-A
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S.B. No.
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SENATE
591
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•22 JUL 14 All W
RECEIVED BY; 
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HON7IVEROS
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL COASTAL GREENBELT PROGRAM, PROVIDING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In 2013, super-typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit Eastern Visayas and felt in other 
parts of the country as it left 6,201 killed and four million people lost their homes. It was 
estimated that over 14 million people were affected over 46 provinces. In 2020, a similar 
deadly Super Typhoon Roily battered the Bicol Region and neighboring areas that killed 
at least 20 people, of which 14 were from Albay and 6 from Catanduanes, based from 
the report of the Office of Civil Defense. It also damaged agricultural crops and 
infrastructure worth Php6 billion as estimated by the Department of Agriculture and 
Department of Public Works and Highways.
Previous storms, Ondoy, Pablo, Sendong and Odette in 2021 have wrought havoc 
to other cities and provinces in the past half-decade, crippling the economic and social 
development of the Filipino people. In Typhoon Odette alone, the total number of affected 
fisherfoik reached 41,176 and the total damage and losses amounted to Php3,969,118.09 
based from the Damage and Losses Assessment by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau 
of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
The Philippines is battered by more than 20 typhoons a year, with an increasing 
number in the super-typhoon category. These could bring as much damage as Yolanda 
and Roily The losses attributed were caused by storm surges and strong winds coming 
from the open ocean, particularly in the Eastern Pacific Seaboard. In the age of global 
climate change, this has unfortunately become the new normal.
The poor coastal communities7 natural exposure to storm surges and lack of 
resources for preparation and recovery make them most vulnerable.
It is imperative to think of innovative, sustainable and cost-efficient ways for 
Filipinos to protect themselves, their properties and communities from the devastating 
impacts of natural disasters.


The Philippines is taking great strides in disaster preparedness. Recent laws 
created the Climate Change Commission through Republic Act No. (R.A.) 9729 and 
strengthened the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council through R.A. 
No. 10121. In addition, the People's Survival Fund through R.A. No. 10174 was created 
to support adaptation activities of local governments and communities to increase their 
resilience.
Disaster preparedness comprises a whole suite of Items, such as early warning 
systems, elevated shelters, hard engineering (e.g., breakwaters) and green engineering/ 
infrastructure.
The establishment of greenbelts of mangroves and beach forests along coastlines 
is a proven green engineering Intervention. Coastal greenbelts particularly mangroves 
plays an essential role In mitigating climate change and Its impacts. Collectively termed 
as blue carbon ecosystem along with salt marsh and seagrass meadows have been 
regarded as powerhouse of carbon sequestration. The role of blue carbon ecosystems, 
particularly mangroves, are now being incorporated In the climate change mitigation 
modalities particularly in the Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest 
Degradation or REDD (lUCN 2012).
Nature-based solutions for climate such as coastal greenbelt protection and 
management, harness the power of nature to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also 
help us adapt to the impacts of climate change and reduce disaster risks. They are win- 
win solutions that involve protecting, restoring and sustainably managing ecosystems to 
address society's challenges and promote human well-being. It also addresses our 
biodiversity crisis. Globally, around a million animal and plant species are now threatened 
with extinction - more than ever before in human history because of mangrove 
destruction.
As the Philippines' 36,000 km coastline is among the longest In the world, coastal 
greenbelts effectively mitigate the damaging impacts of waves and storm surges. Some 
of the scientifically proven benefits are:
• Wave height of wind and swell waves can be reduced by 13-66% over 100m of 
mangroves;
• Storm surge attenuation of 5-50 cm per kilometer width of mangroves;
• Surface wind waves can be reduced by more than 75% over one kilometer of 
mangroves;
• 50% reduction In storm surges by a 7-km band of mangroves.
Furthermore, coastal forests can reduce the force, depth and velocity of a tsunami, 
lessening damage to property and reducing loss of life. In addition, mangrove root growth 
pushes the soil upward, resulting in a higher soil level. These processes can allow 
mangroves to keep pace with rising sea levels. Some mangroves sit on top of deep layers 
of mangrove peat that may be 6 meters deep or more, that were built up over thousands


