Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.____ 
Introduced by Representative MA. VICTORIA CO-PILAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines, as an archipelagic nation, is blessed with abundant marine resources and 
vast coastal ecosystems that serve as a lifeline for millions of Filipinos. Our seas provide food, 
livelihood, biodiversity, cultural heritage, and potential for economic growth through sectors 
such as fisheries, tourism, marine biotechnology, and renewable energy. However, despite their 
immense value, our marine and coastal ecosystems are increasingly under threat. Environmental 
degradation caused by overfishing, pollution, and destructive practices continues to damage 
coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. The lack of a cohesive national policy has led to 
fragmented governance, weak enforcement of maritime laws, and inefficiencies in the sustainable 
use and management of these vital resources. 
One of the most pressing issues facing the country today is the continuing maritime 
dispute in the West Philippine Sea. Despite the Philippines’ landmark legal victory in the 2016 
Arbitral Tribunal ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 
China’s continued incursions and illegal activities within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) 
severely undermine Philippine sovereignty and threaten the livelihood of Filipino fisherfolk. 
Chinese vessels have been involved in destructive fishing practices and the militarization of 
maritime features, which not only deplete fish stocks and damage coral reefs but also endanger 
regional peace and security. These actions challenge our ability to exercise sovereign rights and 
protect the marine wealth that is rightfully ours under international law. 
This bill seeks to establish a national framework for the Blue Economy - an economy that 
values the ocean as a driver of inclusive and sustainable growth, which envisions the sustainable 
use and management of ocean resources to promote inclusive economic growth, environmental 
stewardship, and the well-being of present and future generations.  
By adopting a blue economy framework, this Bill aligns with global sustainable 
development goals and international maritime obligations, and provides a strategic path for the 
Philippines to responsibly harness its marine wealth while safeguarding the health and resilience 
of our marine ecosystems. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
July 24, 2025
4:01 pm
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2 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.____ 
Introduced by Representative MA. VICTORIA CO-PILAR 
AN ACT 
1 
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR BLUE ECONOMY, PROMOTING 
2 
STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL AND 
3 
MARINE 
ECOSYSTEMS 
AND 
RESOURCES, 
REORGANIZING 
AND 
4 
RENAMING THE NATIONAL COAST WATCH SYSTEM AS THE NATIONAL 
5 
MARITIME MONITORING SYSTEM, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
6 
7 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
8 
assembled:  
9 
10 
11 
CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS 
12 
13 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Blue Economy Act.” 
14 
15 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It shall be the policy of the State to: 
16 
17 
(a) Adopt blue economy as a framework for equitable and sustainable development
18 
and safe use of marine wealth within our maritime zones, as a pillar of our national
19 
economy and patrimony;
20 
21 
(b) Exercise stewardship of our seas and coasts, and protect and  conserve the health
22 
and resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems and habitats, through strong
23 
institutional mechanisms for maritime monitoring and regulatory enforcement, to
24 
promote the well-being, prosperity and security of present and future generations;
25 
26 
(c) Preserve our maritime heritage, recognize the social, cultural, and historical value
27 
of our seas and coasts, and foster public understanding and respect of the value of our
28 
seas and coasts to build a strong foundation for social responsibility;
29 
30 
(d) Enrich scientific understanding of marine and coastal ecosystems,
31 
the benefits we gain from these ecosystems like carbon sequestration, their changing
32 
conditions and the causes thereof, and use the best available scientific knowledge to
33 
inform decisions affecting our seas and coasts and to enhance our capacity to respond
34 
and adapt to changing maritime environments;
35 
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(e) Foster international cooperation and multi-stakeholder engagement, and exercise 
1 
rights and jurisdiction in accordance with applicable international laws, including on 
2 
freedom of navigation;  
3 
 
4 
(f) Ensure a whole-of-nation approach and a comprehensive, integrated framework 
5 
for the stewardship of our seas and coasts to facilitate cohesive action of the national 
6 
government, local authorities, academe, nongovernmental organizations, the private 
7 
sector, and the public; and  
8 
 
9 
(g) Promote, support and monitor science, technology and innovation programs of 
10 
public and private academic and research institutions to strengthen interdisciplinary 
11 
research in marine science, and to develop emerging technologies to catalyze growth 
12 
of new maritime sectors.  
13 
 
14 
 
15 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act:  
16 
 
17 
(a) Aquaculture refers to fishery operations involving all forms of raising and culturing 
18 
fish and other fishery species in fresh, brackish, and marine water areas;  
19 
 
20 
(b) Aquasilviculture refers to a multi-purpose production system that allows 
21 
production of fish and other aquatic species in a mangrove reforestation project;  
22 
 
23 
(c) Aquatic resources refer to fish and other living resources of the  aquatic environment 
24 
that have or will have commercial value when utilized;  
25 
 
