August 2, 2023
6:04 pm
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session
)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House Bill No._______
Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda Jr.
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR BLUE ECONOMY, PROMOTING
STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL
AND MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
session assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Blue Economy Act.”
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It shall be the policy of the State to:
(a)
Adopt blue economy as a framework for sustainable and safe use and
development of marine wealth within our Maritime Zones, as a pillar of our
national economy and patrimony;
(b)
Exercise stewardship of our seas and coasts, and protect and conserve
the health and resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems and habitats to promote
the well-being, prosperity and security of present and future generations;
(c)
Preserve our maritime heritage, recognize the social, cultural, and
historical value of our seas and coasts, and foster public understanding and respect
of the value of our seas and coasts to build a strong foundation for social
responsibility;
(d)
Enrich scientific understanding of marine and coastal ecosystems, the
benefits we gain from these ecosystems (e.g. carbon sequestration), their changing
conditions and the causes thereof, and use the best available scientific knowledge
to inform decisions affecting our seas and coasts and to enhance our capacity to
respond and adapt to changing maritime environments;
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(e)
Foster international cooperation, and exercise rights and jurisdiction in
accordance with applicable international laws, including on freedom of navigation;
(f)
Strategically address the factors that adversely affect the oceans and
the living and non-living resources that comprise our seas, turning threats into
opportunities and preventing further harm to all water bodies including land-based
pollution;.
(g) Ensure a whole-of-nation approach and a comprehensive, integrated
framework for the stewardship of our seas and coasts to facilitate cohesive action
of the National Government, local authorities, academe, non-governmental
organizations, the private sector, and the public.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act:
(a)
Aquaculture refers to the farming of aquatic organisms including fish,
molluscs,
crustaceans
and
aquatic plants. Farming implies some sort of
intervention in the rearing process to enhance production, such as regular stocking,
feeding, protection from predators, etc. Farming also implies individual or
corporate ownership of the stock being cultivated, the planning, development and
operation of aquaculture systems, sites, facilities and practices, and the production
and transport;
(b)
Aquisilviculture refers to a multi-purpose production system that
allows production of fish in a mangrove reforestation project;
(c)
Blue economy refers to a practical ocean-based economic model using
green infrastructure and technologies, innovative financing mechanisms, and
proactive institutional arrangements for meeting the twin goals of protecting our
oceans and coasts and enhancing its potential contribution to sustainable
development, including improving human well-being, and reducing environmental
risks and ecological scarcities;
(d)
Commercial fishing refers to the harvesting of fish, either in whole or
in part, for sale, barter or trade;
(e)
Ecosystem services refer to the flow of benefits which humans gain
from ecosystems, through biological processes and climate, hydrological and
biochemical cycles, and experiences that contribute to intangible culture;
(f)
Environmental-economic accounting refers to a systematic way to
measure and report on stocks and flows of natural assets and resources – both


biotic and biotic, renewable and non-renewable – and ecosystem services, to
determine the contribution of the environment to the economy and the impact of
the economy on the environment;
(g)
Environmental-economic accounts refer to statistical information, in
physical or monetary terms, about the extraction of natural resources, their use
within the economy, natural resource stock levels, the changes in those stocks
during a specific period, and such other economic activities related to the
environment;
(h)
Integrated
marine
and
coastal
area
management refers
to
a
participatory process for decision-making to prevent, control, or mitigate adverse
impacts from human activities in the marine and coastal environment, and to
contribute to the restoration of degraded coastal areas;
(i)
Investment promotion agencies refer to government entities created by
law, executive order, decree or other issuance, in charge of promoting investments,
granting and administering tax and non-tax incentives, and overseeing the
operations of the different economic zones and freeports in accordance with their
respective special laws. These include the Board of Investments (BOI), Regional
Board of Investments-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RBOI-ARMM),
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), Bases Conversion and Development
Authority
(BCDA),
Subic
Bay
Metropolitan
Authority
(SBMA),
Clark
Development Corporation (CDC), John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC),
Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority
(CEZA),
Zamboanga
City
Special
Economic
Zone
Authority (ZCSEZA),
PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority (PIA), Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and
Freeport Authority (APECO), Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB),
Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and all other
similar existing authorities or that may be created by law;
(j)
Land-based pollution - Municipal, industrial and agricultural wastes
and run-off including but not limited to sewage and waste water, persistent organic
pollutants (including pesticides), heavy metals, oils, nutrients and sediments -
whether brought by rivers or discharged directly into coastal waters