of years as sea levels rose. These mangrove soils grew vertically at rates of up to 10 mm 
per year in sites from Australia to Belize, suggesting that mangroves may be able to keep 
up with similar rates of sea level rise into the future, where local conditions allow. While 
not all mangroves may be able to fully "keep up" with rising seas, even a small increase 
in soil surface height over time may help to reduce the impact of sea level rise on coastal 
areas. Mangroves may be able to colonize landward areas if space is available, and thus, 
continue to provide coastal defense services against waves and storms.
Coastal greenbelts are also cost-effective for disaster preparedness in the long 
term. The total valuation of mangroves is estimated at US$14,000-16,000 per hectare, of 
which about 80% is for coastal protection value. The cost of establishing coastal 
greenbelts to protect against storm surge and tsunami would only be a fraction of the 
damages that could be brought by the yearly battering of typhoons.
A number of existing laws, policies and regulations on mangroves have been issued 
over the years resulting in a fragmented and conflicting policy environment. This bill aims 
to come up with a strategic program to rationalize the development of mangroves and 
beach forests for coastal protection; it is anchored on a comprehensive policy framework 
that addresses the fragmented approach in the past.
Establishing the National Coastal Greenbelt Program shall provide appropriate 
agencies and government Instrumentalities the mandates, funding, and general guiding 
principles for implementing a science-based and cost-effective program. The proposed 
National Greenbelt Program mandates establishment of 100-meter protection zones. 
Initially for the Eastern Pacific seaboard, where typhoons make landfall. This Program can 
also reap added benefits. The establishment of science-based coastal greenbelts is 
expected to protect biodiversity, improve fisheries productivity, and enhance the tourism 
and livelihood potential of the area. Transforming vulnerable coastal villages into highly 
resilient and sustainable communities is a step towards a nation that is inclusive for all.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
RISA HOMTIVEROS 
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
Senate
of the
*22 JUL 14 All :09
SENATE
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL COASTAL GREENBELT PROGRAM, PROVIDING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Phiiippines 
in Congress assembied:
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SECTION 1. Tide. -This Act shall be known as the "National Coastal Greenbelt
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Act."
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Sec. 2. Deciaration of Poiicy. -The State shall ensure the protection of the rights
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of the people to a healthful and balanced ecology as enshrined In our 1987 Philippine
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Constitution. Consistent with the Climate Change Act of 2009 (R.A. No. 9729), as
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amended by R.A. No. 10174, the State shall encourage the participation of the national
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government, local governments, businesses, nongovernment organizations, local
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communities and the public to prevent and reduce the adverse impacts of climate change.
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The State shall also recognize that climate change and disaster risk reduction and
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management are closely interrelated. The State shall incorporate a gender-sensitive, pro-
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children and pro-poor perspective in all plans of disaster risk reduction and management
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and applies the Ecosystem-Based Adaptation to climate change. These principles shall be
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further integrated into climate change programs and initiatives. Taking into account the
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effects of climate change and the need to conserve and develop the conditions of our
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environment, the State shall take appropriate measures to protect the lives and property
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of the people from the Impacts in coastal areas of typhoons, tsunamis and similar natural
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events.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:
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a. Coastaigreenbeits - a strip of natural or planted coastal vegetation, stretching
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at least 100 meters in width from the sea towards land, primarily of mangrove
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and beach forest species, which are designed to prevent coastal erosion, and
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mitigate the adverse impacts of natural coastal hazards on human lives and
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property.


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b. Designated area for coastal greenbelts - site-specific stretch of vegetation in
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the coastal zone, defined in relation to risk factors and vulnerability to coastal
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hazards, and reserved for protection and maintenance under the National
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Coastal Greenbelt Action 
Plan. The area may undergo 
rehabilitation,
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reforestation or afforestation with locally appropriate species. Designated areas
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with abandoned fishponds 
require the reversion of these 
fishponds to
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mangroves through natural regeneration or replanting with locally appropriate
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species. Designated areas with illegal structures (such as 
breakwaters,
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permanent residential/ commercial structures, and the like) require removal of
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such structures.
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c. Ecosystem-Based Adaptation-is an approach to address climate change
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through the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an over-all
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adaptation strategy to help people to adapt to the adverse effects of climate
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change (Convention on Biological Diversity, 2009)
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d. Local Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan (LCGAP) - the local action plan shall be
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based on the NCGAP. It shall contain the specific goals and targets for the
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implementation of the program set in the NCGAP.
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e. National Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan (NCGAP) - the operational plan that
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shall serve as the guide for the Local Greenbelt Action Plan (LCGAP). It shall
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contain the implementing guidelines on how to go about Section 4 of this Act.
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Sec. 4. National Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan (NCGAP). - The Climate Change
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Commission shall, within six (6) months, identify and convene all national government
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agencies and instrumentalities responsible for foreshore management, mangrove and
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beach forest 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 National Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan (NCGAP). The NGCAP will provide input
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to the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) and the Nationally Determined
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Contributions that the Philippines will submit to the United Nations Framework Convention
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on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement.
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The NCGAP, at the minimum, contain the following:
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a. Spatial representation, or if feasible, quick/ rapid inventory of the status of
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coastlines and foreshores, including the status of mangroves, beach forests,
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settlements, structures and fishponds at least within 100 meters therein;
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b. Assessment of priority areas to be declared as coastal greenbelts, for each
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coastal province, city and municipality, to protect by means of mangroves and
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beach forests, based on vulnerability to storm surges, waves, tsunami and the