26 
(d) Blue economy refers to the integrated, holistic, cross-sectoral, and  cross-stakeholder 
27 
approach for the sustainable, resilient and inclusive use, governance, management 
28 
and conservation of oceans, seas as well as marine and coastal resources and 
29 
ecosystems for economic growth, leveraging green infrastructure and technologies, 
30 
innovative financing mechanisms and proactive institutional mechanisms, and 
31 
improving human well-being and social equity, and reducing environmental risks 
32 
and ecological scarcities;   
33 
 
34 
e) Blue carbon refers to organic carbon that is captured by marine and coastal 
35 
ecosystems, such as algae, seagrass, mangroves, and other plants growing in salt 
36 
marshes and coastal wetlands;  
37 
  
  
38 
(f) Blue public expenditure refers to public expenditures that address issues related to 
39 
coastal and marine resources, environmental degradation, and development 
40 
aspirations that depend on marine resources and environments;  
41 
 
42 
25 (g) By-catch refers to fish or other marine species that a fisher does not intend to 
43 
catch, including juveniles of commercially-valuable species and biologically-
44 
important species caught unintentionally while trying to catch a certain type of fish.  
45 
 
46 
(h) Commercial fishing refers to the taking of fishery species by passive or active gear 
47 
for trade, business and profit beyond subsistence or sports fishing, to be further 
48 
classified as: small scale commercial fishing, or fishing with passive or active gear 
49 


 
 
  
4  
utilizing fishing vessels of three and one-tenth (3.1) gross tons (GT) up to twenty (20) 
1 
GT; medium scale commercial fishing or fishing utilizing active gears and vessels of 
2 
twenty and one-tenth (20.1) GT up to one hundred fifty (150) GT; and large 
3 
commercial fishing or fishing utilizing active gears and vessels of more than one 
4 
hundred fifty (150) GT;  
5 
 
6 
(i) Contiguous zone refers to the contiguous zone of the Philippines to the waters 
7 
beyond and adjacent to its territorial sea and up to the extent of twenty-four (24) 
8 
nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the 40 territorial sea is 
9 
measured;  
10 
 
11 
(j) Continental shelf refers to the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas of the 
12 
Philippines that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation 
13 
of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to a distance of two 
14 
hundred (200) nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the 
15 
territorial sea is measured, where the outer edge of the continental margin does not 
16 
extend up to that distance;  
17 
 
18 
(k) Ecosystem services refer to the flow of benefits which humans gain from ecosystems, 
19 
through biological processes and climate, hydrological and biochemical cycles, and 
20 
experiences that contribute to intangible culture;  
21 
 
22 
(l) Environmental-economic accounting refers to a systematic way to measure and report 
23 
on stocks and flows of natural assets and resources – both biotic and abiotic, 
24 
renewable and non-renewable – and ecosystem services, to determine the 
25 
contribution of the environment to the economy and the impact of the economy on 
26 
the environment;  
27 
 
28 
(m) Environmental-economic accounts refer to statistical information, in physical or 
29 
monetary terms, about the extraction of natural resources, their use within the 
30 
economy, natural resource stock levels, the changes in those stocks during a specific 
31 
period, and such other economic activities related to the environment;  
32 
 
33 
(n) Exclusive economic zone (EEZ) refers to the waters beyond and adjacent to its 
34 
territorial sea and up to the extent of two hundred (200) nautical miles from the 
35 
baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured, as established by 
36 
Presidential Decree No. 1599, otherwise known as the “Philippine Exclusive 
37 
Economic Zone of 1978”, and to the extent consistent with the other provisions of this 
38 
Act and with the provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the 
39 
Sea (UNCLOS);  
40 
 
41 
(o) Fisheries refer to all activities relating to the science and act of business of fishing, 
42 
culturing, preserving, processing, marketing, developing, conserving, and managing 
43 
of aquatic resources, and environment;  
44 
 
45 
(p) Integrated coastal management (ICM) refers to a holistic and  integrative 
46 
management that incorporates the following components: (1) connectivity of various 
47 
ecosystems – environment and resources; (2) various sectors and stakeholders; (3) 
48 
institutional arrangements that are relevant; and (4) assessment of drivers of coastal 
49 
ecosystem degradation, management planning and implementation, including 
50 


 
 
  
  
research and education, to address coastal degradation and biodiversity losses, and 
1 
to improve the well-being of communities in coastal and interconnected areas;  
2 
 
3 
(q) Integrated Marine and Coastal Area Management (IMCAM) refers to a participatory 
4 
process for decision-making to prevent, control, or mitigate adverse impacts from 
5 
human activities in the marine and coastal environment, and to contribute to the 
6 
restoration of degraded coastal areas;  
7 
 