(k)
Mariculture refers to the farming of organisms, both plants and
animals, in an aquatic medium or environment which may be completely marine
(sea), or sea water mixed to various degrees with fresh water. This definition would
include both the sea and inland brackishwater areas;
(l)
Marine scientific research refers to any research activity, which is
conducted for exclusively peaceful purposes, for the purpose of increasing
scientific knowledge about the marine environment, including all natural resources,
toward the benefit of mankind and according to the United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea;
(m)
Maritime domain awareness refers to the effective understanding of
any activity that could impact upon the security, safety, economy or environment;
(n)
Maritime spatial planning refers to a process by which human
activities in Maritime Zones are analyzed and organized, based on best available
scientific knowledge, and to achieve economic, ecological and social objectives;
(o)
Ocean-based activities refer to activities that are undertaken in the
ocean, e.g. fisheries and aquaculture, offshore oil and gas, mining, ocean energy,
desalination,
shipping
and
marine
transportation,
marine
tourism,
marine
construction;
(p)
Ocean-related activities refer to activities that use products from the
ocean (e.g., seafood processing, marine biotechnology, chemicals, salt, etc.) and
produce products and services for the ocean and ocean-based activities (e.g., ship
building and repair, ports, tourist resorts, communication, maritime insurance and
law, maritime technical services, etc.);
(q)
Subsistence
fishing
–
fishing
for
personal
consumption
or
traditional/ceremonial purposes;
(r)
Ocean literacy refers to an understanding of the ocean’s influence on
humans and human influence on the ocean.
Sec. 4. Scope of Application. – For purposes of this Act, the Philippines
shall exercise sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, in accordance with
international law, as appropriate, in internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial
sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone and continent shelf, herein
collectively referred to as “Maritime Zones”, including its seabed and subsoil, and
any and all maritime features within the Maritime Zones now known or to be


known in the future, without prejudice to the power, authority and right granted
exclusively to the Bangsamoro Government under Republic Act No. 11054, also
known as the “Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao,” or the powers of Protected Area Management Boards over protected
seascapes to explore, develop, and utilize natural resources within its territorial
jurisdiction.
CHAPTER II
NATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL
Sec. 5. National Maritime Council. – The National Coast Watch Council,
created under Executive Order No. 57, Series of 2011, is hereby renamed and
reconstituted as the National Maritime Council, herein referred to as the “Council,”
and its functions expanded to include the formulation of an integrated strategy to
promote blue economy and ecosystem-based management of coastal and marine
resources.
Sec. 6. Composition. – The Council is composed of the following:
(a)
Executive Secretary, as Chairperson;
(b)
Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning;
(c)
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources;
(d)
Secretary of National Defense;
(e)
Secretary of Foreign Affairs;
(f)
Secretary of Justice;
(g)
Secretary of the Interior and Local Government;
(h)
Secretary of Agriculture;
(i)
Secretary of Tourism;
(j)
Secretary of Transportation;
(k)
Secretary of Trade and Industry;
(l)
Secretary of Energy;
(m)
Secretary of Science and Technology; and
(n)
Secretary of Finance.
Department Secretaries may designate an Undersecretary, whose portfolio
covers matters directly or principally relating to the development or management
of coastal and marine resources and ecosystems, if applicable. They shall sit in a
permanent capacity, and their acts shall be considered the acts of their principals.


