NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1237
*22 AUG 31 A 9:36
RECEIVED BV;
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL COASTAL GREENBELT ZONES AND THE 
NATIONAL COASTAL GREENBELT MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN, 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Coastal Green belts refers to a strip of natural or artificially created coastal 
vegetation including mangroves, beach forest, phytoplankton, and seagrasses, 
stretching at least up to 1.5 meters above towards land and up to 1.5 meters below 
towards the ocean from mean sea level, designed to prevent coastal erosion, and 
mitigate the adverse impacts of natural coastal hazards on human lives and property 
and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Mangrove forests are one of the most severely threatened and undervalued 
ecosystems. It is alarming that mangroves are being cleared at an alarming rate 
and among the threats to mangrove forests, include land reclamation, pollution, 
deforestation, and illegal conversion.
For many coastal communities, mangrove ecosystems provide livelihoods, 
essential sources of protein, and coastal protection and resiliency, amid the climate 
crisis we face. In fact, residents of small islands In Siargao were saved by the


mangrove forest In the municipality of Del Carmen as Super typhoon Odette 
wreaked havoc on the province last December 16, 2021 ^
Compelling evidence likewise suggests that mangroves play an important role 
in climate stabilization, possessing carbon storage and sequestration potential 
considered to be greater than that of tropical forests. The Philippines is estimated to 
have a total blue carbon stored in mangroves in metric tons of C02: 509,701,906 
(Mapping Ocean Wealth Explorer), a fact that is substantially overlooked.
Mangroves hold tremendous significance, especially for biodiversity 
conservation, climate mitigation and resiliency, and disaster risk reduction and 
management. However, the management of mangroves at both the local and 
national levels face a multitude of challenges, hence, we need to create and 
implement science-based policies for the restoration and regeneration of mangroves. 
Institutionalizing coastal greenbelt zones is a nature-based solution that will provide 
the protection and resiliency of our natural life support systems and our people, 
which are urgently needed if we are to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate 
change and mainstream sustainable development for all.
In this connection, the attached bill seeks to mandate the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Climate Change Commission (CCC) 
and all other relevant government 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 National Coastal Greenbelt 
Management Action Plan (NCGMAP). Under the bill, the NCGMAP that shall contain 
the following, among others: (a) an inventory of the status of coastlines and 
foreshores, including the status of mangroves, beach forests, settlements, 
structures, and fishponds; (b) assessment of priority areas to be designated as 
coastal greenbelts; (c) designation of priority areas for coastal greenbelts; (d) 
operational plan for the rehabilitation, reforestation, or afforestation of designated 
priority coastal greenbelts; (e) operational plan for the reversion of ail abandoned
1 https://headtopics.com/ph/some-siargao-residents-saved-by-mangrove-forest-from-odette-onenews-ph- 
23047397


fishponds to mangroves through natural regeneration or replanting with locally 
appropriate species; (f) operational plan for the removal of illegal structures; and (g) 
monitoring and evaluation plan. The bill likewise provides for the roles of 
implementing agencies, such as the DENR, CCC, Department of Agriculture (DA) 
through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Department of 
Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Human Settlements 
and Urban Development (DHSUD).
In view of the foregoing, I recommend the approval of this bill.
CYNTHIA A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1237
k'jl
of tljf Ttnrp
*22 AUG 31 A9 36
RECEIVED m*;
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL COASTAL GREENBELT ZONES AND THE 
NATIONAL COASTAL GREENBELT MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN, 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This shall be known as the "National Coastal
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Greenbelt Act of 2022".
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. -It is hereby the declared policy of the State:
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a) 
To uphold the people's constitutional right to a healthful and balanced 
ecology.
b) 
To recognize that climate change and disaster risk reduction and 
management are closely interrelated and effective disaster risk 
reduction will enhance climate change adaptive capacity.
c) 
To mainstream the important contribution of mangroves and beach 
forest species in reducing the impacts of climate change and mitigate 
the adverse impacts of natural coastal hazards on human lives and 
property.
d) 
To integrate, consolidate and institutionalize coastal greenbelt 
framework strategy and action plans into all development plans, 
programs and projects, and all actions and decisions of the national