8 
(r) Internal waters refer to waters on the landward side of the archipelagic baselines 
9 
not forming part of archipelagic waters under Section 4 of 5 this Act and delineated 
10 
in accordance with Article 50 of the UNCLOS; and waters on the landward side of the 
11 
baselines of the territorial sea of territories outside of the archipelagic baselines, 
12 
drawn in accordance with Article 8 of the UNCLOS;  
13 
 
14 
(s) Investment promotion agencies (IPAs) refer to government entities created by law, 
15 
executive order, decree or other issuance, in charge of promoting investments, 
16 
granting and administering tax and non-tax incentives, and overseeing the operations 
17 
of the different economic zones and freeports in accordance with their respective 
18 
special laws. These include the Board of Investments (BOI), Bangsamoro Board of 
19 
Investments, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Bases Conversion and 
20 
Development Authority, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Clark Development 
21 
Corporation, John Hay Management Corporation, Poro Point Management 
22 
Corporation, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, Zamboanga City Special Economic 
23 
Zone Authority, PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority, Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and 
24 
Freeport Authority, Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, Tourism Infrastructure 
25 
and Enterprise Zone Authority, and all other similar existing authorities that may be 
26 
created by law;  
27 
 
28 
(t) Mariculture refers to the sea farming of aquatic plants and fishes;  
29 
 
30 
(u) Marine scientific research refers to any research activity, which is conducted for 
31 
exclusively peaceful purposes, for the purpose of increasing scientific knowledge 
32 
about the marine environment, including all-natural resources, toward the benefit of 
33 
mankind and according to the UNCLOS;  
34 
 
35 
(v) Maritime domain awareness refers to the effective understanding of any activity that 
36 
could impact upon the security, safety, economy or environment;  
37 
 
38 
(w) Maritime spatial planning refers to a process by which human activities in maritime 
39 
zones are analyzed and organized, based on best available scientific knowledge, to 
40 
achieve economic, ecological and social objectives;  
41 
 
42 
(x) Maritime zones refer to the maritime zones of the Philippines comprising the 
43 
internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, EEZ, and 
44 
continental shelf;   
45 
 
46 
(y) Ocean-based activities refer to activities that are undertaken in the ocean, such as 
47 
fisheries and aquaculture, offshore oil and gas, mining, ocean energy, desalination, 
48 
shipping and marine transportation, marine tourism, and marine construction;  
49 


 
 
  
6  
 
1 
38 (z) Ocean-related activities refer to activities that use products from the ocean such 
2 
as seafood processing, marine biotechnology, chemicals, salt, and produce products 
3 
and services for the ocean and ocean-based activities such as shipbuilding and repair, 
4 
ports, tourist resorts, communication, maritime insurance and law, and maritime 
5 
technical services;  
6 
 
7 
(aa) 
Subsistence 
fishing 
refers 
to 
fishing 
for 
personal 
consumption 
or 
8 
traditional/ceremonial purposes; and  
9 
 
10 
(bb) Ocean literacy refers to an understanding of the ocean’s influence on humans and 
11 
human influence on the ocean.  
12 
 
13 
SEC. 4. Scope of Application. – For purposes of this Act, the Philippines shall exercise 
14 
sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, in accordance with commitments 
15 
under the UNCLOS and other related treaties which the Philippines has ratified, in 
16 
internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive 
17 
economic zone and continental shelf, herein collectively referred to as “maritime 
18 
zones”, including its seabed and subsoil, and any and all maritime features within the 
19 
maritime zones and where appropriate, the relevant airspace above the territorial sea, 
20 
internal waters and archipelagic waters now known or to be known in the future.  
21 
 
22 
 
23 
CHAPTER II  
24 
NATIONAL MARITIME MONITORING SYSTEM 
25 
 
26 
SEC. 5. National Maritime Monitoring System. – The National Coast Watch System, 
27 
established under Executive Order (EO) No. 57, series of 2011, is hereby renamed as 
28 
the National Maritime Monitoring System.  
29 
 
30 
SEC. 6. National Maritime Council. – The National Coast Watch Council, created 
31 
under EO 57, series of 2011, is hereby renamed and reconstituted as the National 
32 
Maritime Council, herein referred to as the “Council”, and its functions expanded to 
33 
include the formulation of an integrated strategy to promote blue economy and 
34 
ecosystem-based management of coastal and marine resources.   
35 
 
36 
In addition to the powers and functions of the Council enumerated in Section 3 of the 
37 
same EO, the Council is likewise further mandated to:  
38 
 
39 
(a) Steer the development, research, and sustainable resource explorations in 
40 
maritime zones, especially in areas with high economic potential such as the 
41 
Philippine Rise and the West Philippine Sea;   
42 
 
43 
(b) Coordinate the maritime regulation or licensing and law enforcement for 
44 
strengthened preparedness and responsiveness to potential security threats or 
45 
concerns in the country’s maritime areas and zones; and   
46 
 
47 
(c) Build capacities in monitoring, including the use of digital and  innovative 
48 
technologies for security and surveillance activities.   
49 
 