Sec. 7. Secretariat. – The Coastal Watch Council Secretariat, created under
Section 4 of Executive Order No. 57, Series of 2011, is hereby renamed as the
National
Maritime
Office
and
shall
continue
to
provide
technical
and
administrative support to the Council.
Sec. 8. Support Agencies. – Section 6 of Executive Order No. 57, Series of
2011 is hereby amended to include the following agencies to provide material or
technical support to the Council, as may be deemed necessary:
(a)
Climate Change Commission
(b)
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas;
(c)
Board of Investments;
(d)
Securities and Exchange Commission;
(e)
Philippine Statistics Authority;
(f)
National Mapping and Resources Information Authority;
(g)
Environmental Management Bureau;
(h)
Biodiversity Management Bureau-Coastal and Marine Division;
(i)
Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards;
(j)
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority;
(k)
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries;
(l)
Maritime Industry Authority;
(m)
Philippine Ports Authority;
(n)
Philippine Reclamation Authority;
(o)
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources
Research and Development;
(p)
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA);
(q)
Department of Foreign Affairs-Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office;
(r)
National Museum-Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage
Division;
(s)
University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute; and
(t)
Investment promotion agencies.
In order to ensure the efficient and effective discharge of its responsibilities, the
Council may create working groups, and call upon other departments, bureaus,
offices and instrumentalities of the Government, and academic and research


institutions engaged in marine science and ocean-based or ocean-related activities
to participate in working groups, as it may deem necessary.
CHAPTER III
POLICY FRAMEWORK ON BLUE ECONOMY
SEC. 9. Policy Framework on Blue Economy. – The Council shall, within
six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, formulate a Policy Framework on
Blue Economy, herein referred to as the Policy Framework. The Policy Framework
shall serve as the basis for marine spatial planning, determination of investments to
enhance maritime domain awareness, the preservation of value and sustainability
of ocean resources and their protection from threats such as land-based pollution
and overfishing and enforcement of economic and environmental regulations
within our Maritime Zones. The Policy Framework shall be subject to mandatory
review and modification every five (5) years.
Sec. 10. Components of the Policy Framework on Blue Economy. – The
Policy Framework shall include the following components:
(a)
Review of all existing policies, plans, programs, projects, rules and
regulations on ocean-based and ocean-related activities;
(b)
Adherence to international maritime laws;
(c)
Analysis of current and emerging trends and changes in demography,
consumption, trade, technology, environmental quality and climate that show the
interaction between the economy and the environment, present threats and
pressures on coastal and marine environments and damage estimation;
(d)
Environmental-economic accounting of coastal and marine assets and
resources, and ecosystem services from coastal and marine environments,
including assessment of losses due to degradation or major pollution events such as
oil spills;
(e)
Priority strategic and sustainable ocean-based and ocean-related
economic activities, which may include:
(1)
Fisheries, including commercial fishing, but with preference to
subsistence fisheries, as mandated by Section 7, Art. XIII, of the
Constitution;
(2)
Aquaculture, mariculture and aquasilviculture;
(3)
Marine and coastal tourism;


(4)
Environmentally and hydrologically appropriate reclamation;
(5)
Shipping, logistics and maritime transport;
(6)
Ship-building and ship repair;
(7)
Exploration, exploitation and extraction of oil and natural gas;
(8)
Production of renewable energy from marine sources;
(9)
Submarine mining or extraction of minerals and aggregates;
(10)
Installation of submarine cables and pipelines;
(11)
Bioremediation, Marine biotechnology and bioprospecting;
(12)
Desalination; and
(13)
Underwater cultural heritage and maritime archaeology.
(f)
Guiding
framework
for
integrated
marine
and
coastal
area
management;
(g)
Guiding framework for blue finance;
(h)
Priority research and development agenda, maximizing opportunities
created for pollution control, remediation, used water economics and other
industries that address threats;
(i)
Promotion of ocean literacy and social responsibility towards the
protection of coastal and marine environments;
(j)
Enhancement of capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and
civilian agencies to enforce laws, rules and regulations to protect our marine
wealth;
(k)
Goals, targets and indicators for growth, resilience and sustainability
of priority strategic and sustainable ocean-based and ocean-related activities,
including its contribution to Gross Domestic Product and job creation;
CHAPTER IV
ADHERENCE TO INTERNATIONAL MARITIME INSTRUMENTS
Sec. 11. International Maritime Instruments Implementation and Reporting.
– The Council shall establish mechanisms for the full and effective implementation
and enforcement of the following international maritime instruments and their
subsequent amendments and the reporting of compliance and adherence to the
President and Congress:


