific guidelines on this mangrove forest adoption program shall be 
issued by the DENR within six (6) months upon approval of this Act. 


8.2 Mangrove Research, Development and Extension - The Ecosystems Research and 
Development Bureau (ERDB) and where appropriate, the Ecosystems Research and Development 
Services (EROS) of the DENR shall undertake relevant basic and applied research and development 
projects. The ERDB shall also formulate additional approaches for new technology to develop, 
sustain and preserve mangroves while the implementation ~hall be undertaken by the ERDS. 
To increase the value-added to mangrove products, the Forest Products Research and 
Development Institute (FPRDI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) shall 
undertake research and development on mangroves. 
FPRDl shall be responsible for extension services. of technologies in collahoration with the 
ERDB and ERDS. 
Appropriate state colleges and universities, partic'1iarly those situated close to mangroves are 
expected to undertake research, development and extension services with respect to the same. Social 
aspects of mangrove m(lnagement and utilization shall be a major theme of these mangrove research 
and development initiatives. 
Within one (I) year from the promulgation of this Act, the ERDB shall develop and submit to 
the DENR Undersecretary for Research and Development, a National Research, Development and 
Extension (ROE) program on mangroves. Such Rand D program shall also include Rand D projects 
outside of DENR. It shall also reflect the Rand D projects identified under the National Research 
Development Agenda (NRDA) under the Presidential Coordinating Council for Research and 
Development (PCCRD) and also those identified under the Action Program of the Commission of 
Climate Change, should there be any. 
SECTION 9. Funding Requirements. - All revenues generated from any production sharing 
agreements within mangrove areas shall be reverted back to the area where such revenue was 
realized for its continued development and preservation. Appropriate rules, regulations and 
mechanisms shall be formulated by the Department to enforce this provision. At least 20% from such 
revenues shall be allocated for the RDE. 
The DENR shall set aside funds from the budget of the ERDB for the implementation of 
mangrove Rand 0 projects as well as extension activities: Concerned ERDS of the Regional Offices 
of DENR shall also set aside funds for the implementation of RDE activities within their respective 
regions. 
The DOST through PCARRD shall identify mangrove RDEs as priority areas and shall 
allocate funds for the implementation of such activities. 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
• 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or is inconsistent 
with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general citculation. 
Approved,