50 


 
 
  
  
The Council is likewise authorized to convene committees or subcommittees to oversee 
1 
the abovementioned functions. In this way, all strategic maritime zones will be covered 
2 
and will reduce the call for the creation of new bodies or authorities to manage the same.  
3 
 
4 
SEC. 7. Composition of National Maritime Council. – The Council is composed of the 
5 
Executive Secretary as Chairperson and the Secretaries of the  following national agencies 
6 
as members:  
7 
 
8 
(a)  National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA);  
9 
(b)  Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);  
10 
(c)  Department of National Defense (DND);    
11 
(d) Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA);  
12 
(e)  Department of Justice (DOJ);  
13 
(f)  Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);  
14 
(g)  Department of Agriculture (DA);  
15 
(h) Department of Tourism (DOT);  
16 
(i)  Department of Transportation (DOTr);  
17 
(j)  Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);  
18 
(k)  Department of Energy (DOE);  
19 
(l)  Department of Science and Technology (DOST);  
20 
(m) Department of Finance (DOF);  
21 
(n) Department of Education (DepEd);   
22 
(o)  Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT);  
23 
(p) National Security Council (NSC); and  
24 
(q)  Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).  
25 
 
26 
Department Secretaries may designate an alternative representative, whose portfolio 
27 
covers matters directly or principally relating to the development or management of 
28 
coastal and marine resources and ecosystems, if applicable.  They shall sit in a permanent 
29 
capacity, and their acts shall be considered the acts of their principals.  
30 
 
31 
SEC. 8. National Maritime Secretariat. – The Coastal Watch Council Secretariat, 
32 
established under Section 4 of EO 57, series of 2011, is hereby renamed as the National 
33 
Maritime Secretariat and shall continue to provide technical and administrative support 
34 
to the Council and perform its functions under the same EO.  
35 
 
36 
SEC. 9. National Maritime Coordination Center. – The National Coast Watch Center, 
37 
established under Section 5 of EO 57, series of 2011, is hereby renamed as the National 
38 
Maritime Coordination Center and shall continue to be the operational support unit of 
39 
the National Maritime Monitoring System and perform its functions under the same EO.     
40 
 
41 
SEC. 10. Support Agencies. – In order to ensure the efficient and effective discharge of 
42 
its responsibilities, in addition to the agencies enumerated under Section 6 of EO 57, 
43 
series of 2011, the Council may call upon other departments, bureaus, offices and 
44 
instrumentalities of the government, representatives from maritime industries, and 
45 
academic and research institutions engaged in marine science and ocean-based or 
46 
ocean-related activities to participate in working groups, as it may deem necessary.  
47 
 
48 


 
 
  
8  
CHAPTER III 
1 
POLICY FRAMEWORK ON BLUE ECONOMY 
2 
 
3 
SEC. 11. Policy Framework on Blue Economy. – The Council shall, within six (6) 
4 
months from the effectivity of this Act, formulate a Policy Framework on Blue 
5 
Economy, herein referred to as the Policy Framework. The Policy Framework shall 
6 
serve as the basis for marine spatial planning, determination of investments to 
7 
develop modern physical infrastructure and build an enabling environment for blue 
8 
economy to prosper, and enhance maritime domain awareness, and enforcement of 
9 
economic and environmental regulations within our maritime zones. The Policy 
10 
Framework shall be subject to mandatory review and modification every five (5) 
11 
years.  
12 
 
13 
SEC. 12. Components of the Policy Framework on Blue Economy. – The Policy 
14 
Framework shall include the following components:  
15 
 
16 
(a) Review of all existing policies, plans, programs, projects, rules and regulations on 
17 
ocean-based and ocean-related activities in our maritime zones, including seafood 
18 
processing and storage, and commercial research and development (R&D) activities 
19 
for biomass resource and fish stock estimation, artificial intelligence for forecasting 
20 
fish stocks and supply;  
21 
 
22 
(b) Compliance to local and international maritime laws;  
23 
 
24 
(c) Analysis of current and emerging trends in demography, consumption, trade, 
25 
technology and climate that show the interaction between the economy and the 
26 
environment, and present threats and pressures on coastal and marine environments;  
27 
 
28 
(d) Environmental-economic accounting of coastal and marine assets and resources, 
29 
and ecosystem goods and services from coastal and marine environments;  
30 
 
31 
(e) Priority strategic and sustainable ocean-based and ocean-related economic 
32 
activities within our maritime zones, which may include the following:  
33 
 