(a)
Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora
and Fauna;
(b)
UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural
Heritage;
(c)
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as
amended, and its Protocol of 1988 (SOLAS 74);
(d)
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
and its Protocol of 1978 (MAPROL 73/78);
(e)
Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions
at Sea, 1972, as amended (COLREG 72);
(f)
International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 and its Protocol of
1988, as amended (LL 66);
(g)
International Convention on the Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969
(TONNAGE 69);
(h)
Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety
of Maritime Navigation, 1988 (SUA) and its Protocol;
(i)
International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and
Co-operation 1990 (OPRC 1990);
(j)
International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’
Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWM 2004);
(k)
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by dumping of
Wastes and Other Matter, 1972, as amended, and its 1996 Protocol (LCP);
(l)
Special Trade Passenger Ships Agreement, 1971 (STP 71);
(m)
Convention on the International Mobile Satellite Organization, as
amended (IMSO 1976) and its Operating Agreement (INMARSAT);
(n)
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, As Amended (STCW 78);
(o)
International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling
Systems on Ships, 2001 (AFS 2001);
(p)
Protocol of 1992 to Amend the International Convention on Civil
Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969;


(q)
Protocol of 1992 to amend the International Convention on the
Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution
Damage, 1971;
Sec. 12. Application. – Unless otherwise indicated, the international
conventions enumerated in the preceding section shall apply to:
(a)
All ships, whether seagoing or coastwise, which are registered under
the Philippine flag;
(b)
All persons, partnerships, corporations, firms and other entities duly
registered or licensed in the Philippines to engage in ocean-based or ocean-related
enterprise, or those acting on their behalf;
(c)
All foreign ships that are within the waters, ports, harbors and
offshore terminals of the Philippines regardless of whether or not they are
registered in, or belong to, State Parties to the conventions sought to be
implemented by this Act.
(d)
All entities that have land-based activities with substantial positive or
adverse impact on the marine ecosystem;
CHAPTER V
ENVIRONMENTAL-ECONOMIC ACCOUNTING
SEC. 13. Environmental-Economic Accounting. – The Council shall
undertake environmental-economic accounting of maritime ecosystems and
resources, based on the United Nations System of Environmental-Economic
Accounting. Members of the Council and heads of support agencies shall
contribute data on environmental-economic accounts relating to their mandates
including damage estimation and sea level rise projections.
Sec. 14. Framework. – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shall
develop a framework for the collection, compilation, processing, analysis,
publication and dissemination of environmental-economic accounts and its
integration in the national accounts: Provided, That PSA shall integrate the
collection
of
environmental-economic accounts into the Community-Based
Monitoring System for local government units (LGUs); Provided, further, That the
PSA shall coordinate with and provide technical assistance to Members of the


Council, support agencies, investment promotion agencies and LGUs to ensure
compliance
to
standard
environmental-economic
accounting
techniques,
methodologies, concepts, definitions and classifications to prevent duplication in
collection of statistical information.
CHAPTER VI
INTEGRATED MARINE AND COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT
Sec. 15. Integrated Marine and Coastal Area Management (IMCAM). – The
Integrated Marine and Coastal Area Management (IMCAM) shall be the
framework to address human impacts on marine and coastal biological diversity,
and for promoting conservation and sustainable use of this biodiversity.
Sec. 16. Elements of the National IMCAM Framework. – The Council shall
develop and implement the National IMCAM Framework within one (1) year from
the effectivity of this Act to provide direction, support and guidance to relevant
member and support agencies, LGUs and other stakeholders, according to the
Elaborated Programme of Work on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity
contained in the Annex to Decision VII/5 of the Conference of the Parties to the
United Nations Environmental Programme Convention on Biological Diversity.
Accordingly, the National IMCAM Framework shall consider the following
elements:
(a)
Building capacity of stakeholders, in both national and local levels, to
apply
relevant
policy
instruments
to address legal issues, institutionalize
participatory processes, and develop strategies to promote multidisciplinary and
multisectoral ecosystem-based management of coastal and marine environments;
(b)
Direct action to protect coastal and marine environments from
negative impacts, such as:
(1)
Alteration and destruction, of coastal and marine habitats,
particularly areas important for reproduction, inter alia, coral reef systems,
sea grass areas and the sea bed;
(2)
Marine and land-based pollution;
(3)
Improper
coastal
land
use
and
the
mismanagement
of
watersheds;
(4)
Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, by-catch especially
of threatened species, ;