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like. The Action Plan shall indicate that the assessment of priority areas shall 
be completed within twelve (12) months from the adoption of the NCGAP. The 
CCC through its National Panel of Technical Experts shall determine the criteria 
for selection for the priority areas under the NCGAP;
c. Designation of priority areas for coastal greenbelts that are already included as 
either a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System 
(R.A. No. 7586), or Expanded NIPAS (R.A. No. 11038) or as a fish refuge or 
sanctuary under the Fisheries Code of 1998 (R.A. No. 8550, as amended by 
R.A. No. 10654), or as a local marine protected area or fish sanctuaries as may 
be declared by municipalities and cities through ordinances. The designation 
shall be completed within six (6) months from the completion of the 
assessment. Designation shall also be done through a proposal to the 
appropriate agency, municipality or city as may be deemed necessary. If an 
area is designated as a priority area, no structure shall be allowed in said area 
unless It is approved by the DENR or 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, at least 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 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 the designation of the priority area. When necessary, the plan shall 
be complemented and/or combined with simple engineer solution to support 
rehabilitation, reforestation or afforestation initiatives and provide additional 
services such as avoiding further coastal erosion, provide coastal protection 
from wind waves and storm surges if possible.
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. All fishpond areas to be reverted to


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mangroves shall form part of the minimum target for the first year of
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implementation of the Action Plan. In addition the plan should also include a
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comprehensive study of carbon sequestration capacity of mangroves or carbon
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stock assessment in the country.;
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f. Operational Plan for the removal of illegal structures (such as breakwaters,
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permanent residential/ commercial structures, and the like), in the identified
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priority coastal greenbelts. The NCGAP shall indicate that the declaration of and
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notice to persons responsible for removal of illegal structures shall be
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completed within twelve (12) months from the adoption thereof. The removal
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of illegal structures in and start of rehabilitation, reforestation or afforestation
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of these areas shall form part of the minimum target for the first year of
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implementation of the Action Plan.
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g. Monitoring and evaluation plan, with quantitative and qualitative targets
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consistent with (d), (e) and (f) above, appropriate indicators and reasonable
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means of verification. The plan shall become an integrated part of the Action
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Plan and Annual Report to Congress.
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The Climate Change Commission (CCC) shall be responsible for consolidating the
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NCGAP not later than twelve (12) months from the date this Act takes effect.
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Sec. 5. Key Implementing Agencies. -The following agencies shall take the lead
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in implementing components of the Program and Action Plan that are relevant to their
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mandates:
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a. The Climate Change Commission (CCC) shall be responsible for the
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congregation of relevant government agencies, facilitation of public
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participation in the preparation of the NCGAP, integration of the NCGAP into
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Local Coastal Greenbelt Action Plans and the preparation of the integrated
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report to Congress especially with regard to the expenditure of the
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appropriation and other pertinent matters under Section 8 of this Act;
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b. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its
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relevant offices, shall be responsible for (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) of Section
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4 of this Act in line with existing laws and mandates, and it shall provide the
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CCC all relevant information to aid in the monitoring and evaluation of the
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NCGAP. In particular, the DENR shall identify the Designated Areas that will
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need to be expropriated by the government and to recommend the
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expropriation plan to the CCC;
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c. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Department of
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Agriculture (DA) shall coordinate with the DENR for (e) in Section 4 above or