34 
(1) Fisheries, including commercial fishing, but with preference to subsistence 
35 
fisheries, as mandated by Section 7, Article XIII, of the Constitution;  
36 
(2) Aquaculture, mariculture and aquasilviculture and support industries, 
37 
including seafood processing and storage, and aquaculture feed milling;  
38 
(3) Marine and coastal tourism;  
39 
(4) Shipping, logistics and maritime transport;  
40 
(5) Shipbuilding and ship repair;  
41 
(6) Production of renewable energy from marine sources;  
42 
(7) Installation of submarine cables and pipelines;  
43 
(8) Marine biotechnology and bioprospecting;   
44 
(9) Desalination;  
45 
(10) Underwater cultural heritage and maritime archaeology; and  
46 
(11) Commercial R&D activities and commercialization of new and emerging 
47 
technologies developed from locally-undertaken R&D;  
48 
 
49 


 
 
  
  
(f) Principles and indicators to guide environmental impact assessment of ocean-
1 
based and ocean-related economic activities, taking into account the environmental-
2 
economic accounting of marine resources and ecosystem services that will be affected;    
3 
 
4 
(g) Adoption of integrated marine and coastal area management;  
5 
 
6 
(h) Strategies to promote blue finance;  
7 
 
8 
(i) Priority research and development agenda, including development of innovative 
9 
technologies, and human capital to support the blue economy;  
10 
 
11 
(j) Promotion of ocean literacy and social responsibility towards the protection of 
12 
coastal and marine environments;  
13 
 
14 
(k) Enhancement of capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and civilian 
15 
agencies to enforce laws, rules and regulations to protect our marine wealth;  
16 
 
17 
(l) Goals, targets and indicators for growth, resilience and sustainability of priority 
18 
strategic and sustainable ocean-based and ocean-related activities, including its 
19 
contribution to Gross Domestic Product and job creation; and  
20 
 
21 
(m) Such other components as may be determined by the Council as a  result of its 
22 
periodic review, to ensure that the Policy Framework is continually updated and 
23 
adapted to the needs of the times.  
24 
 
25 
 
26 
CHAPTER IV 
27 
COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL MARITIME INSTRUMENTS 
28 
SEC. 13. International Maritime Instruments. – The Council shall direct the Inter-
29 
Agency Coordinating Committee, as created under EO No. 159, 33 series of 2021, to 
30 
Facilitate the Ratification of/Accession to and Implementation of Maritime 
31 
Conventions (ICCRIMC) to establish mechanisms for the full and effective 
32 
implementation and enforcement of the following international maritime instruments 
33 
and their subsequent amendments, including, but not limited to the following: 
34 
 
35 
(a) 
1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea;  
36 
(b) 
Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and 
37 
Fauna;   
38 
(c) 
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 
39 
Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage;  
40 
(d) 
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, and 
41 
its Protocol of 1988 (SOLAS 74);  
42 
(e) 
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships  and its 
43 
Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78);  
44 
(f) 
Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing  Collisions at Sea, 
45 
1972, as amended (COLREG 72);  
46 
(g) 
International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 and its Protocol of 1988, as 
47 
amended (LL 66);  
48 


 
 
  
10  
(h) 
International Convention on the Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969 
1 
(TONNAGE 69);  
2 
(i) 
Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of 
3 
Maritime Navigation, 1988 (SUA) and its Protocol;  
4 
(j) 
International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-
5 
operation 1990 (OPRC 1990);  
6 
(k) 
International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast 
7 
Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWM 2004);  
8 
(l) 
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by dumping of  
9 
(m) 
Wastes and Other Matter, 1972, as amended, and its 1996 Protocol (LCP);  
10 
(n) 
Special Trade Passenger Ships Agreement, 1971 (STP 71);  
11 
(o) 
Convention on the International Mobile Satellite Organization, as amended 
12 
(IMSO 1976) and its Operating Agreement (INMARSAT);  
13 
(p) 
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and 
14 
Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, As Amended (STCW 78);  
15 
(q) 
International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on 
16 
Ships, 2001 (AFS 2001);  
17 
(r) 
Protocol of 1992 to Amend the International Convention on Civil  
18 
(s) 
Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969;  
19 
(t) 
Protocol of 1992 to amend the International Convention on the Establishment 
20 
of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution  
21 
(u) 
Damage, 1971; and  
22 
(v) 
Other relevant maritime treaties, conventions, or instruments as may be agreed 
23 
upon in the future.  
24 
SEC. 14. Application. – Unless otherwise indicated, the international conventions 
25 
enumerated in the preceding section shall apply to:  
26 
(a) 
All ships, whether seagoing or coastwise, which are registered under  the 
27 
Philippine flag;  
28 
(b) 
All persons, partnerships, corporations, firms and other entities that engage in 
29 
ocean-based or ocean-related enterprise, or those acting on their behalf; and   
30 
(c) 
All foreign ships that are within the waters, ports, harbors and  offshore 
31 
terminals of the Philippines regardless of whether or not they are registered in, 
32 
or belong to, State Parties to the conventions sought to be implemented by this 
33 
Act.   
34 
 