(c)
Establishment of mechanisms and guidelines for research, monitoring,
assessment and valuation of coastal and marine ecosystems and resources,
including indicators to measure natural and human-induced impacts
CHAPTER VII
PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF COASTAL AND MARINE
RESOURCES
SEC. 17. Protection of Endangered Species. – The Council shall spearhead
the conservation, protection and rehabilitation of rare, threatened and endangered
aquatic species as it may determine, including their habitats and migratory routes
such as the East Asian Current. It shall recommend to the President and Congress
the designation of coastal and marine areas as protected areas under the Expanded
National Integrated Protected Areas System, or sanctuaries of local conservation
areas under the Fisheries Code and the Local Government Code, and in compliance
with the relevant provisions of international treaties and agreements such as, the
Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and
Fauna, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and Convention on
Biological Diversity.
Sec. 18. Policy Coordination. – The Council shall harmonize rules and
regulations of all relevant agencies responsible for the implementation and
enforcement of laws to prevent and eliminate illegal fishing such as Republic Act
(RA) No. 8550, also known as the “Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998,” as
amended by RA 10654.
CHAPTER VIII
DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
Sec. 19. Maritime Spatial Planning. – The Council shall undertake a
nationwide maritime spatial planning to identify the spatial and temporal
distribution of priority activities and uses and the interactions thereof in Maritime
Zones, in order to reduce conflict among uses, facilitate complementary uses,
mitigate environmental impacts, prevent marine dead zones and preserve
ecosystem services.
Sec. 20. Industry Development Plans. – The Council, through working
groups created for the purpose, shall prepare five-year and ten-year development


plans for each priority strategic and sustainable ocean-based or ocean-related
industry, in accordance with the Policy Framework.
Sec. 21. Integration with Area and National Development Plans. – The
National Economic and Development Authority shall integrate the maritime spatial
plan and industry development plans into the Philippine Development Plan, the
National Priority Plan, the National Physical Framework Plan, and Area Spatial
Development Framework.
Sec. 22. Inclusion in Strategic Investment Priority Plan. – The Council shall
recommend to the Board of Investments the inclusion of identified priority
strategic ocean-based and ocean-based activities in the Strategic Investment
Priority Plan.
Sec. 23. Blue Economic Zones. – Investment promotion agencies shall
encourage the establishment of blue economic zones and the transformation of
existing special economic zones (SEZs) into the same, where locator enterprises
engaged in ocean-based or ocean-related activities shall enjoy the privileges,
benefits, advantages or exemptions granted to economic zones and freeports in
accordance with their respective special laws.
In addition, the incentives provided for under the following laws may be
granted to blue SEZs:
(a)
RA 9003, or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000;”
(b)
RA 9275, or the “Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004;”
(c)
RA 9513, or the “Renewable Energy Act of 2008;” and
(d)
RA 10771, or the “Philippine Green Jobs Act of 2016.”
Blue SEZs may also qualify for financing provided for under RA 11293, or
the “Philippine Innovation Act.”
CHAPTER IX
BLUE FINANCE
Sec. 24. Role of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). – In the exercise of
its regulatory powers over financial institutions, the BSP shall mandate banks and
quasi-banks to adopt the United Nations Environment Programme Sustainable
Blue Economy Finance Principles as a foundation of corporate governance and risk
management.


