c 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
d 
7 
S. No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
I
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The illegal activities of man have led to the unabated destruction of the coral 
reefs in the Philippines. Despite the colossal damage done to the coral reefs, there is 
minimal effort to preserve and protect these gifts. 
Cognizant of such problem, the State hereby acknowledges the importance of 
coral reefs in maintaining our ecological balance as well as for national development. 
For this purpose, this bill proposes the establishment of reservation areas exclusively 
for the protection and preservation of the coral reefs. 
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 


"04 JUN 363 
:Q 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S .  No. 
73 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
e.%. 
J 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF RESERVATION AREAS FOR THE 
RESERVATION AND PROTECTION OF THE CORAL REEFS, PROVIDING 
PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Coral Reefs Protection and 
Preservation Act of 2004 ". 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The illegal activities of man have led to the 
unabated destruction of the coral reefs in the Philippines. Despite the continuous 
damage done to the coral reefs, man has failed to take measures to recover and 
reclaim the losses cause thereby. Cognizant of such problem, the State hereby 
acknowledges the importance of coral reefs in national development. For this purpose, 
there shall be established reservation areas exclusively for the protection and 
preservation of the coral reefs. 
A National Council for the Preservation of the Coral Reefs is hereby created 
which shall be the leading agency to undertake the management of the reservation 
areas. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall be defined as follows: 
a. 
Coral Reefs - a coelenterate of class anthazoa and occur as polyps, 
usually found in shallow ocean water. 
Reservation Areas - coastal areas which have been set aside exclusively 
for the conservation and preservation of coral reefs. 
Coastal Areas - portions of land which border the sea 
b. 
c. 
SECTION 4. Municipal Coastline Reservation Areas. - There shall be established 
and set aside portion of coastal areas in each municipality within the Philippines 
solely for the preservation, protection and management of coral reefs. 


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SECTION 5 National Council for the Preservation of Coral Reefs. - There shall be 
created a National Council for the Preservation of Coral Reefs which shall be an 
attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 
The council shall be headed by the Secretary of the DENR who shall be the Chairman 
of the Council. The other members of the Council shall be 1) the Secretary of the 
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); 2) the Director-General of 
the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); 3) the Director of the 
Forest Management Bureau; 4) a ranking official from an accredited non-governmental 
organization. 
The National Council shall have the following powers and functions: 
a. 
Prepare a comprehensive program for the preservation of the coral reefs 
by conducting the necessary studies on the systems and the mode of 
preservation of the coral reefs; 
Identify the coastal areas which shall form part of the reservation areas; 
Have general control and supervision over all the regional councils; and 
Promulgate the necessary rules and regulations necessary to carry out 
this Act. 
b. 
c. 
d. 
SECTION 6. Regional Council for the Preservation of Coral Reefs. - There shall be 
created a Regional Council for the Preservation of Coral Reefs in each region. The 
Council shall be headed by a Regional Executive Director duly appointed by the 
Chairman of the National Council. Other members of the Regional Council shall be 
composed of representatives from a province or municipality concerned. The Regional 
Council shall have the following powers and functions: 
a. 
Implement and enforce all the programs and policies laid downs by the 
National Council; 
Carry out the general administration and day-to-day planning of the 
program; and 
b. 
c. 
Secure the reservation area from illegal utters, fishermen, and from 
illegal activities which would endanger the successful implementation 
and viability of the program. 
In the exercise of this function, the Regional Council and the Local 
Government under whose jurisdiction the reservation area is located shall 
employ the services of forest guards who shall be tasked with the responsibility 
to guard and police the reservation areas. They shall have the authority to 
arrest those who violate the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations 
pursuant thereto. 
In the event that any member or officer of the National and Regional 
Council or any of the forest guards are found to be involved in illegal activities, 
or found to be guilty of malfeasance, the concerned individual shall be held 
liable for such violations and shall be prosecuted in accordance with the 


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provisions of Section 8 of this Act without prejudice to any criminal liability 
which he or she may be found guilty of. 
d. 
Perform other powers and functions as may be designated by tire 
National Council. 
SECTION 7. Prohibited Acts. - The following acts are prohibited: 
a. 
b. 
c. 
d. 
Dumping of mine tailings and other industrial wastes within the 
Destruction of the coral reefs within the reservation areas; 
Harvesting of coral reefs within the reservation areas; 
Illegal fishing activities prejudicial to the preservation of the coral reefs; 
reservation areas; and 
e. 
Other acts or activities which will result in the destruction of the 
reservation areas. 
SECTION 8. Penalties. - Those who are found guilty of violating this Act or any 
rules and regulations issued by the National Council shall, after notice and hearing by 
the regular courts of record, be fined in the amount of not less than Five hundred 
thousand pesos (P500,OOO.OO) but not more than one million pesos (P1 ,OOO,OOO.OO), 
or imprisoned for at least one (I) year but not more than six (6) years, or both, in the 
discretion of the court. 
If the offender is an association or corporation, the president or manager shall 
be directly responsible for the act of his employees and laborers. 
SECTION 9. Separability Clause, - Should any provision of this Act, be declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, no other provisions hereof shall be affected thereby. 
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act, are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 1 1. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in two newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,