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government, local 
government, 
business, 
non-government
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organizations, local communities, and the public in general.
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e) 
To develop and implement a coherent, comprehensive. Integrated,
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efficient National Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan that aim
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to reduce our vulnerability to climate change and disaster risks,
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enhance adaptive capacity and build national and local resilience to
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climate change-related disasters.
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f) 
To enjoin the participation of national and local governments,
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businesses, nongovernment organizations, local communities and the
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public in the development, implementation, monitoring and assessment
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of plans, programs and activities to prevent and reduce the adverse
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impacts of climate change through the establishment of coastal
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greenbelt zones.
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g) 
To adopt the precautionary principle in the planning, conservation,
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rehabilitation, and management of coastal greenbelt zones.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms and
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phrases shall mean as follows:
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a) 
Coastal Greenbelt Zone refers to specific strips of natural or artificially
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created coastal vegetation, stretching at least one hundred (100)
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meters in width from the sea towards land, primarily of mangrove and
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beach forest species, designed to prevent coastal erosion, and mitigate
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the adverse impacts of natural coastal hazards on human lives and
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property.
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b) 
Coastal Zone refers to a band of dry land and adjacent ocean space
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(water and submerged land in which terrestrial processes and uses
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directly affect oceanic processes and uses, and vice versa; its
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geographic extent may include areas within a landmark limit of one (1)
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kilometer from the shoreline at high tide to include mangrove swamps,
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brackish water ponds, nipa swamps, estuarine rivers, sandy beaches
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and other areas within a sea ward limit of 200 meters isobath to


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include coral reefs, algal flats, seagrass beds and other soft-bottom 
areas.
c) 
Civil Society Organizations or CSOs refer to non-state actors whose
aims are neither to generate profits nor to seek governing power. CSOs 
unite people to advance shared goals and interests. Their right to 
participate at all levels of decision-making is guaranteed by the 
Constitution and they have a significant role in public life, expressing 
the interests and values of their members or others, are based on 
ethical, cultural, scientific, environmental, human rights, religious or 
philanthropic 
considerations. CSOs Include nongovernment
organizations 
(NGOs), professional 
associations, foundations,
independent research institutes, community-based organizations, and 
regional organizations and intergovernmental organizations, such as 
the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, International Union for the 
Conservation of Nature (lUCN), among others.
d) 
Designated areas refer to site-specific stretches of vegetation in the 
coastal zone, defined in relation to risk factors and vulnerability to 
coastal hazards, and reserved for protection and maintenance under 
the National Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan. The area may 
undergo rehabilitation, reforestation, or afforestation with locally 
appropriate native species. Designated areas with abandoned 
fishponds require the reversion of these fishponds to mangroves 
through natural regeneration or replanting with locally and ecologically 
appropriate species.
e) 
Fisherfolk Settlement Areas refer to certain areas of the public domain, 
specifically near the fishing grounds, granted to or reserved for the 
settlement of municipal fisherfolks.
f) 
Integrated Coastal Zone Management refers to an effective approach 
to sustainable coastal and marine development with demonstrated 
benefits in enhancing economic growth, ecosystem protection, 
promotion of social equity, and the quality of life of the people.


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g) 
Mangroves- refer to a community of intertidal plants in the tropics and
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subtropics including all species of trees, shrubs, vines, and herbs
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growing aiong tidai mudflats and shallow water coastal areas extending
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inland along rivers, streams and their tributaries where the water is
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generally brackish.
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h) 
National Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan (NCGMAP)- refers
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to the operation plan that shall serve as the guide for the Local Coastal
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Greenbelt Action Plan (LCGMAP).
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Local Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan refers to the local
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action plan of the coastal local governments that shall be based on the
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NCGMAP. It shall contain the specific goals and targets for the
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implementation of the program set in the NCGMAP.
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Sec. 4. Creation of National Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan. - The
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Department of Environment and Natural Resources in coordination with the Climate
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Change Commission shall, within six (6) months, identify and convene all national
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agencies responsible for foreshore management, mangrove and beach forest
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protection and utilization, coastal land and sea-use planning, coastal tourism
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development, social welfare of coastal communities, and other relevant mandates, to
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prepare an integrated National Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan
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(NCGMAP).
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The NCGMAP shall, at the minimum, contain the following:
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a) 
Spatial representation, or if feasible, quIck/rapid inventory of the status
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of coastlines and foreshores, including the status of mangroves, beach
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forests, settlements, structures, and fishponds within one hundred
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(100) meters therein.
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b) 
Assessment of priority areas to be designated as coastal greenbelts for
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each coastal province, city, and municipality. The criteria for
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designation of priority area shall be based on its vulnerability to storm
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surges, waves, tsunami and the like. This shall be completed within
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one (1) year from the adoption of the NCGMAP.
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c) 
Designation as priority areas for coastai greenbelts ail those that are 
declared as a protected area under the Expanded National Integrated 
Protected Areas System (Republic Act 11038), a fish refuge or 
sanctuary under the Amended Fisheries Code (Republic Act 10654), or 
as a local marine protected area as declared by municipalities and 
cities through ordinances. The designation shall be completed within 
six (6) months from the completion of the assessment. The designation 
shall be done through the proposal of the appropriate agency, 
municipality or city as may be necessary. No structures shall be 
allowed in the designated area. Designation as priority area, however, 
shall not affect structures found in fisherfolk settlement areas reserved 
for the settlement of municipal fisherfolks and shall not Impair existing 
foreshore lease and other similar agreements, provided that grantees 
shall be tasked to implement the plans and conditions laid down under 
the NCGMAP and LCGMAP.
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 forests 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 
Operation 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 from the designation as priority area.
e) 
Operational Plan for the reversion of all abandoned fishponds to 
mangroves through natural regeneration or replanting with locally 
appropriate species. The NCGMAP shall Indicate that the Identification