Sec. 25. Role of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). – The SEC
shall encourage the issuance of blue bonds where proceeds will be exclusively
applied to finance or refinance, in part or in full, strategic and sustainable
ocean-based or ocean-related activities, in accordance with ASEAN Green Bonds
Standards and Green Bonds Principles, as developed and may be revised from time
to time by the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum and the International Capital
Market Association, respectively.
Sec. 26. Role of Government Financial Institutions. – The Land Bank of the
Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines shall allocate five
percent (5%) of its regular loan portfolio for credit to strategic and sustainable
ocean-based or ocean-related enterprises.
CHAPTER X
MARINE SCIENCE AND OCEAN LITERACY
Sec. 27. Marine Scientific Research. – The State recognizes marine science
as a foundation of maritime governance, insofar as rules governing the use of
coastal and marine resources must be based on the sound scientific understanding
of the marine environment. In accordance with UNCLOS, the Philippines has the
exclusive rights to regulate, authorize and conduct marine scientific research in our
internal waters, archipelagic waters and territorial sea; whereas, the Philippines has
rights to regulate, authorize and conduct maritime research in our exclusive
economic zone and continental shelf: Provided, That the marine scientific research
activities shall not unjustifiably interfere with other legitimate uses of the sea and
shall not constitute the legal basis for any claim to any part of the marine
environment or its resources.
Marine scientific research by foreign states and competent international
organizations may only be conducted with the express consent of and the
conditions set forth by the Council, in accordance with the UNCLOS.
Sec. 28. Ocean Literacy Framework. – The Department of Education,
Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority and other government agencies implementing sector-specific literacy
programs, in consultation with relevant Members of the Council or support
agencies, shall integrate into the curricula of K-12, the Alternative Learning
System, general education programs of higher education institutions, technical and


vocational education and training, and other community-based training programs,
the essential principles and fundamental concepts of ocean sciences to develop the
following competencies:
(a)
Understanding the importance of the ocean to humankind;
(b)
Communicating about the ocean in a meaningful way; and,
(c)
Making informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and
its resources.
CHAPTER XI
FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION
SEC. 29. Archipelagic Sea Lanes. – The Council shall designate sea lanes
and air routes there above, suitable for the continuous and expeditious passage of
foreign ships and aircrafts through or over the archipelagic waters and the adjacent
territorial sea, and shall, where necessary as regards to the safety of navigation,
require foreign ships exercising the right of innocent passage to use such lanes and
traffic separation schemes in accordance with the UNCLOS.
CHAPTER XII
ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Sec. 30. Role of Local Government Units. – Cities and municipalities shall
continue to exercise jurisdiction over municipal waters, pursuant to RA 7160, also
known as the “Local Government Code of 1991,” as amended, and RA 8550, as
amended. Consistent with this mandate, local government units shall act as the
frontline agencies in the formulation, planning and implementation of IMCAM in
their respective jurisdictions. LGUs shall integrate the National Maritime Spatial
Plan and opportunities such as the National Sewage and Septage Management Plan
and the funds under the Clean Water Act in their Comprehensive Development and
Annual Investment Plans.
Sec. 31. Inter-LGU Cooperation. – Consistent with the provisions of RA
7160, as amended, LGUs may group themselves, consolidate or coordinate their
efforts, services, and resources for the accomplishment of the objectives of this
Act.
CHAPTER XIII
FINAL PROVISIONS


Sec. 32. Congressional Oversight. – For the effective implementation of this
Act, a Congressional Oversight Committee is created to be known as the Blue
Economy Oversight Committee. The Blue Economy Oversight Committee shall be
composed of five (5) Senators and five (5) Representatives to be appointed by the
Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively.
The Minority shall be entitled to pro rata representation.
The Blue Economy
Oversight Committee shall be jointly chaired by the Chairperson of the Senate
Committee on Economic Affairs and the Chairperson of the House Committee on
Economic Affairs.
Sec. 33. Appropriations. – The amount of One hundred million pesos
(P100,000,000.00) as initial funding for the Council to be charged against the
unexpended Contingency Fund of the Office of the President is hereby
appropriated. Thereafter, the amount needed for the implementation of this Act
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 34. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Council shall issue the
implementing rules and regulations within sixty (60) days from the approval of this
Act: Provided, That That failure to issue rules and regulations shall not in any
manner affect the executory nature of the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 35. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected shall remain in full force
and effect.
Sec. 36. Repealing Clause. – All other laws, decrees, executive orders, and
rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 37. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,