35 
SEC. 15. Reciprocity. – The rights and privileges of foreign vessels and aircraft in 
36 
Philippine archipelagic waters herein provided are recognized under conditions of 
37 
reciprocity and mutual respect. The President of the Philippines is hereby authorized to 
38 
institute countermeasures and other appropriate steps as may be recommended by the 
39 
DFA in response to foreign states that do not abide by, or that act inconsistently with the 
40 
UNCLOS, or which do not ensure that vessels and aircraft under their authority comply 
41 
with their rights and obligations under the convention.  
42 
 
43 
CHAPTER V  
 
44 
ENVIRONMENTAL-ECONOMIC ACCOUNTING 
45 
 
46 
SEC. 16. Environmental-Economic Accounting. – The Philippine Statistics Authority 
47 
shall include the environmental-economic accounting of marine ecosystems, as part 
48 


 
 
  
  
of the Philippine ecosystem and natural capital accounting system, in the generation 
1 
of the Philippine ocean economy satellite accounts.  
2 
 
3 
 
4 
CHAPTER VI 
5 
INTEGRATED MARINE AND COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT 
6 
 
7 
SEC. 17. Integrated Marine and Coastal Area Management. – The IMCAM shall be 
8 
the framework to address human impacts on marine and coastal ecosystem, and for 
9 
promoting its conservation and sustainable use. The Integrated Coastal Management 
10 
Framework, principles, and mechanisms shall be aligned and shall be an integral part 
11 
of the IMCAM framework to be developed under this Act.  
12 
 
13 
SEC. 18. Elements of the National IMCAM Framework. – The Council shall develop 
14 
and implement the National IMCAM Framework within one (1) year from the 
15 
effectivity of this Act to provide direction, support and guidance to relevant member 
16 
and support agencies, local government units and other stakeholders, according to 
17 
the Elaborated Programme of Work on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity 
18 
contained in the Annex to Decision VII/5 of the Conference of the Parties to the United 
19 
Nations Environmental Programme Convention on Biological Diversity.   
20 
 
21 
Accordingly, the National IMCAM Framework shall consider the following elements:  
22 
 
23 
(a) Build capacity of stakeholders, in both national and local levels, to apply relevant 
24 
policy instruments to address legal issues, institutionalize participatory processes, 
25 
and develop strategies to promote multidisciplinary and multisectoral ecosystem-
26 
based management of coastal and marine environments;    
27 
 
28 
(b) Direct action to protect coastal and marine environments from  negative impacts, 
29 
such as:  
30 
(1) Identification, protection, prevention of alteration and destruction, and 
31 
restoration of coastal and marine habitats, particularly areas important for 
32 
reproduction, inter alia, coral reef systems;  
33 
(2) Prevention, reduction or control of marine pollution;  
34 
(3) Protection of coastal and marine environments from land-based 10 sources, 
35 
including proper coastal land use and watershed management;  
36 
(4) Establishment of closed fishing areas, and closed seasons, in  
37 
accordance with Republic Act (RA) No. 8550, also known as the “Philippine  
38 
Fisheries Code of 1998”, as amended by RA 10654; and 14 (5) Reduction of by-
39 
catch.  
40 
 
41 
(c) Establish mechanisms and guidelines for research, monitoring and assessment of 
42 
coastal and marine ecosystems and resources, including indicators to measure natural 
43 
and human-induced impacts; and  
44 
 
45 
(d) Establish guidelines and mechanisms on green and blue businesses.  
46 
 
47 
 
48 


 
 
  
12  
CHAPTER VII 
1 
PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF COASTAL AND MARINE 
2 
RESOURCES 
3 
 
4 
SEC. 19. Protection of Endangered Species. – The Council shall spearhead the 
5 
conservation, protection and rehabilitation of rare, threatened and endangered 
6 
aquatic species as it may determine, including their habitats. It shall recommend to 
7 
the President of the Philippines and Congress the designation of coastal and marine 
8 
areas as protected areas under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas 
9 
System or under RA 8550, as amended, and in compliance with the relevant 
10 
provisions of international treaties and agreements such as, the Convention on the 
11 
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, the UNCLOS, 
12 
and Convention on Biological Diversity.  
13 
 
14 
SEC. 20. Policy Coordination. – The Council shall harmonize rules and regulations of 
15 
all relevant agencies responsible for the implementation and  enforcement of laws to 
16 
prevent and eliminate illegal fishing such as RA 8550, as amended.  
17 
 
18 
CHAPTER VIII  
19 
DEVELOPMENT PLANNING 
20 
 
21 
SEC. 21. Maritime Spatial Planning. – The Council, in consultation with relevant 
22 
agencies, regional bodies and local government units (LGUs), shall undertake a 
23 
nationwide maritime spatial planning, guided by the standards of the Intergovernmental 
24 
Oceanographic Commission, to identify the spatial and temporal distribution of priority 
25 
activities and uses and the interactions thereof in maritime zones, in order to reduce 
26 
conflict among uses, facilitate complementary uses, mitigate environmental impacts, and 
27 
preserve ecosystem services.  
28 
 
