NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 113
•22 JUL-7 P2 *43
Ri:CEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL COASTAL GREENBELT ACTION 
PLAN, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. 
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, an 
average of twenty-two (22) tropical cyclones enters the Philippine Area of 
Responsibility of which around six (6) to seven (7) cause significant damage. Thus, 
coastal communities become vulnerable to such tropical storms due their natural 
exposure and lack of resources for preparation and recovery.
Studies from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization show that 
coastal forests and mangroves are helpful in mitigating cyclone damages and are 
affordable than artificial sea defenses which, in many cases, were found to be 
ineffective.
This proposed measure seeks to establish the National Coastal Greenbelt 
Program to reduce the impac3 of cyclones in the coastal communities of the country 
with an environmentally friendly and cost-effective initiative.
This proposed measure seeks to establish the National Coastal Greenbelt 
Program to reduce the impacts of cyclones In the coastal communities of the country 
with an environmentally friendly and cost-effective Initiative.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
L-
MARIA LOURDES NANCY S. BINAY


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
of tljc rtarp
•22 JUL-7 P2:43
SENATE
S.B. No. 113
m-CEIVIlDBY;
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
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AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL COASTAL GREENBELT ACTION 
PLAN, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
SECTION 1. Short Titie. - This Act shall be known as the "Nationai Coastai 
GreenbeitAct ”
SEC. 2. Deciaration ofPoiicy. - The State shall ensure the protection of the right 
of the people to a healthful and balanced ecology. Consistent with Republic Act No. 
9729 or the Climate Change Act of 2009, as amended by Republic 7 Act No. 10174, 
the State shall encourage the participation of the national government, local 
governments, businesses, nongovernment organizations, local communities and the 
public to prevent and reduce the adverse impacts of climate change. The State shall 
also recognize that climate change and disaster risk reduction and management are 
closely interrelated. The State shall incorporate a gender-sensitive, pro-children and 
pro-poor perspective in all plans of disaster risk reduction and management. These 
principles shall be further integrated into climate change programs and initiatives. 
Taking into account the effects of climate change and the need to conserve and 
develop the conditions of our environment, the State shall take appropriate measures 
to protect the lives and property of the people from the impacts in coastal areas of 
typhoons, tsunamis and similar natural events.
mean:
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms shall
(a)
"Coastaigreenbeit^' are strips of natural or planted coastal vegetation, 
stretching at least one hundred (100) meters in width from the sea 
towards land, primarily of mangrove and beach forest species, which are 
designed to prevent coastal erosion, and mitigate the adverse impacts 
of natural coastal hazards on human lives and property.
(b)
"Designated area for coastai greenbeits" are site-specific stretches of 
vegetation in the coastal zone, defined in relation to risk factors and


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(C)
(d)
vulnerability to coastal hazards, and reserved for protection and 
maintenance under the National Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan. The area 
may undergo rehabilitation, reforestation or afforestation with locally 
appropriate species. Designated areas with abandoned fishponds require 
the reversion of these fishponds to mangroves through natural 
regeneration or replanting with locally appropriate species. Designated 
areas with illegal structures, such as breakwaters, permanent 
residential/commercial structures, and the like require removal of such 
structures.
"National Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan" {HCGN?) is the operational plan 
that shall serve as the guide for the Local Greenbelt Action Plan (LCGAP). 
It shall contain the implementing guidelines provided for in Section 4 of 
this Act.
"Local Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan" (LCGAP) is the local action plan 
that shall be based on the NCGAP. It shall contain the specific goals and 
targets for the implementation of the program set in the NCGAP.
SEC. 4. NCGAP. - The Climate Change Commission (CCC) shall, within six (6) 
months, identify and convene all national agencies responsible for foreshore 
management, mangrove and beach forest protection and utilization, coastal land and 
sea-use planning, coastal tourism development, social welfare of coastal communities, 
and other relevant mandates, to prepare an integrated NCGAP.
The NCGAP shall, at the minimum, contain the following:
(a) 
Spatial representation, or if feasible, quick/rapid inventory of the 
status of coastlines and foreshores, including the status of mangroves, 
beach forests, settlements, structures and fishponds within one 
hundred (100) meters therein;
(b) 
Assessment of priority areas to be declared as coastal greenbelts, for 
each coastal orovince, city and municipality, to protect by means of 
mangroves and beach forests, based on vulnerability to storm surges, 
waves, tsunami and the like. The Action Plan shall Indicate that the 
assessment 21 of priority areas shall be completed with twelve (12) 
months from the adoption of the NCGAP;
I (c) Designation of priority areas for coastal greenbelts that are already 
included as e ther a protected area under Republic Act No. 7586 or 
the National Integrated Protected Areas System, or as a fish refuge 
: 1 or sanctuary under Republic Act No. 8550 or the Fisheries Code of 
J 1998, or as a local marine protected area as may be declared by 
municipalities and cities through ordinances. The designation shall be 
,i 
completed within six (6) months from the completion of the
assessment. Designation shall be done through the proposal of the 
I, 
appropriate agency, municipality or city as may be deemed necessary.