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and recovery of possession from delinquent fishpond lease agreement 
holders shall be completed within twelve (12) months from the 
adoption thereof. All fishpond areas to be reverted to mangroves shall 
form part of the minimum target for the first year of implementation of 
the Action Plan.
0 Operational Plan for the removal of illegal structures, in the identified 
priority coastal greenbelts. The NCGMAP shall Indicate that the 
declaration 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 National Coastal Greenbelt 
Management Action Plan and Annual Report to Congress.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Climate Change 
Commission shall be responsible for consolidating the NCGMAP not later than twelve 
(12) months from the effectivity of this Act.
Sec. 5. Role of Key Implementing Agencies. - The following agencies shall 
take the lead in implementing components of the Action Plan that are relevant to 
their mandates:
a) The Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR), 
through its relevant Bureaus, such as but not limited to. Biodiversity 
Management Bureau, Forest Management Bureau, among others, shall 
be the primary agency responsible for the Implementation of the 
National Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan, particularly 
Section 4 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) of this Act in line with existing 
laws and mandates, and it shall provide the Implementing Agencies


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with all the relevant information to aid in the monitoring and evaluation 
of the NCGMAP. In particular, the DENR shall identify the designated 
areas that must be expropriated by the government and recommend 
the expropriation plan to the proper implementing agencies.
b) 
The Climate Change Commission shall be responsible for convening the 
relevant government agencies, facilitating public participation in the 
crafting the NCGMAP and integration of the NCGMAP into the Local 
Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan (LCGMAP), and preparing 
the integrated report to Congress especially with regard to the 
expenditure of the appropriation and other pertinent matters under 
Section 8 of this Act.
c) 
The Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources shall coordinate with the DENR for Section 4 (e) 
above or the Operation Plan that provides for the reversion of all 
abandoned fishponds to mangroves through natural regeneration, 
replanting with locally appropriate species, and implementation of 
fisherfolk settlement program in line with existing laws and mandate, 
and it shall provide the Climate Change Commission with all relevant 
Information to aid in the monitoring and evaluation of the NCGAP.
d) 
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) through its 
relevant offices, shall provide technical guidance and supervision for 
provinces, cities, and municipalities to establish their local coastal 
greenbelt zones and develop appropriate Local Coastal Greenbelt 
Management Action Plans, design and Implement community-based 
and ecologically appropriate rehabilitation, reforestation, and 
afforestation programs, and monitor and evaluate the Implementation 
of the Local Government Unit's (LGUs) programs and action plans.
e) 
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development 
(DHSUD) In coordination with concerned Local Government Units 
(LGUs) shall provide for the relocation of the families or individuals 
who will be affected by the designated areas.