29 
SEC. 22. Industry Development Plans. – The Council, through working groups created 
30 
for the purpose, shall prepare five-year and ten-year development plans for priority 
31 
strategic and sustainable ocean-based or ocean-related industry, in accordance with the 
32 
Policy Framework and in consideration of the existing development plans and strategies 
33 
formulated by agencies involved in coastal and marine protection and development. The 
34 
Council shall also ensure the integration of the framework in existing industry plans.   
35 
 
36 
SEC. 23. Integration with Area and National Development Plans. – The NEDA shall 
37 
integrate the maritime spatial plan and industry development plans into the Philippine 
38 
Development Plan, the National Priority Plan, the National Physical Framework Plan, 
39 
and Area Spatial Development Framework.  
40 
 
41 
SEC. 24. Inclusion in Strategic Investment Priority Plan. – The Council shall recommend 
42 
to the BOI the inclusion of identified priority  strategic ocean-based and ocean-related 
43 
activities in the Strategic Investment Priority Plan.  
44 
 
45 
SEC. 25. Blue Economic Zones. – Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) shall encourage 
46 
the establishment of blue economic zones and the transformation of existing special 
47 
economic zones into the same: Provided, That Registered Business Enterprises (RBEs) 
48 
engaged in ocean-based or ocean-related activities in these blue economic zones, duly 
49 


 
 
  
  
registered by an IPA, may be entitled to the incentives under Title XIII (Tax Incentives) 
1 
of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.  
2 
 
3 
In addition, the incentives provided under this Act shall be without prejudice to the 
4 
following laws:   
5 
 
6 
(a) RA 9003, otherwise known as the “Ecological Solid Waste Management  
7 
Act of 2000”;  
8 
(b) RA 9275, otherwise known as the “Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004”; 
9 
(c) RA 9513, otherwise known as the “Renewable Energy Act of 2008”; and 
10 
(d) RA 10771, otherwise known as the “Philippine Green Jobs Act of 2016”.  
11 
 
12 
The RBEs operating within blue economic zones may also qualify for financing 
13 
provided under RA 11293, otherwise known as the “Philippine Innovation Act”, as 
14 
applicable.  
15 
 
16 
 
17 
CHAPTER IX  
18 
BLUE FINANCE 
19 
 
20 
SEC. 26. Role of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). – In the exercise of its 
21 
regulatory powers over financial institutions, the BSP shall mandate banks and quasi-
22 
banks to adopt the United Nations Environment Programme Sustainable Blue 
23 
Economy Finance Principles as a foundation of corporate governance and risk 
24 
management.   
25 
 
26 
SEC. 27. Role of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). – The SEC shall 
27 
encourage the issuance of blue bonds where proceeds will be exclusively applied to 
28 
finance or refinance, in part or in full, eligible Blue Economy activities, in accordance 
29 
with SEC Guidelines, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Green 
30 
Bonds Standards and Green Bonds Principles, as developed and may be revised from 
31 
time to time by the SEC, ASEAN Capital Markets Forum, and the International Capital 
32 
Market Association, respectively. All designated Blue Projects or Activities must 
33 
provide clear benefits to ocean health and the blue economy or must contribute 
34 
substantially to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) 6 or 14, 
35 
which shall be assessed and, where feasible, quantified by the Issuer.  
36 
 
37 
SEC. 28. Role of Government Financial Institutions. – The Land Bank of the 
38 
Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines shall provide credit to 
39 
strategic and sustainable ocean-based or ocean-related enterprises.  
40 
 
41 
SEC. 29. Blue Public Expenditures. – The Department of Budget and Management 
42 
(DBM) shall allocate funds to implement blue economy programs, activities and 
43 
projects (PAPs), in consonance with Section 15 of Republic Act No. 9729, as amended. 
44 
The DBM shall include blue public expenditures as part of its 30 efforts to increase 
45 
convergence in programming and implementation of climate 31 change and disaster 
46 
risk reduction PAPs through the Risk Resiliency Program.  
47 
 
48 


 
 
  
14  
CHAPTER X 
1 
MARINE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND INNOVATION (STI)   AND 
2 
OCEAN LITERACY 
3 
 
4 
SEC. 30. Marine Scientific Research. – The State recognizes marine science as a 
5 
foundation of maritime governance, insofar as rules governing the use of coastal and 
6 
marine resources must be based on the sound scientific understanding of the marine 
7 
environment. In accordance with UNCLOS, the Philippines has the exclusive rights 
8 
to regulate, authorize and conduct marine scientific research in our internal waters, 
9 
archipelagic waters and territorial sea; whereas, the Philippines has rights to regulate, 
10 
authorize and conduct maritime research in our exclusive economic zone and 
11 
continental shelf: Provided, That the marine scientific research activities shall not 
12 
unjustifiably interfere with other legitimate uses of the sea and shall not constitute the 
13 
legal basis for any claim to any part of the marine environment or its resources.   
14 
 