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If an area is designated as a priority area, no structure shall be 5 
allowed in said area unless it is approved by the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) or Bureau of Fisheries 
and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), as may be appropriate;
(d) 
Operational Plan for the rehabilitation, reforestation or afforestation 
of designated priority coastal greenbelts with ecologically appropriate 
mangrove and beach forest species, not less than one hundred (100) 
meters in width. Existing Forest or plantations greater than the 
minimum width shall not be reduced. The program for rehabilitation, 
reforestation or afforestation shall be community-based, long-term 
and implemented through the municipality or city government. The 
Operational Plan shall indicate that the program for rehabilitation, 
reforestation and afforestation must cover a minimum target area of 
twenty percent (20%) of the designated priority areas in the first five 
(5) years for maximum protection of the most vulnerable communities 
in the city or municipality. The remaining priority areas must be 
completed within ten (10) years of the designated of the priority area;
(e) 
Operational Plan for the reversion of all abandoned fishponds to 
mangroves through natural regeneration or replanting with locally 
appropriate species. The NCGAP shall indicate that the Identification 
and recovery of possession from delinquent fishpond lease agreement 
holders shall be completed within twelve (12) months from the 
adoption thereof. Ail fishpond areas to be reverted to mangroves shall 
form part of the minimum target for the first year of implementation 
of the Action Plan;
(f) 
Operational Plan for the removal of illegal structures, such as 
breakwaters, permanent residential/commercial structures and the 
like, in the identified priority coastal greenbelts. The NCGAP shall 
indicate that the declaration of and notice to persons responsible for 
removal of illegal structures shall be completed within twelve (12) 
months from the start of rehabilitation, reforestation or afforestation 
of these areas shall form part of the minimum target for the first year 
of implementation of the Action Plan;
(g) 
Monitoring and evaluation plan, with quantitative and qualitative 
targets consistent with subparagraphs (d), (e) and (f) of this Section, 
appropriate indicators and reasonable means of verification. The plan 
shall become an Integrated part of the Action Plan and Annual Report 
to Congress.
The CCC shall be responsible for consolidating the NCGAP not later than twelve 
(12) months from the effectivity of this Act.


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SEC. 5. Key Implementing Agencies. — The following agencies shall take the
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lead in implementing components of the Program and Action Plan that are relevant to
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their mandates:
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(a) 
CCC shall be responsible for the congregation of relevant government 
agencies, facilitation of public participation of the NCGAP, integration of 
the NCGAP into the LCGAPs including the power of approving putting up 
necessary structures in the Designated Areas, and the preparation of the 
Integrated report to Congress especially with regard to the expenditure of 
the appropriation and other pertinent matters under Section 8 of this Act;
(b) 
DENR, through its relevant offices, shall be responsible for (a), (b), (c), 
(d), (e) and (f) of Section 4 of this Act in line with existing laws and 
mandates, and it shall provide the CCC all relevant information to aid in 
the monitoring and evaluation of the NCGAP. In particular, the DENR shall 
identify the Designated Areas that will need to be expropriated by the 
government and to recommend the expropriation plan to the CCC;
(c) 
BEAR of the Department of Agriculture (DA) shall coordinate with the 
DENR for (e) in Section 4 above or the Operational Plan that provides for 
the reversion of all abandoned fishponds to mangroves through natural 
regeneration or replanting with locally appropriate species in line with 
existing laws and mandate, and it shall provide the CCC all relevant 
information to aid in the monitoring and evaluation of the NCGAP;
(d) 
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) through its relevant 
offices, shall provide technical guidance for provinces, cities and 
municipalities to develop LCGAPs, design and implement community- 
based and ecologically appropriate rehabilitation, reforestation and 
afforestation programs, and monitor and evaluate their programs. In 
particular, the Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) shall coordinate with 
the Local Government Unit (LGU) in Implementing the action plans.
In addition, the National Housing Authority (NHA) shall provide appropriation 
for the relocation of the families or Individuals who will be affected by the Designated 
Areas. The other agencies that participated in the preparation of the NCGAP shall 
Implement their commitments, as provided therein. The actions required of 
implementing agencies are immediately executable, based on the agreed NCGAP, and 
on their existing mandates, programs and budgets that are aligned with the NCGAP, 
without need for formulating implementing guidelines, rules and regulations for this 
Act.
SEC. 6. National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC). - The CCC shall 
convene a NTAC composed of:
(a) 
technical representative from the CCC;
(b) 
technical representative from the DENR;