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other implementing agencies that participated in the preparation of the
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Action Plan shall implement their commitments, as provided therein within a period
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of six (6) months. The actions required of implementing agencies are immediately
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executable, based on the agreed National Coastal Greenbelt Management Action
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Plan, and on their existing mandates, programs and budgets that must be integrated
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in and aligned with the Action Plan, without need of formulating implementing
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guidelines, rules, and regulations for this Act.
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Sec. 6. National Technical Advisory Committee. - The Department of
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Environment and Natural Resources in collaboration with the Climate Change
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Commission shall convene a National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC)
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composed of:
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a) 
A representative from the Climate Change Commission;
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b) 
A representative from the Department of Environment and Natural
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Resources;
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A representative from the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of
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Fisheries and Aquatic Resources;
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d) A representative from the Department of the Interior and Local
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Government;
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Two experts in mangrove and beach forest ecosystems, oceanography,
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or other related disciplines;
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A representative from a non-government organization or a people's
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organization that demonstrates capacity to promote the public interest
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and with Identifiable leadership, membership and structure and has
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been actively involved in mangrove research as among the criteria that
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will be set by DENR, BFAR and the Commission.
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The National Technical Advisory Committee shall provide scientific guidance in
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the design, implementation, and evaluation of actions under the NCGMAP. The
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experts shall serve the Committee without compensation but may be reimbursed for
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basic expenses to attend meetings and prepare technical reports.
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Sec. 7. Local Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan. - Each coastal city
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and municipality in the identified priority coastai greenbelt areas in the Action plan
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shall prepare a Local Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan (LCGMAP) to
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facilitate the impiementation of mandated actions in the NCGMAP. Each city and
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municipality shall:
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a) 
Facilitate the impiementation of the mandates of the national agencies
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under Section 4, by providing local data and other supporting
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measures;
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b) 
Implement complementary programs to assist local communities and
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local businesses affected by the actions under Section 4, such as but
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not limited to relocations sites with basic services like livelihood and
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transportation programs, zoning, or re-zoning of the priority coastal
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greenbelt areas, as appropriate, and the like;
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c) 
Provide an actual inventory of affected families in designated areas to
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ensure that a legal, just, fair, and humane process of relocation Is
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carried out;
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d) 
Lead in the actual implementation of rehabilitation, reforestation, and
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afforestation, through the coastal barangays;
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e) 
Integrate the identified coastal greenbelt zones in the Comprehensive
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Land-Use Plan; and
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f) 
Provide data and qualitative feedback to the Key Implementing
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Agencies as may be relevant.
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The Provincial Government shall provide technical and budgetary support to
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component coastal cities and municipalities and ensure consistency across
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contiguous cities and municipalities sharing common priority coastal greenbelt area.
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Highly urbanized cities shall likewise provide support to component barangays under
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their jurisdiction.
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Sec. 8. Incentives. - Local Government Units (LGUs) whose Local Coastal
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Greenbelt Management Action Plan have been submitted and/or approved to the


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Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Climate Change
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Commission or those LGUs who have been recognized by the DILG and the
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Commission for their effective establishment and/or management efforts for coastal
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greenbelts may be entitled to receive grants and incentives for the purpose building
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technical capacities in implementing the LCGMAP and supporting programs which
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are in line with the objectives of this Act. The national incentive program, including
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but not limited to, technical assistance and capacity building for the development of
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the Local Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan, that will encourage the
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participation of LGUs in the implementation of this Act, shall be Included in the
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NCGMAP. The Local Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan shall be consistent
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with and/or integrated into the local development plan. Comprehensive Land Use
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Plan, Local Climate Change Action Plan, and other relevant plans.
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Sec. 9. Coastal Greenbelt Incentive Fund. -There is hereby created a special
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account under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) called "Coastal Greenbelt Fund"
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(CGIF). The fund shall be utilized to pay out the incentives granted to LGUs which
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qualify for the CGIF.
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Sec. 10. Enforcement Actions. -
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a) 
In addition to the penalties provided under existing laws, any person
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who obstructs the LGU, DENR, or any other authorized agency or
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officer in the removal of illegal structures, or the BFAR in the process
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of reversion of abandoned fishponds, shall be liable to that agency for
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an administrative fine of fifty thousand pesos 
(P50,000.00) per day
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that the agency is prevented from performing Its function.
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b) 
No structures shall be built within the identified coastal greenbelt zones
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without permits from the LGU, DENR or BFAR, consistent with their
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mandates. Any person who violates this prohibition shall be liable for
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an administrative fine of fifty thousand pesos 
(P50,000.00) per day
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from the time the structure was built until its removal.
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c) 
Proceeds from administrative fines under this Section shail be retained
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by the agency imposing such fines and used exciusiveiy for the
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implementation of Its mandate under this Act.
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d) 
Legal actions filed in the exercise of rights and enforcement of
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obligations under this Act shall also be covered by the Fisheries Code,
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as amended by RA 10654, and the 2010 Supreme Court Rules of
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Procedure for Environmental Cases.
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Sec. 11. Annual Report to Congress. -The Key Implementing Agencies shall
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report to Congress on their progress in meeting the quantitative and qualitative
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targets under the Action Plan for each year. The reports shall be consolidated by the
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Commission for presentation to the appropriate Committee in Congress at a meeting
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called for that purpose.
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Sec. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
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the effectivity of this Act, the DENR and Climate Change Commission shall
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promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of
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this Act.
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Sec. 13. Appropriations. - The Key Implementing Agencies shall draw from
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their existing programs and budgets to implement their responsibilities under the
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Action Plan, and through the People's Survival Fund, where appropriate, subject to
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additional funding In the annual national appropriations, including a special fund for
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LGUs, to meet the targets agreed in the Action Plan.
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Sec. 14. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared
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Invalid or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other
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provisions of this act.
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Sec. 15. Amendatory and Repealing Clause. - To expand the powers and
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functions of the Climate Change Commission, Section 9 of Republic Act 9729, insofar
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as it may be inconsistent with this Act, is hereby amended. All laws, decrees, orders,
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rules and regulations or other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of
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this Act are likewise hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
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circulation.
Approved,
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