15 
Marine scientific research by foreign states and competent international organizations 
16 
may only be conducted with the express consent of and the conditions set forth by the 
17 
Council, in accordance with the UNCLOS.  
18 
 
19 
SEC. 31. Marine Technology and Innovation. – The State recognizes that science, 
20 
technology, and innovation have a critical role in harnessing ocean resources for the 
21 
blue economy while ensuring sustainability. Marine technology and innovations are 
22 
needed to address technical and logistical constraints that impede the development 
23 
of Philippine blue industries. Among these technologies are advanced materials, 
24 
subsea engineering and technology, sensors and imaging, big data analytics, 
25 
autonomous systems, biotechnology, nanotechnology, marine spatial planning, and 
26 
circular blue economy. The government shall also support the development and 
27 
adoption of locally-developed marine-related technologies.   
28 
 
29 
SEC. 32. Ocean Literacy Framework. – The DepEd, Commission on Higher 
30 
Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and other 
31 
government agencies implementing sector-specific literacy programs, in consultation 
32 
with relevant members of the Council or support agencies, shall integrate into the 
33 
curricula of K-12, the Alternative Learning System, general education programs of 
34 
higher education institutions, technical and vocational education and training, and 
35 
other community-based training programs, the essential principles and fundamental 
36 
concepts of ocean sciences to develop the following competencies:  
37 
 
38 
(a) Understanding the economic, socio-cultural, spiritual, scientific and political 
39 
importance/significance of the ocean to humankind in general and the Filipinos 
40 
in particular;  
41 
(b) Communicating about the ocean in a meaningful way; and  
42 
(c) Making informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its  
43 
resources.  
44 
 
45 
 
46 
CHAPTER XI 
47 
FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION 
48 
 
49 


 
 
  
  
34 SEC. 33. Archipelagic Sea Lanes. – The President of the Philippines shall designate 
1 
sea lanes and air routes thereabove, suitable for the continuous and expeditious 
2 
passage of foreign ships and aircrafts through or over the archipelagic waters and the 
3 
adjacent territorial sea, and shall, where necessary as regards the safety of navigation, 
4 
require foreign ships exercising the right of innocent passage to use such lanes and 
5 
traffic separation schemes in accordance with the UNCLOS.  
6 
 
7 
 
8 
CHAPTER XII 
9 
ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS 
10 
 
11 
SEC. 34. Role of Local Government Units. – Cities and municipalities shall continue 
12 
to exercise jurisdiction over municipal waters, pursuant to RA 7160, otherwise known 
13 
as the “Local Government Code of 1991”, as amended, and RA 8550, as amended  
14 
subject to the jurisdiction and authority of national government agencies as stated in 
15 
the provisions of special laws as the case may be. Consistent with this mandate, LGUs 
16 
shall act as the frontline agencies in the formulation, planning, and implementation 
17 
and enforcement of the law of IMCAM in their respective jurisdictions. The LGUs 
18 
shall integrate the National Maritime Spatial Plan in their Comprehensive 
19 
Development and Annual Investment Plans.  
20 
 
21 
SEC. 35. Inter-LGU Cooperation. – Consistent with the provisions of RA 13 7160, as 
22 
amended, LGUs may group themselves, consolidate or coordinate their efforts, 
23 
services, and resources for the accomplishment of the objectives of this Act.  
24 
 
25 
 
26 
CHAPTER XIII 
27 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
28 
 
29 
SEC. 36. Joint Congressional Oversight. – For the effective implementation of this Act, 
30 
a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee is created, to be known as the Blue 
31 
Economy Oversight Committee, which shall be composed of five (5) Senators and five 
32 
(5) Representatives to be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the 
33 
House of Representatives, respectively. The Minority shall be entitled to pro rata 
34 
representation.  The Blue Economy Oversight Committee shall be jointly chaired by 
35 
the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs and the Chairperson 
36 
of the House Committee on Economic Affairs.  
37 
 
38 
SEC. 37. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial implementation of 
39 
this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the Office of the 
40 
President. Thereafter, such amount shall be included in the annual General 
41 
Appropriations Act.  
42 
 
43 
SEC. 38. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Council shall issue the necessary 
44 
rules and regulations to efficiently carry out the provisions of this Act within sixty 
45 
(60) days from its effectivity.  
46 
 
47 
SEC. 39. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
48 
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected shall remain in full force and 
49 
effect.  
50 


 
 
  
16  
 
1 
SEC. 40. Repealing Clause. – All other laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules and 
2 
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or 
3 
modified accordingly.  
4 
 
5 
SEC. 41. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
6 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
7 
 
8 
Approved,  
9 
 
10 
 
11 
 
12 
 
13