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(c) 
technical representative from the BFAR;
(d) 
two (2) known experts in mangrove and beach forest ecosystems, 
oceanography or other related disciplines; and
(e) 
representative from a non-government organization or a people's 
organization that demonstrates capacity to promote the public interest 
and with identifiable leadership, membership and structure that has 
been actively involved in mangrove research and with has produced 
actual publication in mangrove research as among the criteria that shall 
be set by the DENR, BFAR and CCC.
The NTAC shall provide scientific guidance in the design, implementation and 
evaluation of actions under the NCGAP. The experts shall serve in the NTAC without 
compensation, but may be reimbursed for basic expenses to attend meetings and 
prepare technical reports.
SEC. 7. LCGAP. - Each coastal municipality and city in the identified priority 
coastal greenbelt areas in the NCGAP shall prepare a LCGAP to facilitate the 
implementation of mandated actions in the NCGAP. The roles of the municipality or 
city, as provided in the local LCGAP shall be to:
(a) 
facilitate the implementation of the mandates of the national agencies 
under Section 4, by providing local data land other supporting 
measures;
(b) 
implement complementary programs to assist local communities and 
local businesses that are affected by the actions under Section 4, such 
as relocation sites with basic services such as livelihood and 
transportation programs, zoning or re-zoning of the priority coastal 
greenbelt areas, as appropriate, and the like;
(c) 
provide the actual inventory of affected families in Designated Areas and 
to ensure that a just and humane process of relocation is done;
(d) 
lead in the actual implementation of rehabilitation, reforestation and 
afforestation, through the coastal barangays;
(e) 
integrate the identified coastal greenbelts in the comprehensive land- 
use plan; and
^ (f) provide data and qualitative feedback to the key implementing agencies 
as may be relevant.
The provincial government shall provide technical and budgetary support to 
component coastal cities and municipalities, and ensure consistency across contiguous 
cities and municipalities sharing a common priority coastal greenbelt area.


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SEC. 8. Enforcement Actions. -
(a) 
In addition to the penalties provided under existing law, any person who 
obstructs the DENR in the removal of illegal structures, or the BEAR in 
the process of reversion of abandoned fishponds, shall be liable to that 
agency for an administrative fine of fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) 
per day that the agency is prevented from performing its functions.
(b) 
No structures shall be built within the identified coastal greenbelts 
without a permit from the DENR or BEAR, consistent with their 
mandates. Any person who violates this prohibition shall be liable to the 
agency for an administrative fine of fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) 
per day from the time the structure was built until its removal.
(c) 
Proceeds from administrative fines under this Section shall be retained 
by the agency imposing such fines and used exclusively for the 
implementation of its mandate under this Act.
(d) 
Legal actions filed in the exercise of rights and enforcement of 
obligations under this Act shall be covered by the rules of procedures for 
environmental cases.
SEC. 9. Annual Report to Congress. - The key implementing agencies shall 
report to Congress on their progress in meeting the quantitative and qualitative targets 
under the NCGAP for each fiscal year. The reports shall be consolidated by the CCC 
for presentation to the appropriate Committee in Congress at a meeting called for the 
purpose.
SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the DENR shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 11. Appropriations. - The key implementing agencies shall draw from their 
existing programs and budgets to implement their responsibilities under the NCGAP, 
and through the people's survival fund, where appropriate, subject to additional 
funding in the annual national appropriations, to meet the targets agreed in the 
NCGAP.
SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions 
of this Act.
SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or 
other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.


SEC. 14. Effectivity CldusG. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or In at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,