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the Operational Plan that provides for the reversion of all abandoned fishponds
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to mangroves through natural regeneration or replanting with locally
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appropriate species in line with existing laws and mandates, and it shall provide
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the CCC all relevant information to aid in the monitoring and evaluation of the
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NCGAP'
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d. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) through its relevant
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offices, shall provide technical guidance for provinces, cities and municipalities
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to develop Local Coastal Greenbelt Action Plans, design and implement
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community-based and ecologically appropriate rehabilitation, reforestation and
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afforestation programs, and monitor and evaluate their programs. In particular,
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the Local Inter Agency Committee (LIAC) shall coordinate with the Local
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Government Unit in implementing the action plans.
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In addition, the National Housing Authority (NHA) shall provide appropriation
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for the relocation of the families or individuals who will be affected by the
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implementation of the NCGAP and the LCGAP The other agencies that
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participated in the preparation of the Action Plan shall implement their
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commitments, as provided therein. The actions required of implementing
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agencies are immediately executable, based on the agreed NCGAP, and on
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other existing mandates, programs and budgets that are aligned with the
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NCGAP, without need for formulating implementing guidelines, rules and
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regulations for this Act.
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Sec. 6. National Pane! of Technical Experts. - Consistent with R.A. No. 9729, the
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National Panel of Technical Experts shall provide scientific guidance to the CCC in the
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design, implementation and evaluation of actions under the NCGAP.
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Sec. 7. Local Coastal Greenbeit Action Plan. - Each coastal municipality and city in
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the Identified priority coastal greenbelt areas In the Action Plan shall prepare a Local
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Coastal Greenbelt Action Plan (LCGAP) or its equivalent or from its local climate change
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action plan (LCCAP) to facilitate the implementation of mandated actions in the NCGAP.
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The roles of the municipality or city, particularly the Municipal/City Agriculture Offices and
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the Municipal/City Planning Development Office as provided in the LCGAP shall be to:
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a. Facilitate the implementation of the mandates of the national agencies under
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Section 4, by providing local data and other supporting measures;
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b. Implement complementary programs to assist local communities and local
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businesses that are affected by the actions under Section 4, such as relocation
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sites with basic services such as livelihood and transportation programs, zoning


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or re-zoning of the priority coastal greenbelt areas, as appropriate, and the
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like;
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c. Provide the actual inventory of affected families in Designated Areas and to
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ensure that a just and humane processes of relocation is done;
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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 greenbelts in the Comprehensive Land-Use
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Plan;
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f. Provide data and qualitative feedback to the Key Implementing Agencies as
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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 contiguous
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cities and municipalities sharing a common priority coastal greenbelt area.
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Sec. 8. Enforcement Actions. -
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a) In addition to the penalties provided under existing law, any person who
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obstructs the DENR in the removal of illegal structures, or BEAR in the process
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of reversion of abandoned fishponds, shall be liable to that agency for an
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administrative fine of fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) per day that the agency
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is prevented from performing its function.
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b) No structure shall be built within the identified coastal greenbelts without a
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permit from DENR or BEAR, consistent with their mandates. Any person who
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violates this prohibition shall be liable to the agency for an administrative fine
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of fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) per day from the time the structure was built
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until its removal.
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c) Proceeds from administrative fines under this Section shall be retained by the
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agency imposing such fines and used exclusively for the implementation of its
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mandate under this Act.
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d) Eunds from the enforcement actions under this Act shall be pooled for the
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management and protection of Coastal Greenbelts; and
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e) Legal actions filed in the exercise of rights and enforcement of obligations
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under this Act shall be covered by the Rules of Procedure for Environmental
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Cases.
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Sec. 9. Incentives to Local Government Units. - The CCC in coordination with the
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DA-BEAR and the DENR shall design an incentive award system for LGUs that have
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finalized their evidence-based LCGAP and have supported the establishment of coastal
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greenbelts in their areas.


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Section 10. Annua! Report to Congress. -The Key Implementing Agencies shall
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report to Congress on their progress in meeting the quantitative and qualitative targets
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under the Action Plan for each fiscal year. The reports shall be consolidated by the Climate
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Change Commission for presentation lo the appropriate Committee in Congress at a
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meeting called for the purpose.
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Sec. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
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effectivity of this Act, the CCC, in consultation with the stakeholders, shall promulgate
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the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 12. Appropriations. -The Key Implementing Agencies shall draw from their
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existing programs and budgets to implement their responsibilities under the Action Plan
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and subject to additional funding In the annual national appropriations, to meet the
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targets agreed in the Action Plan.
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Sec. 13. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or
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other Issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
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or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 15. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication
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in the Official Gazette and In two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,